Study: Jump in electric vehicles may not stress California’s power grid

Tesla PowerpacksElectric-car critics have said that more EVs on the road could stress already overburdened electric power grids past the breaking point. Now, a study released this week by a California nonprofit suggests that may not be true. San Francisco-based think tank Next 10 published reports this week that said Governor Jerry Brown's proposal to increase...

What Tesla Model 3 buyers trade in says something about them

Tesla Model 3 bought [Photo by reader AH]Buyers driving home Tesla Model 3s are moving up. In its second-quarter earnings call Wednesday, Tesla executives revealed the top five cars they have taken in on trade for new Model 3s and the results were unexpected. Rather than other entry-level luxury sedans that form the Model 3s competition, four of the top five cars that the startup...

Cummins issues diesel emissions recall larger than VW’s

2010 Dodge Ram 2500Diesel-engine giant Cummins agreed this week to the largest diesel recall in history the EPA, according to a Reuters report. The recall affects about 500,000 medium- and heavy-duty diesel engines in vehicles produced between 2010 and 2015. The engines were installed in everything from big rigs to so-called "vocational trucks," such as garbage and...

Tesla cuts losses on Model 3 sales, Musk promises profits next quarter

2017 Tesla Model 3, in photo tweeted by Elon Musk on July 9, 2017As it ramps up production of the Tesla Model 3, Tesla announced Wednesday that it reduced its financial losses in the second quarter—barely. The result is significant, because Tesla is racing against the clock to keep from running out of money before it can build enough of its new, more affordable Model 3s to turn a profit. Tesla says it...

EPA could base emissions, mpg rollback on tired safety argument

TrafficIn the latest draft of new fuel economy and emissions standards obtained by the Associated Press, the Trump administration argues that reducing mileage standards will improve safety. It's an argument that dates back to the beginning of fuel economy standards in the 1970s, and one that ignores technological improvements made along the way. Under...

Mercedes-Benz EQS caught in spy shots

Mercedes-Benz Generation EQ concept, 2016 Paris auto showFor decades, Mercedes-Benz sold only two passenger cars. Now, the automaker is promising 10 different electric cars. Although the Mercedes has not revealed plans for all of them, spy photographers have recently captured a large electric sedan from Mercedes-Benz testing at Mercedes's headquarters in Sindelfingen, Germany. The spy pics were...