Nutson's Weekly Auto News Wrapup August 10-16, 2025

NEVI charging station update. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy unveiled revised guidance for the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program. The updates streamline applications, provide states with more flexibility, and slash red tape. This will help ensure charging stations are actually built, and federal funding is spent effectively and efficiently. The Interim Final Guidance is effective immediately while FHWA seeks comment on what further changes may be appropriate. The NEVI program is required by Congressional act and had been frozen by the Trump Administration but this was overturned by a federal court.

 * Polestar EV mileage record. A new unmodified Polestar 3 Long range Single motor achieved 581.3 miles on a single charge driving on UK public roads. The record is officially recognized by Guinness Book of World Records. This real-world journey took 22 hours and 57 minutes and the Polestar 3 achieved an efficiency of 19.5 kWh/100 miles. The car received zero modifications for the attempt and was on standard 20-inch wheels fitted with standard Michelin Sport 4 EV tires. See the details HERE

 * Noise cameras issue tickets.. Traffic police deploy new technology—and steep fines—to combat roaring mufflers, revving engines and blaring stereos. Noise cameras are being implemented across the U.S. to combat excessive noise from vehicles, addressing a common public complaint.  HERE

 * New child car seat test. Car crashes are a leading cause of death among young children. A new child car seat safety test is designed to better mimic real world accident conditions. Get the details HERE

 * Will freedom in auto design return? This opinion piece from the Wall Street Journal suggests the demise of CAFE requirements will open the door for more interesting and beautiful automotive designs. What do you think?   HERE

 * Resistance to low speed vehicles. Golf carts are becoming street legal in one community after another as families ditch their minivans and SUVs when they want to run a quick errand or ramble around town. Some residents of cart-friendly towns say slow drivers are clogging the streets and reckless ones are making them unsafe. Get the scoop here. HERE

 * But how about two-wheelers? Cities are trying to figure out how to accommodate the boom in two-wheelers that threaten safety for pedestrians and riders. Whether a city has established bike lanes or has yet to delineate space for two-wheelers, the traffic jam has only begun. McKinsey, the consulting firm, estimates that global “micromobility” sales—including everything from powered scooters and skateboards to mopeds and e-bikes—will hit $340 billion by 2030, more than doubling from $160 billion in 2022. Full story HERE

 * Too big for the roads. In his eternal tariff wars, President Donald Trump has frequently grumbled that Europe and Japan refuse to accept American-made vehicles. But this has never been a question of access to markets. As Reuters reports, the vehicles Detroit’s automakers make for U.S. buyers are just too big and burn too much fuel for consumer tastes. You can read more about it HERE

 * Subscription buys more horsepower. From the UK we read, Volkswagen now offers ID.3 owners the option to unlock the car's maximum power output via a paid subscription. Although the ID.3 Pro and Pro S are listed as having 198 hp (201 bhp), accessing the full 225 hp (228 bhp) requires an additional fee of $22.32 per month (£16.50). The model introduces a digital paywall for vehicle performance, marking a possible shift in how car features are offered and monetized. HERE

 * Stolen, or not? Ram’s “Bucking HEMI” – a one-of-a-kind, HEMI-themed mechanical bull thrill ride – was reported stolen, leaving both the brand and fans stunned. The theft happened on Sunday, August 9, at around 9:45 p.m., during the teardown after Roadkill Nights Powered by Dodge in Michigan. Ram filed a police report. However....a contractor for Roadkill reached out to Ram a few days later to say they had it. Enjoy this story HERE

 * 30 years of cruising Woodward. The world’s largest one-day automotive event returned on Saturday, August 16, 2025, as the Woodward Dream Cruise celebrated an incredible 30 years of car culture, community, and Detroit’s enduring automotive heritage. Check it out HERE

 * Pebble Beach Concourse. Monterey Car Week 2025 began on August 8th and runs to August 17th. This 10-day event celebrates automotive excellence with a variety of events including auctions, showcases, and races. The week culminates with the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance on the Monterey Peninsula south of San Francisco.

 * IndyCar crown secured. Chip Ganassi driver Alex Palou, winner of the Indy 500 in May, clinched his third straight, and fourth overall, IndyCar championship on last Sunday. Palou wrapped up his fourth IndyCar championship in the last five seasons at Portland International Raceway when title contender Pato O’Ward lost power early in the race. O’Ward started from the pole and was the only driver mathematically eligible to beat Palou for the championship. Palou went into Sunday with a cozy 121-point lead over O’Ward in the standings and so long as he left Portland up by 108 points, he’d clinch the championship in the first race of a three consecutive weekends to close the season. The Astor Cup became his just 22 laps into the race on the Portland road course when O’Ward had an electronic issue on his Arrow McLaren Chevrolet and had to make an unplanned pit stop. He returned to the track down nine laps from the leaders. Palou finished third, O’Ward finished 25th and Palou has the title cemented with two races remaining in the IndyCar season and an insurmountable 151-point lead. Two-time series champ Will Power earned his first victory of the season Sunday. Also, Honda clinched the NTT IndyCar Series manufacturers' championship

 * Ford recall. Ford Motor Co. is recalling 103,174 F-150s in the U.S. because of faulty rear axle hub bolts that may break and cause corrosion, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said. About 1 percent of the recalled vehicles from the 2023-25 model years are expected to have the defect. Complete Recall Notices HERE