Electric Vehicle News and Reviews (Page 280)

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.

Nissan LEAF Shatters Its Own Sales Record and the year isn't over yet

By Aaron Turpen on November 1, 2014 - 12:07AM

The electric Nissan LEAF is still the best-selling battery-electric car in the world and now, with two months still left in the year, it's already broken it's own annual sales record. Again.

A clever way to make electric vehicles cheaper than gas-burners

By Luke Ottaway on October 31, 2014 - 8:14AM

The city of Indianapolis will demonstrate over the next decade or so the easiest way to make electric cars cheaper than their conventional counterparts, thanks to a clever financing program.

Consumer Reports finds something at which the Tesla Model S is only average

By Luke Ottaway on October 30, 2014 - 9:19AM

The results of the latest annual reliability survey are in at Consumer Reports, and the Tesla Model S scored a rating of “average.” However, it is no cause for undue concern.

2016 Chevrolet Volt is better in almost every way, but two crucial unknowns remain

By Luke Ottaway on October 28, 2014 - 8:03PM

GM has said that the second-generation Volt set to debut at the North American International Auto Show in January will be better in every way. After today’s press event detailing many of the impressive changes in the 2016 Volt, two major questions are still unanswered.

Is Ford going to surprise us with a long-range electric vehicle?

By Luke Ottaway on October 28, 2014 - 11:15AM

Actions speak louder than words in the auto industry, particularly when it comes to electric vehicles. But what if those actions are going on behind the scenes?

Tesla owners exemplify best form of advertising in response to Iowa test drive ban

By Luke Ottaway on October 27, 2014 - 3:56PM

As Tesla continues to fight for the right to sell vehicles direct to consumers on a state-by-state basis, Model S owners in Minnesota got together to bring the Tesla experience to their neighbors to the south.

Will the first actual Model S competitor come from Porsche?

By Luke Ottaway on October 26, 2014 - 10:37PM

Though there are quite a few electric cars available today, none are direct competitors of the Tesla Model S. We may see a true challenger from Porsche as early as 2018.

Nissan Delivers First All-Electric Taxis to Barcelona, Madrid

By Aaron Turpen on October 25, 2014 - 3:22PM

Making good on its promise, Nissan has delivered the first of the order for all-electric taxis in Spain's largest cities.

Tesla fans should rejoice at Michigan's ban on direct sales

By John Goreham on October 23, 2014 - 6:03PM

A hybrid system with some franchised dealers could be a big advantage for the EV maker in a few years.

When cheap gas affects new car sales, don’t confuse EVs with hybrids

By Luke Ottaway on October 23, 2014 - 4:01PM

You may have noticed that gas prices are going down, which is generally regarded as a good thing. However, low prices at the pump are detrimental to the sales of hybrids and electric vehicles – but be mindful of the difference between the two.

What impact will Michigan’s Tesla ban have?

By Luke Ottaway on October 22, 2014 - 9:20PM

Amid all the outrage over yet another state’s auto dealers blocking Tesla’s direct sales business model, not many people are talking about the fact that Tesla was not allowed to sell direct in Michigan in the first place, and that the new legislation won’t have much effect – at least initially.

Volkswagen e-Golf range is confirmed: unimpressive and unsurprising

By Luke Ottaway on October 21, 2014 - 11:57PM

Any hopes that the Volkswagen e-Golf would distinguish itself from the EV pack with a surprisingly high electric range were quelled by the EPA as it released the official ratings. The numbers aren’t bad – they are just the same as everyone else.

Hyundai Sonata, Kia Optima to be electrified in 2015 at a reasonable price

By Luke Ottaway on October 21, 2014 - 9:31AM

And so the trend of plug-in hybrid conversions of existing models continues. Even Hyundai/Kia is in on the game now, with a recent announcement of an electrified Sonata and Optima coming next year. The most important part may be the sticker price.

Ford Focus Electric slashes sticker price, but will it matter?

By Luke Ottaway on October 20, 2014 - 11:57AM

A big price cut puts the 2015 Ford Focus Electric on par with the industry-leading Nissan LEAF – but don’t expect it to lead to dramatically increased sales.

Toyota's green hybrid car dominance grows as 2015 approaches

By John Goreham on October 20, 2014 - 8:31AM

We already knew Toyota's hybrids outsell the entire plug-in and EV market. A new milestone highlights that lead just keep getting bigger.

2015 Toyota Camry Hybrid SE – a good looking stealth hybrid

By John Goreham on October 20, 2014 - 8:22AM

We drive the new 2015 Camry SE hybrid and discover a sharp looking body over a drivetrain that seems entirely normal aside from the exceptional mileage.

What makes Tesla’s batteries so great?

By Luke Ottaway on October 19, 2014 - 12:54PM

Even casual followers of the auto industry know that the Tesla Model S offers more than double the range of any other electric vehicle on the market. How has Tesla achieved this? The answer lies in their fundamental battery strategy.

Why Tesla’s game of legislative Whack-A-Mole is so frustrating

By Luke Ottaway on October 16, 2014 - 2:09PM

Thanks to sneaky re-wording of a bill, Michigan is the latest state to pop up as a serious threat to Tesla’s right to sell its vehicles directly within state boundaries. Here is why this whole legal battle is so frustrating for Tesla and EV supporters.

Expect a plug-in hybrid Mini with all-wheel-drive to arrive in 2015

By Luke Ottaway on October 16, 2014 - 9:24AM

It is not a secret that BMW is making big moves in the electric vehicle segment, particularly with the ground-breaking i3 and i8. It is looking increasingly likely that the automaker will bring plug-in technology to the Mini brand sometime next year.

BMW i3 REx has a potentially dangerous flaw, but a fix is on the way

By Luke Ottaway on October 15, 2014 - 11:12AM

The BMW i3 is an excellent car by nearly all accounts, but the range-extended REx model has an engineering flaw that could prove deadly. Luckily, BMW is addressing the issue.

Cadillac will follow Chevrolet with 200-mile EV, could actually compete with Tesla

By Luke Ottaway on October 14, 2014 - 9:21AM

General Motors will have a respectable lineup of electric cars by the end of the decade, as the Cadillac product plan has recently been revealed to include three electrified models to join the Chevrolet EVs.

Gas-guzzling Dodge Hellcat and Lancer EVO are on the way out [video]

By Denis Flierl on October 14, 2014 - 8:38AM

The 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution and Dodge Charger Hellcat are on their way out. What’s this new eco-performance technology about?

Sorry, Dodge - Tesla Model S P85D is quicker than the Charger SRT Hellcat

By Luke Ottaway on October 12, 2014 - 6:29PM

Though it is debatable which is the better performance car, one fact is indisputable: the new all wheel drive Tesla Model S P85D is quicker than every four-door sedan in the world, including the Torque News favorite Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat.

Elon's D Can't Hang with Dodge, Tesla P85D Slower than Hellcat Charger

By Patrick Rall on October 10, 2014 - 2:39PM

Elon Musk has introduced his new Tesla P85D with dual motors, all wheel drive and the most impressive performance specifications in the electric vehicle segment, but while the Elon’s big surprise most certainly rocks the EV world – the high powered Model S still falls short of the Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat while costing almost twice as much.

Tesla Model S gets AWD for “insane” speed and a range boost – and autopilot too

By Luke Ottaway on October 10, 2014 - 1:23AM

Well, well, well. Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk had the hype machine on full power since last week’s suggestive tweet about unveiling the “D,” and certainly didn’t disappoint. Even the correct predictions underestimated the wow factor of Thursday night’s big reveal.

Volkswagen exec: hydrogen, plug-in hybrids just a bridge to all-electric cars

By Luke Ottaway on October 9, 2014 - 3:45PM

Plug-in hybrids, electric vehicles, hydrogen fuel cells...which of these technologies, if any, will win the future? Volkswagen’s view is a bold one.

Do electric cars have to match the capabilities of gasoline to reach the mass market?

By Luke Ottaway on October 8, 2014 - 10:12AM

Recent comments by Fiat-Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne inspired us to address a very important but often unasked question: must electric vehicles duplicate the characteristics of their gasoline competitors to reach the mass market?

Tesla could make a killing off its own used cars

By Luke Ottaway on October 7, 2014 - 1:06PM

Like other luxury automakers, Tesla Motors now has revealed plans for a certified pre-owned program that would allow it to make money off its vehicles more than once, and with much higher margins the second and third time around.

The Nissan LEAF is now profitable – sort of

By Luke Ottaway on October 7, 2014 - 9:23AM

Comments by Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn indicate that the Nissan LEAF has at last moved into the black, although it will be a while before the up-front investment is recovered.

The 2016 Cadillac CT6 plug-in hybrid will be no ELR

By Luke Ottaway on October 6, 2014 - 5:48PM

Cadillac is planning to introduce a plug-in hybrid version of its upcoming CT6 large sedan next year. What we do know is that the luxury saloon will not bear much resemblance to the other Cadillac plug-in, the ELR.

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