Electric Vehicle News and Reviews (Page 272)

Electric Vehicle News and Reviews

Electric vehicles (EVs) have come a long way in a short time. Barely a decade has passed since the ambitious Silicon Valley startup Tesla Motors introduced the world to an electric car capable of traveling more than 300 miles on a single charge. Since then, Elon Musk and Tesla have convinced many dubious onlookers that electric vehicles are not only here to stay, but that they can become the future of transportation.

Other automakers have joined the EV movement at very different rates. The Nissan Leaf, for example, debuted in 2010 and went on to become the best-selling all-electric vehicle in the world for a time. Competition from the BMW i3 followed, as well as the plug-in hybrid Chevy Volt and its all-electric successor the Chevy Bolt EV, but only the Tesla Model 3 has been able to steal the Leaf's crown. Heading into a new decade, electric vehicles are set to go from strength-to-strength, with new models like the Hyundai Kona Electric and Kia Niro EV competing in the entry-level category and the Audi e-Tron, Porsche Taycan, or Jaguar I-PACE vying with Tesla at the top end of the market.

With entire classes of vehicle still lacking an electric version, such as pick-up trucks and affordable SUVs, there's huge potential for expansion and growth in the EV marketplace. For now, Tesla is still blazing the trail, but legacy manufacturers are lining up to electrify their fleets and promising startups like Rivian and Byton are waiting in the wings with exciting new electric vehicles.

The future is bright for EVs and you can keep up to date with all the latest stories right here on Torque News.

Tesla cries foul in response to suspicious lemon law claim

By Luke Ottaway on April 10, 2014 - 9:12AM

In a case that is starting to resemble last year’s New York Times test drive debacle, Tesla alleges factual inaccuracies in the story of a Wisconsin Model S owner and his lawyer, who has filed a lawsuit against the company under the state’s lemon laws.

Bentley jumps on board the plug-in bandwagon

By Luke Ottaway on April 9, 2014 - 2:07PM

The luxury automaker will introduce a Mulsanne plug-in concept at the Beijing auto show and will follow with a production SUV in 2017. Bentley plans to electrify 90% of its vehicles by 2020.

GM’s $450M investment in next-generation Volt hints at grand plans

By Luke Ottaway on April 8, 2014 - 3:01PM

Today GM officially announced it will invest $449 million to support the launch of the next-generation Chevrolet Volt and two upcoming unspecified models. The investment reaffirms GM’s commitment to the Volt and raises speculation about the mystery cars.

Study says many wish to change their car as often as their smart phone

By John Goreham on April 8, 2014 - 9:06AM

Still using that old iPhone 4 and ready to upgrade? Why not get a new car while you’re out?

China adds more incentives for electric cars as sales lag

By Luke Ottaway on April 7, 2014 - 12:42PM

Last week the Chinese government announced that buyers of electric vehicles will be exempt from the country’s 10% sales tax on new automobiles. Despite previous incentives, EVs have not sold well to date in China.

BMW X5 plug-in to bring latest efficiency tech to New York Auto Show

By Luke Ottaway on April 7, 2014 - 8:39AM

BMW has announced they will bring an updated concept of their plug-in hybrid X5 eDrive model to the New York International Auto Show later this month. The automaker says the production version will achieve outstanding efficiency for a hybrid vehicle its size.

VW e-Golf, like LEAF, will have air-cooled battery

By Luke Ottaway on April 5, 2014 - 10:27AM

Though Nissan LEAF owners in hot climates like Arizona have complained of extreme heat dramatically reducing their range due to an ineffective battery cooling system, the soon-to-arrive Volkswagen e-Golf will also lack an active liquid cooling system. VW says they don’t need it.

Bill O'Reilly - Tesla's most influential fan

By Luke Ottaway on April 4, 2014 - 12:11PM

The popular conservative host of "The O’Reilly Factor" on Fox News has devoted plenty of attention on his show to Tesla this week, and he is a surprisingly strong supporter of the electric car company. Here’s why his opinion is so important.

LEAF smothers Volt in EV sales for March and 2014

By Aaron Turpen on April 3, 2014 - 2:40PM

On both the year-to-date and March 2014 frames, the Nissan LEAF is dominating sales over the Chevrolet Volt. Long-term marketing pays off.

Tesla’s European sales: spectacular success in one country and disinterest in another

By Luke Ottaway on April 3, 2014 - 9:48AM

The California-based electric automaker has made it clear that it plans to deliver a significant portion of Tesla vehicles to the European market. So far, they have met with spectacular success in one country and disinterest in another.

EV sales strong in March, led by LEAF

By Luke Ottaway on April 2, 2014 - 3:09PM

Sales of electric vehicles were merely respectable in January and February but ramped up in March as winter reluctantly faded away.

Honda Toyota and hydrogen fuel cell cars

Honda, Toyota to abandon hydrogen fuel cell plans

By Luke Ottaway on April 1, 2014 - 9:20AM

In a shocking and abrupt reversal of course, the two Japanese auto giants that had previously thrown their lot in with a hydrogen future have announced a joint venture to pursue battery electric vehicle technology that is “far more likely to succeed.”

4 ways to maximize your electric vehicle's range

By John Goreham on April 1, 2014 - 7:51AM

These four things are proven to make the most of your electric vehicle’s cruising range.

Massachusetts is serious about going electric with new rebate

By Luke Ottaway on March 31, 2014 - 3:17PM

Some states encourage electric vehicle adoption more than others through incentives and public charging infrastructure. Massachusetts has finally announced a new rebate program that vaults it to the top of the list of EV-friendly states.

Myth busted - Electric vehicles cost more to maintain than gas cars do

By John Goreham on March 31, 2014 - 1:25PM

Although EVs could cost a consumer less due to their design, they don’t. Here’s why.

Tesla gets to keep selling direct in New Jersey, New York, Ohio

By John Goreham on March 31, 2014 - 11:48AM

All of a sudden the tide has turned and Tesla gets is own very special treatment in three key markets.

Could carbon-free EV recharging be on its way to the US?

By Luke Ottaway on March 31, 2014 - 11:40AM

German owners of the 2015 Audi A3 e-tron plug-in hybrid electric vehicle will be able to purchase carbon-free electricity to recharge their vehicles if they so choose. A similar program could eventually find its way to the States.

Volkswagen Going Green in China with e-up!

By Mechele Dillard on March 31, 2014 - 10:21AM

Volkswagen is moving to get a bigger part of the green vehicle market in China with its electric variant of the Up!, the e-up!

Tesla has fire fix - No you can’t download it

By John Goreham on March 28, 2014 - 4:45PM

Tesla has come up with a solution to its Model S catching fire after hitting road debris. Unlike the previous idea, this one can’t be downloaded over the air.

Workplace charging could be key to widespread EV adoption

By Luke Ottaway on March 28, 2014 - 10:14AM

Public charging infrastructure for electric vehicles is expanding, but it is difficult to make a profit on and drivers do most of their charging at home. Charging at the workplace could increase the scale of EV adoption but it would come at the expense of public infrastructure.

Tesla's Model X will be an even bigger hit than Model S

By Luke Ottaway on March 28, 2014 - 7:43AM

There is no doubt that the Tesla Model S has been wildly successful so far, but America’s newest automaker is just getting started. The upcoming SUV/crossover Model X will be even more popular, particularly in the United States.

Panasonic’s hesitation over Tesla Gigafactory not surprising

By John Goreham on March 27, 2014 - 3:55PM

Panasonic is signaling some hesitation to partner on the Tesla Gigafactory. Here’s one person’s view on why this might be.

Cars are about to become free, which will you choose?

By John Goreham on March 27, 2014 - 3:01PM

Car deals are growing ever closer to being free of charge. Here are a couple of examples available today.

A123 Systems is slimmed down but still around

By Luke Ottaway on March 27, 2014 - 9:58AM

The battery company A123 Systems has been best known for its failure since it filed for bankruptcy protection in October 2012. Yet the company is still operating under its old name with new ownership and has sold its grid storage division to focus on the automotive sector.

Nissan celebrates the 100,000+ LEAF owners

By Aaron Turpen on March 27, 2014 - 1:45AM

So far, more than a hundred thousand people worldwide have purchased a Nissan LEAF. Nissan is utilizing some interesting crowd-sourced social outreach to share those owners' stories. Check it out.

Tesla owners want autonomous driving in their Model S

By John Goreham on March 26, 2014 - 9:39AM

The majority of actual owners of Model S cars say that they would pay $5,000 for autonomous driving features.

California’s green HOV-lane access stickers are running out fast

By Luke Ottaway on March 26, 2014 - 8:57AM

One of the notable perks of buying an electric vehicle in California has been the coveted right to drive in the high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane even without passengers. Soon, though, there will be no more green stickers left for new owners of plug-in hybrids.

Honda Smart House will charge your 2015 Fit EV with solar power

By Parks McCants on March 25, 2014 - 6:12PM

In Davis California, Honda has built a working model of “tomorrows” self sustaining zero carbon footprint urbane environment. Torque News looks into the $ cost viability of low to no environmental impact living.

Fisker sale to Chinese automaker is complete, now what?

By John Goreham on March 25, 2014 - 9:51AM

The sale of Fisker’s assets is now complete. Will the car re-emerge?

Star Wars fans will love Formula E racing

By Luke Ottaway on March 25, 2014 - 9:19AM

A new breed of motorsport is coming later this year, and it’s powered by electricity. Critics say it will lack excitement without the tremendous noise of high-speed combustion engines, but the man in charge thinks its unique sound will capture fans around the globe.

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