Electric Vehicle News and Reviews (Page 226)

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 world of battery trays and supercharging from Fenix and Chargehare

Fenix Power and ChargeShare Make a Game Changing Alliance for BEV Batteries and Public Charging Options

By Al Castro on March 11, 2019 - 6:11AM

Public charging, replacing, and upgrading an ion battery to a BEV apparently got a little easier and maybe even cheaper to do when two startups recently announced they inked a deal to combine their services onto one menu. Fenix Power and ChargeShare, two young companies worth keeping an eye on, are looking to make BEV ownership easier, cheaper, more accessible, and convenient, and believe they’ve found a way to bridge both the new sales and after market parts arenas in the BEV industry.

2020 Subaru WRX STI, new STI, Engine, hybrid power

Are Fans Ready For Electrified Subaru WRX STI With A CVT Gearbox?

By Denis Flierl on March 8, 2019 - 6:23AM

Subaru brought two new electrified powertrains to the Geneva Motor Show in March. Do they preview a hybrid WRX STI?

Silhouettes of the Tesla Model Y to be unveiled in LA 3/14/19

The Tesla Model Y Unveil: This is Electric Car Life After Leaf and Bolt

By Al Castro on March 7, 2019 - 11:11PM

ANALYSIS AND OPINION: I continue the miniseries of stories of “Life after Leaf” in this beginning of the post-hybrid age when we are now getting over PHEVs and short range BEVs like Nissan Leaf, and taking a more serious look at new BEVs now that they’re more car and charging choices, better battery ranges, and cheaper prices. One option coming soon is a BEV CUV that’ll compete with the Hyundai/Kia SUV electrics. Here’s the unveiling of the smaller Model Y.

2020 Subaru Forester, 2020 Crosstrek, e-Boxer, electrified models, Geneva Motor Show

New Subaru Forester, Crosstrek Electrified "e-Boxer" Models Surface In Geneva

By Denis Flierl on March 6, 2019 - 7:24AM

New 2020 Forester and Crosstrek with “e-Boxer” are the Subaru’s first electrified products for European markets. See what’s next for global customers.

VW Confirms Rumors; Buggy To Join I.D. Family

By Marc Stern on March 6, 2019 - 12:03AM

Like the retro-futuro I.D. Buzz, Volkswagen has again gone to the past for inspiration for a modern, yet retro, two-place dune buggy. The new I.D. Buggy will join the I.D. electric family. Like the buggies of the past that the automaker emulates, the new I.D. Buggy is as much a work in progress, as it is a solid, set-in-stone plan.

New Tesla Model 3 crash under investigation.

NTSB and NHTSA Both Looking Into Tesla Model 3 Crash That Appears Similar To First Autopilot Fatality

By John Goreham on March 4, 2019 - 9:39AM

Yet another Tesla crash into a slow-moving or stationary object, this time in a Model 3, has pretty much all of the federal agencies mobilizing teams to investigate why this keep happening.

Tesla Launches Standard Model 3 In Black Starting at $35K Less Delivery Charges

By John Goreham on February 28, 2019 - 5:47PM

Tesla's new Standard Model 3 starts at $35K before incentives and not including its $1,200 delivery fee.

Bill Ford Doubles Down on Mustang-Inspired EV Being Fun to Drive

By Patrick Rall on February 28, 2019 - 4:50PM

We have known for some time that Ford Motor Company is working on an all-electric crossover that will draw its design inspiration from the mighty Mustang, but company head Bill Ford recently reminded us this long-awaited EV will also offer impressive performance.

Is Tesla's Elon Musk Betting He Is Too Big To Flail?

By John Goreham on February 28, 2019 - 1:39PM

Elon Musk is due for an SEC beat down. If the green vehicle world's biggest narcissist asking for it, or does he think he is untouchable?

The Nissan Leaf you’ll someday trade in. Courtesy Nissan.

Why it Still Makes Sense to Buy A Cheap Used Electric Car Like a Nissan Leaf or a Chevy Bolt

By Al Castro on February 28, 2019 - 5:09AM

ANALYSIS AND OPINION: This is an ongoing mini-series of reports themed “life after Leaf,” where I take a look at what happens when you turn in the keys of a firsthand used BEV like Nissan Leaf after a brand new lease or purchase, to wonder what happens to the car thereafter. There’s such a plentiful amount of them that many will not see a long life, but in this report we take a look at why it makes sense to still buy a cheap used all electric car.

Two Different Opus Camper Vehicle’s Using Leaf Technology

Nissan x Opus and the Air Opus Off Road Pop-Up Camper Make the ex-Leaf Car Organ Donation Idea a Worthy Battery Campsite Cause

By Al Castro on February 27, 2019 - 6:36AM

I start another mini-series of stories, this time “Life After Leaf,” of several things that can happen when you trade in your Nissan Leaf car, if not the tiny battery from a PHEV or from a smaller ranged BEV, to be repurposed or recycled into something else. In my quest to find electric campers for my social media base, I find this great caravan that uses juice from old Leaf batteries.

SEC wants Msk held in contempt for vilating deal.

SEC Says Tesla's Elon Musk Not Sticking To Deal - Asks Judge To Rule Musk In Contempt

By John Goreham on February 26, 2019 - 10:38AM

Elon Musk can't live within the terms he agreed to. Now what?

Chevrolet's Landmark Volt Reaches the End of Its Road

By Mary Conway on February 25, 2019 - 11:08PM

Chevrolet quietly ended production of its "halo" electric vehicle. The Chevrolet Volt symbolized General Motors' progress in the EV market.

Crashed Tesla trapped occupants. Were door handles to blame?

Rescuers Unable To Help Occupant Of Crashed Tesla Model S - Scenario Eerily Predicted On Tesla Forum in 2017

By John Goreham on February 25, 2019 - 4:21PM

Tesla's unusual door handles didn't work in a recent Tesla Model S crash, frustrating would-be rescuers.

Tesla's six-figure Model X ranked least reliable.

Six-Figure Tesla Model X Earns Spot On Consumer Reports 10 Least Reliable Vehicles List

By John Goreham on February 21, 2019 - 2:40PM

Tesla's Model X has earned a spot on the Consumer Reports 10 Least Reliable Vehicles List.

Tesla ships its EVs using the world's dirtiest fuel.

Tesla Begins Shipping Thousands of Model 3 Cars To Europe Via Massively Polluting Fossil Fuel-Powered Ships

By John Goreham on February 21, 2019 - 1:30PM

Tesla has shifted Model 3 production allocation to Europe. The zero-emissions Teslas will be transported using the world's largest and dirtiest fossil fuel engines.

Tesla Model 3 dropped from Consumer Reports list.

Tesla Model 3 Dropped From Consumer Reports Recommended Listing Due To Owner-Reported Reliability Issues

By John Goreham on February 21, 2019 - 1:07PM

Consumer Reports drops the Tesla Model 3 from its list of recommended vehicles due to problems reported by Model 3 owners.

Spy shot of i4 electric, i4 proto pics, 430i, and my 328i towed to the shop.

Test Drive: Dropping Off my 3 Series For a Week in a Loaner BMW 430i: the Setup for the Soon Coming i4 Electric

By Al Castro on February 20, 2019 - 9:35AM

Sometime next year BMW will be introducing their first real non-compliant full production all electric car. It won’t look as funky as i3 does. It’ll actually look like a real normal car. And it’ll be based off the 4 series. So with my BMW in the shop AGAIN, and the dealer giving me a 430 coupe as a loaner, I decided to take this opportunity to give you a dynamic of what to expect from a 4 series electric by looking at the gas one and my car, a 3 Series, first.

Juiced: the electrical vehicle takeover

By Damien Ludwick on February 18, 2019 - 7:25PM

According to Wards intelligence we will have 142 total hybrid, electric, and fuel cell vehicle models by 2020. The addition of popular consumer vehicle options such as SUVs and Trucks turned electric could multiply the adoption rate of electric vehicles. Many consumers may hold out on going electric until there is a comparable vehicle model such as an electric truck or SUV to replace them.

Tesla's Missed Opportunities To Lower Cost and How Can It Finally Make the $35,000 Model 3

By Damien Ludwick on February 16, 2019 - 4:27PM

Tesla must drastically reduce costs to make the $35,000 model 3 possible. Currently the lowest priced model 3 is $42,900. Tesla has to reduce the cost almost $8,000 to make the $35,000 Model 3 possible. It is important for Tesla to get this vehicle to market as soon as possible to transition to retain profitability and to truly bring sustainable transportation to the masses.

This is why Plug-In hybrids still make sense today

By Dean McManis on February 16, 2019 - 9:07AM

In these recent cold days and nights I am reminded of why I like my plug in hybrid. For the last few years I have leased and then owned Chevy Volts, and now I have a Cadillac ELR, which was Cadillac’s short-lived luxury coupe that shared the Volt’s drivetrain. I really liked my Volts, and the ELR even more. The biggest value of a plug in hybrid is that it is essentially an electric car. Here is why.

Hyundai's EV Battery That Lasts a Lifetime

By Damien Ludwick on February 16, 2019 - 8:44AM

Hyundai provides lasting peace of mind in its electric vehicles and hybrids with an offering not provided by other EV manufacturers: a lifetime battery warranty. This warranty is provided to the original owner with some restrictions.

Honda Clarity pricing compared to Tesla Model 3.

Real-World Price Comparison Shows Honda Clarity PHEV Costs About Half That of Mid-Range Tesla Model 3

By John Goreham on February 14, 2019 - 11:28AM

The Honda Clarity PHEV is the top-selling affordable EV in America and Tesla's Model 3 is the top-selling EV overall. Here is a real-world price comparison of the two that illustrates just how much more green vehicle buyers will pay for a Model 3.

Consumer Reports Study Mirrors AAA's - Tesla Model 3 & Nissan Leaf Range Drops by About 50% In Cold Weather Operation

By John Goreham on February 14, 2019 - 10:13AM

The second study in a week shows that EV range drops by as much as half in cold weather operation. Tesla Model 3 and Nissan Leaf both show similar results.

The Car Lab Mad Doc Looks to Sign a Pact With Besos and Bloody Mary: Is the GM Buy-In to Rivian the Coming of the American Rolls Royce? Or Just Another GM Saab Story?

By Al Castro on February 13, 2019 - 6:54PM

ANALYSIS AND OPINION: I hope this is about as mad as the mad doctor can be, signing a pact with the almost-devil of the car industry right before industrial birth of start up production. I guess he’ll be the industrial obstetrician. I hope the car baby ain’t no Rosemary’s. Dr. Scaringe is looking to make a deal with a devil who has more money than God. Jeff Besos of Amazon is in with this. What a strange three way this could be. I cringe: gee Doctor: will it be good for you too?

2020 Subaru Forester, e-Boxer Hybrid, new electrified Subaru, Geneva Motor Show

Subaru Announces 2 New Electrified AWD Reveals For Geneva

By Denis Flierl on February 12, 2019 - 7:23AM

Subaru announced they will unveil two new electrified models at the Geneva International Motor Show. See what they have planned for the future.

Tesla winter driving from Tesla Media. The plug is from torquenews.com

BEV Range Freeze: The Cold Realities of BEV Winter Driving, Summer is Only Half as Bad

By Al Castro on February 11, 2019 - 3:45PM

ANALYSIS AND OPINION: Extreme weather driving has taken a toll on electric vehicle ranges as we watch BEV owners struggle to stay charged through the winter, their Tesla Model 3 door handles thaw, while the rest watch and learn from their triumphs, trials, and mistakes. I like to say “less is more,” but when it comes to extreme weather driving and batteries, more is more, tiny is workable, keep it plugged in if its 20° F or less, keep it cool over 95° F, and be prepared with options regardless.

New AAA Study Shows Electric Vehicle Range Is Cut Dramatically In Winter - How Did Tesla Do?

By John Goreham on February 8, 2019 - 5:15PM

A new study by AAA shows that electric vehicle range limitations are made worse in winter.

Tesla's Free Supercharging Was Great, But How To Create Sustainable EV Charging

By Damien Ludwick on February 5, 2019 - 11:42AM

How to make sustainable transportation well sustainable: EV charging sustainable both financially and environmentally.

A New Breed of Pilots... Missing in Aurora Flight Test

By Damien Ludwick on February 4, 2019 - 10:26PM

A week ago, Aurora launched an experimental “autonomous” flying (PAV) Passenger Air Vehicle: the first full-scale electric air taxi. Aurora hovered the aircraft a few feet in flight and then let it back down.

Subscribe to