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Electric Vehicle News, Reviews and Analysis

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.

DSRC devices on a sign post and car roof, DSRC V2X traffic signal, and V2X cars and a scooter
By Al Castro Oct 1 2018 - 5:41am

The Car Language Dilemma of Radio-Based DSRC v. Cellular Based V2X: VHS or Betamax? 100 Years Ago: Gas or Electric Car?

Which shall it be? Betamax or VHS? Although fully driverless autonomous cars are years and miles away, as we get there shortly, cars need to learn now, how to communicate to each other as they robotize. But car makers are battling each other over older radio DSRC v. the newer cellular V2X, and the debate, like American politics, is getting intense. It’s the same kind of moment we went through when deciding which video platform to use 40 years ago, even 100 years ago which kind of car, gas or electric?
Tesla Model 3 car carrier trailer makes its way on the Hollywood Freeway loaded with Model 3’s for delivery.
By Al Castro Sep 28 2018 - 6:14pm

From The Production Hell to Logistics Hell: the Model 3 Car Carrier Crisis During Rush Week

It seems Tesla Corporation has another crisis at hand that they seem able to, in the end, solve one way or another, their way of course, and this time in the opposite of extremes. They are up to their necks with Model 3’s all around them that they can’t deliver them to customers on time. Actually because of either apparent poor planning or lack of a good relationship with several transportation companies to plan ahead, Tesla fabricates its own car carriers so they can ship their inventory.
2020 Lucid Air Sedan Interior/Exterior
By Al Castro Sep 27 2018 - 1:49pm

Lucid Motors: Charged Up, “Funding Secured,” and Getting Ready to Make Air: the EV Car Company Lines Up its Ducks Quietly

After not being able to meet a target production date this year due to evaporated funding, Lucid Motors recently did all the things it needed to do to ensure it can meet its next target production date for its first car by 2020. And unlike other electric car companies, it did it quietly without much fanfare.
Array of BEV and PHEV cars from Tesla, Chevy, and Sono Motors
By Al Castro Sep 24 2018 - 11:31am

EVs On California HOV Lanes: Where All Plug-Ins are not the Same

ANALYSIS AND OPINION: One of the fringe benefits of golden state citizenry is you get exemption from occupancy rules on California HOV lanes if you drive some kind of electric plug-in. But lately too many single occupant cars are clogging up the lane. They need to narrow the criteria. They started by asking WHO should be allowed access? Instead, maybe Californians need to start a national conversation with a reset to ask exactly: WHAT KIND OF ELECTRIC CAR should have access?
2018 Porsche Panamera
By Marc Stern Sep 24 2018 - 10:30am

Finally, Porsche Announces It Is Done With Diesel

Though the handwriting has been on the wall for some time, there was no officials announcement from Porsche. During the weekend that announcement came and it was Porsche is done with diesel. It's not done with standard gas engines as they have a significant investment in that type of technology. However, the automaker is ramping up its electrics.
Peugeot e-LEGEND Concept Coupe Paris Auto Show 2018
By Al Castro Sep 21 2018 - 7:58pm

Peugeot Le Camáro Mustángue: Peugeot Unveils Possibly the First Non-U.S. Euro Pony Car to Take On Mustang and Camaro

In a segment that was once considered exclusive to Americans only, that no foreign pedigree need apply, the French automaker in a bold and daring attempt to go where no foreign car maker has gone before, produces a concept in electric form with a warning to Ford and Chevrolet, that there’s a weakness with their own muscle pony cars, and Peugeot is ready to take advantage it, in the electric car market.
Chrysler Portal Minivan Concept Replaces the Chrysler 300
By Al Castro Sep 21 2018 - 8:58am

Rumors Chrysler Looking to Cancel Storied 300 Sedan for Millennial Mover Portal Concept EV

9/24/2018 UPDATE TO ORIGINAL STORY: A source apparently close to Chrysler is indicating that the rumors that Chrysler is looking to cancel the 300 and Charger sedans are not true. And instead of building the Portal minivan Chrysler is looking to have the Dodge Grand Caravan replaced by a mini MPV based on the Portal Concept instead.
Volkswagen ID BUZZ CARGO Van
By Al Castro Sep 20 2018 - 9:59am

VW Reveals the ID Buzz Electric Kombi Cargo Bus: A Preview of the Passenger Type 2 Electric Samba to Come

With Type 1 Beetle Mark 3 in its swansong, VW decides in good timing that it’s ready to try its luck and good fortune on another storied halo, that some say as a van, has more potential of being even more popular and longer lasting than Beetle, even as an electric. Let’s hope Samba reaches its 100th Birthday in 2049 that Beetle almost made in 2038 (or earlier?), but didn’t quite live as long.
The 2019 Audi e-Tron Quattro BEV SUV
By Al Castro Sep 18 2018 - 10:14am

Years in the Making, Audi Finally Launches the 2019 e-Tron SUV: Audi’s First Full On BEV Electric Car

2013 was only a few years ago, a long time for most, lightning fast time in the electric car universe, and after all the talk, the drafts, the drawings, the concepts, the rumors, the prototypes, and camouflaged pre-production vehicles since, Audi finally presents its first full electric car. With a price point of about $80,000 USD, the Audi e-Tron Quattro aims to take its throne as a heralded German electric, while finally taking on the American Teslas.
The BMW iNext Electric Autonomous Concept
By Al Castro Sep 16 2018 - 10:05am

BMW Reveals a Normal Looking Driverless Car: iNext: the Next Step in Electric Autonomous Driving

Instead of going over the top like most car makers do, especially startups when introducing autonomous technology in their concept vehicles, BMW took a more practical approach recently with theirs, called iNext, a new electric driverless capable concept CUV but still a human hands on driving car which includes a steering wheel and pedals. So practical they intend to put something much like it into production in as little time as in 2021.
Volvo VC40 SUV BEV
By Al Castro Sep 15 2018 - 10:00am

Another ex-Ford For You: the Volvo XC40 Electric. Competes with Jaguar, Audi, and Model X, with Model 3 Price Point!

Here’s another ex-Ford that got spit out by the blue oval to go on with life and do better without them, since partnering up with Chinese Geely, Volvo is whipping out some amazing products even a new division, and the baby XC40 electric is a prime example. A BEV competes with Jaguar iPace, Audi eTron, and Tesla Model X, all at Model 3 prices. Another ex-Ford in your future. Not bad!
Aston Martin Rapide-E Sports Saloon Fixed Head
By Al Castro Sep 14 2018 - 6:20am

The Ex-Ford in Your Future: Aston Martin Reveals the Electric Rapide E: The BEV Mustang Makers Should Be Making

Instead of waiting to wonder what a Mustang BEV CUV will come to, rogue ex-Forder Aston Martin shows their former boss they don’t even need an SUV platform to electrify one of their products, they can do it on a current production car: their flagship saloon, the Rapide. Attention American Cops: this ex-Ford is definitely a Crown Vic and Explorer Inceptor Killer!
Tesla Model 3 in the Fast lane
By Al Castro Sep 13 2018 - 9:36am

Closing Pandora’s Box: Tesla Takes One Year Finding a Solution to a Hack in Same System Driverless Cars Will be Using

Thieves are hacking Tesla vehicles and their key fobs worldwide with special hacking computer hardware tools to steal the car within seconds. It took Tesla a year to solve it. All this, from the company that wants to bring us a world of electric cars without drivers, the problems that may seem too difficult for Tesla to solve over the electric cars they already have that still need them.
The Sono Sion Solar BEV 4 Door Utitity $25,000 USD
By Al Castro Sep 9 2018 - 1:52pm

Range Anxiety? What’s That? With Sono Motors Sion, It’s the EV That Recharges Itself

Sono Motors is a Bavarian startup electric car company that actually has a very good chance of making it to production being months/weeks away from making their sole solar BEV with the 7,200 orders they already have. Yes, that’s right, a BEV that has solar panels all over the car that provides a range extending 30 km or 18 miles for the 155 mile battery range a day.
Audi Q8
By Marc Stern Sep 8 2018 - 10:30pm

When Is A Coupe A Coupe? Is It Two Doors Or Four Doors? And, Here’s Audi’s Q8 Pricing, Too

So, Audi announces the pricing for its Q8, five-door coupe and I have to scratch my chin: what exactly is a coupe? Doesn't Audi sell several coupe models such as the two-door TT? So, if it sells real coupes, how can it call a five-door crossover a coupe? It's a strange one, I'll admit.

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