Volkswagen says that it aims to make “electric vehicles for millions, not millionaires” with its next-generation EVs. While that’s a clever tagline, what ultimately will matter to many households who want a new electric vehicle in the driveway is whether they can afford one of those models. Speaking at an event last month...
Public charging networks are booming. Even if it often seems to electric car drivers like there aren't enough public chargers to go around. massive new charging network companies are coming online, existing networks are expanding, and all are planning on installing a new wave of ultra-fast electric-car chargers. In September, Chargepoint announced...
As some of the world’s largest automakers ramp up production for a generation of electric vehicles, the supply of one of the most important ingredients—rare-earth elements—is surely a cause for concern. Rare-earth elements—especially neodymium—are in short supply because of their limited production locations, much of...
Tesla chief executive Elon Musk on Friday announced that the company released its long-awaited Version 9 software update, but without the full-self-driving features that he promised back in June. Instead, the new software now rolling out to all Model 3's, Model S's, and Model X's makes improvements to the navigation system and the user interface...
![1938 Oldsmobile Convertible Coupe with Autoamatic Safeaty Transmission [CREDIT: Hemmings Motor News]](https://images.hgmsites.net/tmb/1938-oldsmobile-convertible-coupe-with-autoamatic-safeaty-transmission-credit-hemmings-motor-news_100673975_t.gif)
With only the possible exception of the electric starter, nothing has done more to expand the adoption of personal cars than the automatic transmission, as reflected by one of the first cars so-equipped, being sold this week in Hershey, Pennsylvania. The 1938 Oldsmobile L-38 convertible coupe used the first transmission to select gears...
Will automakers be able to turn a profit on all the electric vehicles under development? And how many Model 3 sedans, again, did Tesla deliver just last month? This is Green Car Reports’ look back at the Week in Reverse, for the week ending October 5, 2018. Friday, we looked at a test of semi self-driving systems from Consumer Reports, and...
![Tesla Model 3 dashboard in Autopilot testing with IIHS [CREDIT: IIHS]](https://images.hgmsites.net/tmb/tesla-model-s-dashboard-in-autopilot-testing-with-iihs-credit-iihs_100665437_t.gif)
The Tesla Autopilot system gets outranked by a rival. VW confirms plans for solid-state batteries. Future Kia electric cars are about what fits the market. Volvo's parent company is reportedly in talks with Toyota over hybrid systems. And will electric cars hurt automaker profitability? All of this and more on Green Car Reports. Tesla's Autopilot...
For an automaker that’s pitching itself toward the fun side of the Hyundai Motor Group, the tone for the automaker’s sizable electric push soon sounds altogether like pants. “It’s all about what fits,” said Michael Winkler, director of powertrains for Kia in Europe. By the end of next year, Kia will offer in the U.S...
Toyota revealed on Thursday that it is in talks with Chinese automaker Geely, which owns Volvo, about cooperation on hybrid vehicle technology, Reuters reported. As the company that has sold by far the most hybrids worldwide, the discussions could involve selling Toyota hybrid technology in Geely cars in China. Any agreement, however, could also...
Solid-state batteries sometimes sound a bit like the missing link that would punt electric vehicles soundly into mainstream acceptance. The list of potential virtues for solid-state tech, which would replace the polymer/gel electrolyte commonly used in lithium-ion cells with a solid one, is impressive: a longer driving range; smaller packaging;...
![Consumer Reports tests Tesla Model 3 braking [CREDIT: Consumer Reports]](https://images.hgmsites.net/tmb/consumer-reports-tests-tesla-model-3-braking-credit-consumer-reports_100653529_t.gif)
In the latest ranking of automaker self-driving systems, Tesla's popular Autopilot system ranked second to Cadillac's Super Cruise system. The ratings come from Consumer Reports, which tested the cars on its test track and on local highways, in both lead and following positions. The organization rated the systems on their capability and ease of...
A flood of new electric-car models is washing into the market in the next year as automakers scramble to meet regulatory demands for electric cars around the world—not to mention scrambling to compete with Tesla. The challenge, as with Tesla, is whether they can sell those cars at a profit. A new report by AlixPartners, a worldwide business...
Mr. Musk called the agency the “Shortseller Enrichment Commission” less than a week after he agreed to step down as Tesla’s chairman to settle its lawsuit against him.
Mr. Musk taunted the agency less than a week after he agreed to step down as Tesla’s chairman to settle its lawsuit against him.
The Tesla Model 3 might be the top-selling car from an American brand. Electrify America announces its second round of electric-car chargers in California. Algae blooms may boost eco-diesel development. And new electric-car ads hope to raise awareness. All of this and more on Green Car Reports. Pending confirmation from a range of sources, the...
Earlier this week we reported the Model 3 is possibly the fifth best-selling car in the U.S., based on Tesla’s update on deliveries. These Model 3 numbers released Tuesday are likely an anomaly; they’re based on a coordinated surge in U.S. deliveries in September. But also to be fair, we missed one other distinction: The Tesla Model 3...
One problem with electric cars is that they may be invisible. Despite proliferating charging stations, multiplying car models, and extended range for many new electric cars, fewer than half of California drivers are even aware they exist, says Mary Nichols, head of the California Air Resources Board. For electric-car advocates and automakers, it's...
Algae-based biodiesel has been hyped in the past as a renewable fuel that can be produced here in the U.S., lowering greenhouse-gas emissions without displacing food crops or taxing water supplies. And yet it still hasn’t arrived in any significant way. There’s no single factor to blame for that, rather a combination of hurdles that no...
Midway through building its first installments of electric-car chargers, Electrify America sketched out plans for its second $200-million round of investments in California on Wednesday. These installations will add more California cities, target charging networks for ride hailing services and buses, and develop Level 2 home charging for...
The 2020 Mercedes-Benz EQC makes its public debut. Chinese automaker Borgward wants to sell electric cars in the United States. Electric cars have gotten even cleaner in 2018. And the results are in from one of our latest Twitter polls. All of this and more on Green Car Reports. The 2020 Mercedes-Benz EQC made its public debut at the 2018 Paris...
