Good morning and welcome to our daily digest of automotive news from around the globe, starting with…

US Government Needs 100,000 Charging Stations To Go EV-Only, Currently Has Just 1,100

With federal agencies only owning around 1,100 charge stations, the U.S. Government is some way behind its goal of cutting out gas-powered vehicles by 2035. A government watchdog has informed a congressional hearing that the government would need over 100,000 EV chargers for government vehicles to feasibly go through with President Biden’s plans.

The Smart #1 Is The Start Of A New Fully Electric Direction For The Brand

The Smart #1 is the first of an all-new range of electrified offerings for the brand now under the control of Geely. Based on the Chinese automaker’s SEA all-electric architecture, the Kia Niro-sized crossover will offer a driving range of 273 miles (440 km) from a 66 kWh battery pack. For now, the #`1 (that’s “Hashtag One”) features one motor driving the rear wheels, although the platform can accommodate up to three. At this time, Smart has no plans to sell the vehicle in the USA, so you’ll need to live in Europe or Asia to get your hands on one.

Kia Teases 2023 Telluride SUV Ahead Of NYIAS Reveal, Borrows Widescreen Display From 2016 Concept

The new Kia Telluride will debut at the New York International Auto Show next week, and in anticipation, Kia has dropped a couple of teasers. From what we can tell, the inside of the SUV will feature the majority of the changes. Expect a widescreen digital dashboard channeling what was displayed in the 2016 concept, with a dash arrangement much like what features in the EV6.

Toyota Faces Up To $1.5 Billion Payout To Owners Over Diesel Lawsuit In Australia

Just when you thought the dust had settled on diesel scandals, Toyota is now facing a $ 2 billion AUD ($1.5 million) payout following a judgment from a federal court in Australia. While the class-action lawsuit doesn’t involve the now-infamous defeat devices, it instead pertains to diesel particulate filters that were allegedly incorrectly fitted. The faulty filters are said to have allowed foul-smelling white smoke into the air, with a decrease in fuel efficiency and increased wear and tear on the engine. The suit covers more than 264,000 Hilux, Fortuner, and Prado vehicles sold between October 2015 and April 2020.

Driven: The 1,000 HP 2022 GMC Hummer EV Pickup Is Wonderfully Ridiculous

Somehow, the Hummer name has returned and is a part of GM’s all-electric assault. And what an assault: with 1,000 hp (746 kW / 1,014 PS) delivered via three motors and a battery pack that’s heavier than a Mazda Miata. Zero to 60 mph (0-96 km/h) is dispatched in approximately three seconds, and the driving range is 329 miles (529 km) — but there’s so much more to this pick-up, as we found out when we got behind the wheel. But that’s not all — we also managed to check out a prototype of the 2024 Hummer EV SUV too.

GAC’s AS9 Electric Supercar Coming Soon With A Claimed 0-62 MPH In 1.9 Seconds

Chinese carmaker GAC (Guangzhou Auto Corporation) will launch a fully electric supercar in 2022 under the Aion brand. The halo car will be capable of a 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 1.9 seconds. The supercar has been confirmed by the group’s president, with an official teaser showing a low-slung silhouette typical of mid-engined supercars. According to reports from Car News China, GAC’s supercar will cost around ¥1,000,000 ($157,170), with the first deliveries expected for late 2022 or early 2023.

Mercedes Says It’s Considering 4-Cylinder AMG SL 43 For U.S., But Do You Even Want It?

The entry-level four-cylinder Mercedes-AMG SL43 may be on its way to the USA — But is a 2.0-liter four-pot the kind of roadster U.S. customers want? The SL43 even boasts an F1-derived electric turbocharger, so we all may have to get used to the idea of four-cylinder sports cars in the not too distant future — after all, the next Mercedes-AMG C63 will likely feature a four-banger too.

What Else Is Making The News

Sebastien Vettel Fined €5,000 For Using Scooter On F1 Track

Having missed the opening two rounds of the 2022 F1 Season, Sebastien Vettel may have been hoping for better luck when his Aston Martin stopped during Free Practice 1 in Melbourne. To add insult to injury, Vettel was reported to the stewards for re-entering the track without permission when he rode a marshall’s scooter around the track, and back to the pits. The German has been fined €5,000 for his troubles.

DHL Cargo Jet Breaks In Two After Emergency Landing In Costa Rica

A Boeing 757-200 cargo jet broke in two after making an emergency landing in San Jose, Costa Rica. The plane had suffered from hydraulic failure shortly after takeoff. Both the pilot and co-pilot escaped unharmed.