The vanlife electric: Nissan e-NV200 Winter Camper concept

Nissan e-NV200 Winter Camper conceptIf you're going to build a camper van, why not make it electric? The Nissan e-NV200 Winter Camper concept shows how an electric van can be converted into a home away from home. The modified van is equipped with a 220-volt battery to power onboard accessories, which can be recharged using a roof-mounted solar panel. Inside, you get a refrigerator...

BP partner StoreDot produces cells with 5-minute fast-charging tech

StoreDot sample batteriesIsareli startup StoreDot has long promised a Holy Grail of battery technology: a battery that can recharge in about the same amount of time it takes to pump gasoline. Now the startup is delivering the first samples of its so-called "five-minute charge" lithium-ion battery cells. The sample cells were produced to show off the technology to...

Next Honda HR-V will be different for America, but likely all-hybrid

Honda HR-V Hybrid teaserHonda on Monday teased the next-generation HR-V subcompact crossover for the European market, but questions remain about what the next United States-market version will be like. The automaker confirmed that the European version, which will be unveiled February 18, will be hybrid only, using a version of the same two-motor hybrid system as other...

Kia teases designs for 7 EVs due by 2027

Kia EV teaserKia plans to launch seven dedicated electric vehicles by 2027 as part of a wide-ranging electrification and re-branding effort. The seven new EVs were teased last week as part of a "brand showcase" that also included a new logo design, and the announcement that the Hyundai-owned company will henceforth be known simply as "Kia," rather than the...

Next Honda HR-V will be different for America, possibly all-hybrid

Honda HR-V Hybrid teaserHonda on Monday teased the next-generation HR-V subcompact crossover for the European market, but questions remain about what the next United States-market version will be like. The automaker confirmed that the European version, which will be unveiled February 18, will be hybrid only, using a version of the same two-motor hybrid system as other...

Electric VW Microbus revival will arrive in US in 2023

Volkswagen ID Buzz ConceptThe electric Volkswagen Microbus will arrive to the U.S. market in 2023, Volkswagen of America CEO Scott Keogh said in a recent interview with Automotive News. Based on the VW ID Buzz concept first shown in 2017, the electric Microbus was originally reported as slated to arrive in 2022. Turns out it still will launch in Germany in 2022, but given...

VW ID.4 electric SUV has the right winter warmers, lacks a heat pump

2021 Volkswagen ID.4With winter underway and its ID.4 electric crossover scheduled to hit dealerships in a few weeks, Volkswagen touted its cold-weather capabilities of its new mass-market EV. And in the U.S. it's managing to retain the necessary range without a heat pump. VW gave the ID.4 a handful of features to quickly and efficiently heat the cabin—and give...

Chevy offers 0% financing on used Bolt EV and Volt

2018 Chevrolet Bolt EVIf you're considering a used electric car, now might be a good time to spring into action. General Motors is offering 0% APR financing for 72 months on used Chevrolet Bolt EV electric cars and Chevy Volt plug-in hybrids, reports CarsDirect, which cited a bulletin sent to dealerships last week. The deal, which runs through February 1, is the type...

Renault 5 Prototype: All-electric return of a hot-hatch legend

Renault 5 PrototypeFor its latest electric concept car, Renault looked to the past. The Renault 5 Prototype features retro styling inspired by the cult-classic Renault 5 hatchback. The original Renault 5 was launched in 1972 as a humble economy car, but also spawned the mid-engine R5 Turbo hot hatchback, built to compete in the World Rally Championship (WRC). The...

Emergency responders need more training on EV fires, NTSB warns

Polestar 2 crash testFirst responders need more training to deal with the possible fire risk from crashed electric cars, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said in a report released Wednesday. In high-speed crashes with high impact forces, lithium-ion battery cells are likely to be damaged, creating a fire risk, the NTSB said in a press release...

Trump administration again delays higher fuel economy fines

2021 Ram 1500 TRXWith just days left before the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden, the Trump administration on Tuesday agreed to an auto-industry request to delay steeper fines for failing to meet fuel-economy standards, according to a Reuters report. The move effectively amounts to a stalling tactic that panders to behind-the-scenes lobbying from a few...

Sony Vision-S electric car starts public road tests in Europe

Sony Vision-S prototype testingOne year after its unveiling at the 2020 Consumer Electronics Show (CES), the Sony Vision-S electric car is now testing on public roads. Sony didn't provide much other detail on how things were progressing with the car. The short video it released for CES 2021 was essentially just some B-roll of the camouflaged prototype being driven on a test...

Nio ET7 flagship teases 150-kwh solid-state battery, arrival in 2022

2022 Nio ET7Chinese automaker Nio is launching a flagship electric car with an available 150-kilowatt-hour battery pack, and when it's scheduled to start deliveries in early 2022, it could be the first mass-produced passenger car anywhere in the world—yes, before Tesla—to have solid-state battery technology. The Nio ET7 sedan will also feature...

Tesla Model Y Standard Range: 244 miles, $43,190 base, 7-seat available

Tesla Model YThe Tesla Model Y electric crossover is getting a new entry-level variant. This week Tesla added the rear-wheel drive Model Y Standard Range variant to its online configurator. The Standard Range has a $43,190 base price (including a mandatory $1,200 destination charge), compared to $51,190 for the Long Range variant and $61,190 for the...