Mazda announces electric lineup, rotary range extender

Mazda 2 RE Range Extender conceptThe electric-car revolution may give new life to an old gas engine. On Tuesday, timed to coincide with the Paris auto show, Mazda announced it will add plug-in capability and electric power to all of its models by 2030. Some will be plug-in hybrids or range-extended electric cars—with a twist. The company formally confirmed what it had...

2019 Honda Insight recalled for rearview camera failure

2019 Honda InsightThe 2019 Honda Insight hybrid hasn't been on sale for long; and yet Honda is already recalling more than 6,000 of them for a rearview camera failure. The problem affects another 226,000 vehicles—2018 Accord models, possibly including some Accord Hybrids. The screen may show up blank, with only lane guidance lines appearing under certain...

How fast is fast enough for charging? Take our Twitter poll

EVgo charging station in Union City, California with resused BMW i3 battery backupAutomakers are launching a race to build electric cars that can charge as fast filling a gas tank. When the first electric cars launched in 2011, buyers and fans were clamoring for CHAdeMO fast charging that operates at about 50 kilowatts and could recharge a short-range electric car (to 80 percent capacity) in about a half hour. When Tesla's...

Audi to expand plug-in hybrid range alongside e-tron electric

2018 Audi Q5The Audi e-tron electric crossover won't be the only new model with a plug coming soon. The company plans up to 12 new plug-in models by 2025, Audi revealed at the launch event for the e-tron quattro SUV in California last month, according to a report in British magazine Autocar. In addition to the e-tron SUV, the company will produce a fastback...