Green
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From an environmental standpoint, it's rare that buying something new can have a lower impact that keeping whatever's old. But that's what's happening with renewable energy now, according to a new report published by Energy Innovation. For most of their history, the knock on renewable wind and solar power is that they cost more than fossil fuels. Not only do they now cost less than new fossil fuel powerplants, they cost even less than running existing old coal powerplants in most cases. DON'T MISS: Global warming emissions hit record level in 2018, IEA reports It's called the "coal...
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Motor supplier sees mass-produced in-wheel motors around 2023
Nidec has a new in-wheel motor system that could be mass-produced for an electric car as soon as 2023. But old obstacles like weight and cost remain.
Bengt Halvorson -
Global warming threatens global seed bank in Norway's Arctic
The Doomsday Vault, as it's called, has had trouble re-freezing, with scientists advising fossil-fuel-burning vehicles may be to blame.
Eric C. Evarts -
Recalls of older cars for excess emissions may get more sunlight this year
Earlier this month, the EPA announced a voluntary recall by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles of nearly 900,000 older vehicles for excessive emissions. The announcement may have raised eyebrows and prompted a few wagging fingers, but it was hardly new; last year automakers recalled more than 5 million...
Aaron Cole -
$35,000 Tesla Model 3 deliveries still delayed
Those with orders of the Standard Range version of the 2019 Tesla Model 3 are reporting no update on delivery date, after first cars were due.
Eric C. Evarts -
10 lessons from the short life of the Chevy Volt, 2011-2019
On February 15, GM ended production of the innovative Chevrolet Volt with little fanfare. Over two generations and nine model years, the company sold more than 150,000 of the compact plug-in hybrid hatchbacks. In automotive time, nine model years isn’t that long. The best brand names live for...
John Voelcker -
The promoter of racing's wackiest series wants to include EVs. A new report from the International Energy Agency shows greenhouse gas emissions set new records in 2018. And our latest Twitter poll shows which upcoming electric SUV our readers most want to buy. All this and more on Green Car Reports. Racing is meant to improve the breed. Usually, that breed is automotive technology. But maybe it can include the human culture as well. The wacky 24 Hours of LeMons series plans to include electric race cars, and it could help bridge the cultural divide between EV and internal combustion car fans...
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Which electric SUV would you buy? Twitter poll results
Our readers are nothing if not Tesla fans. After Tesla introduced its more-affordable SUV, the Model Y, earlier this month, we revisited the question of which electric SUV on the market our readers would be most interested in buying. It was one of the most popular polls we've posted in months, with...
Eric C. Evarts -
Researchers learn how to better predict battery degradation
Some electric-car owners go to great lengths to preserve the battery life in their electric cars. Others just plug them in every time they're finished driving and charge them up to full. Maybe, according to new research announced earlier this week, the durability of batteries can be determined...
Eric C. Evarts -
Global warming emissions hit record level in 2018, IEA reports
The International Energy Agency reported on Tuesday that global warming emissions reached a record level in 2018, despite efforts in the U.S., Europe, and China to reduce emissions with more sales of electric cars and cleaner power. Greenhouse gas emissions increased faster in 2018 than during any...
Eric C. Evarts -
Tesla upgrades, Nissan Leaf Plus drive, more Volvo plug-ins: Today's Car News
The first features of Tesla's Full Self-Driving Capability are starting to show up in customers cars. The Nissan Leaf Plus goes long on range, light on charging worries. Volvo underestimated the demand for its plug-in hybrids and is gearing up to produce more. All this and more on Green Car...
Eric C. Evarts -
Which classic VW kit would you like to see revived as an EV? Take our Twitter poll
When Volkswagen introduced the ID Buggy concept at the Geneva auto show earlier this month, it also presented an interesting proposition: The company suggested that it would like to sell the Buggy's modular electric underpinnings to other automakers to build their own electric models. That follows...
Eric C. Evarts -
Like Teslas rolling through parking lots on their own, the self-driving future is inching closer. This week, Tesla owners began to experience new features of the company's long-promised next update to its self-driving system, including Enhanced Summon, which is one of the first features of Tesla's planned Full Self-Driving capability to be enabled. The new features also include warning drivers about upcoming red lights, and yielding to other cars signaling a merge into the lane ahead, as Teslas Navigate on Autopilot highway. READ THIS: Teslas to get new self-driving, Autopilot chip in spring...
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Volvo to boost plug-in hybrid production to 25 percent of fleet
While other automakers are moving away from plug-in hybrids to electric powertrains, Volvo is finding unexpected success with its lineup of plug-in hybrids. At a recent roundtable with journalists in Sweden, Volvo CEO Hakan Samuelsson said the company is disappointed that it underestimated demand...
Eric C. Evarts -
2019 Nissan Leaf Plus: Drive review of long-range electric car
If more power, a 226-mile range, and a $39,405 base price—before considering the full $7,500 federal EV tax credit you can still get—collectively seems like the sweet spot for the Leaf, you probably have GM to thank. Nissan has admitted that it never planned to push the Leaf above a...
Bengt Halvorson -
Tesla service, Faraday Future lifeline, EV sales, Canoo: Today's Car News
In an effort to speed up wait times at its service centers, Tesla is eliminating regular annual service visits for its cars. Canada is planning on launching its first nationwide tax credit for electric cars. A new report estimates that by 2030, almost 70 percent of new cars sold in the U.S. may...
Eric C. Evarts -
Faraday Future gets new money from gaming company to build in China, and the US
The shame of Faraday Future's financial struggles is that it has what looks to be a viable new electric car, not just on paper, but ready to roll on the road—in prototype form—that may never actually make it to market. On Sunday, the company revealed a new joint venture with a...
Eric C. Evarts -
Forecast: In 2030, gasoline will still power 7 out of 10 new U.S. vehicles
Given the daily churn of electric-car announcements, major manufacturing investments, and battery supply-chain news, it could be a little hard to understand one reality-check projection: that even in 2030, a solid majority of vehicles sold could still burn fossil fuel. Last week, LMC Automotive, a...
Bengt Halvorson -
Just as President Trump is threatening to eliminate the plug-in vehicle tax credit in the U.S. through his latest budget proposal, Canada is planning to implement its first nationwide tax credit for buyers of electric cars—one that may not apply to Tesla vehicles. Last summer, Tesla sales took off in Ontario when the company began shipping Model 3s to Canada. Then they collapsed a few weeks later, when a new Conservative government took power in the province and curtailed Ontario's $14,000 (Canadian) tax credit for electric-car purchases. DON'T MISS: Tesla dominated electric-car sales...
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Tesla eliminates annual service, keeps some periodic maintenance
Electric cars are supposed to be more reliable than internal combustion models. Certainly, they have a lot fewer moving parts and need a lot less lubrication. Yet Tesla, like most corner auto dealerships, has made money selling extended service plans for annual maintenance on its cars, sometimes...
Eric C. Evarts -
Bugatti Baby, meet the baby Bugatti electric
Like other marquee luxury brands, Bugatti is dipping its toes into the electric waters, reviving one of its classic models, but with a twist. To celebrate the storied brand's 110th birthday, instead of shoehorning a battery pack into a classic car, or creating a wild new electric concept with lines...
Eric C. Evarts -
Tesla comparisons, Jaguar I-Pace and Chevy Bolt EV drives: The Week in Reverse
Which self-driving system didn't rank well in the latest study? What car has given us range anxiety at least once? This is our look back at the Week In Reverse—right here at Green Car Reports—for the week ending March 22, 2019. This week ended with lots of announcements from automakers...
Eric C. Evarts -
Tesla Autopilot ranking, GM EV investment, VW battery pact, Faraday fire sale: Today's Car News
A new study is not kind to Tesla's Autopilot. GM announces a new electric Chevrolet to sell alongside the Bolt EV—but it wouldn't say what. Volkswagen forms an alliance to develop European batteries for EVs. And Faraday Future hosts a fire sale. All this and more on Green Car Reports. Facing...
Eric C. Evarts -
Chevrolet Bolt EV to get electric sibling, with Michigan plant investment
General Motors announced on Friday that it will build a second electric car for Chevrolet, alongside the Chevy Bolt EV. The new model is widely expected to be a somewhat larger crossover SUV, though GM would not confirm that at this point. MUST READ: Long-range Cadillac SUV to lead GM's next...
Eric C. Evarts