Electric Vehicle News and Reviews (Page 290)

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.

2014 Toyota Prius Plug-in completes Nurburgring using 5 tablespoons of gas

By John Goreham on July 16, 2014 - 4:10PM

The Prius you love, but with a Plug just ran the famous race course following all the track rules on 2.5 ounces of gasoline.

Tesla lemon law case ends quietly with $126,836 settlement

By Luke Ottaway on July 15, 2014 - 11:27PM

Just over three months after the news was made public that a Wisconsin lawyer planned to file a lemon lawsuit against Tesla on behalf of his client, the self-proclaimed “lemon law king” released yet another video concluding the saga.

Hyundai, Tesla exchange barbs over refueling networks – one of them has a point

By Luke Ottaway on July 15, 2014 - 8:43PM

A misinformed jab at Tesla’s Supercharger network by fuel cell-minded Hyundai and a counter-punch from the electric automaker remind us that car companies really don’t like being linked to government backing, yet this will become an increasingly important issue.

Drastic price cuts place Cadillac ELR where it should have been all along

By Luke Ottaway on July 15, 2014 - 12:02AM

The Cadillac ELR has not sold well, mainly due to its disproportionately high sticker price. Cadillac and its dealers are getting desperate to move the vehicles.

Why the range of the Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Drive is only 87 miles

By Luke Ottaway on July 13, 2014 - 10:44PM

The all-electric offering from Mercedes promises to be a solid, refined car with plenty of desirable traits. Its range is compromised, however, by poor efficiency relative to its competitors.

Green cars' 2014 sales decline in the US, but overall US fleet MPG goes up

By John Goreham on July 11, 2014 - 11:42AM

Green car sales for the first half of the 2014 are not on-pace to match 2013. How can our average fuel economy be improving even as green car sales are declining?

Tesla CEO Musk honors company’s namesake with $1M donation to Tesla museum

By Luke Ottaway on July 11, 2014 - 12:10AM

Nikola Tesla was one of the most brilliant people to ever live, yet was largely unappreciated in life and after his death. Tesla CEO Elon Musk will donate $1 million to help make sure the inventor is honored properly with a Tesla museum.

2014 BMW i3 sales split between BEV and REx versions mirrors overall market

By John Goreham on July 10, 2014 - 1:21PM

Purely electric vehicles are not outselling EVs with gasoline range extenders of some kind. BMW's US sales so far follow the EV trend.

Nissan’s free EV charging program aims to turn range anxiety into “range confidence”

By Luke Ottaway on July 9, 2014 - 10:48PM

In an effort to improve the EV ownership experience and attract new LEAF buyers, Nissan’s “No Charge to Charge” program allows LEAF owners to recharge at almost all public stations for free. One critical charging network is back in the fold, but only partially.

A Miata can smoke a Tesla in a drag race – an electric Miata, that is

By Luke Ottaway on July 8, 2014 - 11:32PM

Beloved by car enthusiasts everywhere, the Mazda Miata now has a unique accomplishment to add to its trophy case: it beat a Tesla Model S P85 in a drag race. And ‘beat’ might be the understatement of the year.

Volvo unveils more details on powerful plug-in XC90 to arrive late this year

By Luke Ottaway on July 8, 2014 - 11:23PM

For those who like SUVs and saving money on gas, numerous plug-in options are on the way. The Volvo XC90 T8 promises to be the first and one of the most desirable.

LG Chem will make big EV battery investment in China

By Luke Ottaway on July 7, 2014 - 11:27PM

The electric vehicle market in China has yet to gain traction, but the prevailing wisdom is that it will catch on big. LG Chem plans to build a large battery factory in China to take advantage of the huge potential market there.

Plug-ins now outselling electric-only vehicles in green car buying shift

By John Goreham on July 7, 2014 - 8:11PM

Over the past year American green car buyers have started to switch from all-electric to plug-in electric vehicles. Why are the battery electrics losing ground?

Palo Alto sets the standard for EV readiness

By Luke Ottaway on July 7, 2014 - 7:15PM

The California hometown of Tesla Motors has made it even easier for residents to own electric vehicles with new infrastructure requirements for apartments, hotels, and commercial buildings.

2105 Ford Fusion Energi Passes Tesla Sales

2015 Ford Fusion Energi's surprise move to number two spot in EV sales in June

By John Goreham on July 7, 2014 - 4:53PM

In a move that was hard to see developing the Ford Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid jumped up to the number two spot for electrified vehicle sales last month. Why aren't the full electrics doing better?

A 31 MPG 2016 Toyota Tacoma Hybrid 4WD pickup is possible

By John Goreham on July 7, 2014 - 11:42AM

Until Lexus launched its new NX 300h AWD hybrid crossover thoughts of a Toyota Tacoma Hybrid pickup were unrealistic. Now that Toyota family AWD hybrids the same weight as the Tacoma have arrived, the fantasy is becoming more fun to consider.

Deaths in Tesla Model S crash might have been prevented by common safety system

By John Goreham on July 7, 2014 - 5:22AM

This weekend at least three people were killed in a Toyota Corolla when a driver in a Tesla Model S rear-ended them. Could a safety feature found on most cars in the Tesla’s price range, but not on Teslas, have prevented the tragedy?

That big battery breakthrough EV lovers talk about isn't happening at Tesla

By Aaron Turpen on July 6, 2014 - 1:26AM

In analyzing the Gigafactory plans, it's clear the CEO Elon Musk has no plans to improve the batteries themselves. So the big "breakthrough" in battery tech that EV enthusiasts always claim is coming anytime now? Well..

Stolen Tesla Model S crashes and burns in spectacular fashion

By Luke Ottaway on July 5, 2014 - 12:42AM

Tesla has had problems with Model S battery fires before. Very early on July 4 another Tesla caught fire after a collision resulting in an aftermath that must be seen to be believed.

Nissan LEAF continues impressive monthly sales hot streak

By Luke Ottaway on July 1, 2014 - 11:36PM

Nissan’s all-electric pioneer has been on a tear of late. Coming off a record-setting May, the LEAF didn’t disappoint in June.

Is there a future for electric pickup trucks?

By Luke Ottaway on June 30, 2014 - 10:04PM

The electrification movement has largely ignored the segment that arguably needs it the most: pickup trucks. With one notable exception, we still won’t be seeing electric pickups on the road for some time.

Katherine Legge brings experienced girl power to Formula E

By Luke Ottaway on June 30, 2014 - 2:51PM

The Formula E electric racing series coming this September will feature at least one female driver: 33-year old Katherine Legge of England.

Replacement battery cost bodes well for used LEAF market

By Luke Ottaway on June 30, 2014 - 10:00AM

A big unknown when it comes to resale value of electric vehicles is battery degradation and the cost of replacing the battery pack. Nissan has addressed this concern with aggressive pricing of Nissan LEAF replacement batteries.

Mitsubishi MiEV Evolution III dominates Electric Modified Division at Pikes Peak

By Denis Flierl on June 30, 2014 - 7:51AM

The all-electric Mitsubishi MiEV Evolution III dominates with a first and second place in the Electric Modified Division at Pikes Peak. Are we looking at 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution successor technology?

Why Mitsubishi will dominate global EV advancement

By Denis Flierl on June 29, 2014 - 8:11AM

The Mitsubishi MiEV Evolution III is set to take on the Pikes Peak Hill Climb today. Why does Mitsubishi do it?

Pennsylvania decides to allow Tesla stores, but not very many

By Luke Ottaway on June 28, 2014 - 10:03AM

Continuing the highly publicized saga of Tesla’s state-by-state attempts to sell its electric vehicles direct to consumers, Pennsylvania has voted to compromise.

First look at official specs for 2015 Volkswagen Passat plug-in

By Luke Ottaway on June 27, 2014 - 1:06AM

The German automaker continues its push into the electrified vehicle sector with the upcoming release of the Passat plug-in hybrid. The preliminary specs are fairly predictable – the key will be price, which remains unknown.

Why Toyota should and should not market its fuel cell vehicle as a Camry

By John Goreham on June 26, 2014 - 4:03PM

The Toyota Fuel Cell Vehicle has arrived. Should it be its own line or should Toyota leverage its most powerful name to make it work?

Launch challenges leave 2014 BMW i3 owners inconvenienced, not discouraged

By John Goreham on June 26, 2014 - 12:25PM

The all new BMW i3 electric sedan is now well into its second month of US sales. Some trouble spots have appeared, but overall owners are continuing to be excited about their new driving machines.

Why Tesla doesn’t really care about battery swapping

By Luke Ottaway on June 25, 2014 - 11:53PM

Proponents of battery swapping once touted it as the ideal replacement for gas stations. A year ago Tesla put on a flashy demonstration of battery swap capability, and has scarcely mentioned it since. Here’s why.

Subscribe to