Electric Vehicle News and Reviews (Page 285)

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.

Drastic rise in 2015 Massachusetts electricity costs making EVs impractical

By John Goreham on December 19, 2014 - 12:36PM

On January 1st Massachusetts energy prices will jump by 22% for most residents. Do EVs make any sense in this key market?

New future BMWs may be safer without you driving

By Denis Flierl on December 16, 2014 - 7:50AM

The research vehicle is the new BMW i3, but all future BMW vehicles could be safer and accident free without you driving.

Buy a Nissan LEAF, Get a Free Home Charger

By Aaron Turpen on December 12, 2014 - 12:01PM

We knew that in some markets, you can buy an electric LEAF and get a free home charger. What we didn't know is that there were so many places where it's the norm.

Hybrids Explained - What’s a Plug-in, a Mild, or an ER-EV?

By Aaron Turpen on December 11, 2014 - 7:48AM

Hybrid vehicles have a lot of nomenclature that designates one powertrain design from the next. There are parallel, serial, plug-ins, and mild hybrids. Some fuel cell vehicles are hybrids too, so are extended range electrics. Here’s what all that means.

Is the new BMW i8 too extreme for performance enthusiasts?

By Denis Flierl on December 5, 2014 - 11:12AM

The new BMW i8 has been named Top Gear magazine’s global Car of the Year 2014. Is it too radical for performance enthusiasts?

Nissan Pulls Prank With 'World's Cleanest Car', the Self-cleaning LEAF

By Aaron Turpen on December 5, 2014 - 2:04AM

The self-cleaning Nissan LEAF with its special repellent paint was put to the test on the streets of the United States in a new series of prank videos for YouTube.

How 591hp Subaru VIZIV GT wagon was inspired by a dried fish [video]

By Denis Flierl on December 2, 2014 - 9:11AM

Check out this latest performance car from Subaru! The Japanese automaker used a dried fish for inspiration.

Renault-Nissan Alliance Bests 200,000 EV Sales Mark

By Aaron Turpen on November 29, 2014 - 11:47AM

Between them, Renault and Nissan share not only a CEO, but also 58% of the global zero-emission vehicle market.

Hey Atlanta: Buy a LEAF, Get Free Public Charging

By Aaron Turpen on November 28, 2014 - 11:56AM

The No Charge to Charge program hits Georgia as America's biggest market for the all-electric LEAF, Atlanta, sees the program roll out for the holidays.

Giving thanks and a fond farewell

By Luke Ottaway on November 27, 2014 - 12:54PM

In my final column for Torque News, I go for an electric vehicle Thanksgiving theme.

New BMW i3 now achieves its remarkable 19th global award

By Denis Flierl on November 26, 2014 - 7:35AM

One year after its launch, the new BMW i3 has picked up more awards than any other EV. The BMW i3 just received number 19 in Los Angeles.

Do hydrogen-electric plug-in hybrids like the Audi A7 h-tron make sense?

By Luke Ottaway on November 24, 2014 - 3:20PM

Audi presented an intriguing concept at the Los Angeles Auto Show last week: a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle with a hydrogen fuel cell range extender. Could this powertrain be the real future?

With seating for five, 2016 Volt may have lost its last excuse to not be a mass-market vehicle

By Luke Ottaway on November 23, 2014 - 3:24PM

Violators of a certain non-disclosure agreement have revealed that the next-generation Chevrolet Volt will have seating for five. Is there any real reason why the 2016 Volt should not target the mass market?

The First Good 2016 Chevrolet Volt Teaser Looks Remarkable

By Patrick Rall on November 20, 2014 - 1:04PM

General Motors offered up a rear end teaser of the 2016 Chevrolet Volt back in August, but this newest teaser showing the front end of the next gen EV paints the portrait of a remarkable good looking vehicle – one that I cannot wait to see in person at the 2015 Detroit Auto Show debut.

GM needs to change the lower grille on the 2016 Volt

By Luke Ottaway on November 20, 2014 - 1:00PM

Until yesterday, all we knew about the next-generation Chevrolet Volt’s looks came from a teaser image of the liftgate of the car. Los Angeles-area Volt owners got a full preview of the new Volt, plus a partial front-end view for the rest of us.

Volkswagen e-Golf All-Electric Car: Will It Be A Success?

By Amie Williams on November 18, 2014 - 9:46AM

Electric cars are all the rage, and with gas prices usually above $3.00 per gallon and fluctuating on a daily basis, expect more of hybrid and electric plug-in vehicles gracing the roadways than ever before. Consumers will be looking for something that saves cash at the pump and reduces their overall carbon footprint. These consumer demands in conjunction with government regulations for fuel efficiency have automakers looking for solutions to meet needs all around.

Is Jaguar going to build an electric car?

By Joseph Scott on November 17, 2014 - 8:29PM

Jaguar has filed for the trademark name of "EV." Could that spell an electric car in the future?

Crunching numbers on the 2015 Ford Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid

By John Goreham on November 17, 2014 - 7:55PM

Good luck figuring out your “mileage” but the total energy cost to operate a Fusion Energi is easy math, and the car is easy on your wallet.

Toyota names fuel cell vehicle Mirai, pledges fueling stations in Eastern US

By John Goreham on November 17, 2014 - 3:07PM

Toyota gives its fuel cell vehicle an interesting name that EVangelists will have fun with. Makes surprising pledge to assist Eastern states with hydrogen fueling stations.

Buy a Nissan LEAF in Chicago, Get Free Public Charging

By Aaron Turpen on November 15, 2014 - 3:36PM

Nissan is now giving free public charging access to LEAF buyers in the Chicago area. The "No Charge to Charge" promotion has been extended to the Windy City.

Six months later, how is the BMW i3 selling in the United States?

By Luke Ottaway on November 14, 2014 - 12:23AM

It has now been half a year since the radical BMW i3 first arrived on U.S. shores. We review its progress so far.

What the China-US climate change agreement means for electric cars

By Luke Ottaway on November 13, 2014 - 12:19PM

Decades from now, historians may look back on November 12, 2014 as a turning point in the struggle against climate change. Will it prove to be a turning point in the electric car movement as well?

By John Goreham on November 12, 2014 - 3:36PM

Popular Science names Toyota FCV fuel cell sedan to Best of What’s New 2014. This will not a popular choice with EVangelists.

An electric car without batteries, powered by its body panels, is a long way off

By Luke Ottaway on November 12, 2014 - 12:14PM

Research at the Queensland University of Technology claim to have developed a graphene-based supercapacitor that is so lightweight the researchers think it could ultimately be integrated into body panels to power an electric car. Their time frame is extremely optimistic, however.

Lexus is at it again with EV attack ads, still doesn’t get it

By Luke Ottaway on November 11, 2014 - 12:22PM

Oh, Lexus. We know you are proud of those hybrids of yours, and we know your parent company (Toyota) does not think highly of battery electric vehicles. But this is not a race for political office.

2015 Prius hybrid now matches the cost per mile of Leaf EV in some markets

By John Goreham on November 11, 2014 - 8:53AM

Due to increasing electricity costs and decreasing gasoline costs, the most popular EV and most popular hybrid now have nearly identical costs for energy per mile of operation.

Ford flexes its green energy muscle yet again, harnesses the wind for dealers

By Luke Ottaway on November 10, 2014 - 3:16PM

Would you think differently about your car dealer if it had a futuristic-looking wind sail spinning overhead to generate a substantial amount of carbon-free electricity?

Why range anxiety is not a real problem

By Luke Ottaway on November 9, 2014 - 11:24AM

Range anxiety is often cited as one of the major reasons battery electric vehicles have yet to take off in the mass market. But does it actually exist in practice?

Tesla drops Model S powertrain options to simplify production – no 60D for you

By Luke Ottaway on November 7, 2014 - 9:41AM

Somewhat buried in the Tesla Q3 shareholder letter was the admission that two powertrain options on Model S will no longer be offered. The significance of the move is debatable.

Tesla progress report: strong Model S demand, Model X setbacks

By Luke Ottaway on November 6, 2014 - 9:15AM

Tesla Motors had an eventful third quarter, highlighted by troubles with a factory shutdown, introduction of all-wheel-drive and autopilot features, and more Model X delays. Here is the rundown.

Subscribe to