2018 Nissan Leaf electric-car prototype driven: first impressions

2018 Nissan LeafWhen visiting an automaker's proving ground to drive cars still under development, security is extensive. Cameras have to be left on the bus, all phone lenses have to be covered, and documents committing you to keep quiet until the embargo lifts must be signed. In late June, we drove a pre-production 2018 Nissan Leaf at the company's Tochigi Test...

Mercedes-Benz teases EQ A compact electric concept before Frankfurt show

Mercedes-Benz EQ A ConceptAs German luxury maker Mercedes-Benz intensifies its efforts to launch more electric cars faster than first planned, another concept will break cover this month. The Mercedes EQ A Concept, a compact electric hatchback, will be revealed at the Frankfurt auto show next week. The company has issued a handful of teasers for the compact electric...

Plug-in electric car sales for Aug: Bolt EV leads Prime, Volt lower

2017 Chevrolet Bolt EVThe Chevrolet Bolt EV continued a steady sales rise last month as it solidified its position among the top three plug-in electric cars for which monthly U.S. sales are reported. In August, Chevy delivered 2,107 Bolt EVs, the first time the car had sold more than 2,000 units in a month after entering the market in mid-December last year. Close...

Chanje electric delivery truck from China to go on sale this year

Chanje medium-duty electric truckA new electric-vehicle company called Chanje isn't focused on cars; instead, has set its sights on what it believes is a prime market for electric vehicles. That market is medium-duty delivery trucks, of which there are 7 million in the United States. About 500,000 new commercial-delivery trucks are sold each year. Chanje's electric truck, its...

Cummins electric semi truck: traditional maker takes on Tesla

Cummins Urban Hauler Tractor conceptThe well-established Cummins company chose an appropriate time to reveal its all-electric semi tractor concept: just before Tesla prepares to reveal its own electric semi next month. The traditional diesel-engine maker debuted its Urban Hauler Tractor, a Class 7 semi truck with a 44,000-pound payload. Notably, the company called the semi truck a...

Autonomous electric truck prototype can be controlled remotely

Einride T-pod, autonomous electric truck prototypeSwedish company Einride has officially unveiled the first full-scale prototype of its futuristic autonomous electric truck. First announced back in April, the T-pod is touted as being more than a simple self-driving electric truck—it’s pitched as an entirely “new transportation system,” with plans to have an active fleet of...

China’s electric-car sales now twice those in US for Jan-June 2017

2016 BYD Tang plug-in hybrid SUV, made in ChinaHard numbers provide the latest evidence that shows China is by far the world's largest market for plug-in cars—or new energy vehicles, as they are referred to locally. The latest round of sales figures show the Chinese bought almost exactly twice the number of plug-in vehicles as car buyers in the United States did. Despite the high...

Mini Electric Concept revealed before Frankfurt auto show debut

Mini Electric Concept rendering, 2017 Frankfurt auto showWe've known since last July that an all-electric Mini Cooper will go into production in 2019. Now, we can see the first renderings of the car that will make its official debut at the Frankfurt auto show in two weeks. The Mini Electric Concept is recognizable as the three-door hardtop version of the famous British small car, but numerous design...