Electric Vehicle News and Reviews (Page 241)

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.

Aviar R67: Even the Russians Want to Make an ALL Electric Mustang that Ford Doesn’t Want to Make or Still Can’t!

By Al Castro on December 27, 2018 - 6:45AM

OPINION AND ANALYSIS: Nobody is taking these Russians seriously about the specs and their one year warranty to their recently proposed Russian Mustang BEV, but I tell you one thing: at least they got a spec sheet. They got renders. They got ideas. They even got a warranty for a car they haven’t built yet. They’re eager for publicity and/or to build. I say, where’s the people who invented the damn car to begin with? Do they even know what electricity is beyond a cigarette plug in the dash?

Hackers Can Complicate Electric Vehicle Use By Taking Over Your Charger

By Marc Stern on December 26, 2018 - 1:54PM

With electric car use increasing and with the introduction of intelligent chargers that sit on the internet as part of the iOT (internet of things), comes the word that there are devices that hackers can take over and exploit. Kaspersky Labs, internet security experts, discusses the information.

2019 Subaru Forester, Forester STI, Forester e-Boxer Hybrid

Subaru Reveals First Forester STI e-Boxer Hybrid

By Denis Flierl on December 26, 2018 - 6:38AM

Subaru and STI have produced the first-ever STI-enhanced hybrid. It’s coming January 11 to the Tokyo Auto Salon in a new 2019 Forester STI e-Boxer hybrid Concept.

Volkswagen Investment On Electrics, Autonomy, Tech, Mobility Will Be Yuuuuuuge!!!!

By Marc Stern on December 24, 2018 - 1:09PM

Imagine what $50 billion looks like. It's a number so big that if you were to take all the money that makes up the figure and lay it end to end, you still wouldn't know how far it would stretch. With that said, though, $50 billion is the amount VW will be investing in electric cars, autonomy, mobility, and such between now and 2023. It's a lot of money.

The 2020 Qiantu K50 BEV Sports Car by Qiantu Motors Media

The Qiantu K50 BEV Sports Car: The First Chinese Branded Car May Finally Penetrate the US Market, Backhandedly—and it’s All Electric

By Al Castro on December 20, 2018 - 2:59AM

For decades Chinese car companies have all tried to enter the US car market to meet some kind of failure. Learning from the lessons of Chinese car companies past, one car maker known as Qiantu Motors (Dragonfly logo, means “freedom”), is teaming up with a California based electric car and energy startup to make its first foray into the US market with a battery electric sports car to take on Tesla’s portfolio. Qiantu starts the competition against the Roadster II, with the 2020 Qiantu K50.

VW To Go Retro With Its I.D. Electric Family; Classic Dune Buggy May Appear

By Marc Stern on December 20, 2018 - 12:18AM

As Volkswagen rapidly turns its line from primarily internal combustion to electric, the automaker has turned at times to the past for its new models. That trend will likely continue as the carmaker is reportedly going to build a version of the classic dune buggy as an I.D. electric car offering.

2019 Tesla Model 3 Earns Good Score In New IIHS Headlight Testing – May Later Qualify For Top Safety Rating

By John Goreham on December 19, 2018 - 10:02AM

Tesla made changes to its Model 3 headlights. Here’s why it matters to both drivers of the Model 3 and those in traffic around the car.

Tesla Model 3 is not on the IIHS Top Picks List for Safety.

2019 Tesla Model 3 Won't Be on the Upcoming IIHS Top Safety Pick List - Here's Why

By John Goreham on December 19, 2018 - 9:48AM

Here's why Tesla is not included in IIHS' 2019 Top Safety Picks.

Driving the 2019 Toyota Prius with AWD-e.

Here’s What the Experts Say About Driving the 2019 Toyota Prius With All-Wheel Drive

By John Goreham on December 18, 2018 - 11:25AM

The media launch of the new 2019 Toyota Prius AWD-e has been completed. Here is what the folks who drove the car say about it.

Toyota Prius sales drop by half - where did they go?

Toyota's Prius Sales Are Now Half of What They Were In 2015 - Here's Where Those Sales Went

By John Goreham on December 17, 2018 - 1:26PM

The Prius is now selling at exactly half the rate it was in 2015. Here's a quick rundown of where those Prius customers have gone.

Woman tries to put gas in Tesla - Video.

Tesla Video Of Woman Trying to Gas Up A Model S - Real or Fake? Vote Here

By John Goreham on December 17, 2018 - 12:16PM

A newly posted vidoe shows a woman trying to fuel up a Model S. Real or fake - vote here.

Tesla Model S similar to the 12/31/14 caught fire courtesy Tesla media. A frunk Courtesy tesa forums. A lith ion combustion courtesy YouTube.

Firearms Onboard a Tesla Should be Holstered or in a Locked Case, Not Discharged through a Battery Pack

By Al Castro on December 17, 2018 - 9:15AM

ANALYSIS AND OPINION: Attention military, law enforcement, security, and/or hunters who validly possess a firearm, or anyone else with the gall to carry a firearm illegally: the chances of your battery electric vehicle catching fire from a purposeful or accidental firearms discharge through the battery pack are much greater than if pierced through a gas tank. Read this story now coming to light about a 2014 Tesla S to find out why.

MEB Platform exampleIf you have been following the new vehicles coming from Volkswagen, you may have noticed the recurring reference to the MEB platform. It is the platform underlying the new generation of electric cars using the same fundamental underpinnings. Indeed, it is interesting to note the ways that Volkswagen has already used the platform. Among the many uses already seen for the platform, it is the basis for a new family for vehicles – the I.D. series. To illustrate the versatility of the MEB, VW

Volkswagen MEB Platform Wins 2019 AVT ACES Awards

By Marc Stern on December 13, 2018 - 12:17AM

Volkswagen has been honored with an AVT ACES Award for its flexible MEB electric vehicle platform. The MEB platform can be used for vehicles ranging from hatchbacks to SUVs, like the VW I.D. family of vehicles.

Camaro Chief Engineer Moved to EV Program

By Patrick Rall on December 11, 2018 - 11:28AM

Perhaps the most shocking move by General Motors last week was reassigning Camaro chief engineer Al Oppenheiser to the company’s electric vehicle program, taking him away from the muscle car program that he has led since the Camaro returned for 2010.

The Date of 60kWh Nissan Leaf's Debut Is Known, but Without Liquid-Cooling

By Armen Hareyan on December 11, 2018 - 8:48AM

Some German automotive reporters have gathered information about the date when the new 60kWh Nissan Leaf will debut and we already know why the 2019 Leaf didn't debut at the LA Auto Show. However, there seems to be a little disappointment that it will be without liquid-cooling. Many EV drivers were waiting for this feature that the Bolt has.

Would The U.S. Government Have Let Tesla Fail?

By John Goreham on December 10, 2018 - 12:33PM

Tesla was single weeks from "death" earlier this year according to Elon Musk. If Tesla had failed, would The U.S. government have offered a lifeline?

2019 Toyota Prius AWD-e vs. Subaru Impreza- Space, Safety, Performance, Ground Clearance, Price Comparison

By John Goreham on December 10, 2018 - 10:30AM

We compare the all-wheel drive 2019 Toyota Prius AWD-e to the Subaru Impreza and focus on space, safety, and price. You may be surprised at this tale of the tape.

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

New Subaru Crosstrek Plug-In Hybrid May Not Be a Good Fit For You

By Denis Flierl on December 10, 2018 - 7:56AM

Subaru launches their first-ever all-new 2019 Crosstrek plug-in hybrid. See why it may not be a good fit for you.

1970 Aston Martin DB6 MkII Volante Drophead Roadster Courtesy Aston Media

By Offering BEV Conversions to Older Aston and Other Classic Cars, Aston Martin Ensures its Legacy Forever

By Al Castro on December 10, 2018 - 7:31AM

OPINION AND ANALYSIS: Inasmuch as we are fooling ourselves into believing that gasoline new car purchases will be a viable option even in some parts of the world past 2030, we are also fooling ourselves into believing that we’ll be able to drive our present and near future classic cars around twenty plus years from now. This is a tail pipe dream. Well, like Jaguar Land Rover, Aston Martin has also found a solution to anticipate this issue.

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.

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