Electric Vehicle News and Reviews (Page 350)

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.

Six months later, how is the BMW i3 selling in the United States?

By Luke Ottaway on November 14, 2014 - 12:23AM

It has now been half a year since the radical BMW i3 first arrived on U.S. shores. We review its progress so far.

What the China-US climate change agreement means for electric cars

By Luke Ottaway on November 13, 2014 - 12:19PM

Decades from now, historians may look back on November 12, 2014 as a turning point in the struggle against climate change. Will it prove to be a turning point in the electric car movement as well?

By John Goreham on November 12, 2014 - 3:36PM

Popular Science names Toyota FCV fuel cell sedan to Best of What’s New 2014. This will not a popular choice with EVangelists.

An electric car without batteries, powered by its body panels, is a long way off

By Luke Ottaway on November 12, 2014 - 12:14PM

Research at the Queensland University of Technology claim to have developed a graphene-based supercapacitor that is so lightweight the researchers think it could ultimately be integrated into body panels to power an electric car. Their time frame is extremely optimistic, however.

Lexus is at it again with EV attack ads, still doesn’t get it

By Luke Ottaway on November 11, 2014 - 12:22PM

Oh, Lexus. We know you are proud of those hybrids of yours, and we know your parent company (Toyota) does not think highly of battery electric vehicles. But this is not a race for political office.

2015 Prius hybrid now matches the cost per mile of Leaf EV in some markets

By John Goreham on November 11, 2014 - 8:53AM

Due to increasing electricity costs and decreasing gasoline costs, the most popular EV and most popular hybrid now have nearly identical costs for energy per mile of operation.

Ford flexes its green energy muscle yet again, harnesses the wind for dealers

By Luke Ottaway on November 10, 2014 - 3:16PM

Would you think differently about your car dealer if it had a futuristic-looking wind sail spinning overhead to generate a substantial amount of carbon-free electricity?

Why range anxiety is not a real problem

By Luke Ottaway on November 9, 2014 - 11:24AM

Range anxiety is often cited as one of the major reasons battery electric vehicles have yet to take off in the mass market. But does it actually exist in practice?

Tesla drops Model S powertrain options to simplify production – no 60D for you

By Luke Ottaway on November 7, 2014 - 9:41AM

Somewhat buried in the Tesla Q3 shareholder letter was the admission that two powertrain options on Model S will no longer be offered. The significance of the move is debatable.

Tesla progress report: strong Model S demand, Model X setbacks

By Luke Ottaway on November 6, 2014 - 9:15AM

Tesla Motors had an eventful third quarter, highlighted by troubles with a factory shutdown, introduction of all-wheel-drive and autopilot features, and more Model X delays. Here is the rundown.

When it comes to EVs and fuel cells, what is Toyota really thinking?

By Luke Ottaway on November 5, 2014 - 2:34PM

Though there does not necessarily have to be a battle between batteries and fuel cells, it often seems to happen that way. Toyota has been fueling the conflict between the two technologies through its words and actions, but what does the automaker truly think about the future of transportation?

October EV sales: LEAF and i3 stay strong while plug-in hybrids falter

By Luke Ottaway on November 4, 2014 - 11:04PM

An impressive streak came to an end last month: the current generation of plug-in vehicles delivered fewer copies year-over-year for the first time ever. The main culprit was slow sales of plug-in hybrids, influenced by several factors.

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.

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