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Electric Vehicle News and Reviews (Page 367)

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.

The surprising culprit behind a recent Chevrolet Volt fire
By Luke Ottaway on
“Electric car” and “fire” are words that EV advocates hate to see in the same sentence. But in the case of a Chevrolet Volt fire last month, the cause was a component found in every vehicle on the road today.
2015 Fiat 500e hits California and Oregon and it is cheap
By Luke Ottaway on
A slightly refreshed all-electric 2015 Fiat 500e is now available at select studios in California and Oregon. If you live in one of those states and are in the market for an EV, the 500e deserves serious consideration on lease price alone.
This electric vehicle company is surely doomed
By Luke Ottaway on
GreenTech Automotive has released the prices for its MyCar and G2 vehicles, and neither appears to have much chance of succeeding.
Consumer Reports underwhelmed by first drive of Mercedes B-Class Electric
By Luke Ottaway on
The influential publication came away largely unimpressed with its first experience with the new all-electric offering from Mercedes. Here’s why that is not a surprise.
Why it may not be a good idea to re-launch the old Fisker Karma
By Luke Ottaway on
The Fisker Karma is making a comeback, as the company’s new owners plan to bring the plug-in hybrid sedan to life once more next year. Will the rush to get the Karma back to market hurt its chances of success?
The Nissan LEAF truck
What Would a Nissan LEAF and Frontier Mashup Look Like? Fuglymazing!
By Aaron Turpen on
Nissan engineers build an electric cruck by merging an electric LEAF and a Frontier pickup truck. The results are fuglymazing.
Will the Renault Eolab – a 282 MPG hatchback of the future – make it to the U.S.?
By Luke Ottaway on
Step aside, Volkswagen with your landmark XL1. The Renault Eolab achieves similar efficiency benefits in the form of a more practical hatchback – though it may be a while before a similar version hits the States.
Eva Hakansson standing atop the KillaJoule in Bonneville
Eva Hakansson Makes 270 mph run at Bonneville in KillaJoule
By Aaron Turpen on
Computer modeling estimated that the top speed for the KillaJoule electric streamliner motorcycle was about 270 miles per hour. Now, the fastest woman on a motorcycle has proven that with a new world record.
Chicago to purchase quiet, clean, expensive all-electric Motiv garbage trucks
By Luke Ottaway on
Garbage trucks are not generally associated with being clean or green, but pretty soon Motiv Power will provide the city of Chicago with the cleanest, greenest garbage trucks you’ve ever seen.
2015 Toyota Corolla LE Eco
No EV or hybrid can match the 2015 Toyota Corolla LE Eco
By John Goreham on
In terms of practicality, size, and cost of ownership, the very-green Toyota Corolla LE Eco is unrivaled.
An electric S-Class is the spearhead of the Mercedes plug-in hybrid offensive
By Luke Ottaway on
Sure, it is the approximate size of a small yacht and will cost about the same. But the new Mercedes S550 plug-in hybrid represents just the first in what is promised to be a long line of electrified vehicles bearing the distinctive three-point star.
New Mercedes S550 Plug-in hybrid
How Mercedes uses F1 technology for the new Mercedes S550 Plug-in hybrid
By Denis Flierl on
The all-new 2015 Mercedes-Benz S550 is the first Plug-in hybrid from the German automaker. How is it related to F1 racing?
Tesla direct sales victory in Massachusetts could pave way for similar rulings
By Luke Ottaway on
On Monday, the highest court in the state of Massachusetts ruled in favor of Tesla Motors in yet another battle with auto dealers over the company’s direct sales model. The significance of the ruling could extend beyond just Massachusetts.
Nissan may outsource batteries to LG Chem – what does it mean for Leaf?
By Luke Ottaway on
Reports from Renault-Nissan sources suggest that the company is rethinking the battery supply for its electric vehicles. It is reported that Nissan may shift to LG Chem to provide superior cells for its next-generation battery packs. What are the implications?
Tesla Model X outsold all electric vehicles except Volt and Leaf in August
By Luke Ottaway on
The upcoming Tesla Model X has been hyped like no other crossover in recent memory. That hype has generated an impressive number of pre-orders for the falcon-winged wonder, particularly in recent months.
Inaugural Formula E race ends in thrilling fashion, spectacular crash
By Luke Ottaway on
The first-ever Formula E race in Beijing on Saturday provided its share of excitement, particularly on the final lap that featured a scary crash.
2014 Nissan LEAF Beast New Car Deal
2014 Nissan LEAF named as best car deal by KBB.com
By Aaron Turpen on
Kelley Blue Book has named its 10 Best New Car Deals of the Month for September and the LEAF is on that list.
Kia Sould EV Pricing
2015 Kia Soul EV pricing announced with attractive lease deal
By Luke Ottaway on
Another electric vehicle will soon be arriving on U.S. shores. The 2015 Kia Soul EV will bring with it a price tag fairly typical of its class, but many buyers may opt for the lease.
Silence - that’s the sound of the police (coming for you in a VW e-Golf)
By Luke Ottaway on
Volkswagen presented the e-Golf battery electric car as a police emergency vehicle at an exhibition this week. Though it wouldn’t last long in a high-speed chase, the e-Golf would be quite a stealthy cop car.
Tesla vehicles could have full autopilot by 2020
By Luke Ottaway on
As the debate over autonomous driving rages on, Tesla is doing its best to catch up to rival automakers in developing self-driving cars. New comments from CEO Elon Musk shed more light on the company’s plans.
Will Tesla and Toyota ever get back together? Musk thinks so
By Luke Ottaway on
After ending its collaboration with Tesla on the RAV4 EV and repeatedly declaring its allegiance to fuel cells, it certainly doesn’t seem like Toyota is interested in another partnership with Tesla. Not so fast, says Elon Musk.
A week with the BMW i8 isn’t enough to inspire Rory McIlroy to victory
By Luke Ottaway on
The life of the world’s best golfer is enviable in many ways. One such perk of being Rory McIlroy: BMW gives you special treatment at their tournament.
Renault Twingy
Renault-Nissan and Orange Expand Electric Vehicle Partnership
By Aaron Turpen on
An expansion of partnership agreements between the Renault-Nissan Alliance and Orange means adding 200 electric vehicles to the telecommunications giant's fleet.
Ford hopes to allow plug-in hybrid drivers to use the cloud to their advantage
By Luke Ottaway on
The cloud isn’t just for storing private photos of celebrities. Its vast potential is just waiting to be tapped by the automotive industry, and Ford plans to take advantage with its plug-in hybrids.
Nevada offers Tesla $1.3 billion in Gigafactory incentives – but that’s not why it won
By Luke Ottaway on
The economic incentive package dangled in front of Tesla for constructing the Gigafactory in Reno, Nevada is more generous than many expected. Yet there is another more important reason Nevada was chosen.
Tesla Demands Taxpayer Cash
Tesla demanded "massive cash up-front" taxpayer payment for gigafactory says Gov. Brown
By John Goreham on
According to Governor Jerry Brown, Tesla’s demands on taxpayers were too much even for California. Apparently, the cost to taxpayers to have a battery factory is about $1.3 billion.
Which automaker sells the second-most plug-in vehicles in the U.S.?
By Luke Ottaway on
The Ford lineup of electric vehicles has posted strong sales numbers so far in 2014, and the trend continued in August.
BMW i3 Passes Tesla Model S in sales.
BMW’s i3 just the latest EV to blow past Tesla in US sales
By John Goreham on
Despite the media and fan-boy hype, Tesla has dropped to 5th in monthly US electric vehicle sales rate. This time, the car to pass it is indeed stealing customers from the Tesla Model S' target demographic.
Tesla makes right choice with Reno for Gigafactory
By Luke Ottaway on
Thursday afternoon it will be officially announced that a site near Reno, Nevada will be the home of Tesla's sought-after Gigafactory. It appears to be the right move for Tesla.
Volt and Leaf both establish new sales marks in August
By Luke Ottaway on
The Nissan LEAF and Chevrolet Volt have been duking it out for the title of best-selling plug-in since their nearly simultaneous debuts. The LEAF has recently claimed dominance, but both had a great month of August.
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