Electric Vehicle News and Reviews (Page 136)

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.

Gigafactory Berlin, courtesy of Tesla Inc.

Tesla's Giga Berlin To Meet 400 Requirements As Per Environmental Permit

By Nicolas Caballero on March 8, 2022 - 9:12AM

The environmental permit for the Tesla Gigafactory in Berlin is now official; the plant will start operating as soon as it meets the 400 requirements mentioned in the 536-page document; Tesla wants to have everything ready within two weeks.

Kia Announces Additional EVs, Including Pickups And Entry Level Models

By Justin Hart on March 8, 2022 - 3:23AM

Last week, Kia held an Investor Day event and announced additional EV models for its 5 year roadmap, including not one but two pickups and an affordable “entry level” model as well. Note that Kia’s news refers to its global strategy and at least one of these models is intended for emerging markets (and as such would not likely be sold in the U.S. or Western Europe).

Image of tire pressure gauge by John Goreham

The Only Two Things You Can Do Right Now To Save Fuel

By John Goreham on March 7, 2022 - 2:04PM

If you want to increase your miles driven per gallon of fuel used and save money on fuel, there are just two things you can do today to make that happen.

Elon Musk Calls For Increased Oil and Gas Production Immediately

By Jeremy Johnson on March 7, 2022 - 10:27AM

Elon Musk, through Twitter, has called for the immediate increase in oil and gas production as oil has hit around $130 a barrel now, saying that if we do not do this, we will not have the energy to power human civilization.

Hyundai Santa Fe Image Courtesy of Hyundai

2022 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Limited AWD Offers Alternative to Toyota RAV4 and Highlander Hybrids

By John Goreham on March 7, 2022 - 9:09AM

We test and review the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Limited AWD and find that it has a lot in common with Toyota’s hybrids, along with some added plusses.

2022 GMC Hummer EV vs 2024 Chevrolet SIlverado EV Which Is Better?

By Carl Malek on March 7, 2022 - 12:49AM

The 2022 GMC Hummer Edition 1 and the 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV take a unique approach when it comes to utilizing the Ultium platform. The Hummer is a tech-filled behemoth aimed at being a rolling showcase while the Silverado is the first viable fruit of a more mainstream-focused purchase. But which one is the right offering for you?

GMC Releases New Updates on the GMC HUMMER EV SUV

By Mary Conway on March 6, 2022 - 8:12PM

GMC is making a big push this week, driving customers toward the all-new GMC HUMMER EV SUV. Some of the SUVs could be ready by early 2023.

Ford Engineers Torture Test F-150 Lightnings In Alaska Winter

Ford Engineers Torture-Test F-150 Lightning in Alaska’s 30-Below Cold

By Marc Stern on March 6, 2022 - 2:10PM

In order to find out how Ford F-150 Lightnings perform in the cold, a group of Ford engineers took six Lightnings and spent two weeks putting them through their paces in Alaska's 30-below cold.

Kia's EVs Mark Best-Ever U.S. Monthly Sales, Nearly Doubling Previous Record

By Justin Hart on March 6, 2022 - 1:08PM

Kia’s total February sales increased 2.3% year over year. That may sound like only modest growth. But it is important to note that last month Kia’s 2 EV models, the brand new EV6 and the returning Niro EV, also beat their previous best ever month, September 2021, by 181%.

Panasonic To Build New US Battery Gigafactory To Meet Tesla Demand

By Nicolas Caballero on March 6, 2022 - 12:33PM

Tesla's growth for the next few years is by all means significant: this is forcing their suppliers to speed up production if they don't want to be left behind. This is the case of Tesla's main partner, Panasonic, which according to different media sources is looking for land to build a large battery Gigafactory in US territory.

Ford's Recent Moves Could Mean Big Changes At The Dealer Level

By Carl Malek on March 6, 2022 - 12:21AM

Ford's recent decision to internally split its ICE and EV businesses promises big changes in the way that the company handled various aspects of its business. That includes an experience that some customers might not realize, the dealership.

Loads of Model Y Vehicles at Giga Berlin

By Jeremy Johnson on March 5, 2022 - 9:09PM

We see a picture with what looks like an endless row of Model Y vehicles at Giga Berlin. Giga Berlin is getting ready for full production in a couple weeks and it looks like it can produce around 500 vehicles per week right now and will likely get to 1,000 per week in the coming months.

2023 Subaru Solterra all-electric compact SUV features, specs, pricing

Subaru Says New Solterra EV Sells Out In The First 72 Hours

By Denis Flierl on March 5, 2022 - 10:16AM

Can you still buy the new 2023 Subaru Soltarra EV? Reservations closed, and Subaru confirmed the all-electric SUV sold out in the first 72 hours.

Lucid, Rivian and Tesla Round Up

By Anthony Donati on March 4, 2022 - 1:56PM

Lucid, Rivian and Tesla have all been the talk of the EV town this week! Here is why? Plus what $LCID, $RIVN and $TSLA investors should know

Tesla Finally Authorized To Start Giga Berlin Production: Green Light!

By Nicolas Caballero on March 4, 2022 - 1:15PM

Brandenburg authorities have already confirmed permission to start production at the Tesla Giga Factory in Germany: a permit that was finally confirmed a few hours ago.

A pair of Rivian R1T pickup trucks are pictured driving on a mountainside trail.

Rivian Reverses Price Hikes For R1T And R1S After Customers Threaten Order Cancellation

By James Walker on March 4, 2022 - 1:08PM

Rivian bumped the price of its flagship EVs by over $10,000 without warning, sparking fury from preorder customers. The price-hike plans have now been reversed: "It was wrong and we broke your trust in Rivian."

Higher Gas Prices Benefits EV Companies Like Tesla

By Jeremy Johnson on March 4, 2022 - 10:54AM

There's been some pictures of gas prices of 7 dollars in some places. The increase in price for oil and gas is a good thing for EV companies and it benefits Tesla the most. Let's see how.

Wall Street Likes Ford's EV Plans, But Raises Some Questions On Finer Details

By Carl Malek on March 4, 2022 - 12:23AM

A big hurdle for any automaker looking to rapidly expand their EV ambitions is that they not only have to win over customers but also impress the power players in Wall Street. Ford's recent moves in the EV segment have turned some heads but raised some questions as well.

Jim Cramer Chooses Ford CEO, Jim Farley, over Tesla CEO, Elon Musk

By Jeremy Johnson on March 3, 2022 - 7:13PM

We've just seen an interview with Jim Cramer, a former hedge fund manager and television personality who was talking about Ford and Tesla. Jim Cramer said that he likes Jim Farley, the Ford CEO, over Elon Musk, by 2026, as Ford aims to produce 2 million battery electric vehicles.

Newly Published Report Sheds New Light On When Chevrolet Bolt Lineup Resumes Production

By Carl Malek on March 3, 2022 - 2:11PM

Production of the Chevrolet Bolt and its bigger EUV sibling has been shuttered for the past few years as GM and battery supplier LG navigated their way through a massive battery recall that saw some of the affected Bolts catch fire when charging due to a battery cell defect. A new report however finally appears to reveal when Orion Assembly plant will resume Bolt production once again

New Graphite Nanowire Batteries By Amprius, Having More Energy Than Tesla Model 3 Cells

By Nicolas Caballero on March 3, 2022 - 9:57AM

Amprius claims it has created a lithium battery with a silicon nanowire anode that contains 73% more energy than the cells of the Tesla Model 3, with 37% less volume.

Jeep's First All-Electric SUV Will Launch in Early 2023

By Mary Conway on March 2, 2022 - 7:11PM

As part of its Dare Forward 2030 plan, Stellantis revealed what will be Jeep's first all-electric SUV.

A gold Lucid Air Dream Edition is pictured rolling off the production line in Arizona.

Lucid Motors Cuts 2022 Production Target, Here's Why That's A Good Thing

By James Walker on March 2, 2022 - 1:33PM

Lucid's Q4 earnings call showed that while the EV manufacturer rises and falls with the waves affecting the wider market, it's still full steam ahead with steady hands at the helm. Here are all the key figures.

Tesla Could Have Made a 600 Mile Range Model S 12 Months Ago

By Jeremy Johnson on March 2, 2022 - 10:54AM

Elon Musk just stated that Tesla could have made a 600 mile range Model S, 12 months ago. He also said that the vehicle would not have handled as well, weighed down by extra battery and would cost more. Do customers want a 600 mile range EV? Let's discuss this and more.

New Tesla Model and Gigafactory

By Jeremy Johnson on March 1, 2022 - 6:57PM

Tesla is planning to expand Giga Shanghai, according to sources familiar with the matter that asked not to be identified, so that Tesla can build up to 2 million cars per year - just in China - just in Giga Shanghai. Tesla will become the largest auto producer in China with this upgrade. 2 million vehicles is quite a lot. Toyota produced 1.6 million vehicles in China in 2021.

Tesla Giga Berlin To Receive Final Approval This Week

By Nicolas Caballero on March 1, 2022 - 1:43PM

The opening of Giga Berlin, the first Tesla plant in Europe, is getting closer: according to German press agencies, the factory will receive its final approval on Thursday or Friday this week; in fact, everything shows that Tesla is already preparing the opening ceremony itself, which will take place in less than three weeks.

Hyundai Delivers Segment-Topping Volume of Ioniq 5s in February In U.S.

By John Goreham on March 1, 2022 - 11:35AM

Among affordable EV crossover vehicles, the Hyundai Ioniq is starting to emerge as a volume leader in America.

Elon Musk Supplies Ukraine With Starlink Satellite Access

By Jeremy Johnson on February 28, 2022 - 8:09PM

There is a difficult situation with the Ukraine right now with Russia invading. The Ukranian internet has been disrupted due to the invasion. This happened very quickly after a Ukranian government official, Mykhailo Fedorov sent a Tweet asking Elon Musk to provide Ukraine with Starlink stations in order to help them get Internet.

Tesla Supercharging Network: Potential Safety Issues For Other EV Brands While Charging

By Nicolas Caballero on February 28, 2022 - 5:33PM

As it is widely known so far, Tesla opened up its charging network to other EV brands a while ago; although it is very good news, it can also bring along security issues.

Image of RAV4 Prime courtesy of Kate Silbaugh

Toyota Prius and RAV4 Prime Earn Spots On 10-Best List - Tesla Dropped

By John Goreham on February 28, 2022 - 5:24PM

Consumer Reports has released its list of the ten best vehicles of 2022. The Toyota RAV4 Prime and Prius Prime Plug-in Hybrids earn a spot, but Tesla’s Model 3 gets bumped off.

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