Electric Vehicle News and Reviews (Page 229)

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.

Bentley’s Heritage from Spped Six to Bentayga Courtesy Bentley Media

Will There Ever Be a True Electric Bentley?

By Al Castro on December 8, 2018 - 10:25PM

OPINION AND ANALYSIS: With VW Group’s accelerated plans to cease gas car production sooner, Bentley needs to ask itself what kind of car company does it want to be? If Aston Martin stuffed battery packs inside the seats and boot spare tire wells and fenders of a Rapide, why there isn’t something similar done inside a Spur or a Mulsanne? Bentley isn’t doing that; they’re running counterculture to their heritage, and risk losing what they worked hard to get after leaving Rolls Royce: not becoming another Cadillac.

Electric Vehicle Tax breaks go to the wealthy.

Tax Breaks For the Rich - 63 Percent of Electric Vehicle Tax Credits Applied To Luxury Vehicles In November

By John Goreham on December 6, 2018 - 11:01AM

A close look at which electric vehicles buyers actually take home reveals that they are primarily luxury models costing between about $50K and $150K.

Tesla Model 3 sales outpace some brands'.

Tesla Model 3 Outsells Every Car Model At BMW, Lexus - Outsells All of Audi and Acura

By John Goreham on December 5, 2018 - 12:06PM

The Tesla Model 3 U.S. market sales juggernaut is hard to overstate. But we will try out best.

2020 Toyota Corolla Hybrid MPG will be 50 MPG.

Toyota Predicts 50 MPG Combined EPA Rating for New 2020 Corolla Hybrid

By John Goreham on December 4, 2018 - 12:32PM

The all-new 2020 Toyota Corolla Hybrid is expected to earn an impressive MPG rating.

Best tires for all-wheel drive Toyota Prius.

These Winter Tires Will Make The Most of The 2019 Prius With All-Wheel Drive

By John Goreham on December 4, 2018 - 11:38AM

We run down a quick list of tires that fit the Toyota Prius and which have the highest owner review ratings.

VW Recalls 169 2018 e-Golf, Golf R Models; Audi A3, RS3 As Well

By Marc Stern on December 3, 2018 - 10:25PM

Volkswagen has recalled 169 2018 e-Golf, Golf R, Audi A3 and RS3 models to repair a rear seat frame problem. If the problem is left in corrected it could result in injuries if an accident occurs.

Which is quicker? Prius, Crosstrek, or Chevy Colorado Duramax?

Which Is Quickest? Toyota Prius vs. Chevy Colorado Duramax, vs. Subaru Crosstrek

By John Goreham on December 3, 2018 - 1:35PM

Here is a matchup between a hybrid car, a tough truck, and a top-selling sporty crossover. Which wins in a stoplight race? You may be surprised at the answer.

The New 2021 Rivian R1S SUV by Rivian Media

Rivian R1S SUV: This is How the Americans Take on Range Rover SVAutobiography: Get Your Autograph Book Ready, Land Rover!

By Al Castro on December 3, 2018 - 9:12AM

OPINION ANALYSIS: Rivian Automotive, the once Clandestine now Maverick Electric Pickup Truck Maker added another BEV to its portfolio, a full sized three rower SUV called R1S. I’m so glad they made it nice and boxy and conservative and all BEV. All they need to do now is stretch that battery tray and back seat room, bespoke it out, make it LWB, send it upmarket past Bentley and Rolls, and let it sit next to Rover SVAutobiography, to let their brand take off, and let the doe roll in.

Ode to Chevy Volt: the Car that Started as Green Electroshock Therapy Rightfully Ends with Barely a Spark

By Al Castro on December 3, 2018 - 8:00AM

OPINION ANALYSIS: America’s first plug in hybrid, a segment opening PHEV was put to death recently, the Chevrolet Volt was a cutting edge trailblazing vehicle that bridged the gap between siphoning off gas and waiting for battery technology to improve before pushing on to an all electric car world. So cancelling it seems counterintuitive. It is not. Actually Volt was a great accidental/incidental transition vehicle who’s time came and was way gone.

T-Lazy Ranch CO Model X crash on Twitter and Model X Courtesy Tesla

Horrific Colorado Tesla Crash Proves Not Only Tesla Built Means Safety, But Also a Happier Holiday Season

By Al Castro on November 28, 2018 - 5:38PM

Traditional and conventional engineering wisdom dictated for years that the purpose of a Mercedes Benz was to enable you to withstand a crash, so that you can survive to buy another Mercedes. Perhaps that conventional thinking now also applies to a Tesla. Five kids driving and riding in a high speed Tesla crash their Model X into a tree and creek. The car was destroyed. Fatalities: 0. The hero: the Tesla.

All-Wheel Drive Prius With Robust Winter Battery And More Cargo Capacity Than Many Crossovers Revealed For 2019

By John Goreham on November 28, 2018 - 9:46AM

Toyota's new AWD-e Prius will hit the market in 2019 with more capacity than a Mazda CX-5 or Subaru Crosstrek.

By Marc Stern on November 27, 2018 - 5:42PM

Electrify America, the Volkswagen subsidiary charged with expanding or creating more zero emissions infrastructure, has been awarded Popular Science 'Best of What's New" for 2018. Specifically, PopSci called out EA's high-speed charging stations and the special tech. that they use.

The 2020 Rivian R1T All Electric Pickup Truck

The Rivian R1T Suddenly and Impressively Becomes the World’s First All-Electric Pickup Truck. Not Ford. Not Tesla.

By Al Castro on November 27, 2018 - 8:20AM

Unveil Review: Rivian Automotive, the Michigan based startup that for ten years carefully, but secretly planned to find the right vehicle, at the right time, and at the right moment, to launch an all BEV the world hasn’t seen, seemed to find the right recipe to unveil that vehicle NOW, as they launched something that Tesla had expectations of doing first: to launch the first all electric pickup truck in the world. And Rivian did it. Not Ford. Not Tesla. This is a game changer . . .

Cadillac wagons over the years: Escalade, SRX, CTS, 1959 Hearse

Twenty Years of Cadillac Escalade: A Vision of the Future, with Lessons, a Nod Toward the Past

By Al Castro on November 27, 2018 - 1:00AM

It was around this time twenty years ago that the now legendary Cadillac Escalade started hauling the ruling class and celebritydom on the streets of the big American cities as if they were elegant stage coaches of the Victorian or Edwardian Eras over 100 years ago. So after reading a story about the disastrous 2009 hybrid I decided to do a flashback ode to the iconic 20th century truck that lives on today.

Will Toyota cut the Prius c from its lineup?

Will Toyota Axe The Prius c? We Argue Both Sides And Ask For Your Prediction

By John Goreham on November 26, 2018 - 7:49PM

Toyota is planning to cut some models from its vast lineup. All will be cars that are not selling well. Will the Prius c be one of those that gets the boot?

Did Elon Musk just admit to lying to investors?

Did Elon Musk Just Admit On Video That He Lied To Investors About Tesla's Finances?

By John Goreham on November 26, 2018 - 5:09PM

Watch Elon Musk talk about Tesla being weeks from death earlier this year - at exactly the time he scoffed at the media, investors, and shorts who were all saying that was exactly the situation.

GM Announces New Direction - Will Focus On EVs and Autonomy

By John Goreham on November 26, 2018 - 12:41PM

General Motors will close eight plants and restructure its workforce to meet its future plan to shift to autonomous electric vehicles.

2019 Subaru Crosstrek, new Crosstrek, PHEV, plug-in-hybrid

First-Ever Subaru Crosstrek Plug-In Hybrid Launches In Canada

By Denis Flierl on November 25, 2018 - 7:41AM

It was supposed to be for the U.S. market only, but Subaru Canada announces they will also get the new Subaru Crosstrek Plug-in Hybrid. See when it’s coming.

Mass production of VW Neo and Hyundai Kona Courtesy VWG and HMG Media Hyundai Kona by Al Castro

The Mass Incursion of BEV’s Begins! Hyundai Imports “Production Hell” onto the Pacific, While VW Gets Ready for Theirs onto the Atlantic

By Al Castro on November 22, 2018 - 4:16AM

D Day Reversed! As Tesla prepares for Cheap Model 3 “Production Hell,” the competition takes a Last Stand: Hyundai is ready to unleash a manufacturing fury of a “Production Hell,” with Kona to invade America via the Pacific. While VW and Ford sign a war pact treaty to enact their diabolical anti-Tesla master plan to unleash triple flanking fury coming soon from Dearborn, Chattanooga, and from the North Atlantic shores.

2019 Subaru Crosstrek, new Crosstrek, PHEV, plug-in-hybrid, EV range, MPGe

2 Reasons Why Subaru Sacrificed MPGe And EV Range In Crosstrek Plug-In Hybrid

By Denis Flierl on November 21, 2018 - 8:02AM

Subaru’s first-ever Crosstrek plug-in hybrid makes its debut at the LA Auto Show. There are two reasons why it offers less MPGe and EV range than other brands.

The BEV Mustang Ford Should’ve Been Making by Now is Available in a Restomod Classic Version from Startup Charge Automotive

By Al Castro on November 21, 2018 - 5:54AM

I find it pathetically sad that we are now in year 6 of the electric car revolution and Ford has yet to come out with not one of their own non-compliance full mass production BEV car. Not one. Thank God for startups, because the new British based company called Charge Automotive will make you pay just a little dearly, but you can even have a classic Mustang the way Ford would never have given it to you.

Rivian Teases Us With Yet ANOTHER 3 Second Glimpse from a Second Clip of Their Electric Trucks R1T and R1S Now Days Away From Their Debut

By Al Castro on November 20, 2018 - 10:21PM

We’re now about a few days away from the launch of Rivian’s new mystery trucks, and instead of debunking myths, conjecture, theories, legends, and rumors, Rivian, purveyor of “electric adventure vehicles” only heightens them and with mystique. This time Rivian publishes a second teaser video showing their truck wading through 3 feet of water with 3 seconds of footage.

2019 Subaru Crosstrek plug-in-hybrid, new Crosstrek, PHEV, specs, features

New Subaru Crosstrek PHEV Maintains Its Go-Anywhere Attitude And Sips Fuel

By Denis Flierl on November 20, 2018 - 8:32AM

Subaru revealed details of their first-ever Crosstrek plug-in hybrid. See how it’s built for adventure seekers, but it’s not cheap. Check out pricing and its EV range.

Corolla hybrid joins Toyota's Prius for the 2020 model year.

Toyota's New 2020 Corolla Will Come As A Hybrid - Here's What That Means For Prius

By John Goreham on November 19, 2018 - 3:39PM

Toyota's top-selling compact vehicle line will now cast shade on the top-selling green car in the world. In light of the new Corolla, what can we expect from the Prius in years ahead?

The 2018 Cadillac CT6 and One Cadillac ELR, both Cadillac Media

CT6 Hybrid NA Cancellation: Another Electric Cadillac is DOA in USA: Where Does this Put Caddy on the Comeback Track?

By Al Castro on November 19, 2018 - 11:36AM

SHOCKING!! It seems Cadillac and electricity mix like oil and water. Never mind the gas versions are crap, plagued with electrical problems, they can’t even make reliable ones that partly run on electricity either! While GM’s CEO Mary Barra has a “zero crashes, zero emissions and zero congestion” ten year plan for GM’s future, Cadillac certainly isn’t helping with the failures they’ve had with each electric they tried to sell. CT6 was strike 3. Here’s why and what they can do about it:

Why Ford is Teaming Up With Walmart on Self-Driving Vehicles

By Mary Conway on November 16, 2018 - 10:02PM

At first, it sounds like an odd partnership, Ford teaming up with Walmart. Ford is exploring ways to use self-driving vehicles to deliver purchases from Walmart. It could be a big win for both companies.

Many Faces of Mustang Courtesy FoMoCo Mustang Sedan Render by X-Tomi

The Mustang Fastback Four-Door Sedan Saloon: A Ford in Your Future Lincoln Could Have Made and Proves Ford Wastes Money

By Al Castro on November 15, 2018 - 7:45AM

Ford contemplates a four-door fastback Mustang being put into production. This comes just months after a massive passenger car cancellation for the USA market starting next year, particularly cancelling a Lincoln that could’ve helped Ford with this project, that ires Ford’s loyal passenger car customers, Ford investors who must be sick and tired of Ford with their shenanigans by now, and me, frankly, because you really don’t want to piss me off about cars!

2019 Subaru Crosstrek, new Crosstrek, PHEV, plug-in-hybrid, all-electric range

New Subaru Crosstrek PHEV Surprising All-Electric Range Revealed

By Denis Flierl on November 15, 2018 - 6:48AM

Recent documents from CARB reveal the electric range of the all-new first-ever Subaru Crosstrek Plug-in-Hybrid model. The all-electric range may surprise you.

What’s Going on With Mini Cooper? Is the Little Britmobile Still With Us or Not?

By Al Castro on November 13, 2018 - 8:28PM

BMW recently announced in a cost cutting measure that it will move all Mini stores from stand alone brick and mortar locations into BMW house branded retailers. But the reasoning behind the move signifies what’s wrong with the car industry. Mini isn’t selling not just because of crossovermania, but because BMW missed opportunities to electrify the brand earlier that could’ve turned Mini fans and potential EV consumers on sooner to car electrification. Now Americans don't want them at all, or like they used to.

Once known as ID Buzz, this car is now called Neo, the entry level People’s Electric Car.

Operation Polaris and VW’s Plan to Make $21,000 BEV VW Neo the Car to Beat Tesla Before Tesla Corners the BEV Market

By Al Castro on November 12, 2018 - 11:08AM

As Tesla Corporation completes its plans to corner the BEV market with a nearly complete vehicle portfolio, VW Group launches Operation Polaris, a plan to beat Tesla at the same game VW invented before Tesla uses that same VW book to saturate it. While Tesla uses VW’s rulebook to reduce the cost of a cheaper Model 3, VW tries to outflank Tesla by throwing that same book back at them to launch production on such a massive D Day scale for their first ID electric car to try to drown out Tesla.

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