CES 2025 might be reinventing the wheel this year, and we saw, drove and towed the latest the EV industry has to offer. We've seen AI-enabled cars about to hit the production line, high-concept solar-powered electric vehicles and an EV motor that promises to fix one of the industry's most fundamental problems.
While the lack of public charging, range-anxiety and EV's price point have been cited as reasons for slow adoption, many experts say electrified transportation is our future. At one of the biggest technology shows in the world, the automotive industry is showing off new and innovative ways electric vehicles could solve its adoption problems -- and maybe even circumvent the charging problem altogether.
This list is sure to be updated as more car-tech is shown off, but here's everything a gearhead needs to know right now.
The newest car-related tech
Donut Labs EV Motor
One of the biggest obstacles to EV adoption is range-anxiety, or the perceived lack of mileage these vehicles can eke out. Donut Labs EV thinks its new motor can help with that.
These donut-shaped in-wheel motors are completely hubless, taking up less space and weighing less than other motors. In fact, clocking in at 88 pounds, this motor weighs about one-third of what the usual EV motor does, which could be a massive boon for an EV's range.
Donut Labs also claims that the new motor is 50% less expensive to manufacture than competitors' products, so maybe some of that savings will be passed on to the consumer.
Pebble Flow Electric RV
While the Pebble Flow RV was on display last year, we found some new quality-of-life upgrades that bring it closer to realization than ever before. This electric RV cab promises to be the perfect pairing for both EVs and diesel guzzlers.
The Flow still features a 45-kilowatt-hour battery pack capable of charging at DC charging stations, camp RV hookups, at home or through bidirectional charging with your EV. Now, it also has an optional Magic Pack that will enable you to better control your RV experience when paired with the app.
The Magic Pack unlocks remote positioning for the unhitched cab, automatically hitching and unhitching once you've lined up the cab and car, and offering electric assist and regenerative braking when you're towing the RV around.
Regenerative braking adds drag to your braking to charge your RV -- not great for EV drivers, as you'll be losing precious range, but perfect for non-EV drivers who are looking to get in on the glamping action.
BMW Panoramic iDrive
The AI-powered Panoramic iDrive with Operating System X technology will soon be integrated into the standard dashboard on all BMW vehicles, as the first of the Neue Klasse vehicles, the iX3 EV SUV, arrives this fall.
This three-tier display produces a wealth of information for drivers and passengers.
The top layer is projected onto the windshield, allowing drivers to easily access information about oncoming lane changes; preview future turns; and receive other navigational assistance. The next layer of the dash extends from pillar to pillar, allowing anyone in the car to view a cluster of information regarding speed, range and the battery, as well as six low-distraction widgets that can include Spotify or weather tiles.
The final layer is meant for passenger infotainment, including many more widgets -- but it can also be used to access more detailed 3D maps and other in-depth information useful to the driver. If this seems like an overwhelming amount of data on display, have no fear: the Panoramic iDrive is tied together by the new BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant activated by the "hey, BMW" hot phrase, which can help you parse through the necessary information.
New EVs
Aptera solar EV
This high-concept vehicle doesn't depend on chargers -- at least, not entirely. A set of solar panels embedded in the hood, roof and rear hatch of the car will net you 40 miles of range based on sunpower alone.
While that might not buy you the time to take a leisurely drive, resident car and EV expert Antuan Goodwin says most Americans commute fewer than 40 miles to work each day, meaning the Aptera EV won't need to be charged for day-to-day travel.
The lightweight, three-wheel design and small battery help bring the estimated cost down to $40,000, which might make the Aptera EV an attractive alternative for prospective EV buyers when it comes out later this year.
The 2026 Afeela 1 EV
A joint venture from Sony and Honda, the Afeela 1 EV combines electric car and console, with a focus on luxury and entertainment.
Plenty of antics have drummed up hype for this vehicle in the past. On top of a 91-kilowatt-hour battery with a 300-mile range, the Afeela 1 has been piloted on-stage with a PlayStation 5 Dual Sense controller and summoned by voice command with the vehicle's AI Afeela Personality Assistant.
Now we have confirmation on the pricing for the Afeela 1 EV when it launches in 2026: the Signature spec will be available for $102,900 with a full suite of technology and customization. The cheaper Origin model will launch in 2027 for the low, low price of $89,900, coming with a mandatory black paint job, shrunk wheels and the tragic loss of the rear seat screens.
Honda 0 SUV
Honda introduced its 0 Series EV concepts at CES last year, but a lot has changed since then.
Though the 0 Series Saloon prototype remains similar to the previous iteration, the Space-Hub has been replaced by the new Honda 0 SUV. The 0 SUV is a much more traditional looking vehicle than its Space-Hub predecessor, doing away with the boxy, vanlike design in favor of a more spacious cabin -- though the sweeping roofline is still present.
No range or performance numbers have been formalized for the model, but Honda is committed to begin production of the 0 SUV in early 2026.
The entire 0 Series lineup will come equipped with NACS chargers -- Honda promises to build 30,000 charging points along North American roads by 2030. Additionally, the 0 Saloon and 0 SUV will both include Honda Smart Charge technology, which allows more-efficient bidirectional charging between your vehicle and home.
The 0 Series vehicles will automatically swap between drawing energy when it's cost effective and sending energy back into your home to reduce costs or address potential power outages.
