Electric Vehicle News and Reviews (Page 239)

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.

VW Sets Ambitious Goal: 1 Million EVs A Year By 2025

By Marc Stern on September 27, 2018 - 12:22AM

Looking at the future direction of Volkswagen, it is filled with electric vehicles. Indeed, the vehicles are based on the MEB (EV) platform. The same platform will underpin all VW EVs. To give you an idea of the extent of EV plans for VW, the automaker plans to have 27 I.D. vehicles on sale by 2025 or so.

Sierra Club lists Toyota Prius Prime among 6 Best EVs.

2018 Toyota Prius Prime Plug-In Tops Sierra Club List of Best EVs

By John Goreham on September 25, 2018 - 1:35PM

A new list published by the Sierra Club of the 6 best EVs in America starts with the Toyota Prius Prime.

Array of BEV and PHEV cars from Tesla, Chevy, and Sono Motors

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

By Al Castro on September 24, 2018 - 11:31AM

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?

Finally, Porsche Announces It Is Done With Diesel

By Marc Stern on September 24, 2018 - 10:30AM

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

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

By Al Castro on September 21, 2018 - 7:58PM

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

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

By Al Castro on September 21, 2018 - 8:58AM

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.

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

By Al Castro on September 20, 2018 - 9:59AM

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.

Electrify America, Audi Announce Charging Network For New E-Tron Electric

By Marc Stern on September 19, 2018 - 11:57PM

In a surprising development that will help spread an electric charging network even more quickly, Audi and Electrify America will work to establish a charging network for the E-Tron, Audi's first EV.

Report: Toyota to transfer key technology to Chinese partners.

Report: Toyota To Partner With Chinese Companies & Transfer Prius Technology

By John Goreham on September 18, 2018 - 12:43PM

Bloomberg reports that Toyota plans to transfer the key technology that makes the Prius so special to its future Chinese partners.

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

By Al Castro on September 18, 2018 - 10:14AM

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.

Toyota and partners add ten more working emissions-free trucks.

Toyota's Zero Emissions Trucks Program Gets Boost From CARB, UPS, Shell, and Others

By John Goreham on September 17, 2018 - 2:50PM

Add ten more working trucks to Toyota's fleet of zero emissions tractor trailers.

Tesla update leaves cars without safety features.

Tesla Model 3 OTA Update Goes Wrong - Temporarily Leaves Cars Without Safety Features

By John Goreham on September 17, 2018 - 11:06AM

An over the air update left Model 3 owners without important safety features this past week. Here's what happened.

The BMW iNext Electric Autonomous Concept

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

By Al Castro on September 16, 2018 - 10:05AM

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.

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

By Al Castro on September 15, 2018 - 10:00AM

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

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

By Al Castro on September 14, 2018 - 6:20AM

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!

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

By Al Castro on September 13, 2018 - 9:36AM

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.

2019 Subaru Forester, new Forester, Forester hybrid

Subaru Forester Hybrid Confirmed For Australia; Why Americans Would Buy It

By Denis Flierl on September 13, 2018 - 8:25AM

Subaru confirms they will launch their new 2019 Forester e-Boxer Hybrid in Australia. See why Americans would buy the new fuel-efficient Forester.

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

Subaru Announces New Japan-Spec Crosstrek e-Boxer Hybrid

By Denis Flierl on September 11, 2018 - 7:44AM

Subaru Corp has announced an all-new Japan-spec 2019 Crosstrek e-Boxer Hybrid model. See why it won’t see U.S. shores.

Green Cars Sell Fastest On Used Car Lots, But Which Is the Fastest-Selling Of All? Here's a Hint, It's Not A Tesla

By John Goreham on September 10, 2018 - 2:58PM

A new study finds that green cars sell the quickest in the used market. Tesla has a car on the list, but it's not the one that sells quickest. See where your favorites rank.

Despite Tesla Model 3 Deliveries, Tesla Stock and Bonds Approach 1-Year Lows

By John Goreham on September 10, 2018 - 1:15PM

Tesla's stock is taking a pounding despite Tesla having shipped significant amounts of Model 3 cars. Here's what experts say are the causes of Tesla's stock being down about 24% since this time last year and its bonds being at an all-time low.

The Sono Sion Solar BEV 4 Door Utitity $25,000 USD

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

By Al Castro on September 9, 2018 - 1:52PM

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.

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

By Marc Stern on September 8, 2018 - 10:30PM

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.

Toyota Prius Prime is top-selling affordable EV.

Toyota Prius Prime Remains Top-Selling Affordable EV Despite Tesla Model 3 Disruption

By John Goreham on September 6, 2018 - 12:02PM

Toyota's Prius Prime Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle sales continue to grow, despite Tesla's Model 3 market disruption.

Ford's Electric SUV Features Significant Mustang Styling

By Patrick Rall on September 6, 2018 - 11:31AM

Ford Motor Company has released the first teaser of the Mustang-inspired, all-electric SUV coming in 2020 and when FoMoCo said that it was Mustang-inspired, they werent kidding – as some people are likely to mistake the picture above for a teaser of the legendary pony car.

FIRE! Toyota Prius Recall Makes Us Think It's Just Jealous of Tesla

By John Goreham on September 5, 2018 - 4:56PM

Some U.S. Prius cars are being recalled for risk of fire. Should we report it?

Mercedes Benz EQC400 4MATIC different views

Mercedes EQC SUV: If "the Best or Nothing" Means a Paltry 200 Mile Range, We’d Rather Have "Nothing" From Mercedes

By Al Castro on September 5, 2018 - 1:48PM

In formulating a response to Audi’s rollout of its first BEV e-Tron very soon, more so than responding to anything Tesla, Daimler AG bizarrely unveils a whole year before its debut, its first head-on to Tesla full production BEV, a historical vehicle on its electric E-Mobility platform in CUV variant in the separate Mercedes EQ line. But they baffled the media giving it only a puzzling 200 mile range.

Ram 1500 Hybrid Gains 2-3mpg around Town and Combined, 1mpg on the Highway

By Patrick Rall on September 5, 2018 - 12:24PM

FCA has announced the official EPA fuel economy numbers for the 2019 Ram 1500 models with the eTorque mild hybrid system and both engines pick up 2 to 3 miles per gallon in the city and combined while also improving by 1 mile per gallon on the highway and making for a smooth drive.

BMW sales drop dramatically as Tesla Model 3 sales rise.

BMW's Small Sedan Sales Drop Dramatically As Tesla Model 3 Rises

By John Goreham on September 5, 2018 - 12:23PM

BMW's 3 Series, 2 Series, and 4 Series sales are declining dramatically. The correlation to Tesla's Model 3 production is hard to ignore.

Tesla Model 3 Fast Charging vs Chevy Bolt

Tesla Model 3 Vs. GM’s Chevy Bolt: Who is the King of Fast Charging

By Simon Barke on September 5, 2018 - 6:54AM

Tesla Model 3 is three times better than GM's Chevy Bolt. Here is the truth about fast charging.

What a Perfect Time to Buy a Used Electric Car! A Glut of EVs on the Used Car Market Makes Them a Steal!

By Al Castro on September 4, 2018 - 6:35PM

With the continued uptick purchases of trucks and SUVs by US consumers, while global new car sales are slowing down, and gas prices remaining low the last two years, there is now a glut of used EV cars on the market, with bargains to be had if you know where and how to find one for the right price.

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