California conundrum: 2018 Leaf, Bolt EV, or Mirai fuel-cell car?

Nissan Sway ConceptCalifornia is very different from the rest of the United States. All by itself, it's the sixth largest economy in the world. One eighth of all Americans live there. It's home to Silicon Valley, as well as much of the global entertainment industry, and it produces a large proportion of the nation's fruit and vegetables. DON'T MISS: A Brief History...

What IS ‘one-pedal driving’ in an electric car?

52 prototype x pedalsOne-pedal driving is rather like the experience of owning an electric car: it can be hard to appreciate until you've spend time doing it. The phrase "one-pedal driving" refers to the ability of some electric cars to be driven almost entirely with the accelerator pedal alone. It's a feature much prized by owners of Teslas, BMW i3s, and most...

Costs to meet fuel-economy standards even lower than EPA says: analysis

Gas pumpThe auto industry tends to oppose, viscerally and viciously, all attempts to regulate any aspect of its products or business operations for any reason. With President Trump in the White House, the industry has succeeded in getting the comment period reopened for the EPA emission standards finalized ahead of schedule, covering vehicles in model...

Driving electric cars in winter: tips from experienced owner

2014 BMW i3 electric car during winter [photo: owner Chris Neff]One of the challenges of electric cars is persuading potential buyers that they can do virtually everything that most other vehicles can. For those who live in wintry climates, that includes dealing with snow, slush, road salt, ice, and variable traction. Given the recent major snowstorms that hit large swaths of the U.S. this month, we felt an...