Lexus developing electric-car platform, considering in-wheel motors

2019 Lexus ES 300hElectric cars are winning over even the most skeptical of automakers. Last month, Toyota announced it was teaming up with Subaru to develop a dedicated electric platform for a new SUV. Now the company's luxury division has told Digital Trends that it is also developing a new all-electric architecture for a future model. That's not all, though...

Tesla drops base Model S and X, again, in latest model-line shakeup

2019 Tesla Model SAnother cut in federal tax credits, another shakeup in Tesla's model lineup. Tesla has cut its prices to split the difference in cost to buyers after the federal tax credit on its cars dropped from $3,750 to $1,875 on July 1. The drop is part of an ongoing phase-out of Tesla's federal tax credit after the company reached 200,000 electric cars sold...

Would solar cells add value to your EV? Take our Twitter poll

Toyota Prius Prime PHV test vehicle with solar panels in JapanSeveral companies have recently proposed placing solar panels on top of electric cars to give them extra range. First, there was German startup Sono Motors, which the company says can get up to 21 extra miles from 330 solar cells, making up a 1.21 kilowatt array spread over its roof, hood, and doors. Then came World Solar Challenge team Solar Team...

Trump administration freezes fines for fuel-economy violations

2019 Ram 1500 Laramie LonghornThe EPA hasn't yet released its final ruling on a proposal to freeze fuel economy standards. However, a different federal agency—NHTSA—has finalized a rule to freeze fines on automakers who exceed the standards. The fines have been set at $5.50 per 0.1 mpg, per car the automakers produce that doesn't meet the standards, since 1997...

Formula E completes season with longer range cars, repeat winner

2019 Formula E New York eGrand Prix turn 1 (CREDIT: Formula E Instagram video)Formula E's New York City E-Prix wrapped up on Sunday with a repeat champion, dramatic racing, and actual production cars taking to the track. While pole-sitter Sebastien Buemi ran away with the race for team Nissan e.dams, Frenchman Jean-Eric Vergne repeated as season points champion, racing for Sino-French team DS Techeetah, The best Vergne...

VW holds battery suppliers tight amid anticipated shortages

Volkswagen MEB platform architectureVolkswagen is taking new measures to hold its battery suppliers close, as battery suppliers are reportedly still skeptical of whether consumers will buy electric cars in large numbers—and hesitant to make the large investments necessary. So VW is partnering with battery suppliers to provide funding to build and expand battery factories...