Volvo XC40 Recharge: Best Car To Buy 2021 finalist

2021 Volvo XC40 RechargeVolvo’s vehicles have for years been unified around a mantra of safety and longevity, and Scandinavian design themes that are stylish and confident but not too over-the-top. The brand’s first electric vehicle, the Volvo XC40 Recharge, is a finalist for Green Car Reports’ Best Car To Buy 2021. It shows all the signs of carrying...

Karma GS-6 plug-in hybrid gets same EPA ratings as current Revero GT

Teaser for Karma GSe-6 due in 2021Electric range and efficiency ratings for the upcoming Karma GS-6 plug-in hybrid were recently posted on the EPA's fueleconomy.gov website—and they match figures for the 2020 Karma Revero GT. Karma hasn't revealed the GS-6 yet, but it will have a maximum 61-mile electric range with an efficiency rating of 70 MPGe combined, and a gas-mileage...

Startup aims to be a Carfax for EVs, with battery health reports

2019 Chevrolet Bolt EVCarfax vehicle-history reports aim to expose any hidden faults in used cars, such as damage from crashes. Seattle-based startup Recurrent now plans to provide a similar service focusing specifically on EV battery health. "Battery health is the new odometer for electric vehicles, and we're bringing transparency to it," Recurrent CEO Scott Case said...

Lexus details dual-motor drive tech for future hybrids and electric cars

Lexus DIRECT4 all-wheel drive system development muleLexus is planning a dual-motor all-wheel-drive system for future hybrids and electric cars. Called DIRECT4, the system includes an electric motor and transaxle for both the front and rear axles, Lexus said in a press release. Taking advantage of the instant response and infinite adjustability of electric motors, the system will directly manipulate...

Another fuel-cell outage hampers Bay Area fuel-cell drivers

True Zero hydrogen fueling stationYet another hydrogen shortage has befallen Bay Area drivers of fuel-cell vehicles—and this one has been attributed to a hurricane. Yes, we know hurricane season is over, and hurricanes don’t reach California. This only serves to underscore the absurd state of the hydrogen distribution network, which is dependent on trucking liquid...

Polestar 2: Green Car Reports’ Best Car To Buy 2021 finalist

2021 Polestar 2Take a performance heritage, a focus on sustainability, Swedish engineering at the core, and an interface that’s all about “Hey Google,” and you’ll end up with a beeline to the Polestar 2. The Polestar 2 is probably the closest comparison to the Tesla Model 3 yet—although probably to the delight of many, it’s a...

$3,000 DIY electric Mini Cooper is a fun exception among conversions

Rich Rebuilds electric Mini conversionThe 2020 Mini Cooper SE offers an all-electric powertrain from the factory, but YouTuber Rich Benoit took a different path to an electric Mini. Benoit's Rich Rebuilds YouTube channel gained popularity focusing on Tesla rebuilds, but recently its star has been branching out. As documented in a series of videos, he bought a non-running...