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Electric Vehicle News and Reviews (Page 366)

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 John Goreham on
A hybrid system with some franchised dealers could be a big advantage for the EV maker in a few years.
By Luke Ottaway on
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.
By Luke Ottaway on
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.
By Luke Ottaway on
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.
By Luke Ottaway on
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.
By Luke Ottaway on
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.
By John Goreham on
We already knew Toyota's hybrids outsell the entire plug-in and EV market. A new milestone highlights that lead just keep getting bigger.
By John Goreham on
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.
By Luke Ottaway on
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.
By Luke Ottaway on
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.
By Luke Ottaway on
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.
By Luke Ottaway on
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.
By Luke Ottaway on
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.
By Denis Flierl on
The 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution and Dodge Charger Hellcat are on their way out. What’s this new eco-performance technology about?
By Luke Ottaway on
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.
By Patrick Rall on
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.
By Luke Ottaway on
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.
By Luke Ottaway on
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.
By Luke Ottaway on
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?
By Luke Ottaway on
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.
By Luke Ottaway on
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.
By Luke Ottaway on
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.
By Luke Ottaway on
Tesla has finally implemented one long-overdue active safety feature in the Model S, known as lane departure warning. But the other feature arriving simultaneously is a bit of an eyebrow-raiser.
By Luke Ottaway on
This week at the 2014 Paris Motor Show, Lamborghini almost reluctantly showed off a plug-in hybrid beast called the Asterion. It only exists because of regulations, but we’re glad it does.
By Luke Ottaway on
Last night Elon Musk got the internet excited with a tantalizing (and unintentionally suggestive) tweet involving the letter D and “something else.” Let the speculation blitz begin.
By Luke Ottaway on
After a promising August, the Chevy Volt ended its 2014 streak of monthly sales increases with a disappointing September. Is the upcoming 2016 model responsible?
By Luke Ottaway on
It is fun to try to predict the future, and some firms are devoted entirely to the art and science (and guesswork) of projecting what the future will hold. But in the case of plug-in electric vehicles, do projections of future sales really mean much?
By Luke Ottaway on
Tesla Motors continues to demonstrate the benefits of an automaker doubling as its own charging provider, as the company opened its 200th Supercharger fast-charge station just five months after opening station number 100.
By Luke Ottaway on
Why do you tease us so, Volkswagen? Following in the footsteps of the (for now) Europe-only Golf GTE plug-in hybrid, the European spec Passat GTE will be unveiled at the 2014 Paris Motor Show this week. When will we be graced with its presence across the pond?
By Luke Ottaway on
For the 2015 model year, Porsche has ditched the outgoing Porsche Cayenne Hybrid in favor of a plug-in version. Here’s why it will do well.