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Electric Vehicle News and Reviews (Page 349)

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.

2016 Volt front
The New Chevy Volt Drops in Detroit with Better Range, New Looks
By Patrick Rall on
The 2016 Chevrolet Volt was among the new models to debut this week at the 2015 North American International Auto Show, with the next generation of the electric Chevy bringing a new look, better battery range and improved fuel economy when running strictly on the gasoline engine.
Nissan LEAF on the road
Do Nissan LEAF Owners Actually Drive MORE Than Non-EV Owners?
By Aaron Turpen on
What if electric car owners actually drive more than do their combustion engine counterparts? Does this change things and if so, how?
2016 Volt front end
NAIAS Preview: GM to Debut New Volt, Cadillac CTS-V, but No Camaro
By Patrick Rall on
When the 2015 North American International Auto Show opens next week, General Motors will show off a balance of efficiency and performance, with Chevrolet showing off the new Volt while Cadillac rolls out the next generation CTS-V.
Plugging in the LEAF
Nissan LEAF Is Only EV With Sales Growth in 2014, Outsells ALL Others By Wide Margins
By Aaron Turpen on
The Nissan LEAF is not only the best-selling electric car in the United States and globally, but it's also the only electric vehicle in the U.S. showing positive, sustained sales growth and it's also the only one selling in quantities sufficient to make it "mainstream."
Toyota offers royalty-free hydrogen fuel cell patents to the world
By John Goreham on
Toyota will provide its patents to other automakers at no cost to spur hydrogen vehicle adoption.
2015 Toyota Hybrids safer than electric vehicles
Why 2015 Toyota hybrids are rated safer than EVs
By John Goreham on
Not a single electric vehicle presently has the IIHS Top Safety Pick rating, yet five different Toyota/Lexus hybrids do. Here’s why
2016 volt front end teaser
Next Gen Chevy Volt Takes Design Cues from the Corvette
By Patrick Rall on
While General Motors has rolled out a collection of short videos teasing the next generation Chevrolet Volt, the most intriguing aspect of the new electric Chevy is the fact that it should wear design cues borrowed from the popular Chevrolet Corvette Stingray.
Tesla Roadster EV
Tesla’s New Roadster 3.0 Said to Travel 400 Miles on One Charge
By Amie Williams on
It’s safe to say that Tesla is the king of high-end electric cars. A Christmas announcement came straight from the Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla Motors, and it’s a good one we might add. The company’s new Roadster 3.0 has received quite the upgrade, one that will allow it to travel 400 miles on one single charge. That will allow the car to go 40-50 percent longer than other vehicles, and being 15 percent more aerodynamic doesn’t hurt.
Mercedes Ecoluxe EV
Rumor: Mercedes to Jump on EV Bandwagon with "Ecoluxe" Brand
By Amie Williams on
Electric vehicles are all the rage now, and even luxury car manufacturers may be jumping on board. With the Tesla being a sleek and increasingly popular car, Mercedes may want a slice of that EV pie.
2015 Toyota Camry Hybrid XLE highest value Consumer Reports
2015 Toyota Camry Hybrid best value of all says Consumer Reports
By John Goreham on
Another win for Toyota’s Camry, this time in its new style and hybrid form.
2015 Nissan Leaf, 2015 Toyota Prius
Drastic rise in 2015 Massachusetts electricity costs making EVs impractical
By John Goreham on
On January 1st Massachusetts energy prices will jump by 22% for most residents. Do EVs make any sense in this key market?
New BMW i3, 2015 BMW M6
New future BMWs may be safer without you driving
By Denis Flierl on
The research vehicle is the new BMW i3, but all future BMW vehicles could be safer and accident free without you driving.
Nissan LEAF at home
Buy a Nissan LEAF, Get a Free Home Charger
By Aaron Turpen on
We knew that in some markets, you can buy an electric LEAF and get a free home charger. What we didn't know is that there were so many places where it's the norm.
BMW i8 Hybrid Supercar
Hybrids Explained - What’s a Plug-in, a Mild, or an ER-EV?
By Aaron Turpen on
Hybrid vehicles have a lot of nomenclature that designates one powertrain design from the next. There are parallel, serial, plug-ins, and mild hybrids. Some fuel cell vehicles are hybrids too, so are extended range electrics. Here’s what all that means.
New BMW i8
Is the new BMW i8 too extreme for performance enthusiasts?
By Denis Flierl on
The new BMW i8 has been named Top Gear magazine’s global Car of the Year 2014. Is it too radical for performance enthusiasts?
Nissan LEAF paint prank
Nissan Pulls Prank With 'World's Cleanest Car', the Self-cleaning LEAF
By Aaron Turpen on
The self-cleaning Nissan LEAF with its special repellent paint was put to the test on the streets of the United States in a new series of prank videos for YouTube.
Subaru VIZIV GT Vision Gran Turismo
How 591hp Subaru VIZIV GT wagon was inspired by a dried fish [video]
By Denis Flierl on
Check out this latest performance car from Subaru! The Japanese automaker used a dried fish for inspiration.
Nissan LEAF being plugged in
Renault-Nissan Alliance Bests 200,000 EV Sales Mark
By Aaron Turpen on
Between them, Renault and Nissan share not only a CEO, but also 58% of the global zero-emission vehicle market.
Nissan LEAF No Charge to Charge
Hey Atlanta: Buy a LEAF, Get Free Public Charging
By Aaron Turpen on
The No Charge to Charge program hits Georgia as America's biggest market for the all-electric LEAF, Atlanta, sees the program roll out for the holidays.
Giving thanks and a fond farewell
By Luke Ottaway on
In my final column for Torque News, I go for an electric vehicle Thanksgiving theme.
New BMW i3
New BMW i3 now achieves its remarkable 19th global award
By Denis Flierl on
One year after its launch, the new BMW i3 has picked up more awards than any other EV. The BMW i3 just received number 19 in Los Angeles.
Audi A7
Do hydrogen-electric plug-in hybrids like the Audi A7 h-tron make sense?
By Luke Ottaway on
Audi presented an intriguing concept at the Los Angeles Auto Show last week: a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle with a hydrogen fuel cell range extender. Could this powertrain be the real future?
2016 Chevy Volt
With seating for five, 2016 Volt may have lost its last excuse to not be a mass-market vehicle
By Luke Ottaway on
Violators of a certain non-disclosure agreement have revealed that the next-generation Chevrolet Volt will have seating for five. Is there any real reason why the 2016 Volt should not target the mass market?
2016 volt front end teaser
The First Good 2016 Chevrolet Volt Teaser Looks Remarkable
By Patrick Rall on
General Motors offered up a rear end teaser of the 2016 Chevrolet Volt back in August, but this newest teaser showing the front end of the next gen EV paints the portrait of a remarkable good looking vehicle – one that I cannot wait to see in person at the 2015 Detroit Auto Show debut.
2016 Chevy Volt
GM needs to change the lower grille on the 2016 Volt
By Luke Ottaway on
Until yesterday, all we knew about the next-generation Chevrolet Volt’s looks came from a teaser image of the liftgate of the car. Los Angeles-area Volt owners got a full preview of the new Volt, plus a partial front-end view for the rest of us.
VW eGolf
Volkswagen e-Golf All-Electric Car: Will It Be A Success?
By Amie Williams on
Electric cars are all the rage, and with gas prices usually above $3.00 per gallon and fluctuating on a daily basis, expect more of hybrid and electric plug-in vehicles gracing the roadways than ever before. Consumers will be looking for something that saves cash at the pump and reduces their overall carbon footprint. These consumer demands in conjunction with government regulations for fuel efficiency have automakers looking for solutions to meet needs all around.
Jaguar CX75
Is Jaguar going to build an electric car?
By Joseph Scott on
Jaguar has filed for the trademark name of "EV." Could that spell an electric car in the future?
2015 Ford Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid
Crunching numbers on the 2015 Ford Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid
By John Goreham on
Good luck figuring out your “mileage” but the total energy cost to operate a Fusion Energi is easy math, and the car is easy on your wallet.
Toyota names fuel cell vehicle Mirai, pledges fueling stations in Eastern US
By John Goreham on
Toyota gives its fuel cell vehicle an interesting name that EVangelists will have fun with. Makes surprising pledge to assist Eastern states with hydrogen fueling stations.
LEAF charging
Buy a Nissan LEAF in Chicago, Get Free Public Charging
By Aaron Turpen on
Nissan is now giving free public charging access to LEAF buyers in the Chicago area. The "No Charge to Charge" promotion has been extended to the Windy City.
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