Every summer, the same warning circulates: Never leave a child alone in a car. Still, the heatstroke deaths of children and pets left in hot cars happen every year — often to attentive, loving caregivers who never imagined it could happen to them.

A parked car heats up quickly, even on a mild day. According to the CDC, the temperature inside a vehicle can climb nearly 20 degrees Fahrenheit in just 10 minutes. Cracking a window doesn’t make it safe. For a child, those conditions can turn dangerous — fast.

Real Risks

The numbers are hard to ignore. NoHeatStroke.org reports more than 1,000 pediatric vehicular heatstroke deaths since 1998, averaging about 37 each year. There were 33 deaths in 2025 and several already reported in 2026. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) also ranks heatstroke among the leading causes of non-crash, vehicle-related deaths for children.

Young kids are especially at risk because their bodies heat up more quickly than adults’. They may not be able to get out, call for help, or even understand what’s happening. What feels like a quick stop can become life-threatening in minutes.

How Tragedies Happen

Most cases fall into a few patterns. Sometimes a caregiver forgets a child in the back seat, often during a change in routine or a stressful day. In other cases, a child climbs into an unlocked vehicle and becomes trapped. And sometimes, a child is knowingly left behind for a short errand, with the danger underestimated.

Built-In Reminders

Rear occupant alert systems can add an extra layer of protection. Now common in most new vehicles, these systems remind drivers to check the back seat before exiting — either with a dashboard prompt or, in more advanced versions, sensors that detect movement and trigger alerts. Automakers have expanded the feature in response to rising hot-car deaths, and while it’s not foolproof, it can help interrupt the moment of distraction that leads to many tragedies. Safety experts recommend leaving the system turned on and treating it as a consistent reminder to look before you lock.

Simple Habits That Help

The good news is that these deaths are preventable. A few small habits can make a big difference:

• Always check the back seat before locking up — even if you’re sure it’s empty.
• Put something essential that you need (phone, wallet, work badge, or even a shoe) in the back seat.
• Use a visual reminder, like moving a stuffed animal to the front when your child is in the back seat.
• Ask childcare providers to call if your child doesn’t arrive as expected.
• Keep your car locked and keys out of reach so kids can’t get in on their own.

If You See a Child Alone

If you spot a child alone in a car, call 911 right away and stay nearby. If the child looks distressed or unresponsive, follow the dispatcher’s instructions.

Before you walk away from your car, take one more look. It only takes a few seconds — and it could save a life.

Visit Kelley Blue Book’s Safety Hub page to learn more about vehicle safety features.

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• Tesla patented a new way of cooling down your EV’s cabin in the summer heat.
• Its new method involves using vacuums to suck up hot air and put it directly into the car’s HVAC system.
• This would make cooling hot spots inside of cars much easier, potentially unlocking more range.

Car interiors get hot, and conditioning them (whether it be preconditioning before you get in, or just keeping it at the right temperature while scooting down the road) saps up a significant amount of juice that could have been translated into mileage instead.

That’s what makes one of Tesla’s latest patents so interesting. Its invention proposes a new way of cooling down a car’s interior by targeting “hot air pockets” in the cabin. Here’s how it’s done.

Photo by: Tesla

According to the patent, Tesla’s method involves installing a suction unit into the car’s HVAC system. This creates negative pressure (aka: vacuum) that can be applied to specific vents in the car near these pockets of hot air. The hot air is then sucked into the car’s HVAC system and conditioned with the rest of the cabin air before being recirculated back into the car.

A good example of this would be solar radiation. The sun beating down on the car’s glass roof is an easy way to heat up the cabin—I’m sure you’ve felt this before when getting into a car on a hot day, or even when feeling the sun hitting your arm or leg for an extended time while driving down the road. The larger the vehicle and its interior space (Think Model X compared to a Model 3), the more surface area and ambient cabin space that requires conditioning.

But Tesla’s idea is that this thermal conditioning can be a done a bit more efficiently. The goal, according to the patent, is to “maximize thermal comfort and minimize energy consumption”—basically, pull air from spaces that need to be cooled and more evenly distribute the temperature in the cabin.

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Based on the data in the patent, Tesla shows that the tech could lower the power draw by as much as 7.4%. That might not seem like a lot, however, that’s a savings of around 127 watts when it’s 104 degrees outside. That cuts the peak power consumed by the HVAC down from 1,720 watts to just 1,593.

Tesla’s patent goes further by noting that the suction can be conditionally activated by sensing the temperature in the cabin and activating the suction only in areas that need to be conditioned.

The idea is admittedly pretty innovative. Of course, this is just a patent, so it may never actually make it into an actual production car. But this is a clever way of improving range without boosting battery capacity, playing with aerodynamics, or doing anything special to the powertrain. 

On a 100-degree day, for example, air conditioner use contributes to a range loss of up to 18%, a study from Recurrent found. If Tesla’s method is able to squeeze a bit more range out of its cars while also improving passenger comfort, that’s a win-win.

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If you’re considering buying an electric vehicle (EV) or currently own one, you may have heard that temperature can greatly affect battery range. This applies to both extremely cold and hot weather. While a hot summer day can reduce your EV range, there are ways to minimize the loss. Here are five tips to help you get the most out of your electric car when the temperature rises.

1. Avoid Parking in the Sun

Most modern EVs use thermal management systems to help keep the battery, motor, and power electronics within an efficient operating range, though the design and effectiveness vary by model. When you leave your car parked in direct sunlight, heat can build up in the cabin and, in some cases, the battery pack. If the vehicle needs to cool the cabin or battery after sitting in the sun, it may use more energy before and during your drive. To help reduce heat buildup, park under a tree, in a parking garage, or in another shaded area when possible.

2. Go Easy on Air Conditioning

We understand that cranking up the air conditioner (AC) to full blast is extremely tempting on a hot day, but if you’re looking to maximize your EV’s battery range, moderate AC use can help. Like other systems in your car, air conditioning draws power from the battery. In summer heat, the range loss may be small, but extreme heat and heavy AC use can noticeably reduce driving range. In real-world testing, many EVs lose only a small amount of range around 90°F, but range loss can become more noticeable in extreme heat above 100°F.

This certainly doesn’t mean you have to turn off your AC completely. Instead, try pre-cooling the cabin while the car is still plugged in, use seat ventilation if your vehicle has it, and keep AC settings comfortable but not excessive. Before heading out, use your vehicle’s app or climate timer to pre-cool the cabin while the car is still plugged in. That way, the cabin is comfortable before you leave, and less battery energy is needed once you’re on the road.

3. Ease Up on Throttle

Like a gas-powered car, an EV’s range is heavily affected by how quickly you accelerate and how fast you drive. Taking a lead-footed approach to throttle management will do your car’s range no favors. Try to accelerate smoothly rather than aggressively. Keep an eye on your speedometer to make sure you’re traveling at a moderate speed, which will take less of a toll on your EV battery. A patient, easygoing driving style will help you optimize your travel distance.

4. Lighten Your Load

Extra weight can slightly reduce your EV’s efficiency and driving range. Check the trunk or cargo area to make sure you’re not carrying around heavy, unnecessary items. While removing a few pounds is unlikely to make a noticeable difference, clearing out bulky or heavy cargo can help, especially on longer trips.

5. Don’t Charge to 100% Every Day

Consistently charging EV batteries to 100% and leaving them there can contribute to faster battery wear over time, especially in warm or hot weather. For everyday driving, many EV owners aim to keep the battery between about 20% and 80%. Charging to 100% is still fine when you need the extra range for a longer trip, and some vehicles may recommend an occasional full charge depending on battery type and manufacturer guidance.

It’s better for your time, too, because charging from 80% to 100% often slows significantly and, on some EVs and chargers, can take nearly as long as charging from 20% to 80%. On longer summer trips, build in a small range buffer and use your EV’s route planner when possible. Many EVs can prepare the battery for fast charging when a charger is entered into the navigation system, helping speed up charging and improve efficiency.

6. Keep An Eye On Your Tires

Managing tire pressure and wear is an important part of regular year-round vehicle maintenance. Under- or overinflation, uneven wear, and unbalanced tires can drain your EV’s range. Make sure to include regular tire checks at least once a month, or before long trips, to get the best out of your vehicle’s battery.

Final thoughts

When EVs were first released, many early models offered relatively limited driving range, often around 80 miles or less. Things have changed a lot since then, and today, many new EVs offer more than 200 miles of range on a full charge. Some of the longest-range models can exceed 500 miles under official estimates, though real-world range depends on weather, speed, terrain, driving style, and use of climate control.

Editor’s Note: We have updated this article since its original publication.

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Ferrari’s Not-SUV Gets the Tuner Treatment

Ferrariavoids calling the Purosangue an SUV, instead using the term ‘FUV’ or Ferrari Utility Vehicle. Regardless of the label, it’s a four-door Ferrari with extra ground clearance, and it was only a matter of time before tuners started exploring what could be done with it.

The Purosangue’s proportions land somewhere between a crossover and a large hatchback. The long hood, short rear, and compact cabin help it avoid the bulk of most luxury SUVs, which gives tuners a solid foundation for subtle styling changes (sometimes not-so-subtle).

DarwinPro Aero is among those that offer a kit for the Purosangue. Its IMP Design Carbon Fiber Soft Kit aims for a restrained look, especially compared to some of the more aggressive body kits on the market. The changes are noticeable, but they don’t overwhelm the original design.

Carbon Fiber, But Make It Subtle

The DarwinPro kit is mostly about aerodynamic tweaks in carbon fiber. It brings a new front splitter, longer side skirts, a rear diffuser, and a claimed functional roof wing.

Visually, these parts sharpen the lines and give the Purosangue a bit more presence, but the overall character stays intact. The example shown by DarwinPro wears a gray paint job with black accents and exposed carbon fiber in key areas.

The car sits on simple five-spoke wheels, with yellow brake calipers providing contrast. Some buyers will likely appreciate the understated carbon fiber details, while others may prefer the original, unmodified look.

As far as available information goes, the powertrain is unchanged. DarwinPro hasn’t listed any engine modifications, so the naturally aspirated V12 should be the same as stock.

A Faster Purosangue Might Be Coming Anyway

Even without tuner upgrades, the Purosangue already delivers serious performance. Its 6.5-liter naturally aspirated V12 produces 715 horsepower and 528 lb-ft of torque, sending the four-door Ferrari to 62 mph in about 3.3 seconds and on to a top speed of roughly 217 mph.

However, Ferrari may be preparing a more performance-focused version of the Purosangue. The production of a sharper variant will reportedly begin as early as the second half of the year.

The updated version is expected to keep the V12, but the changes may focus more on handling than on extra power. If it follows Ferrari’s usual approach, expect chassis tweaks, some weight savings, and other upgrades aimed at sharper driving.

If Ferrari does release a hotter Purosangue, it would add another option for buyers looking for something beyond the standard model. For now, aftermarket kits like DarwinPro’s offer a way to personalize the car while waiting for what comes next.

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