Electric Vehicle News and Reviews (Page 288)

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.

Will Tesla and Toyota ever get back together? Musk thinks so

By Luke Ottaway on September 9, 2014 - 1:37PM

After ending its collaboration with Tesla on the RAV4 EV and repeatedly declaring its allegiance to fuel cells, it certainly doesn’t seem like Toyota is interested in another partnership with Tesla. Not so fast, says Elon Musk.

A week with the BMW i8 isn’t enough to inspire Rory McIlroy to victory

By Luke Ottaway on September 8, 2014 - 12:32PM

The life of the world’s best golfer is enviable in many ways. One such perk of being Rory McIlroy: BMW gives you special treatment at their tournament.

Renault-Nissan and Orange Expand Electric Vehicle Partnership

By Aaron Turpen on September 7, 2014 - 6:29PM

An expansion of partnership agreements between the Renault-Nissan Alliance and Orange means adding 200 electric vehicles to the telecommunications giant's fleet.

Ford hopes to allow plug-in hybrid drivers to use the cloud to their advantage

By Luke Ottaway on September 7, 2014 - 1:35PM

The cloud isn’t just for storing private photos of celebrities. Its vast potential is just waiting to be tapped by the automotive industry, and Ford plans to take advantage with its plug-in hybrids.

Nevada offers Tesla $1.3 billion in Gigafactory incentives – but that’s not why it won

By Luke Ottaway on September 5, 2014 - 2:24PM

The economic incentive package dangled in front of Tesla for constructing the Gigafactory in Reno, Nevada is more generous than many expected. Yet there is another more important reason Nevada was chosen.

Tesla demanded "massive cash up-front" taxpayer payment for gigafactory says Gov. Brown

By John Goreham on September 5, 2014 - 11:12AM

According to Governor Jerry Brown, Tesla’s demands on taxpayers were too much even for California. Apparently, the cost to taxpayers to have a battery factory is about $1.3 billion.

Which automaker sells the second-most plug-in vehicles in the U.S.?

By Luke Ottaway on September 4, 2014 - 3:29PM

The Ford lineup of electric vehicles has posted strong sales numbers so far in 2014, and the trend continued in August.

BMW’s i3 just the latest EV to blow past Tesla in US sales

By John Goreham on September 4, 2014 - 2:02PM

Despite the media and fan-boy hype, Tesla has dropped to 5th in monthly US electric vehicle sales rate. This time, the car to pass it is indeed stealing customers from the Tesla Model S' target demographic.

Tesla makes right choice with Reno for Gigafactory

By Luke Ottaway on September 3, 2014 - 11:46PM

Thursday afternoon it will be officially announced that a site near Reno, Nevada will be the home of Tesla's sought-after Gigafactory. It appears to be the right move for Tesla.

Volt and Leaf both establish new sales marks in August

By Luke Ottaway on September 3, 2014 - 12:42PM

The Nissan LEAF and Chevrolet Volt have been duking it out for the title of best-selling plug-in since their nearly simultaneous debuts. The LEAF has recently claimed dominance, but both had a great month of August.

Nissan’s electric vehicle plans will go on without Andy Palmer

By Luke Ottaway on September 2, 2014 - 2:58PM

Andy Palmer has been one of the most reliably pro-EV executives in the auto industry, but his departure doesn’t mean Nissan will change its electrification strategy.

China could make monumental commitment to solve its EV charging problem

By Luke Ottaway on September 1, 2014 - 4:46PM

The Chinese government has been very aggressive with policies and incentives encouraging the adoption of electric vehicles, to little effect thus far. A new $16 billion charging station rollout initiative could fix that.

Electric Motorcycle Jolts World Records at Bonneville

By Aaron Turpen on September 1, 2014 - 1:57PM

The KillaJoule electric motorcycle, driven by Eva Hakansson of KillaCycle, has hit three world records on the Salt Flats.

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV takes on toughest off-road Australasian Safari

By Denis Flierl on August 31, 2014 - 7:43AM

2015 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV takes on 2014 Australasian Safari with Team Mitsubishi Ralliart Australia. Will it hold up?

Lexus proudly persists with misleading EV attack ad

By Luke Ottaway on August 29, 2014 - 1:26PM

Back in May, Lexus was heavily criticized for publishing two misleading anti-EV video advertisements promoting Toyota’s hybrid and hydrogen technology. Now Lexus is at it again.

Now is definitely the time to buy a Brammo electric motorcycle

By Luke Ottaway on August 28, 2014 - 2:51PM

As summer draws to a close, motorcycle sales tend to slow down. In response, dealers often clear out old inventory by offering great deals. Brammo and its electric motorcycles evidently is no exception.

German magazine’s EV range test prompts heated dispute

By Luke Ottaway on August 27, 2014 - 11:05PM

A leading German publication, Auto Motor und Sport, ran its own test of six battery electric vehicles and found shockingly low real-world ranges. The results prompted an angry response from EV owners.

Michigan startup claims to double energy density with solid-state battery

By Luke Ottaway on August 27, 2014 - 11:09AM

The finish line is not yet in sight in the race for a drastic lithium-ion battery breakthrough, and many competitors claim to be in the running. The latest company to emerge from the shadows is a University of Michigan spin-off called Sakti3. Should we remember the name?

Elon Musk’s most important yet underrated statement is not to be ignored

By Luke Ottaway on August 26, 2014 - 3:46PM

It concerns batteries, of course. Dismiss the CEO’s claims about Tesla battery pack cost reductions at your own peril.

Volkswagen e-Golf will come with a reasonable price tag – for a top-trim EV

By Luke Ottaway on August 25, 2014 - 5:14PM

Volkswagen has announced U.S. pricing for the all-electric version of the beloved Golf. The e-Golf will only be offered at VW’s highest trim level, and the price reflects that.

Germany and the UK: where the two European powers stand on electric cars

By Luke Ottaway on August 25, 2014 - 9:06AM

The importance of electric vehicle adoption goes beyond U.S. shores – after all, replacing a conventional vehicle with an EV has a similar effect in most parts of the world. Germany and the UK are two markets in the sights of electric vehicle makers.

Ford sources leak plans for all-new hybrid with plug-in variant

By Luke Ottaway on August 22, 2014 - 10:16AM

Ford tried to compete with the Toyota Prius once before when it introduced the hybrid C-Max to the United States. It looks like the Blue Oval is ready to give it another go.

Should the EPA change the way it rates electric range?

By Luke Ottaway on August 21, 2014 - 8:35AM

Earlier this week we looked at how the Environmental Protection Agency tests battery electric vehicles to determine the electric range that gets reported on the window sticker. But why is there just one number?

As EV battery prices fall, is greater range or lower cost more important?

By Luke Ottaway on August 20, 2014 - 12:34PM

A new study brings an old topic back to the forefront: how much range is enough, and is it better to use battery advancements to decrease price without improving range or make electric vehicles go further on a charge?

Winning Outlander PHEV technology to be passed on to Lancer EVO successor

By Denis Flierl on August 19, 2014 - 7:10AM

The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV plug-in hybrid wins a key rally race. How will this effect the 2015 Lancer Evolution successor?

How the EPA determines an electric vehicle’s range - not as simple as it sounds

By Luke Ottaway on August 19, 2014 - 6:42AM

One of the most important factors in the consideration of battery electric vehicles is driving range before the battery is fully discharged. The EPA calculates this number using procedures unique to electric vehicles – here is how it works.

The newest electric supercar on the block revisits an American classic

By Luke Ottaway on August 18, 2014 - 4:44PM

Though most of us will never attain the level of wealth required to own one, the list of hybrid and pure electric supercars is growing. The latest comes from Silicon Valley and may look familiar.

2015 Toyota Prius Persona Series Special Edition

Special Edition 2015 Prius adds to evidence of an all-new 2016 model

By John Goreham on August 18, 2014 - 4:01PM

The 2015 Prius Persona Series Special Edition will help keep buyers interested until the all-new Prius arrives.

Tesla counters negative press about drivetrain replacements with “infinite” warranty

By Luke Ottaway on August 16, 2014 - 2:30PM

The makers of Model S have been in the news recently for a higher-than-normal rate of total drivetrain replacement, with several highly publicized examples. Tesla has deftly responded by offering a nearly unrivaled warranty.

Not to be outdone by GM, Ford unveils plans for massive solar canopy for EV charging

By Luke Ottaway on August 14, 2014 - 11:19PM

GM has backed up its stated commitment to electric vehicles by leading the industry in workplace charging, particularly the solar-powered variety. Ford has responded with plans for a solar canopy of epic proportions, partly to charge its own electric vehicles.

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