Report: EPA delays proposed fuel economy plan until September—or later

Southern California traffic - by flickr user David R. BlumeThe EPA's plans to freeze fuel economy and emissions standards have been put on hold until at least Labor Day, sources familiar with the plans told Bloomberg earlier this week. Last August, the EPA released its long-anticipated proposal to unwind the steadily rising fuel-economy standards put in place in 2012 under President Obama, in part to...

Toyota expands battery supply with CATL deal

2017 Toyota Prius Prime test drive, Ojai, California, Sep 2016As it gradually moves to begin selling more plug-in and electric cars, Toyota is widening its net to secure more batteries. Japan's largest automaker signed a deal this week to buy batteries from Chinese suppliers Contemporary Amex Technologies (CATL) and BYD. The agreement adds to a January deal Toyota signed to buy batteries from Panasonic. All...

Choice of new BMW CEO solidifies automaker’s electric plans

Incoming BMW CEO Oliver ZipseIn naming its former head of manufacturing, Oliver Zipse, as its new CEO, BMW is doubling down on its strategy of building electric versions of its mainstream cars, rather than a separate line of EVs. Zipse, who will take over August 16, when current CEO Harald Krueger steps down, is credited with developing the new strategy after the company lost...

Continental builds something greater from “mild” 48-volt foundation

Continental 48V full hybrid systemWhy aren’t there more full-fledged hybrid vehicles—models that provide the kind of efficiency gains that really pay off in fuel savings over time? Blame the bean-counters. With Toyota and its mammoth economies of scale with high-mileage hybrids perhaps the one exception, a set of critical components that need to go in full...

Lotus Evija supercar marks start of a new electric era for sports-car brand

Lotus EvijaLotus is no newcomer to electric cars, having produced the chassis for the original Tesla Roadster. On Wednesday, the British sports car company unveiled its own electric sports car, the Evija, which it says will be the most powerful car on the market with electric motors producing 1,973 horsepower. The company didn't list its battery size, but...

Seres EV startup postpones US launch amid downsizing

2020 Seres SF5Seres, the startup electric carmaker formerly known as SF Motors, is shelving plans to bring a new electric car to market in the U.S. The electric-car company was founded in 2017 when the Chinese industrial company Sokon bought the battery-technology company founded by former Tesla CEO and founder Martin Eberhard. At the Shanghai auto show in...