Electric Volvo XC40 will have a frunk, new driver interface

Teaser for electric Volvo XC40 debuting on October 16, 2019The new XC40 EV will be more than just an electric powertrain dropped into the company's small crossover, Volvo announced Wednesday, backing up that claim with design sketches and some fresh insights into its approach to electrification. Volvo's design team is leaning into the stylistic advantages of electric powertrains, which don't have the same...

Fuel economy review: The 2020 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel is a brawny fuel-sipper

2020 Ram 1500 EcoDiselWith the first factory-produced full-size electric pickup trucks still under development, the most fuel-efficient full-size pickups on sale from an automaker are powered by diesel fuel. At Fiat Chrysler Automobile dealerships, that’s the Ram 1500 EcoDiesel. Although official EPA numbers remain pending as we write this, the diesel is expected...

Rivian considers subscription model for direct-sales end run?

Rivian R1T Overlanding conceptEV upstart Rivian may use a subscription service to give customers more flexibility in their vehicle ownership experience and open up a direct-sales path to customers without running afoul of dealer franchise laws. Rivian planned to utilize a direct-sales approach from the very beginning, but as Tesla has demonstrated, that path is fraught with...

Actual vehicle MPG improvement has stagnated since 2008

gas pumpThough vehicles for sale today are more efficient than they've ever been, the average fuel economy of America's operating fleet has remained relatively stagnant since George W. Bush was President, research shows. Researcher Michael Sivak, writing at Green Car Congress, puts the focus on the miles driven by registered vehicles in the United States...