It’s always fun to see what EVs attract the most viewers so we’ll end the year with a roundup of the Top 10 videos produced this year on EV Rider, based on viewership. 

Number 10: Kia EV6

Coming in at number ten, Kia enthusiasts were obviously excited that the EV6 was getting a mid-cycle refresh for the 2025 model year.  

Among the improvements: A jump in range to more than 330 miles per charge for the rear-wheel drive version and a new front end that includes daytime running lights and an LED light bar. 

Number 9: Model 3

Tesla’s Model 3 also got a mild-overhaul, which generated lots of interest as the ninth most watched video. Commonly referred to as the Highland edition, the latest Model 3 includes an upgraded interior, quieter cabin, and revised exterior styling. 

Number 8: Karma Kaveya & Gyesera

Karma is finally showing off new EVs after being reincarnated from the ashes of the first Fisker car company to go out of business. EV Rider was possibly the first media outlet to post video of the unveiling of the Kaveya and Gyesera EVs at the 2024 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, along with design summaries from former GM design chief Ed Welburn and Karma President Marques McCammon. Neither car has made it onto the production line yet. 

Number 7: Eli Zero Micro EV

Coming in at number 7, EV Rider viewers were obviously excited about the possibility of a $12,000 micro EV called the Eli Zero. When we interviewed  U.S. head of operations James Seargent  II, he predicted this tiny EV that’s meant for neighborhoods, urban cores and campuses would be on sale in the U.S. by the end of 2024. 

Although the Eli is on sale overseas, so far there’s no indication that the Zero will make it to American shores as soon as originally forecast. 

Number 6: Vinfast VF8

 A new entry that has made it to the U.S. is coming on strong if EV Rider video views are any indication of interest. The Vinfast VF8 road test that debuted several weeks ago is quickly climbing the viewership ladder. 

And why not? The car company from Vietnam could well end up being the next Kia when it comes to success stories. Formed in 2017, Vinfast already has a full model line-up, including the VF8 SUV EV. 

It appears Vinfast also appeals to high-tech viewers. The 3D spatial version of the VF8 road test was the number one EV Rider video for immersive virtual reality headsets like Meta Quests and Apple Vision Pros. 

Number 5: MINI Countryman All4 EV

MINI fans have something to cheer about with the arrival of the all-new Countryman ALL4 EV. It’s a huge step forward over the last-gen Cooper SE EV and given Americans tend to like bigger vehicles, it’s likely to sell better than MINI’s last EV to be imported to the U.S. 

Number 4: Fisker Ocean

Coming in at number four is an EV manufacturer that flamed out in 2024 after appearing to have a bright future in 2023. 

The second incarnation of Fisker declared bankruptcy in 2024, but not before delivering thousands of Oceans that thrilled many owners before the bad news hit. It’s a shame. Fisker’s Ocean was a nicely styled entry. 

Number 3: 2025 Zero Motorcycles Lineup

EV Rider’s motorcycling audience paid a lot of attention to Zero Motorcycle’s expanded 2025 lineup. The California-based company debuted two new models in the low end of the market: the XB and XE. Both are lightweight, off-road dirt bikes, although they are street legal in some parts of the world.  

Zero also showed off it’s Neutrino concept, which could shake up the market currently dominated by Honda’s Grom. 

Number 2: 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe

The number two video produced in 2024 shows just how popular Jeep is despite stumbles by its parent company Stellantis this year. Our long-term road test of a 2021 Wrangler Rubicon 4xe plug-in hybrid was the most watched video produced during 2024. 

Number 1: Canoo

And the number one video with more than 40,000 video views at last check was EV startup Canoo’s first quarter earnings call. Canoo actually had two videos produced in 2024 hit the top 10, likely driven by investor interest.

Canoo has been burning through cash and still hasn’t managed to reach any sort of meaningful production numbers despite having a multi-billion dollar order book that includes high-profile customers like Walmart. 

At the time of this post Canoo had idled it’s Oklahoma factory and had furloughed more than 80 employees to conserve cash, saying it is “in talks with various capital sources.”  

In an effort to to get back into NASDAQ compliance and prop its stock price back up, it announced a 1-for-20 reverse stock split effective December 24. 

2025 will likely be the sink or swim year for Canoo. 

Happy New Year to all of you. Here’s hoping 2025 will be the best year yet. 

The post Top 10 EV Rider Videos Of 2024 appeared first on EV Rider.

This week on EV Rider we’ve got a video road test of what has to be the rarest Founders Series Edition Cybertruck on Florida’s First Coast.

That’s because it’s been customized in Atlanta at T Sportline with T-Max Gloss Black Paint Protection Film. The bumpers also been redone in gloss black along with 24-inch CTM Monoblock Gloss Black Wheels.

You’ll have to watch the video at the top of this post for the full road test and details but here are some quick facts about Tesla‘s Cybertruck:

Tesla says Cybertrucks with the Cyberbeast trim can hit 60 miles per hour in just 2.6 seconds.

The Cybertruck should be great at worksites and during power outages since it can put out up to 9.6 kW of bidirectional power. That’s enough to power most homes – including the fridge and central air – during a black out.

It has a range of up to 340 miles per charge and can add up to 136 miles of range in 15 minutes in ideal conditions at the latest 250kW Tesla Superchargers.

You can also order a second battery called a range extender that goes in the pickup bed for even more range and power. But there’s a downside (outside of the extra cost). It will take approximately 33% of the vehicle’s bed and Tesla says it will not be removable. At last report the price for the range extender had not been announced but it was expected to cost approximately $16,000.

When you want to get away from it all the Cybertruck has up to 17-inches of ground clearance in Beast mode.

At the time of the video’s recording the base price for the rear-wheel-drive version started around $61,000 while the Cyberbeast trim with tri motor AWD started at about $100,000.

For the rest of the story be sure to watch the video at the top of this post and if you enjoy it, please be sure to give the video a like and subscribe to the EV Rider YouTube channel.

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Tesla’s refreshed 2024 Model 3 has plenty of refinements worth talking about. Here’s a first look at the Model 3’s mid-cycle update in a video-only edition of EV Rider.

If you enjoy this video please give it a like and subscribe to the EV Rider YouTube channel. Post your 2024 Model 3 comments here.

Visit the Tesla section of EV Rider for more coverage of the American EV manufacturer.

Related video

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Tesla put on a show here in Jacksonville on Tuesday, February 13, delivering the first five Cybertrucks to area customers just ahead of Valentine’s Day. 

Among the buyers on hand to receive their Cybertrucks was Tesla fan Benjamin Lopez. “Teslas are awesome. It’s the best car ever. I’m never going to buy any other type of car. Tesla is it forever.” 

The first five to pick up their Cybertrucks in Jacksonville placed their orders years ago. 

“I’m not a truck guy but I figured I’d want one one day and here it is and I’m glad I did,” Lopez said. 

New Cybertruck owner David Armstrong was also on hand. Once he gets a little time under his belt EV Rider will be checking back in with him to bring you a full owner review. 

Coming soon to EV Rider, watch for a brief first drive in the newly refreshed Model 3, which is being commonly referred to as the Model 3 Highland.  

In the meantime if you’ve enjoyed this very brief EV Rider bonus video please give it a like and subscribe to the EV Rider YouTube channel so I can bring you more adventures in EV motoring.  

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There have been quite a few headlines lately implying that the EV movement is in trouble. Is it? Let’s take a look at the facts. 

First, here’s a small sampling of some of the recent headlines out there: 

 “Mustang Mach-E is in trouble” – Motor Biscuit

“Ford just shut down EV production” –  Charge Drive

“Slowdown in electric car sales is a symptom of a much uglier problem” – Business Insider 

“Even Tesla knows EV Sales Are In Trouble” – Jalopnik

Based on those headlines and others you might think EVs are doomed to be a blip in history but let’s look at the actual sales numbers. 

Starting with Tesla, America’s biggest producer of EVs delivered a record-setting 1.8 million EVs in 2023. That’s a 38% year-over-year increase, according to the automaker. The flip side: its profits dropped 22% as it aggressively cut prices.  

Next, let’s look at Ford, which has taken a beating on some media outlets over its EV performance.  

Sales of its Mustang Mach-E were up 3.3% year over year to 40,771 units. An interesting footnote, its electric pony outsold the gasoline Mustang in December despite Ford giving the gas-powered Mustangs a redesign. 

Meanwhile, F-150 Lightning sales increased by 54.7% year over year. Ford sold 24,165 EV pickups in 2023, according to Ford Authority, and set a new record for EV sales in the 4th quarter of 2023.

BMW saw its U.S. EV sales surge 65% year over year, selling 14,374 EVs. 

BMW plug-in hybrids U.S. sales accounted for 25,318 vehicles. Taken together, plug-ins and EVs accounted for almost 20% of BMW’s U.S. sales in 2023, according to BMW of North America. 

Over at Volkswagen, its ID.4 sales shot up 84.2.% year-over-year in the U.S. to 37,789, the company said. 

Total deliveries at Rivian were up 147% year over year to 50,122. Rivian produced a total of 57,232 EVs, up 135% from 2022, according to InsideEVs. 

Final numbers for 2023 are still coming in as the automakers work on their annual reports but there’s no question the EV industry as a whole easily achieved another year of record growth record. 

As the time of this story’s publishing, Cox Automotive was forecasting that final numbers will put EVs at about 8% of all U.S. vehicle sales in 2023. 

In many cases the supply of EVs has finally caught up with demand, meaning it’s now often possible to find a selection of EVs on dealer lots without dealer markups or perhaps even with discounts. From a consumer perspective, that’s good and necessary for EVs to move beyond early adopters to mainstream automotive buyers. 

There will be peaks and valleys in growth, profit, loss, and supply chains as the auto industry works through the challenges of transitioning to EVs but none of detracts from the actual numbers that show EVs are continuing to rapidly gain market share.

The post Growth Of EVs: The Real Story appeared first on EV Rider.

The Cybertruck has landed here in Jacksonville, FL at our local Tesla Store at the St. Johns Town Center.

Even after seeing it in person it still looks like a prop out of a science fiction movie.

My first impression: I’m amazed Tesla has managed to keep the tolerances so tight on a stainless-steel truck.

It feels just as big in person as it does in the videos but the reality is it’s not really any bigger than some of the other vehicles out there.

Some quick comparisons: It’s shorter than a Ford F-150 Super Cab and weighs more than 3,500 pounds less than a GMC Hummer EV pickup.

Check out the EV Rider YouTube Short at the top of this post for a quick walk around look at Tesla’s Cybertruck.

The post Tesla Cybertruck Arrives In Jacksonville appeared first on EV Rider.

As we all focus on 2024, here’s a quick look back at the top 10 EV Rider videos from 2023 and a brief look at some of what we’ll be doing in 2024. 

This list is comprised of the 10 most watched videos on the EV Rider YouTube channel that were produced 2023, with the most popular video coming in at number one. Shorts and videos from previous years were not eligble for inclusion.

#10 | Ford Mustang Mach-E Towing Test

Coming in at number ten was a Mustang Mach-E towing test. Plenty of you wanted to know how much the Mach-E can tow. The short answer is more than 3,300 pounds. The longer answer: Ford doesn’t want you towing in the U.S. but is happy to sell you an OEM hitch in Europe. 

#9 | Showdown: Ford F-150 Lightning Vs. Rivian R1T

There’s a ton of interest in EV pickup trucks right now which quickly became apparent as EV Rider pitted two local owners with a Rivian R1T and Ford F-150 Lightning against one another. 

8# | 2023 Kia EV6 GT Blows Away Many Performance Cars

Economical performance is also on the minds of EV Riders. Our road test of Kia’s EV6 GT checked in at number 8. It screams to 60 miles per hour in just 3.4 seconds. 

#7 | Tesla Owner Ditches Model X Plaid For Rivian R1S SUV

SUVs make up the hottest EV segment out there with thousands upon thousands of you wanting to know more about Rivian’s R1S SUV and why a Tesla owner dumped his Model X for the R1S. 

#6 | Owner Review: Cadillac Lyriq Debut Edition

Although Cadillac struggled with production volume for its Lyriq in 2023, our EV Rider review of Caddy’s first pure EV proved there’s plenty of interest as it checked in as our sixth-most watched video of the year. 

#5 | Energica Experia Delivers Top Notch EV Motorcycle Touring Experience

EV Rider’s fan base includes a lot of motorcyclists so it’s no surprise that so many of you couldn’t wait to learn more about Energica’s Experia, which at the time of its debut had the EV motorcycle industry’s largest battery pack. We called it a top-notch EV motorcycle touring experience. 

#4 | Long-Term Review: ’22 Mustang Mach-E

While some traditional ICE Mustang fans are still upset that Ford used the storied nameplate on its Mach-E EV, that didn’t stop more than 10 thousand of you from wanting to know about how EV Rider’s personal electric pony is holding up. In a word: great. So far I’ve put about 35,000 miles on it. 

#3 | Owner Review: Tesla Model 3 Vs. Hyundai Ioniq 5

While one YouTube channels video views certainly aren’t scientific when it comes to automotive trends the more than 10 thousand of you that watched EV Rider’s Tesla Model 3 vs. Hyundai Ioniq 5 comparison anecdotally illustrates there seems to be quite a bit of cross shopping interest between the two brands. 

#2 | Canoo EV Startup: Factory Update, Other News

EV startup Canoo is just now gearing up for volume production at its new Oklahoma City plant and EV Rider’s audience is obviously very interested in this brand. Canoo videos produced this year would have dominated five of the top ten spots if I had broken them out one by one. Altogether, Canoo videos and shorts accounted for more than 348,000 EV Rider video views in 2023.

#1 | Why Tesla Model Y Owner Switched To BMW iX

The number one individual video EV Rider produced in 2023 was a look at why one EV Rider dumped his Tesla Model Y for a BMW iX. More than 38,000 of you had watched the iX video at last check.

The Road Ahead

So what’s ahead for EV Rider in 2024? Given the high-interest level, we’ll continue to follow Canoo as it looks to ramp up its production in 2024. 

EVs Assembled In Jacksonville, FL

Cenntro, an EV fleet maker with an assembly plant right here in Jacksonville, Florida has promised us a factory tour. So watch for that video, probably sometime in mid-to-late February. 

EV Motorcycle Industry’s 1st Heavyweight Cruiser Arrives In 2024

Evoke Motorcycles is preparing to rollout the industry’s first high-volume electric cruiser 6061-GT with a massive 29.8 kWh battery. Evoke plans to let EV Rider take one for a spin during a visit to Florida in June and we expect to get to experience its Urban Classic sometime in March.

Automotive EV manufacturer and owner reviews will continue to play a big part on the channel. We’ll also continue to occasionally feature product reviews, including a review of a universal LED-lit  topbox for motorcycles.   

To everyone that’s watched EV Rider in 2023, thank you, and here’s hoping we all have a safe, prosperous and happy 2024. Enjoy the ride. 

The post EV Rider’s 2023 Top 10; What’s Ahead In 2024 appeared first on EV Rider.

Cybertruck fans are no doubt aware by now that Tesla plans to offer an optional second battery pack that will allow them to stretch the range of the EV pickup to 470 miles. What they may not know is Zero Motorcycles has been doing the same thing for a decade now. 

Zero calls its secondary optional battery a Power Tank while Tesla’s offering will be called a Range Extender.  Keep reading for more on Zero’s Power Tank but we begin with what we know about Tesla’s range extender.  

It’s meant to be used for long trips, especially ones involving towing. Telsa CEO Elon Musk says it is a “toolbox-size battery.” He’s referring to a full-length pickup bed toolbox, not the smaller ones you might find at Home Depot. 

At the time of this recording, Tesla hadn’t released details but Electrek.com estimates the pack will likely be somewhere around 47 kWh and weigh roughly 700 pounds. Those are guesses based on Tesla’s claim that the additional pack will add approximately 130 additional miles of range.  

Whatever the final weight ends up being, it’s clear the extra battery isn’t going to be something you can just unclick, lift out and leave in the garage, raising questions about whether it will have be permanently installed. 

If not, one guess is Tesla might offer a battery lift-kit. For example, aftermarket companies offer lift kits for convertibles with removable hardtops. Most of those systems have pulleys mounted to garage beams that allow owners to lift their tops off for winter storage. 

Telsa’s Range Extender battery will likely require its own support system, given its weight. Since Tesla batteries also have management and coolant systems it also seems unlikely it will be plug-n-play. But who knows, maybe Tesla’s engineers have another surprise up their sleeves.  

Pricing hasn’t been announced although some Tesla html source code tweeted on X indicates the option might cost $16,000. When I did a check of Telsa’s Cybertruck webpage it appeared that line of code had been removed. 

Next, let’s look at Zero’s Power Tank. It weighs roughly 45 pounds and adds 3.6 kWh of capacity, which on something as small as a SR/S motorcycle is good for roughly an extra 20 miles of highway range and more in the city. In the case of Zero, the additional battery is a permanently installed dealer accessory. It cost $3,200 at the time of this video’s posting and is offered as an option on most models. But that price doesn’t include the installation labor. 

Zero’s Power Tank replaces the storage area in a standard bike, but still leaves enough room to store a wallet and charge a smartphone.  

Now that Tesla is following Zero Motorcycles lead in joining together multiple battery packs, what do you think, will the rest of the industry follow suit? Post your comments here.

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Tesla Cybertrucks are finally rolling off the assembly line and Tesla is celebrating with a live stream to deliver its first electric pickups to customers. Click the tweet to watch the stream.

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When it comes to comparisons, it’s hard to top the experience of real-life owners.

While we automotive journalists love to compare vehicles, it’s just not the same as living full-time with them. But in this week’s video we’ve found an owner that has both the Tesla Model S and Hyundai Ioniq 5 in his garage.

Howard Schoenberger has an AWD Ioniq 5 and RWD Model 3. In the video at the top of this post he goes through a wide range of comparisons.

You’ll learn how he thinks such things as handling, infotainment, charging, sunroofs, build quality, and much more compares.

If you’ve got any questions or comments about the video, post them here and if you enjoy this episode, please give it a like and subscribe to the EV Rider YouTube channel.

Related

• Road Test: 2022 Ioniq 5
• More Tesla Coverage

Selected Video Transcript Highlights

Editor’s Note: The transcript has been condensed from what you’ll see and hear in the video and lightly edited. Watch the video to hear Howard’s additional comments.

EV Rider 

This week we’ve got a direct comparison between Tesla’s Model 3 and Hyundai’s Ioniq 5. What makes this comparison unique is Howard Schoenberger owns both, so we’ve got real world experience. Howard, let’s go ahead and start by having you tell me what made you pick these particular two EVs? 

Howard 

I had seen the Ioniq probably about a year-and-a-half ago and said, wow, that’s an interesting looking car. I’ve never seen lines like this. I got online, researched a little, and tried to buy one and waited. It took me ten months to get one. 

I decided with the tax credits and all that’s changing now and Tesla dropping the price of the Model 3, we decided to pick one of them up, which we did about three weeks ago. I’m very pleased with it. It’s a very different car than the Ioniq. My wife drives it mostly and it’s something that’s more in tune to the way she drives than the way I drive. 

EV Rider 

So if you would, give me the strengths and weaknesses between the two. 

Howard 

I think one of the nice things about Ioniq is the ride. The Tesla is a much firmer ride. It’s fun, but if you’re doing a trip, it’s (Model 3) not as comfortable for passengers. Also, the Ioniq is an all-wheel drive, whereas this is a rear wheel drive Tesla.

I also love the Ioniq’s paddle shifters rather than using one pedal driving all the time so that that’s a difference. The economy, though, I think is better on the Tesla, the aerodynamics and the way it operates. You use less electricity than you do with the Ioniq, so as I said, they are pluses and minuses to each one of them. They’re very different.

In the Tesla you have what looks like basically an iPad. That, and I think for someone that isn’t into computers in a big way, it can be a little intimidating.

The Ioniq has two longer – but narrower – screens, one that’s more traditional like a dashboard and the other is the infotainment.

EV Rider 

Do you find yourself at all missing the gauge cluster in the Tesla?

Howard 

You you get used to not having the gauge cluster to some degree. But I do miss some of the stuff. It’s somewhat cumbersome to have to go to the menu, whereas it’s easier to get to in the Ioniq. It’s more like a normal car,

EV Rider 

You’ve said the software is a little better in the the Tesla. You said the app is better in the Tesla. When you put it all together, when you consider the physical buttons versus the software and all the rest, pick a winner between the two. 

Howard 

That’s a tough question. If you ask me, you get one answer. If you ask my wife, you get a different answer. 

The reason I say that is I like playing with things, adjusting things, and I find it easier in the Ioniq to be driving and doing those things, where with the Tesla I have to go through screens. She likes to just get in the car and drive and for that I think the Tesla is better. 

EV Rider 

Both these cars are among the fastest charging available, especially in the case of the Ioniq on the CCS side. Talk to me about the overall charging experiences between both. 

Howard 

With the Ioniq you have the CCS network, which is not the greatest. Fortunately for me, I get two years of free charging at Electrify America with it. So if I am on the road, I tend to use that.

My experience has been better than some people. I went from Connecticut to Florida and had no problems whatsoever, and I’ve been down in South Florida. Not a problem either.

Tesla, that was nice. I mean, we went with my wife’s a couple of times and you just go there, plug in and you don’t do anything and it comes with an adapter. So I can charge it at home based on the Juice Box that I already have.

I am concerned going down the road with Tesla going to more of the Magic Docks (CCS Supercharger adapters) that you’ll have more CCS cars charging there. And in fact, I picked up very cheaply an adapter to use the CCS on the Tesla, which is nice to have because I don’t know where things are heading. The Ioniq, though, is amazing, that you can go from 10 to 80% in 18 minutes. You you can’t beat that. 

EV Rider 

What’s 18 minutes get you on your Model 3? 

Howard 

I know that it charges at a lower rate than what the Ioniq does. I’ve seen as high as 245 kW on the Ioniq and I think this rear wheel drive Model 3 is limited at 170. Same thing charging at home. The Model 3 that I have is limited to 32 amps. Where you can do 48 amps on the Ioniq.

Howard goes on to discuss the autonomous features of both cars along with the build quality. He compares the sunroofs, design aspects and more. Watch the video to hear his additional comments and see both EVs up close.

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