Amazon hooks Kia owners up with easier home-charger installation

2019 Kia Niro EVThose just transitioning to an electric car, like the 2019 Kia Niro EV, face some potentially daunting decisions well beyond the vehicle itself—not just how they’re going to charge up the vehicle in their own garage or driveway, but how they’re going to charge it quickly enough. The 2019 Niro EV starts arriving to dealerships...

Mazda range-extended electric car may help the rotary live on

Mazda RX-Vision Fast and Furious liveryThe Wankel rotary, the peculiar pistonless internal combustion engine design that Mazda built so much of its heritage around, may see a resurgence after all. Earlier reports and remarks from Mazda executives have suggested that while the rotary will make a comeback, it will be relegated to what’s essentially an emergency generator—a...

GM rolls last Chevy Volt off Detroit assembly line

2019 Chevrolet VoltWith the end of Chevrolet Volt production last week, it looks more like pure electric cars are winning the race to transform driving over more complicated, if versatile plug-in hybrids. GM built the last 2019 Chevy Volt on February 15, and in a ceremony last Tuesday it rolled off the assembly line at GM's Hamtramck factory in Detroit—after...

2020 Hyundai Ioniq: First look at refreshed interior, new features

2020 Hyundai Ioniq [2020 Euro-spec model]Although the Hyundai Ioniq lineup of hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and fully electric models has only been for sale in the U.S. for about two years, this rival to the Toyota Prius is already due for some significant changes later this year, for what will be its third model year. Based on early details released yesterday for the European-market version...

Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid plug-in all-electric range revealed

2019 Subaru CrosstrekNew documents reveal that the upcoming 2019 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid will have about 25 miles of all-electric range, according to its EPA estimate. That puts it in the hunt with other plug-in hybrid small hatchbacks and crossover vehicles. The California documents, first obtained by Autoblog, show specific all-electric range ratings of 25.65 miles...

Best deals on electric, plug-in, and hybrid cars for November 2018

2018 Nissan LeafWith the new 2019 model year in full swing, and the holidays around the corner, a lot of consumers are looking for new cars. That means the deals aren't quite as good as they were in August and September when dealers and automakers were trying to clear out old inventory in preparation for the new models. Some prices have gone up and discounts...

2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE plug-in hybrid to have 60 miles of electric range

2020 Mercedes-Benz GLEMercedes's new line of more capable plug-in hybrids will start with the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE plug-in hybrid that the company says has more than 60 miles of electric range. It will arrive late next year and will be based on a redesigned version of the mid-size GLE SUV arriving with gas power next spring. The company didn't release many other...

Mercedes-Benz plans to expand lineup of more capable plug-in hybrids

2019 Mercedes-Benz S560eMercedes-Benz announced plans Wednesday improve the range and capability of its plug-in hybrids and to bring the flexible powertrain to more models. It also introduced a new brand name to designate its plug-in hybrid models: EQ Power. The EQ Power designation will appear alongside the company's new EQ line of all-electric cars in Mercedes...

FCA announces production Jeep Renegade plug-in hybrid in Italy

2019 Jeep RenegadeJeep said Monday that it laid the groundwork to begin production of a plug-in hybrid version of its small Renegade at the factory in southern Italy where it's produced alongside the Fiat 500X. The model is expected to go on sale in early 2020, though it's not clear whether it is intended for the U.S. Jeep did not immediately respond for comment on...

One size won’t fit all for future Kia EVs

2019 Kia Niro EVFor an automaker that’s pitching itself toward the fun side of the Hyundai Motor Group, the tone for the automaker’s sizable electric push soon sounds altogether like pants. “It’s all about what fits,” said Michael Winkler, director of powertrains for Kia in Europe. By the end of next year, Kia will offer in the U.S...

Best deals on hybrid, electric, fuel-efficient cars for September 2018

2018 Honda Clarity Plug-In HybridThis month's best deals list includes a newcomer among plug-in hybrids. That could be a great thing for buyers who want the best deal along with the latest technologies. Our partners at CarsDirect.com, now focus the list of best deals on models that are widely available, not "compliance cars" available only in token quantities in select locations...

Chevy recalls some Bolt EVs, Volts over supplier brake issues

2018 Chevrolet Bolt EVChevrolet this week recalled three to four months worth of production Bolt EVs and Volt plug-in hybrids over a potential brake issue that could increase stopping distances of the small vehicles. The recall affects 2018-2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV and 2018-2019 Volt models sold in the U.S. and Canada. General Motors' filing with federal regulators...

BMW drops diesels in favor of plug-in hybrids

2021 BMW X5 xDrive45e iPerformanceBMW is the latest automaker to eliminate diesels from its lineup and focus on plug-in hybrids and electric cars. A BMW spokesman told Green Car Reports on Tuesday that it will drop diesels from its lineup for 2019. "We're putting all our eggs in the PHEV basket," said BMW spokesman Alexander Schmuck. BMW currently sells five plug-in hybrid models...

2021 BMW X5 xDrive45e plug-in hybrid will have more range, 6 cylinders

2021 BMW X5 xDrive45e iPerformanceOn Friday, BMW revealed the next-generation X5 plug-in hybrid, with significantly more electric range and a 6-cylinder engine replacing the 4-cylinder in the current X5 plug-in hybrid. Based on the new third-generation X5, BMW says theX5 xDrive45e iPerformance will have up to 50 miles of electric range from an expanded battery pack that sits...

2019 Chevy Volt gets higher prices with more equipment

2019 Chevrolet VoltIn June, we heard that the 2019 Chevrolet Volt will come with a faster charger and more luxury features. Now, CarsDirect has learned how much those features will add to the price. The price of the base Volt LT model will go up $300 to $34,395, including destination and before any applicable federal or state tax breaks. The top-level Volt Premier...