By [email protected] (Eric C. Evarts) Hyundai decides to bin its plans for a diesel-powered version of the new Santa Fe. Porsche ups the ante on fast charging speeds. A report reveals who’s really funding the campaign to unwind fuel-economy and emissions rules. And we check out the best deals on plug-in, hybrid, and electric cars…
By [email protected] (Eric C. Evarts) A new investigative report by the New York Times has revealed the puppeteer pulling the strings in the Trump administration’s efforts to undo fuel-economy and emissions improvements: no surprise, the oil industry. Backed by America’s largest refiners and organizations tied to or funded by the Koch brothers, an underground network…
By [email protected] (Eric C. Evarts) The end of the year is almost always the best time to get a great deal on a car. This December, our partners at CarsDirect have found some great deals on electric cars for as little as $219 a month. Electric cars For buyers who want an all-electric car, the…
By [email protected] (Bengt Halvorson) The Porsche Taycan, when it arrives toward the end of 2019, will likely have the quickest, highest-power DC fast charging of any production vehicle. But Porsche apparently is already setting its sights higher. Yesterday, as part of a research consortium that includes BMW, it presented a prototype for using CCS-standard charging…
By [email protected] (Eric C. Evarts) We have a first chance to drive the new all-wheel-drive Prius AWD-e. Hyundai plans to build more fuel cells, but not necessarily for cars. Automakers face big fines for missing tight emissions targets for carbon dioxide in Europe. And our first experience driving with side-camera “mirrors” on real roads gives…
By [email protected] (Bengt Halvorson) Side-camera systems, replacing side mirrors, have been one of the de rigueur symbols of the future on auto-show concept cars for, well, pretty much this entire century so far. While we’ve been eagerly anticipating the arrival of such systems for nearly as long—they’re not allowed by U.S. FMVSS standards, though now…
By [email protected] (Bengt Halvorson) Hyundai sees a lot of potential in hydrogen fuel-cell technology. And it may find success with it by looking well past cars and SUVs—to other uses that could, as the company puts it, “transcend the transportation sector.” With this week’s opening of a second plant making fuel-cell systems, in Chungju, South…
By [email protected] (Eric C. Evarts) As global leaders meet in Poland to hammer out details about how to meet Paris Climate Accord targets, a new study shows that European automakers aren’t introducing electric cars nearly fast enough to meet European standards—and the delay could cost them. The European Union has set the strictest limits on…
By [email protected] (Eric C. Evarts) Audi will build an upscale car on VW’s affordable electric-car platform. Ford is taking orders from police departments for its more efficient hybrid police cruisers. Tesla will refund the full amount if it doesn’t deliver cars in time for the full federal tax credit. And how do our readers see…
By [email protected] (Eric C. Evarts) As we’ve covered here before, Tesla buyers are facing the expiration of the full federal plug-in vehicle tax credit that the cars are currently eligible for through Dec. 31. Twice, Tesla has set deadlines for buyers to order their cars if they want to receive the full credit. Now Tesla…
By [email protected] (Eric C. Evarts) When General Motors announced in November that it would stop production of the Chevrolet Volt, it was a shock to many green car fans’ systems. The Volt was one of the first two modern electrically powered cars to go on sale in 2010, and is still the longest-range plug-in hybrid…
By [email protected] (Bengt Halvorson) Audi has recently released several hints that we’ll soon see a first concept tease of its smaller, more affordable electric vehicle, to be built on Volkswagen’s modular electric-vehicle architecture, termed MEB. And secondly, the Volkswagen brand is also soon expected to give a first look of how far upscale it can…
By [email protected] (Eric C. Evarts) Tesla CEO Elon Musk tweeted that the company’s Autopilot system will allow Tesla owners to commute with no driver input “soon.” Speaking of Autopilot, our Twitter poll asks readers how often they use Tesla’s new on-ramp to off-ramp Navigate on Autopilot system. Pricing is out for the Hyundai Nexo hydrogen…
By [email protected] (Eric C. Evarts) Tesla CEO Elon Musk sent out a tweet over the weekend imploring Tesla drivers to try the company’s new Navigate on Autopilot system. “If you have a Tesla built in past 2 years, definitely try Navigate on Autopilot. It will blow your mind. Automatically passes slow cars & takes highway…
By [email protected] (Bengt Halvorson) Pricing for hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles, like the upcoming 2019 Hyundai Nexo, hasn’t meant all that much up until now. That’s because both of the other fuel-cell vehicles currently offered—and most of them offered to date—have been leased, under highly subsidized lease programs. But it’s actually not in this case… Read Full…