CES 2025 is likely to be reinventing the wheel this 12 months, and we noticed, drove and towed the newest the EV trade has to supply. We’ve seen AI-enabled automobiles about to hit the manufacturing line, high-concept solar-powered electrical autos and an EV motor that guarantees to repair one of many trade’s most basic issues.
While the dearth of public charging, range-anxiety and EV’s value level have been cited as causes for sluggish adoption, many consultants say electrified transportation is our future. At one of many largest expertise reveals on the earth, the automotive trade is exhibiting off new and progressive methods electrical autos may remedy its adoption issues — and perhaps even circumvent the charging drawback altogether.
This checklist is bound to be up to date as extra car-tech is proven off, however here is every part a gearhead must know proper now.
The latest car-related tech
Donut Labs EV Motor
One of the most important obstacles to EV adoption is range-anxiety, or the perceived lack of mileage these autos can eke out. Donut Labs EV thinks its new motor can assist with that.
These donut-shaped in-wheel motors are utterly hubless, taking over much less area and weighing lower than different motors. In reality, clocking in at 88 kilos, this motor weighs about one-third of what the standard EV motor does, which might be an enormous boon for an EV’s vary.
Donut Labs additionally claims that the brand new motor is 50% inexpensive to fabricate than rivals’ merchandise, so perhaps a few of that financial savings shall be handed on to the patron.
Pebble Flow Electric RV
While the Pebble Flow RV was on show final 12 months, we discovered some new quality-of-life upgrades that convey it nearer to realization than ever earlier than. This electrical RV cab guarantees to be the right pairing for each EVs and diesel guzzlers.
The Flow nonetheless encompasses a 45-kilowatt-hour battery pack able to charging at DC charging stations, camp RV hookups, at dwelling or by means of bidirectional charging along with your EV. Now, it additionally has an non-compulsory Magic Pack that may allow you to raised management your RV expertise when paired with the app.
The Magic Pack unlocks distant positioning for the unhitched cab, mechanically hitching and unhitching as soon as you’ve got lined up the cab and automotive, and providing electrical help and regenerative braking if you’re towing the RV round.
Regenerative braking provides drag to your braking to cost your RV — not nice for EV drivers, as you may be shedding treasured vary, however good for non-EV drivers who want to get in on the glamping motion.
Watch this: First Drive Towing Pebble Flow Electric RV
New EVs
Aptera photo voltaic EV
This high-concept car does not rely upon chargers — no less than, not totally. A set of photo voltaic panels embedded within the hood, roof and rear hatch of the automotive will internet you 40 miles of vary primarily based on sunpower alone.
While that may not purchase you the time to take a leisurely drive, resident automotive and EV skilled Antuan Goodwin says most Americans commute fewer than 40 miles to work every day, that means the Aptera EV will not should be charged for day-to-day journey.
The light-weight, three-wheel design and small battery assist convey the estimated price all the way down to $40,000, which could make the Aptera EV a beautiful various for potential EV consumers when it comes out later this 12 months.
The 2026 Afeela 1 EV
A three way partnership from Sony and Honda, the Afeela 1 EV combines electrical automotive and console, with a concentrate on luxurious and leisure.
Plenty of antics have drummed up hype for this car up to now. On high of a 91-kilowatt-hour battery with a 300-mile vary, the Afeela 1 has been piloted on-stage with a PlayStation 5 Dual Sense controller and summoned by voice command with the car’s AI Afeela Personality Assistant.
Now we’ve affirmation on the pricing for the Afeela 1 EV when it launches in 2026: the Signature spec shall be out there for $102,900 with a full suite of expertise and customization. The cheaper Origin mannequin will launch in 2027 for the low, low value of $89,900, coming with a compulsory black paint job, shrunk wheels and the tragic lack of the rear seat screens.
