UCS report shows electric cars get even cleaner in 2018

UCS 2016 EV emissions mpg mapElectric cars keep getting cleaner, despite efforts by the EPA and NHTSA to roll back pollution standards on cars and powerplants. That's the conclusion of the latest report from the Union of Concerned Scientists which annually measures the environmental impact of driving an electric car. The study rates the environmental impact relative to gas...

2020 Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 makes public debut at Paris auto show

2020 Mercedes-Benz EQCAfter hosting a private introduction for the car last month in Stockholm, Mercedes-Benz formally introduced its EQC electric crossover to the public at the Paris auto show on Tuesday. The EQC, which is about the same size as the gasoline-powered Mercedes-Benz GLC crossover, albeit with separate styling and a unique interface, will go on sale in...

California overrules EPA emissions freeze for cars sold in the state

Smog over Los Angeles, courtesy Flickr user steven-bussAt its meeting on Friday, the California Air Resources Board officially confirmed that it will stick with planned increases in emissions and fuel economy standards for cars sold in the state. The move was expected after CARB said in August that it would not follow the Trump Administration's move to freeze federal emissions and fuel economy...

Mazda announces electric lineup, rotary range extender

Mazda 2 RE Range Extender conceptThe electric-car revolution may give new life to an old gas engine. On Tuesday, timed to coincide with the Paris auto show, Mazda announced it will add plug-in capability and electric power to all of its models by 2030. Some will be plug-in hybrids or range-extended electric cars—with a twist. The company formally confirmed what it had...

2019 Honda Insight recalled for rearview camera failure

2019 Honda InsightThe 2019 Honda Insight hybrid hasn't been on sale for long; and yet Honda is already recalling more than 6,000 of them for a rearview camera failure. The problem affects another 226,000 vehicles—2018 Accord models, possibly including some Accord Hybrids. The screen may show up blank, with only lane guidance lines appearing under certain...

How fast is fast enough for charging? Take our Twitter poll

EVgo charging station in Union City, California with resused BMW i3 battery backupAutomakers are launching a race to build electric cars that can charge as fast filling a gas tank. When the first electric cars launched in 2011, buyers and fans were clamoring for CHAdeMO fast charging that operates at about 50 kilowatts and could recharge a short-range electric car (to 80 percent capacity) in about a half hour. When Tesla's...

Audi to expand plug-in hybrid range alongside e-tron electric

2018 Audi Q5The Audi e-tron electric crossover won't be the only new model with a plug coming soon. The company plans up to 12 new plug-in models by 2025, Audi revealed at the launch event for the e-tron quattro SUV in California last month, according to a report in British magazine Autocar. In addition to the e-tron SUV, the company will produce a fastback...