Even BMW’s hometown may ban older diesel cars

A semi-autonomous BMW 5 Series, on the highway outside of Munich Diesel-powered vehicles are facing a tough road ahead as more European cities move to ban older, dirtier, oil-burning cars. Diesel has long been the preferred fuel of European drivers thanks to its efficiency and lower carbon dioxide levels. However, mounting research has shown diesel-powered cars spew harmful toxins that may cause cancer and...

All-electric VW ID Buzz Microbus confirmed for production

Volkswagen ID Buzz concept, 2017 Detroit auto showWorking to redirect attention from its diesel-emission scandal—soon to wind down in the U.S. but ongoing in Europe—Volkswagen Group has talked a lot about its future electric-car plans. It will launch three high-volume battery-electric vehicles on a common architecture over the next five years, and has now shown concepts for all three...

Trump EPA backs away from attacking California emission waiver

Golden Gate Bridge, connecting San Francisco and Marin County, CaliforniaSometime between March 1 and 7, a specific page vanished from the website of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Amidst coverage of the removal of the word "science" from the mission statement of the EPA's Science and Technology Office, it went largely unnoticed. First posted in December 2008, and modified several times over the next eight...

How California and China plan to push for millions of zero-emission vehicles

California state capitol, SacramentoCalifornia has long been the nation's leader in zero-emission vehicles, with initiatives dating more than two decades. Now the Golden State is partnering with China, the world's largest car market, to accelerate that country's zero-emission goals. The state announced a new initiative with China, in which they will work together to accelerate the...

European electric and plug-in hybrid sales for Jan-April 2017

2017 Renault ZoeElectric vehicle sales are holding steady in Europe; the latest sales data shows popular battery electric vehicles remain popular. Plug-in hybrids continue to hold their own as well, according to data aggregated from numerous individual national markets. The Renault Zoe, in particular, continues to sell quite well. DON'T MISS: European electric...

Yes, ads for the Chevy Bolt EV electric car do actually exist; here’s one

2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV newspaper ad, The Washington Post, June 16, 2017The 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV isn't yet available in all states, but it's been on sale in California for six months now. While Chevy has said all along it will market the 238-mile electric car in a very targeted way, specifically trying to reach people similar to existing owners, it may have expanded its reach somewhat. This past Friday, a full-page...

VW too will launch electric-car joint venture in China with partner

Teaser photo for next Volkswagen I.D. electric-car concept, to be shown at 2017 Detroit Auto ShowVolkswagen is following the lead of many other global automakers: it has signed a deal for a new electric-vehicle joint venture in China. The German automaker said this week it has partnered with Chinese automaker Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Co. (JAC) to produce electric vehicles, as well as to market various mobility services. Both Volkswagen and...

2017 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid plug-in minivan recalled for faulty diode

2017 Chrysler Pacifica HybridThe 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid is, for the moment, a unique vehicle. It's the sole plug-in hybrid minivan for sale anywhere in North America, and its combination of seven seats and 33 miles of EPA-rated electric range have attracted huge interest. Production of the partially electric minivan began early in April, but over the last several...

Tesla changes warranty, cuts used Model S prices, to lure Model 3 buyers

2016 Tesla Model STesla has given its used electric-car sales a jolt and sweetened the deals for potential buyers. CEO Elon Musk announced changes to the Tesla Model S sedan's warranty structure and major price cuts on used examples during the annual shareholder meeting held June 6. "Maybe somebody wants to buy a Model S for $35,000, $40,000," he said, "and they...

Solar jobs have grown 20 percent a year since 2012; coal, not so much

Photovoltaic solar power field at Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga, TennesseeHere's a little quiz on a topic much discussed over the past couple of years: jobs. How many people work in the U.S. coal industry? Not just miners, but office staff, too. And, how many people work for solar-energy companies in the U.S.? DON'T MISS: Clean energy provides far more U.S. jobs than fossil fuels: analysis Coal mining was a mainstay of...

Deutsche Post and Ford to build Transit-based electric van

Electric mail delivery van based on Ford Transit chassis, by Deutsche Post StreetScooter with FordDeutsche Post, the German mail service, has long hoped to replace its fleet of 30,000 internal-combustion delivery vans with electric vehicles. In 2014, it bought the company Street Scooter, which has since built thousands of small car-sized electric delivery vans. Now Deutsche Post has announced it is partnering with Ford to put a larger...