2019 full-size pickup truck mpg champs: Ford vs. Chevy vs. Ram

2018 GMC Sierra 1500With electric pickup trucks from Ford, GM, and others—including newcomers like Rivian—looking likely to arrive in the next few years, the truck field could be on the verge of a clean, quiet, tailpipe-emissions-free shakeup. That said, you wouldn’t know this segment as being poised on a revolution. Progress in the efficiency and...

Tesla reports sales down, citing delivery challenges in China and Europe

2019 Tesla Model 3 PerformanceTesla claims that its Model 3 electric sedan again in the first quarter of the year outsold all other mid-size sedans from what it considers premium brands—selling 60 percent more units than the closest runner-up. That’s the good news from the California electric car maker, in a production and deliveries update released Wednesday...

Toyota shores up against electric-car threat, by sharing hybrid tech

2019 Toyota PriusAs some of the industry appears to be leapfrogging directly past hybrid vehicles, in favor of battery electrics—GM with its canceled Volt, for example—Toyota is making no such move. This morning it’s announced that it will open up its banks of patents related to hybrid systems, royalty-free until 2030. That applies to nearly...

Byton M-Byte electric SUV tackles cold-weather testing, nears production

Byton M-Byte  -  winter testing, Inner MongoliaWith a Chinese base and international outposts—tech in California and design in Germany—Byton aims to create a different kind of electric-car lineup. That vision revolves around a cloud-based Byton Life ecosystem, built-in Amazon integration and, in at least two of its models, what could be the biggest infotainment display yet, a big...

Obama, buy that Volt!

President Obama inspects the 2011 Chevrolet Volt Our current President, Donald Trump, has made it abundantly clear where he stands on electric cars. It’s quite a contrast to our former President, Barack Obama, whose administration widely supported policy fostering more fuel-efficient vehicles, greener energy, and the path to more vehicles that plug in. This weekend marks the last one for...

Hybrid or not, 2019 Ram 1500 eTorque does some smart things with 48V tech

eTorque system in 2019 Ram 1500As more mainstream vehicles, like the 2019 Ram 1500 lineup, get increasing levels of electrification, but stop short of becoming fully electric or even full-fledged hybrids, it can be easy to get lost in semantics. Generally speaking, the term “mild hybrid” means some energy can be recaptured by a motor/generator, but the motor might...

Motor supplier sees mass-produced in-wheel motors around 2023

In-wheel motor teaser  -  from Nissan BladeGlider videoIn-wheel motors have been the future for electric cars—including fuel-cell cars and series hybrids—for decades. Their benefits include simpler packaging and more interior or cargo space for the vehicle. They could help make vehicles lighter, and lower the center of mass. There are also potential efficiency gains, too, and traction and...

Could grassroots racing bridge the electric-car culture clash?

Tesla LeMonsThe daily news cycle already provides plenty of fodder for taking sides for or against electric cars. In the real world it’s just not that polarizing. Most people who decide to embrace electric vehicles probably understand that EVs do anything but preclude driving enjoyment; and many want to share that enthusiasm with others. That’s...