2019 Audi e-tron side-camera system: Is the U.S. missing out?

2019 Audi e-tron first drive  -  Abu Dhabi UAE, December 2018Side-camera systems, replacing side mirrors, have been one of the de rigueur symbols of the future on auto-show concept cars for, well, pretty much this entire century so far. While we’ve been eagerly anticipating the arrival of such systems for nearly as long—they’re not allowed by U.S. FMVSS standards, though now permitted in...

Hyundai plans to take hydrogen fuel-cell systems beyond vehicles

Hyundai Mobis fuel cell announcementHyundai sees a lot of potential in hydrogen fuel-cell technology. And it may find success with it by looking well past cars and SUVs—to other uses that could, as the company puts it, “transcend the transportation sector.” With this week’s opening of a second plant making fuel-cell systems, in Chungju, South Korea, Hyundai's...

Automakers face big fines in Europe for missing CO2 targets

Smokestacks pollution air qualityAs global leaders meet in Poland to hammer out details about how to meet Paris Climate Accord targets, a new study shows that European automakers aren't introducing electric cars nearly fast enough to meet European standards—and the delay could cost them. The European Union has set the strictest limits on carbon-dioxide emissions from cars...

2019 Toyota Prius AWD-e: First drive of 50-mpg all-weather hybrid

2019 Toyota Prius AWD-e XLE  -  First Drive  -  Wisconsin, December 2018Between the unexpectedly wild styling, the very wide model range, the Prius Prime plug-in, and now the all-wheel-drive 2019 Prius AWD-e, it seems that Toyota has opted for a mix-and-match philosophy for the current fourth generation of America’s favorite fuel-sipper. The big news for 2019—and perhaps the biggest hope of all these...

Tesla to offer full refunds to buyers who miss tax credit cutoff

2017 Tesla Model 3, 2017 Los Angeles Auto ShowAs we've covered here before, Tesla buyers are facing the expiration of the full federal plug-in vehicle tax credit that the cars are currently eligible for through Dec. 31. Twice, Tesla has set deadlines for buyers to order their cars if they want to receive the full credit. Now Tesla is offering a carrot alongside the IRS's stick. CHECK OUT...