Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda to run electric-car division

Akio ToyodaIt's now abundantly clear that Toyota is changing course when it comes to zero-emission vehicles. After years of promoting hydrogen fuel cells while shunning and disparaging battery-electric cars, the company now plans to introduce a mass-market electric car by 2020. The fact that Toyota is reportedly only now assembling the team to develop that...

Nikola One hydrogen range-extended electric truck to be unveiled tonight

Nikola One electric semi truckThe Nikola Motor Company is another vehicle manufacturer named after Nikola Tesla, but unlike a certain automaker in Silicon Valley, it plans to concentrate on electrified commercial vehicles. In May, Nikola (pronounced NEEK-oh-la) announced plans for a range-extended electric Class 8 commercial semi truck, and it will be shown to people outside...

Plug-in electric car sales for Nov: Volt soars, Prius Prime arrives

2017 Toyota Prius Prime PremiumTraditionally, the North American winter months have seen a slowdown in sales of plug-in electric cars—but the rule didn't seem to apply last month.. Last month, sales of the Nissan Leaf electric car actually increased over last year's comparable number, while those of the Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid soared. While no Chevy Bolt EV 238-mile...

EPA will maintain fuel-economy standards through 2025

U.S. Capitol BuildingThe U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has decided to maintain existing Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards through 2025. Enacted by the Obama Administration in 2012, the standards call for automakers to achieve a fleet average of 54.5 mpg (equivalent to about 38 mpg in the real world) by that year. The decision follows the...

Tesla a ‘predator,’ dealer lobby howls; second VA store OKed anyway

Tesla Store opening in Westfield Mall, London, Oct 2013The Virginia department of motor vehicles ruled yesterday that Tesla is eligible to open a second retail store in Virginia, in the state capitol of Richmond. Virginia franchise laws prevent automakers from operating their own dealerships, but the state's Department of Motor Vehicles can grant special dispensation to companies that have no...

Smart ForTwo minicar: 15 years later, has it made a difference?

2016 Smart ForTwoMinimal cars are often an appealing idea: why should one person drive a two-ton vehicle with five or more seats on local journeys of 10 miles or fewer? Then there's the crushingly difficult parking in major European, Asian, and North American cities. Add to that, perhaps, a desire for minimal use of energy and material resources. So why not design...