Eccentric electric: Citroën DS EV conversion translates a French icon

Electrogenic 1971 Citroën DS EV conversionThe Citroën DS is an icon of French automotive design that has now gone electric, thanks to United Kingdom-based Electrogenic, which specializes in electric conversions of classic cars. Electrogenic started with a 1971 Citroën DS (one of the later face-lifted models), removing the gasoline engine and replacing it with a brushless...

Volta’s free chargers update EV drivers on local air quality

Volta Charging  -  Air quality informationAnywhere you are in the U.S., you’re reducing the amount of localized air pollution by driving an electric car—yes, even if your local power source is a coal plant. Not all newbies understand that, and so a few reminders—about air quality itself—can be a useful motivator, perhaps, to spread the word. Volta Charging is best...

Mini Urbanaut electric van concept gets a step closer to reality

Mini Vision Urbanaut concept - June 2021Concept cars usually don't get an encore, but the Mini Vision Urbanaut electric van will. Mini plans to unveil a revised mockup of the Urbanaut in July at the DLD Summer conference in Munich. The new version looks a bit more realistic than the first iteration of the Urbanaut, which was unveiled in November 2020. At 176 inches long, it's about 6...

ChargeUp mobile app brings fast-charging to you for $25 a month

SparkCharge mobile charger with Tesla Model 3SparkCharge is moving ahead with plans to offer mobile charging as a more-convenient alternative to traditional charging stations. After testing out its hardware with roadside-assistance services in San Francisco and Los Angeles, SparkCharge on Thursday announced a wider rollout, encompassing an upgraded mobile-charging system called Roadie CCS...

Michelin solution could bring inflatable sails to oil tankers

WISAMO wind-sail project - MichelinMichelin, the company best known for making tires, on Tuesday presented the latest version of an inflatable wing sail system that could help decarbonize oil tankers, vehicle carriers, and other sea freight, as well as some pleasure craft. Called Wing Sail Mobility (WISAMO), the project is a collaborative venture between Michelin Research &...

Fisker intends to make first all-electric Popemobile

Henrik Fisker and Pope FrancisFisker founder Henrik Fisker reportedly presented his vision of tailpipe-emissions-free transport to Pope Francis in a private meeting on Thursday, during a visit to Vatican City. And it’s one based on Fisker’s upcoming Ocean electric SUV. “I got inspired reading that Pope Francis is very considerate about the environment and the...

Nissan Leaf buyers get more flexibility, with $350 for their Turo tab

2021 Nissan LeafSometimes you need more electric-car driving range, or a cure for all the concern about getting from one charging station to another on a road trip. Or you can get by just fine with a compact car 360 days of the year but need a bigger vehicle—and a tow hitch—for the annual week up at the cabin. Nissan is offering a perk to Leaf buyers...

Used EV prices surge in the US and vary widely by model, region

Los Angeles takes delivery of BMW i3 BEVs for LAPD use  -  2016The market for used electric vehicles was an ailing buyers' market early on in 2021. Over the past 60 days, however, the tide has turned and the average price of used electric cars has skyrocketed. From March to May, the average used EV price for all model years jumped $1,500, and pre-2019 models are up by $1,200, according to Recurrent, which...

Like Tesla, Rivian is entering the insurance business

Rivian R1SRivian is following Tesla not only by launching premium long-range EVs, but by launching its own insurance product. Rivian Insurance for the R1T electric pickup truck and the R1S electric SUV will be offered in 40 states initially (a lot more than Tesla), and will rely heavily on vehicle connectivity, according to the company's website. The...

Polestar aims to make the first climate-neutral car by 2030

Polestar 0 ProjectPolestar has set the goal of producing the first climate-neutral car by 2030, eliminating emissions not only from driving, but from every aspect of production and sales. The so-called "Polestar 0 Project" will genuinely eliminate emissions, not merely offset them with activities like planting trees, the automaker said in a press release...