Electric Vehicle News and Reviews (Page 197)

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.

Prius at Supercharger image by John Goreham

3 Busted Toyota Prius Myths Haters Wish Were True

By John Goreham on January 21, 2021 - 4:59PM

The Toyota Prius solved the "cars cause global warming" problem over two decades ago. Here are three common Prius myths that everyone from EVangelists to coal-rollers wish were really true.

Mustang Mach-E vs. Tesla Model Y image courtesy of media kits

Three Surprises Ford's Mustang Mach-E Has For Tesla Shoppers With a $50K Budget

By John Goreham on January 21, 2021 - 4:17PM

The Ford Mustang Mach-E Extended Range All-wheel Drive Premium is better than the Tesla Model Y in three key ways. Here is why Tesla's Model Y is no longer the only game in town.

Tesla Gets Preliminary Approval To Get State Aid And Add Battery Manufacturing facility To Giga Berlin

By Tinsae Aregay on January 21, 2021 - 3:44PM

Tesla has been granted permission from Germany's Economy Ministery to start preliminary work on Giga Berlin. The EV maker might also get financial support from the EU.

What It Means for Kia To Be Apple’s EV Maker

By Keith Griffin on January 21, 2021 - 7:55AM

News reports say Kia, not Hyundai, will focus on building electric vehicles for the partnership with Apple. What does that mean for the Apple EV?

Unveiled: Porsche Has Officially Released Details On The Base Model Taycan

By Max Larsen on January 21, 2021 - 2:16AM

After just a few days of teasing, Porsche is ready to launch the new, cheaper and lighter Taycan.

Chevy Hopes Disney Magic Rubs Off on New 2022 Bolt and 2022 Bolt EUV

By Mary Conway on January 20, 2021 - 8:09PM

Chevy will unveil the 2022 Bolt and 2022 Bolt EUV at Walt Disney World on Valentine's Day.

2021 Subaru Forester, 2021 Subaru Outback, 2021 Subaru Ascent

Subaru Acquires 9 Million Shares In Toyota - New Alliance Is Now Complete

By Denis Flierl on January 20, 2021 - 6:57AM

Subaru announced the completion of the acquisition of shares in Toyota. See what it means for the next-generation Forester, Outback, and Ascent models.

Porsche Teases A New Taycan Variant

By Max Larsen on January 19, 2021 - 1:24PM

A new variant of the Taycan could be on the horizon, and it might be cheaper.

Subaru’s All-New Electric SUV Preview - 5 Things Will Make It Distinctly Subaru

By Denis Flierl on January 19, 2021 - 1:02PM

The all-new 2022 Subaru all-electric SUV is coming next year. Here's what will make it distinctly Subaru.

Tesla Signs A 5 Year Exclusive Deal With Jeff Dahn, Possibly The Best Battery Researcher In The World

By Tinsae Aregay on January 19, 2021 - 3:45AM

Tesla has extended the battery research deal it had with Jeff Dahn's Lab. The electric car market has also added two researchers as chairmen.

Boring Company To Start Tests in February with Free Rides

By Armen Hareyan on January 18, 2021 - 8:21PM

Tesla Delivers First Shanghai Gigafactory Built Model Y In China

By Tinsae Aregay on January 18, 2021 - 2:35PM

According to reports coming out of China and confirmed by Reuters, Tesla has begun deliveries of made in China Model Y for the local market.

RAV4 Hybrid image courtesy of Toyota media support

RAV4 Hybrid Fuel Tank Issue Fixed By Toyota Program - UPDATE! Class Action Settlement

By John Goreham on January 18, 2021 - 8:53AM

Multiple RAV4 Hybrid owners have reported that the fuel tank refill issue is now resolved following a fix by Toyota’s dealers. Here’s what owners of RAV4 Hyrbids are reporting.

Consumer Reports - No Gas For Toyota RAV4 Prime Over 800 Miles In Testing

By John Goreham on January 16, 2021 - 11:24AM

In an extended test, one Consumer Reports tester explained why he never had to add gas to the RAV4 Prime Plug-in hybrid over many weeks and 800 miles.

Tesla Model Y image from Tesla press kit

Surprise - Tesla's Model Y Has A Twice-Annual Service Requirement

By John Goreham on January 15, 2021 - 2:12PM

Tesla's Model Y is an amazing vehicle that has the potential to be a very low cost to own green crossover. However, rumors that the vehicle requires "No maintenance" are wrong according to the manual. Here's where the pesky twice-annual service need comes from.

Toyota Highlander drive mode image by John Goreham

2021 Toyota Highlander - Have New Vehicle Drive Mode Options Gone Too Far?

By John Goreham on January 15, 2021 - 9:29AM

The amount and types of ways you can change your vehicle’s powertrain feel and capabilities seem to have gotten a bit out of hand. Here’s a look at one great new vehicle’s modes compared to the same model a few generations back.

Tesla Asked To Recall All Vehicles Built From 2012-2018, Except The Model 3

By Tinsae Aregay on January 15, 2021 - 2:31AM

Tesla has been asked by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration(NHTSA) to recall all Model S and X vehicles built up to 2018. This is due to a memory failure that stops the screen from working.

Model Y image courtesy of Tesla Press Kit.

Comparison Chart: Tesla's New Base Model Y vs. Toyota RAV4 Prime - You Pick A Winner

By John Goreham on January 14, 2021 - 4:11PM

We compare and contrast two similar green crossovers. The similarities include price, acceleration, cargo space, passenger space, and green credentials. Which would you choose and why?

Plug-In Hybrid Crossovers Are Better At Towing Than Battery-Electric Vehicles Like Tesla’s Model Y

By John Goreham on January 14, 2021 - 12:26PM

Vehicles like the Toyota RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrid crossover utility vehicle are more practical for towing than are battery-electric vehicles like the Tesla Model Y. Here’s what experts and owners say are the reasons.

Hyundai Sounds Death Knell for Diesel Engines

By Keith Griffin on January 14, 2021 - 7:07AM

While not an issue in the U.S., it’s major news that Hyundai is no longer developing diesel engines. It's pushing resources toward electric vehicles.

Hyundai Teases Ioniq 5 Ahead of Debut

By Keith Griffin on January 13, 2021 - 10:14AM

Expect a more in-depth look at the Ioniq 5 in February but here is what we can see for now.

Toyota RAV4 Prime charging image courtesy of Kate S

Why One Toyota RAV4 Prime Owner Passed On The Tesla Model Y and Honda CR-V Hybrid

By John Goreham on January 13, 2021 - 8:02AM

Different shoppers have different priorities. Here is why one green crossover shopper purchased a plug-in hybrid Toyota RAV4 Prime crossover, and why she opted to pass on the battery-electric Model Y from Tesla and the CR-V Hybrid From Honda.

Tesla global market share pie chart by John Goreham

What Tesla’s Global Market Share Pie Chart Tells Us About Tesla's Coming Acquisitions

By John Goreham on January 12, 2021 - 9:50AM

Tesla cannot build its way to any meaningful market share. If Tesla really wants to play in the big leagues it will have to acquire other automakers or buy their production capacity. Here’s why it isn't already happening.

Tesla market share chart by John Goreham

Here’s What Tesla’s Current Market Share Looks Like Globally, In the US, In China, and In Europe

By John Goreham on January 12, 2021 - 8:44AM

We calculate Tesla’s current share of the three main global marketplaces that have adopted green vehicles. Here’s Tesla’s present-day share worldwide, in the US, in Europe, and in China.

Delivery Chart - Tesla vs. Toyota by John Goreham

Tesla’s US Deliveries Remain Nearly Flat As Toyota Hybrids Grow By 37%

By John Goreham on January 11, 2021 - 9:14AM

Since 2018, Toyota’s American-market green vehicle deliveries have outpaced Tesla’s by a remarkable amount. Here is a detailed at look at why.

5 Things Hyundai Can Learn from the Apple Battery Deal

By Keith Griffin on January 11, 2021 - 5:51AM

There are five things Hyundai can learn from a battery deal with Apple that could revolutionize the way it sells electric vehicles.

GM Updates its Logo to Signal New EV Era

By Mary Conway on January 10, 2021 - 9:34PM

With products like the 2022 GMC Hummer EV Supertruck heading to market, GM is trying to look more modern. They are transforming their logo to reflect how the automaker is transforming.

Tesla Avoids Huge Recall After NHTSA Says Sudden Acceleration Is A Human Problem

By Armen Hareyan on January 9, 2021 - 11:17PM

Tesla Using Mobile Heaters In Giga Berlin To Keep Workers Warm And Accelerate Manufacturing

By Tinsae Aregay on January 9, 2021 - 2:33PM

Footage of Gigafactory Berlin flyover seems to show Tesla has installed mobile heaters. These heaters are installed in the body in two areas of the plant and might be being used to warm the area for the workers or to provide heat for equipment installation.

GM, VW, and Hyundai Are More Realistic Competitors To Tesla Than Toyota

By Armen Hareyan on January 8, 2021 - 10:45PM

Recently when I published a video report about Toyota coming with an electric vehicle offensive in 2021, a number of observers doubted Toyota's strength saying GM, VW and Hyundai are more realistic competitors to Tesla than Toyota, when it comes to producing electric cars in 2021.

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