Electric Vehicle News and Reviews (Page 261)

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.

Study: Tesla Model Y Most Expensive Vehicle Model To Insure

By John Goreham on March 4, 2021 - 2:51PM

A new study of insurance changes in 2021 points to the Tesla Model Y electric crossover vehicle as an outlier and the single most expensive model to insure.

Tesla Yoke Steering Wheel Under Review By NHTSA ‘To Better Understand The New Technology’

By Tinsae Aregay on March 4, 2021 - 1:40PM

In a statement to Teslarati NHTSA said the organization is reviewing Tesla's use of the yoke steering wheel. For the review, Tesla has been providing the regulatory agency with more information about the safety of the feature.

Considering a VW ID.4? Here's Why You Should Wait Six Months

By John Goreham on March 3, 2021 - 1:49PM

The coming Volkswagen ID.4 is going to be a great new battery-electric offering. However, it has some issues now that VW needs to fix. Don't jump the gun and get one that is half-baked.

Reports: Mustang Mach-E Already Taking Significant Market Share From Tesla

By John Goreham on March 3, 2021 - 11:51AM

Independent investor groups are watching to see how the new Ford Mustang Mach-E will impact Tesla's market share. Early indications are that the Mustang Mach-E is taking sales directly away from Tesla.

Everything You Need To Know About DIY Electric Vehicle Charger Installation

By John Goreham on March 3, 2021 - 11:02AM

You just spend tens of thousands of dollars on a new electric vehicle. Your next task is to get a wall charger up and working. Please step back from the Home Depot webpage. Here's why.

Small images courtesy of the Mfg. Chart by John Goreham

These EVs Declined In Sales In America After Range Improvements: Leaf, Bolt, Model 3

By John Goreham on March 3, 2021 - 9:57AM

One would assume that increasing the range of an electric vehicle would boost sales and deliveries. Actually, the opposite has happened. Here’s why the Tesla Model 3, Chevy Bolt, and Nissan Leaf all saw sales declines after they saw battery improvements resulting in more range.

5 Plug-in Hybrid EV Myths Battery-Electric Purists Wish Were True

By John Goreham on March 2, 2021 - 4:11PM

Some battery-electric vehicle fans are passionate about which green vehicle technology is “right” and which is “wrong.” Here are some of the myths they repeat in order to dismiss the effectiveness of plug-in hybrid-electric vehicles in meeting green car buyers’ needs.

Elon Musk: Tesla Will Launch FSD Subscription In Q2, Might Be Clue For FSD Beta Wide Release

By Tinsae Aregay on March 2, 2021 - 4:15AM

Elon Musk on Twitter has said Tesla will launch the FSD subscription service in Q2 2021. This might coincide with the wide release of the FSD beta currently only available for customers in Tesla's early access program.

Nissan Wind Tunnel Test Surprise - Wheels Create One-Third of Vehicle Drag

By John Goreham on March 1, 2021 - 5:32PM

Nissan lays out an interesting fact regarding vehicle drag. The body and frontal area have less to do with drag than you might think.

Here’s How Pro Testers Know If A Vehicle Is Good In Winter Ice and Snow

By John Goreham on March 1, 2021 - 12:37PM

How the men and women who do winter vehicle testing determine if your favorite truck, car, crossover, or SUV is “good in the snow.”

image courtesy of Toyota dealer's public webpage

Toyota Dealers Begin To Soften Prices On Hot RAV4 Prime PHEV

By John Goreham on March 1, 2021 - 10:45AM

Toyota dealers gave the brand a black eye for jacking up prices of the new RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrid-electric vehicle above MSRP last year. The good news is that prices appear to be coming down to MSRP or below.

Tesla China President Defends Vehicle Production Quality After Multiple Reported Issues

By Tinsae Aregay on March 1, 2021 - 8:15AM

Tesla's president for Greater China Zhu Xiaotong gave an interview to China Liberation Daily and Shangguan news. In the interview, he discussed Tesla's quality assurance systems and a whole lot more.

Images Show Work On Tesla’s Berlin Gigafactory Battery Plant Might Have Started

By Tinsae Aregay on February 27, 2021 - 8:31PM

A drone flyover of Giga Berlin by Jurgen from @GF4Tesla Twitter account show earthwork being done on a large piece of land. This could be the location for what will be the world's largest battery factory.

2022 Subaru all-electric SUV, 2022 Subaru Forester

Subaru Is Slow Offering All-Electric - Scores High For Climate Change Efforts

By Denis Flierl on February 27, 2021 - 8:09AM

Subaru doesn't have an all-electric SUV yet, but they still champion for climate change. See what the automaker is doing while you wait.

Chevy Bolt charging image by John Goreham

Prediction: EPA Will Switch to a 3-Number Electric Vehicle Range Figure To Address Cold-Weather Reduction

By John Goreham on February 26, 2021 - 9:43AM

The EPA’s electric vehicle range estimates seem overly optimistic in winter. Here is why we foresee the EPA making a switch to a three-number EV range format and why it would resolve the debate over real-world EV range for good.

Elon Musk Says Tesla Is Going To 2 Shifts For Refreshed Model S&X Line Due To High Demand

By Tinsae Aregay on February 26, 2021 - 7:12AM

In a new leaked Tesla memo, Elon Musk says retooling of the Model S & X lines is almost complete. And due to the high demand, they will be going 2 shifts in the production line.

Tesla repair in China is less costly than Mercedes, Audi and BMW

Tesla's New Price List Shows Repair Cheaper Than Mercedes, BMW and Audi

By Armen Hareyan on February 24, 2021 - 8:09AM

Tesla service and repair costs are way cheaper than that of BMW, Mercedes & Audi in China. This is a huge advantage for vertically integrated company like Tesla.

Pioneering Innovation in the Tesla Roadster and Aptera

By Dean McManis on February 23, 2021 - 9:47PM

Yesterday’s leading edge technology of the 2008 Tesla Roadster was groundbreaking when new. But how does it compare to today’s new automotive technology as shown in the 2022 Aptera?

Tesla Stock Tumbles By $270 Billion, A New Huge Short Position Might Be Behind The Slide

By Tinsae Aregay on February 23, 2021 - 3:14PM

Tesla's market cap has gone down by more than $270 billion in just the last month. There are several possible reasons for the slide including short sellers and many more.

2021 Mitsubishi Outlander image by Mitsubishi

Mitsubishi Improves 2021 Outlander PHEV With Added Range More Power - Will It Rival RAV4 Prime?

By John Goreham on February 23, 2021 - 3:08PM

Mitsubishi's Outlander plug-in hybrid-electric vehicle (PHEV) is refreshed for 2022. Will these changes sway some RAV4 Prime shoppers? You be the judge.

Tesla Is Preparing This Big Move Toward Robotaxis To Change Your Drive in Any Tesla

By Armen Hareyan on February 23, 2021 - 12:57PM

Toyota QuantumScape Solid-State Battery efforts

Toyota and QuantumScape Still Must Overcome Solid-State Battery Hurdles

By Armen Hareyan on February 23, 2021 - 11:21AM

Toyota is quietly working on solid-state batteries. But recently QuantumScape announced a little R&D victory in its own solid-state battery efforts. Yet, both companies still have many hurdles to overcome in longevity and scaling up to mass production.

5 Quick Things To Know About the Hyundai Ioniq 5

By Keith Griffin on February 23, 2021 - 7:08AM

Here are 5 quick things to know about the Hyundai Ioniq 5 EV that debuted overnight in Korea.

Toyota QuantumScape Solid-State Battery Race

All News About Toyota QuantumScape Solid-State Batteries Is Academic

By Armen Hareyan on February 22, 2021 - 5:14PM

A few days ago when QuantumScape said they believe they are the only player to have shown a solid-state lithium building-block capable of meeting electric vehicles' key requirements, the EV community at Torque News responded with variety of opinions bringing Toyota and Tesla into the equation.