Why two-motor hybrid systems are better than those with just one

2017 Toyota Prius Prime PremiumSix years ago, we wrote that a number of single-motor hybrid systems were about to enter the market. They represented a new approach to a technology pioneered in 1997, when the first-generation Toyota Prius was launched in Japan. Through 2010, all the full-hybrid vehicles introduced by Ford and General Motors used systems designed around a pair of...

European electric and plug-in hybrid sales for Jan-April 2017

2017 Renault ZoeElectric vehicle sales are holding steady in Europe; the latest sales data shows popular battery electric vehicles remain popular. Plug-in hybrids continue to hold their own as well, according to data aggregated from numerous individual national markets. The Renault Zoe, in particular, continues to sell quite well. DON'T MISS: European electric...

2017 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid plug-in minivan recalled for faulty diode

2017 Chrysler Pacifica HybridThe 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid is, for the moment, a unique vehicle. It's the sole plug-in hybrid minivan for sale anywhere in North America, and its combination of seven seats and 33 miles of EPA-rated electric range have attracted huge interest. Production of the partially electric minivan began early in April, but over the last several...

2017 Ford Fusion Energi: low electric range, no public charging frustrating

2017 Ford Fusion EnergiElectric-car charging infrastructure in the United States is getting better, but still has a very long way to go. While anyone that's given even a passing glance to plug-in vehicles would likely tell you the same thing, I experienced the impact of a charging-free society first-hand while driving a Ford Fusion Energi. The plug-in hybrid Fusion...

Best deals on hybrid, electric, fuel-efficient cars for June 2017

2017 Ford C-MaxNow that we're into a new month, it's time to check out the best deals on green cars—this time for the month of June. As always, Cars Direct has compiled its monthly list of the most budget friendly options for buyers looking to go green. It should be noted there's now a separate category for "Best fuel efficient SUV," since small passenger...

Honda Clarity Electric, Plug-In Hybrid: first drives, impressions

Honda Clarity series with Green Car Reports editor John Voelcker at Honda R&D Center, Tochigi, JapanIn March, we spent most of a day with the Honda Clarity Fuel Cell, the first of three variants of the Clarity mid-size sedan to go on sale in the U.S. Leases of the hydrogen-powered Clarity will be limited for the foreseeable future to residents of those areas of California near to hydrogen fueling stations, but two more versions are on their way...

Plug-in electric car sales in Canada, May 2017: what dominance looks like

2017 Chevrolet Volt in Vancouver, BC, CanadaAs certain as LeBron James reaching the NBA Finals, the Chevy Volt led the Canadian plug-in electric vehicle market in May. Barring a sales collapse in June, it will have led the category for a remarkable two-thirds of the months (48 of 72) in which electric vehicles from major carmakers have been available in Canada. Chevy sold 404 Volts in...

2017 Cadillac CT6 Plug-In: first drive of hybrid luxury sedan

2017 Cadillac CT6 plug-in hybrid, New York City and Westchester County, NY, May 2017The 2017 Cadillac CT6 Plug-In will be a rare beast in the U.S.; fewer than 1,000 are likely to be sold each year. In many ways, that's a shame. This version of the CT6 large sedan is a worthy competitor among plug-in hybrid luxury cars, the rest of which will come from BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Volvo. Its rated electric range of 31 miles is roughly...

How does the heat pump work in a Toyota Prius Prime plug-in hybrid?

2017 Toyota Prius Prime PremiumThe challenge of reducing the energy used by traditional heating systems in battery-electric and plug-in hybrid cars is one automakers still grapple with today. Reduced battery range in cold temperatures, combined with batteries working overtime to heat the cabin, can produce drastic declines in EPA-estimated range figures. The Toyota Prius Prime...

Volvo’s current diesels may be its last: CEO

2018 Volvo XC60Diesel has had an increasing rough ride during the current decade—scandals, emission crackdowns, a push for electric vehicles—and it's becoming clear that some automakers are reaching their limits. That includes Volvo, whose chief executive officer has declared its newest generation of diesel engines may be its last, according to...

Assessing the Honda Clarity range: how electric cars fit in, and why

Honda Clarity lineup: Electric, Plug-In Hybrid, Fuel Cell, at 2017 New York auto showThe 2017 Honda Clarity Fuel Cell is the only model presently on sale, though the all-electric version will arrive later this year. The hydrogen-powered mid-size sedan with a rated 366 miles of range is the one that's gotten by far the most publicity from Honda, as its technology halo vehicle. Last month, at the New York auto show, Honda unveiled...

Best deals on hybrid, electric, fuel-efficient cars for May 2017

2017 Ford C-MaxIt's time to take a look at the best deals on hybrid, electric, and fuel-efficient cars for the month of May, and as new-vehicle sales slow, there are plenty of deals to be had. As always, Cars Direct has compiled the best deals for the month, using deals available in Southern California unless stated otherwise. For full details, check their list...

Plug-in electric car sales in Canada, Apr 2017: plus ça change…

2017 Chevrolet VoltThe Volt remains the undisputed king of the Canadian plug-in electric vehicle market. In April, the Chevy Volt enjoyed its 13th consecutive month as Canada's best-selling plug in electric vehicle, and its 46th month overall. While overshadowed by other vehicles in its home U.S. market, the Volt's leadership of the Canadian plug-in segment recalls...

First TV ad for Karma Revero drops as sales to start next month

Karma Revero 'Delivery' as spotEverything old is new again, including the 2017 Karma Revero, a reborn 2012 Fisker Karma. Now its maker has released the first-ever television advertisement for the car, a spot that debuted during the 2017 U.S. Open Polo Championship, sponsored by Karma Automotive. Simply titled "Delivery," the advertisement is full of graceful, flashing scenes of...

Workhorse W-15 range-extended electric pickup truck revealed (video)

Workhorse W-15 extended-range electric pickup truckWorkhorse may have the ultimate proposal for commercial fleets with the reveal of its W-15 pickup truck, the first range-extended electric pickup truck to be built from the ground up with fleets in mind. While Tesla says it is developing an all-electric pickup, which will supposedly be revealed in two years, the W-15 has now been introduced with...

Plug-in electric car sales for Apr: Bolt EV back over 1,000

2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV electric car, owned by Brian Ro, Columbia, MarylandWIth four-figure sales for both its all-electric Chevrolet Bolt EV and the Chevy Volt plug-in hybrid, GM probably led April's plug-in electric car sales. The "probably" comes because Tesla refuses to release its deliveries broken down either by month or by country, meaning there's no data to compare. GM's 3,102 deliveries—1,807 Volts, 1,292...