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Electric Vehicle News and Reviews (Page 279)

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.

By Dean McManis on
It looks like Fiat is finally going to build some electric cars after all. For those of you who have been watching the auto industry, it was clear that Fiat (and Chrysler) had been trailing all of the other major automakers in having any plan for electrification of their cars. There was no hint of any interest in building competitive EVs, and in fact their CEO Sergio Marchionne suggested that buyers skip buying their Fiat 500e, because they were losing $10,000 on each one sold.
By Al Castro on
BMW unveils an all-electric version of the classic Mini - its third electric Mini concept. BMW is tight lipped with details, but the Mini-E BEV will go into production November next year. After 10 years of waiting for a Mini production car, its time has come finally.
By Dean McManis on
Velite 6 and Enspire definitely could be comeback vehicles for Buick in the United States.
By Denis Flierl on
Subaru has a new boss and he’s using Toyota Motor to improve quality, bring new EVs to market and most importantly rebuild customer trust.
By Max Marck on
Torquenews has been keeping a close eye on the progress of Porsche's electric vehicle. Like the EV contender Tesla, Porsche has been making substantial promises about future developments. Among these promises was the guarantee of a network of fast-charging stations. Tesla currently has their own proprietary equivalents, and Porsche's late entry puts them behind the game in this regard. Now, however, it looks like Porsche is delivering: super-fast charging stations have begun to pop up.
By Al Castro on
Sergio Marchionne, CEO of FCA Chrysler laid out a 5 Year Plan to investors in Italy last month that will be his swan song before leaving in April 2019. Investors were eager to know what his plans were to electrify the entire portfolio. He gave few details other than throwing money and some numbers. But this week he leaves it to his minions at Maserati and Alfa Romeo to hash the details as to how the Ítalo-American auto company will become electrified.
By John Goreham on
The Toyota Prius is well-known as a high-mileage car. Here is more data to support that fact.
By Armen Hareyan on
Regarding the future of Tesla there are both concerns and appreciation for Elon Musk.
By Al Castro on
GM’s race for 20 electric cars by 2023 is underway with two concept cars that most likely will go into production. They’re both Chinese Buicks, for now, one is a wagon, the other, an SUV with the potential to become something so much more.
By Marc Stern on
Thanks to the MEB platform's flexibility, the folks at Volkswagen haven't ruled out bringing back the Beetle in two or three years. The platform can be adjusted for any electric vehicle. The I.D. series, VW's bread-and-butter EV's of the future, all feature this platform.
By John Goreham on
Despite the hype from Tesla, the company delivered less Model 3 cars last month than it did the month before. On the other hand, Toyota Prius Prime has outsold Model 3.
By Al Castro on
Recently a Spanish designer based in Madrid created a rendering of a Tesla Semi Class 8 Tractor heavily modified to be an RV camper. He then posted it on Instagram. It instantly went viral and caused such a frenzy on the Internet to bring to the imagination the possibilities of such a vehicle that Tesla could make.
By Armen Hareyan on
Chevrolet and Nissan use two different systems to cool their electric cars' batteries. Chevy is using the liquid to cool its batteries in Chevy Volts and Chevy Bolts, whereas Nissan is using the air cooling method to cool Leaf's battery. They both have pros and cons.
By Al Castro on
With the introduction of the new executive car, the Tesla Model 3, combined with the dynamic of the aging of the first generation of the current flagship sports saloon, the Tesla Model S, Tyler Hoover of YouTube’s Hoovie’s Garage capitalizes on this dynamic to find an excellent example of a 2012 Model S for a small fraction of the price of a Model 3. Deals are to be had!
By Armen Hareyan on
Fiat has teamed up with Garage Italia and Pinninfarina to celebrate Fiat's 60th anniversary with this convertible Fiat 500 called Spiaggina. Now someone has to convert one into an E, making Fiat 500e more appealing to electric car buyers.

By Armen Hareyan on
Most people only see the electric cars' exterior/interior and features, but aren’t aware about the most essential component - the battery and how it’s cooled. If you are looking to buy a Nissan Leaf, Chevy Volt or a Chevy Bolt you need to know how the battery is cooled.
By Al Castro on
Nissan Leaf owners in the UK are expressing their dissatisfaction with the actual verses the reported range of their BEVs. Some are reporting problems requiring the car to need a third rapid charge during the course of the day. Many feel that they’ve been mislead to request some kind of compensation, prospective buyers have canceled their sales contracts. Could the charging problem be happening also in the US?
By Al Castro on
When the Third Generation Volkswagen “New”Beetle begins its swan song next year to leave at the end of 2019, there will be a record of successes and setbacks, happiness and sadness stemmed from the iconic halo car’s third rebirth that has defined not only another generation of people as the Classic Beetle did, but also what the next car should be, as that might possibly be their 100 year anniversary model, and what it is for a car to now be a Volkswagen. Especially for the next electric one, Beetle 4.
By Al Castro on
If for whatever reason you have a problem driving an EV that they’ve been here over the span of 3 centuries but we pretend they’re a new invention, you need to get over that hang-up as soon as possible.
By Al Castro on
Many car owners of older and vintage classic cars are considering converting their vehicles to BEVs. Imgine converting a once expensive now older Rolls Royce into an electric car. While conversion is still expensive, it’s still much cheaper to convert to a BEV than to purchase a new EV.
By Francis Martin on
Tesla reaches 5000+ goal weekly production numbers on Model 3, invites all North American reservation holders for Model 3 to order their car now. How Tesla just became a real car company.
By Dean McManis on
Last week Chevy announced updates for the 2019 Volt, and there are some nice improvements including faster charging, stronger regen, and various software and option package updates.
By Denis Flierl on
Subaru will launch the new Forester Hybrid in 2019. It’s going to Europe and Australia, but what about the US?
By Parks McCants on
The number one concern raised by consumers when considering the purchase of an electrified vehicle is the task of home charging. How, how much, and how often? Aerovironment has an affordable easy to use answer to home EV charging concerns.
By Denis Flierl on
When the new 2019 Subaru Crosstrek PHEV arrives later this year, it won’t be available where the brand is most popular.
By Marc Stern on
Porsche has knocked the old holder of the best lap record at the Nordschleife, the Nurburgring's "Green Hell." The driver, Timo Bernhard, slice nearly a minute off the old record. The new record should stand for a bit, though,Porsche may decide it wants a better record and may go again.
By Al Castro on
In an attempt to wrestle its finances to focus on competition and avert bankruptcy, Tesla tries once again to do something that hasn’t been done before in automotive history. And Model 3 customers wind up benefiting.
By Tom Wyrick on
While Tesla owners don't have the Jeep Wave, Tesla and Jeep still have two very important things in common. They both have great communities and the fun factor.

By Max Marck on
In a recent email, Tesla's Elon Musk stated that skeptics who doubted that the Model 3 would have strong production were "in for a rude awakening." However, there may be reason, or two reasons, to believe that this confidence is premature, despite improvements.
By Al Castro on
Tesla may introduce a Ford F-150 pickup truck killer by 2020. The EV truck field is still open to the introductions of bold and courageous electric pickup trucks. But is Ford's F series hybrid the remedy or antidote to a revamped proposed Tesla EV Pickup truck?