Posts Tagged: consumer
EVs are way more unreliable than gas-powered cars, Consumer Reports data indicates
Consumer Reports has published an extensive ranking of vehicle reliability, and the results pour cold water on the dependability of EVs and plug-in hybrids. The survey says electric vehicles suffer from 79 percent more maintenance issues than gas- or diesel-powered ones, while plug-in hybrids have 146 percent more problems. The troubles portray the industry’s growing pains with the relatively new technology as the planet sets record temperatures, and scientists warn of rapidly approaching deadlines to thwart global climate catastrophe.
The survey polled CR’s members about issues with their rides from the past year, gathering data on 330,000 vehicles. The publication’s data included models from 2000 to 2023, alongside a few (early launched) 2024 models. CR studied 20 “trouble areas,” including relatively minor issues like squeaky brakes or a broken interior trim and more problematic ones related to the transmission, engine or EV battery. The number of potential trouble areas varies by type: internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles have 17, EVs have 12, traditional hybrids have 19 and plug-in hybrids have all 20.
The publication combined the data with its own track testing, owner satisfaction survey results and safety info. It then averaged it to assign each brand a numerical score (out of 100).
Non-plugin hybrids scored well, with the survey indicating they suffer from 26 percent fewer issues than gas- and diesel-powered vehicles. CR highlighted the most reliable brands in that space, including the Lexus’ UX and NX Hybrid and Toyota’s Camry Hybrid, Highlander Hybrid and RAV4 Hybrid.
If only plug-in hybrids (PHEV) could enjoy those ratings. Instead, their longer list of trouble spots led to 146 percent more problems than traditional gas-powered vehicles. Lowlights include the Chrysler Pacifica, which scored an abysmal 14 out of 100, and Audi Q5. However, several PHEVs defied the category’s expectations, including “standouts” like the Toyota RAV4 Prime and Kia Sportage. Several others, including the BMW X5, Hyundai Tucson and Ford Escape, scored “average” in reliability.
Fully electric cars and SUVs, the vehicles many automakers aim to fill their dealership lots with by 2030, have mediocre average scores: 44 and 43, respectively. Electric pickups, the newest technology in the bunch, perhaps unsurprisingly scored worse with an average of 30.
Lexus came out on top among EV brands. All but one of its models scored above average or better in CR’s ratings. And the lone exception, the NX, still had an average score. Toyota also did well, including the 4Runner SUV, which CR describes as “among the most reliable models in the survey.” However, its electric Tundra pickup scored poorly. Other EVs with above-average scores include Acura’s RDX and TLX.
Once practically synonymous with electric vehicles, Tesla had overall scores in the middle of the pack (alongside brands like Chevrolet, Buick, Ram, Cadillac and Dodge). CR says the Elon Musk-led company’s EV powertrains tend to fare better than those from traditional automakers. However, Ars Technica notes the company’s reliability scores struggled more with things like bodywork, paint / trim and climate systems.
Regionally speaking, Asian automakers enjoyed the highest average scores in the survey at a healthy 63. European companies were second with an average of 46, while US brands slumped with a somewhat disappointing score of 39.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/evs-are-way-more-unreliable-than-gas-powered-cars-consumer-reports-data-indicates-212216581.html?src=rss
Engadget is a web magazine with obsessive daily coverage of everything new in gadgets and consumer electronics
Amazon’s consumer chief Dave Clark is departing the company
Dave Clark, who headed Amazon’s worldwide consumer operations, announced he is resigning after 23 years at the company. The former Kentucky warehouse manager was in charge of overseeing the company’s retail business as well as its warehouse and shipping operations, which expanded due to the pandemic. Clark tweeted the announcement today along with an email sent to his team, writing that he had discussed “transitioning out of Amazon” for some time with family and those close to him. Clark was promoted to his current role only last year, following the departure of longer-serving executive Jeff Wilke.
I've had an incredible time at Amazon but it’s time for me to build again. It's what drives me. To all I've had the honor of working with: thank you for making it so much fun to come to work every day for 23 years to invent cool, amazing things for customers.
Email to team below pic.twitter.com/c8Ao46VvaJ
— Dave Clark (@davehclark) June 3, 2022
Clark’s resignation comes as the company is dealing with its first quarterly loss in seven years, a unionization push and more warehouse space than it needs. Clark was in charge of the company’s logistic operations, which he expanded as demand soared during the pandemic. The company reported in April that excess warehouse space would contribute to $ 10 billion in excess costs for the first half of 2022.
The executive regularly defended Amazon’s warehouse operations, even amid criticism of its unsafe working conditions. After John Oliver investigated Amazon warehouses in an episode of Last Week Tonight, Clark tweeted that Oliver was “wrong on Amazon” and that the company was “proud of the safe, quality work environment” of its facilities.
Clark’s resignation will be effective in July, according to a regulatory filing by Amazon. So far a successor has not been named.
HTC leads consumer searches for 5G, beating out Apple and Samsung
HTC may be on the brink of totally collapsing, but apparently customers are becoming fairly interested in when they’ll be deploying a 5G phone. Even more interested than when Samsung, Apple, and even Motorola will do it, despite Motorola already having a 5G phone available. Weird, right? So let’s dig into these numbers and see […]
Come comment on this article: HTC leads consumer searches for 5G, beating out Apple and Samsung
Samung Galaxy S7 gets nod over Apple iPhone 8 according to Consumer Reports
In their latest round of reviews and recommendations for smartphones, Consumer Reports is recommending buyers choose the Samsung Galaxy S7 over the new Apple iPhone 8. Having one of the leading sources for buying recommendations choose a phone that is over a year old over the latest release from Apple has to sting and points […]
Come comment on this article: Samung Galaxy S7 gets nod over Apple iPhone 8 according to Consumer Reports
Samsung and U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission preparing official Galaxy Note 7 recall
Samsung has had quite the troubling few weeks as their highly praised Galaxy Note 7 was met with serious issues with the battery that caused many devices to essentially go up in flames while plugged in. There has been a voluntary device replacement program going on, but now the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has […]
Come comment on this article: Samsung and U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission preparing official Galaxy Note 7 recall
Consumer Reports still believes in the accuracy of the Fitbit
Consumer Reports still supports the Fitbit, noting, “Both the Fitbit Charge HR and Fitbit Surge passed our tests handily, accurately recording heart rates at everything from a leisurely walk up to a fast run.”
The post Consumer Reports still believes in the accuracy of the Fitbit appeared first on Digital Trends.
A consumer group sues Samsung for not updating Android on 82 percent of its phones
Samsung has done a lot to improve its software updates over the past few years, but a Dutch consumer group is still unhappy with the lack of timely updates, and has sued the South Korean electronics giant.
The post A consumer group sues Samsung for not updating Android on 82 percent of its phones appeared first on Digital Trends.