Daily Report: Test-Driving (or Not Driving) the Cars of the Future
A ride in a self-driving Uber car in Pittsburgh and a spin in Chevy’s new longer-ranger electric Bolt EV show how the auto world is changing fast.
2017 Nissan Rogue Hybrid: better prospects than Pathfinder, Murano for small hybrid SUV?
As predicted several years ago by a now-departed member of the Nissan product team, the third of three hybrid SUVs has rolled out. The 2017 Nissan Rogue Hybrid is the smallest of the three, and the company seems to be somewhat more optimistic about its prospects. Last year's 2016 Murano Hybrid rolled into the market almost unnoticed, and Nissan... Best deals on hybrid, electric, fuel-efficient cars for September 2016
It's once again time to survey the best deals on hybrid, electric, diesel, and fuel-efficient gasoline cars. With 2017 models arriving in larger numbers, carmakers and dealers are eager to move inventory of leftover 2016 vehicles. We have several 2016 models this month that are about to be displaced, and are consequently heavily incentivized... DC fast-charging in east, west coast corridors done, say VW, BMW
BMW and Volkswagen have finally completed a network of network of public DC fast-charging sites that use the Combined Charging Standard (CCS). In January 2015, the two German carmakers announced a collaboration with network operator ChargePoint to build more stations compatible with CCS—which their electric cars use. Known as the Express... Audi V-6 diesel talks ‘progressing well’ for October agreement, exec says
A preliminary settlement for Volkswagen and Audi TDI diesel cars with 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engines is awaiting approval by a federal judge. But the Volkswagen Group and U.S. regulators have not made as much progress in addressing affected VW, Audi, and Porsche TDI models with 3.0-liter V-6 diesel engines. Audi's sales boss now believes an... How Did G.M. Create Tesla’s Dream Car First?
The Bolt EV by General Motors is a lower-priced electric car than the Tesla, and has similar features.
Tesla Autopilot 8.0 upgrade would have averted fatal crash, Musk says
Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk has a history of making bold claims about the capabilities of his company's products, and the latest version of Autopilot is no different. Over the weekend, Tesla announced the first major update of the driver-assist system since a fatal May crash involving a Model S electric car traveling with the system engaged... How Did G.M. Create Tesla’s Dream Car First?
The Bolt EV by General Motors is a lower-priced electric car than the Tesla, and has similar features.
2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV first drive: 240 miles in an electric car
We drove a 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV electric car 240 miles on a single charge last week. And that was the lowest range achieved among four journalists driving four Bolt EVs along the California coast. One driver covered essentially the same trip with fully 32 miles remaining, according to the car’s display. DON'T MISS: 2017 Chevy Bolt EV... Bolt EV electric range, innovative transmission, VW diesel buyback tactics: Today’s Car News
A startling 238 miles, a few concessions in the Big Easy, and men not wanting to appear feminine. All this and more on Green Car Reports. BREAKING: We've driven the 2017 Chevy Bolt EV, and our first drive report on getting 240 miles is now live. Read it! The big news today was the EPA-rated range for the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV electric car: an... New Orleans: Big Easy to make life easier for electric car owners?
New Orleans has a hot-and-cold relationship with environmentally friendly technology. Last week, however, the two were definitely on good terms as the city council voted unanimously to make life easier for current and future electric car owners. Crescent City crises Given the New Orleans' tenuous location--sandwiched between Lake Pontchartrain and... Why VW diesel buyback pays owners to keep their cars for two more years
If all goes according to plan, more than 450,000 owners of Volkswagen and Audi sedans, wagons, and hatchbacks with 2.0-liter TDI diesel vehicles from the 2009 through 2015 model years will start to receive buyback offers from VW late this year. Many owners have already indicated that they plan to take the buyout, some as soon as possible. But it... Men may avoid green products because they seem feminine: hypothesis
Those tasked with selling electric cars and other products friendly to the environment must confront multiple obstacles as they try to win over often-skeptical consumers. That's something that comes with the territory when marketing new technologies or practices. But could public reticence to adopt green products be influenced by more than just... 2017 Chevy Bolt EV electric car: 238-mile EPA range rating, 119 MPGe combined
There will be a lot riding on the tall, square shoulders of the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV when it reaches the first Chevy dealers late this year. It will be the first mass-priced electric car with a range of 200 miles or more, and it will go on sale a year before the much-vaunted Tesla Model 3. Now Chevrolet has released the EPA estimated range... Tesla battery secrets, electric-car prices, 2017 BMW i3 REx range: Today’s Car News
Electric car prices need to fall (but how much?), Tesla upgrades both its battery architecture and its Autopilot software, and how about that ice driving? All this and more on Green Car Reports. Sure, you know Nissan and Tesla, but which European maker just delivered its 100,00th electric car last Friday? Today, the sticker prices of electric cars... Why new Tesla 100D battery may be crucial for the Tesla Model 3
Last month, when Tesla Motors announced new, even larger battery packs for its Model S sedan and Model X crossover utility vehicle, reaction was less than ecstatic. While even faster, even longer-range electric cars are nice and all, commentators said, shouldn't Tesla be sticking to its knitting? Specifically, shouldn't it be focusing every last... 2017 BMW i3 REx: 97-mile electric range, lower efficiency for range-extended model
The 2017 BMW i3 is the most significant update to the groundbreaking electric car since it went on sale in the U.S. back in May 2014. Changes are headlined by a larger, 33-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack that increases range from 81 miles to 114 miles in the all-electric model. However, until now, BMW had yet to release range estimates for... Green cars at the Paris Motor Show: updated preview
Fall is approaching, which means it's time for the auto-show season to get underway once again. Press days for the 2016 Paris Motor Show begin at the end of this month, and we already know several notable green production and concept cars will make their debuts in the French capital. The show's organizers say no fewer than 24 electric cars will... How low do prices for 200-mile electric cars have to go for success? Poll results
One of the challenges of making and selling electric cars is that their batteries are still expensive. And despite some makers' absorbing losses on the earliest cars, that means they sell for prices higher than those of similarly sized vehicles with combustion engines. Sure, owners will save money on running costs—but most shoppers will... Renault delivered its 100,000th electric car on Friday, in Norway
French automaker Renault hasn't sold nearly as many electric cars as its alliance partner Nissan. But Renault has steadily increased its electric-car sales volumes, particularly in Europe, with its main focus on the subcompact Zoe hatchback. That allowed the company to pass a notable milestone recently. DON'T MISS: Nissan and Renault together now...