2015
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Six months after Ford issued a recall over a fire risk and its charge cords, some drivers of Ford plug-in vehicles still don’t have the peace of mind of a new charge cord. The recall, issued last August, affected or the 120V AC “convenience charge cord” that Ford supplies with more than 49,000 U.S.-market vehicles—including specific build dates that cover the 2012-2015 Ford Focus Electric, 2013-2015 Ford C-Max Energi, and 2013-2015 Ford Fusion Energi. Beginning on March 14, 2015, Ford began shipping an updated 120V charge cord that included a thermistor that can...
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How to pay most of a million bucks to use the carpool lane in Florida
Some people will do anything to avoid a little traffic. Like many other states, Florida offers drivers of greener cars solo access to its high-occupancy vehicle lanes, also known as carpool lanes. That privilege is extended to hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and battery-electric cars. DON'T MISS: Porsche...
Stephen Edelstein -
VW e-Golf likes, dislikes, and surprises: the wrap-up
We have to admit, the Volkswagen e-Golf had us rather charmed from the start. Even based on early Euro-spec prototypes, and when we pitted all-electric against diesel with our back-to-back e-Golf vs. Golf TDI test drive review nearly two years ago, we found a lot of potential in the all-electric...
Bengt Halvorson -
VW e-Golf: Do its 3 modes do what electric-car drivers want?
Take any number of electric cars from different automakers for a brief test drive, and one thing will be abundantly clear: There’s not yet a norm for how EV powertrains are expected to behave. Some electric cars glide along when you lift off the accelerator, with little or no regenerative...
Bengt Halvorson -
Why I bought a new Nissan Leaf electric car 2 hours from home: $8,500 net cost
If you’re looking to spend $8,500 on a car, you’re probably going to bring home something with close to six digits on the odometer. Unless, that is, you buy a brand new electric car deep in the heart of oil and gas country. That’s what I did, and that’s how I wound up...
Andrew Ganz -
How I got a new 2015 Nissan Leaf electric car for $16K net: indecision
Sometimes my liberal environmentalist side fights with my fiscally conservative side, and my decision-making suffers as a result. I’ve wanted an electric car for the past 30 years. But in the 1980s, they were conversions with lead-acid batteries that were both expensive and impractical. Later...
John Briggs -
The car most comparable to the first Chevrolet Volt is the current BMW i3 fitted with the optional REx range-extending engine. Both cars run entirely in electric mode until their battery packs are depleted, unlike other plug-in hybrids which switch on their engines under maximum power demand. But few drivers can say they've owned and driven both--and one who can has contributed his thoughts and comparisons to Green Car Reports. DON'T MISS: BMW i3 Electric Car: Why California Set Range Requirements, Engine Limits The following article covers three years with a 2013 Chevrolet Volt and a bit...
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CO State Group Deal On 2015 Nissan Leaf Electric Cars Cuts $9,000 From Price: UPDATED
For the rest of the year, consumers in the northern part of Colorado state can take advantage of a remarkable discount on the world's best-selling electric car. Through December 31, the dealership Tynan's Nissan is offering $9,007 off the retail price of a 2015 Nissan Leaf with an 84-mile range...
John Voelcker -
Sight Unseen: Pros And Cons Of Driving A 'Stealth' EV
If you drive a Tesla Model S or a Nissan Leaf, then a certain image follows: Plain and simple, you’re an electric-vehicle early adopter. Just as the Toyota Prius has always shouted out that you’re in a environmentally sound, very fuel-efficient hybrid, these models push your decision to...
Bengt Halvorson -
2015 Honda Fit Recall: Concern Over Potential Stalling
The 2015 Honda Fit is being recalled due to an issue that could cause stalling.
Stephen Edelstein -
BMW i3: How Far Can You Go Without Touching The Brake Pedal?
The regenerative braking system in the BMW i3 electric car is quite extreme. If you plan ahead and allow enough stopping distance, by lifting off the accelerator, this little electric car will come to a complete stop, without ever requiring a touch of the brake pedal. That behavior recently led...
Bengt Halvorson -
Latest Toyota Prius C Dubbed IIHS Top Safety Pick After Updates
The 2015 Toyota Prius C gets a higher IIHS crash-test rating after safety modifications.
Stephen Edelstein -
The 2015 Ford F-150 gets mixed results in IIHS crash testing, with higher repair costs.
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2015 Nissan Leaf: Discounts, Deals On Leases, Financing Increase
The 2015 Nissan Leaf gets more discounts as sales remain flat.
Stephen Edelstein -
2015 Ford F-150 'Air Curtain' Cuts Aerodynamic Drag
The Ford F-150 uses ducting in its wheel wells to deal with aerodynamic drag from spinning wheels.
Stephen Edelstein -
Honda CR-Z Hybrid Coupe Gets Huge Sales Incentive: UPDATE
The Honda CR-Z gets a huge incentive as sales lag.
Stephen Edelstein -
Ford C-Max Hybrids Recalled To Fix Engine Shut-Off Problem
Ford is recalling C-Max hybrids as part of a larger recall of more than 432,000 cars.
Stephen Edelstein -
Nissan Leaf Electric Car: Ultimate Guide, What You Need To Know
Back in December 2010, an unassuming compact hatchback hit the Japanese and American markets. A new small Nissan isn't normally the cause for fanfares and celebration, but the Leaf is one of the most significant cars of recent years--as it's a competitive, usable electric car. Whether you love or...
Stephen Edelstein -
For an automobile with such a small production run, the Porsche 918 Spyder plug-in hybrid supercar has spent quite a long time in the public eye. More than five years after it was unveiled as a concept at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, production of the 918 has finally run its course. After several years of development, it took Porsche 21 months to build the planned 918 units. DON'T MISS: 2015 Porsche 918 Spyder Plug-In Hybrid Supercar Driven (Apr 2014) Building even one more would have too many, for obvious reasons. The car's base price was $845,000, but it's not surprising that each copy found...
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2015 Mercedes-Benz S550 Plug-In Hybrid Priced At Entry Level
With more than a handful of plug-in hybrid models scheduled to hit dealers over the next three years, buyers are curious to find out how those cars will be priced. One maker, Volvo, is positioning the plug-in hybrid version of its 2016 XC90 seven-seat SUV at the top of the range. But it appears...
John Voelcker -
Toyota Prius C: Hybrid Subcompact Ultimate Guide (UPDATED)
There was a time when hybrid vehicles were expensive to buy, and the choice of vehicle type was limited. The 2015 Toyota Prius C is evidence that the options have expanded. With a starting price of $20,635 (including a mandatory $825 delivery charge), Toyota's hybrid subcompact is relatively...
Stephen Edelstein -
2015 Ford Focus 1.0L EcoBoost: Gas Mileage Review
A popular compact sedan fitted with a tiny 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine may sound like an Eighties econobox all over again. But in fact the 2015 Ford Focus 1.0L EcoBoost is on sale today, though we suspect its lack of an automatic transmission will discourage nine out of 10 potential buyers. And...
John Voelcker -
2015 Hyundai Sonata Eco: Gas Mileage Review
The 2015 Hyundai Sonata Eco is the Korean maker's most fuel-efficient mid-size sedan that doesn't use a hybrid powertrain. And it highlights the two parallel paths that automakers are taking as they work to boost gas mileage ratings to meet steadily rising corporate average fuel economy rules. The...
John Voelcker -
Toyota Prius Deals In Southern California Cut Lease To Electric-Car Prices
The Toyota Prius hybrid gets added incentives in southern California.
Stephen Edelstein