Subaru plug-in hybrid to use Prius Prime parts, coming in 2019

2018 Subaru Crosstrek first driveWhen Toyota and Mazda said last September they would form a joint venture to produce electric-car parts, that answered the question of where Mazda's future plug-in vehicles would get their electric running gear. But it sparked another question: Where did that leave Subaru, another small automaker in the Toyota orbit? A week ago Monday, we learned...

2018 Fiat 500e preview

2018 Fiat 500eWhen the Fiat 500e electric minicar launched in 2013, its range was rated at 87 miles, but its most distinctive feature was its wickedly fun-to-drive character. Six years later, the fun driving remains the same—and the range has fallen slightly to 84 miles, based on changes to EPA test calculations. Meanwhile, every other electric model from...

Where will we see the most electric-car innovation? Take our Twitter poll

Chevrolet Bolt EV being charged outside Go Forth electric-car showroom, Portland   [photo: Forth]It hasn't emerged much into the public eye, but some advocates and auto-industry sources have had quiet discussions on whether the U.S. will continue to lead the world in electric-car technology in a new decade. California remains the epicenter of plug-in car adoption, with roughly half the country's electric-car sales over seven years recorded...

Will GM or Tesla buyers lose electric-car tax credits first? (updated)

Tesla Model 3A major contributor to electric-car sales is the program under which buyers of new electric cars qualify for a federal income-tax credit of up to $7,500. But these tax credits are not unlimited. Once a manufacturer reaches sales of 200,000 plug-in electric cars (after December 31, 2009), the credits start to phase out for that company's cars...