Some automakers aim to use plug-in hybrids as a bridge to all-electric cars, but tougher European regulations might put an end to that sooner than expected, according to a Reuters report. Draft regulations would prevent automakers from labeling plug-in hybrids as "sustainable investments" beyond 2025, potentially discouraging investors, while... Europe considers ending the plug-in hybrid era early: Are PHEVs already obsolete?
Some automakers aim to use plug-in hybrids as a bridge to all-electric cars, but tougher European regulations might put an end to that sooner than expected, according to a Reuters report. Draft regulations would prevent automakers from labeling plug-in hybrids as "sustainable investments" beyond 2025, potentially discouraging investors, while... 
The Yamaha name is often associated with high-performance motorcycles, but the company also wants to power some very fast electric cars. Last year, Yamaha announced plans to supply motors for other companies' EVs. On Monday, the company followed that up with the announcement of a higher-output motor "intended for installation and use in hyper-EVs... 
Rivian announced Monday that it will use Samsung SDI battery cells for its R1T electric pickup truck and R1S electric SUV, as well as upcoming commercial vehicles. Announcement of a battery supplier is a key piece of the information puzzle for the R1T and R1S, which are scheduled to start production this summer. Rivian previously said the R1T... 
In a rare interview, Panasonic's EV battery boss provided a glimpse of the company's response to the larger battery cells promoted by client Tesla. Speaking to Bloomberg, Yasuaki Takamoto said bigger cells are the key to affordable electric cars, but indicated he's not convinced by Tesla's proposed cell format. Tesla presented its 4680-format... 
The Toyota Prius may have popularized hybrid cars, but it was by no means the first hybrid to reach production. This 1916 Owen Magnetic predates the Prius by about 80 years. It's now part of Jay Leno's massive car collection, and was featured on a recent episode of his Jay Leno's Garage YouTube show. The Owen Magnetic isn't just remarkable for... 
Toyota is launching a new driver-assist system on two electrified models, but it's taking a somewhat more conservative approach than Tesla Autopilot, and some systems from other established automakers. Toyota Teammate and Lexus Teammate will launch on the Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel-cell sedan and Lexus LS 500h luxury sedan, respectively. Both... 
Nissan may launch a small electric crossover slotting below the Ariya, Auto Express reported Thursday. The new model would be similar in size to the current European-market Nissan Juke (the United States got the Nissan Kicks in place of the second-generation Juke), and would use a shortened version of the Ariya's CMF-EV platform, according to the... 
Polestar has set the goal of producing the first climate-neutral car by 2030, eliminating emissions not only from driving, but from every aspect of production and sales. The so-called "Polestar 0 Project" will genuinely eliminate emissions, not merely offset them with activities like planting trees, the automaker said in a press release... 
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is drafting tougher emissions standards, to be announced by July, EPA administrator Michael Regan said Tuesday in an interview with Bloomberg. Tougher emissions rules would reverse the policies of the Trump administration, which rolled back federal emissions standards through the 2026 model... 
Despite numerous challenges, EV battery swapping may still have a future, albeit with taxis and ride-hailing services rather than private passenger cars, according to a pair of recent reports from Bloomberg New Energy Finance. China already has 550 battery-swapping stations, which is a drop in the bucket compared to the 112,000 charging stations... 
Volkswagen electric cars based on the automaker's MEB platform may get bidirectional charging starting in 2022, according to a report from German business publication Handelsblatt. Several automakers have discussed bidirectional charging—which allows cars to discharge power from their battery packs—for several years, usually in the... 
President Biden last week unveiled a detailed infrastructure plan with substantial funding for electric-car charging—more than for roads and bridges, in fact. That's already drawing controversy, The Wall Street Journal reported Monday. Biden's $174 million "investment to win the EV market" is a comprehensive plan to spur EV adoption... 
The Nissan Ariya is expected to start deliveries later this year, but in the meantime Nissan has released a short video highlighting chassis tuning for the 300-mile electric crossover. It features Ariya prototypes being tested at the automaker's Hokkaido proving ground in Japan. While the United States market isn't mentioned in this Europe-centric... 
The idea of using coordinated electric-car charging to stabilize the grid has been discussed for years, but is still in early stages of development. California regulators now hope to bring so-called "vehicle-to-grid" (V2G) technology into focus. V2G requires cars that can discharge power back into the grid, something that isn't widely available... 
South Korean battery firm SK Innovation (SKI) will be able to move ahead with plans for large-scale U.S. battery production, thanks to a favorable decision by the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC), Reuters first reported last week. SK Innovation has been locked in a legal battle with rival South Korean battery supplier LG Chem, which sued... 
Initial sales results for the Ford Mustang Mach-E electric SUV are tracking with early estimates, and are attracting new customers to the Ford brand, the automaker's first-quarter 2021 sales results show. Ford said it moved 6,614 vehicles off U.S. dealership lots in Q1. This is exactly on pace with what the automaker suggested shortly after the... 
At its annual meeting on Wednesday, Mercedes-Benz released a new, higher range figure of 770 kilometers (478 miles) for its upcoming EQS flagship sedan, which is scheduled to start production later this year. That's a bit higher than the 700 km (just under 435 mi) Mercedes previously quoted, and it's based on European WLTP methodology. A range... 
Production of the Lucid Air electric car will soon be underway in the second half of the year, and to show the level of preparation that's going into it the company is highlighting the quality-control measures at its Casa Grande, Arizona factory. The video shows the general assembly area of the factory, where powertrains and suspension components... 
Hyundai has created a fast-charging template for electric cars with a name that evokes racing and a look that evokes current gas stations. The automaker plans to open 12 fast-charging sites under the E-Pit banner—with 72 individual plugs—at highway rest stops in South Korea beginning in April, with eight more sites totaling 48 plugs... 
As many automakers begin to roll out dedicated EV platforms—ones not designed to accommodate internal-combustion powertrains—BMW is taking its time. The automaker won't have such a platform until 2025, and that's because it's not completely sold on dedicated EVs, BMW CEO Oliver Zipse said in a recent interview with Reuters. "If you...