Europe
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Life is so unfair sometimes. Car companies have been dangling the carrot of smaller and more fuel efficient vehicles in front of us for a few years now and though we've managed to grab vehicles like the MINI, Honda Fit and Ford Fiesta (and the Chevrolet Spark is on the way), we're still denied many of the small, high-MPG vehicles found in markets across the world. Here at GreenCarReports we've come up with a list of some of the cars we'd love to buy - if only the carmakers let us. Daihatsu A-Concept: MPG and dimensions unknown As a concept car there are no figures set in stone for Japanese...
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Will Euro-Squabbles Cripple Cross-Border Electric Car Charging?
Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it, said the philosopher Santayana. And there seems to be a very real chance that Europe is heading toward a variety of multiple and incompatible electric-car charging standards. That's a path the U.S. rejected a decade ago. And it's one that...
John Voelcker -
Greenpeace Says VW Is Europe's Least Green Automaker: Video
In the United States, we often think of Volkswagen as a moderately green company -- an automaker responsible for small vehicles like the popular Golf and New Beetle, and one of the few companies to make diesel rides for the American market. Across the pond, however, Greenpeace has singled out VW as...
Richard Read -
Volvo to Start European C30 Electric Car Test Leases This Summer
Volvo has just announced that it is about to start the second phase of its all-electric C30 test program with a 250 strong fleet later this summer. The Swedish automaker has been working on the electric version of its C30 coupe for some time now, and already has a small test-fleet of 50 cars...
Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield -
Europe's Ford Focus Econetic 67-MPG Diesel Better Than Hybrids?
Oh, the pain. We hear about all those special European models with astoundingly high gas mileage ratings, and we wonder, why can't we have them here? The latest is the 2012 Ford Focus ECOnetic, which goes on sale in Europe later this year. During its debut yesterday at the Amsterdam Auto Show, Ford...
John Voelcker -
First Electric Renault Kangoo Van Z.E. Sold In U.K.
Expected to be the first of many, French carmaker Renault has become the latest company to take an order for one of their upcoming electric vehicles, the Kangoo Van Z.E. The only commercial vehicle in Renault's upcoming range of electric vehicles that includes the Fluence sedan, the Zoe subcompact...
Antony Ingram -
When looked at in pure dollars and cents, there are many cases in which electric cars don't yet provide a payback. But other forces will boost their chances of adoption beyond pure payback. And government regulations are one of those forces. On Monday, the European Commission will issue a road map on transport from now until 2050. According to one source, it includes a goal for all European city cores to become zero-emissions zones by 2050 or sooner. It's part of a much broader collection of measures to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions throughout the transport sector by 60 percent over 2010...
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2012 Renault Twizy: A Closer Look, And Do We Need It?
Is it a car? Is it a scooter? No: It's a Twizy, which could be considered a combination of the two. If you're following the world of electric cars with a keen eye then you'll no doubt be aware that French manufacturer Renault is taking electric vehicles quite seriously, just like its Japanese...
Antony Ingram -
Chevrolet Volt and Opel Ampera: What Are The Differences?
Chevrolet's Volt has only been on sale for a short while but sales are respectable and Chevrolet have pulled out all the stops to build a quality product and bridge the technology gap between the vehicles that everyone is used to and the new generation of electric cars. In Europe, General Motors'...
Antony Ingram -
Electric Cars And Roaming: Following The Cell Phone's Lead?
If you use a cell phone, you'll be more than familiar with the concept of roaming. It allows you to continue using your cell phone when your home network isn't available, thanks to collaborations between networks in different countries. Now, it appears a similar concept may be heading towards the...
Antony Ingram -
2012 Mitsubishi i To Go On Sale Across Europe
The U.S. EV market will become wider next year with the appearance of the 2012 Mitsubishi "i" electric car, itself wider than those available across international markets. Early reports suggested the American market wouldn't take well to the original's Japanese kei-car dimensions and relatively low...
Antony Ingram -
Video: Europe Looking To Curb Emissions With Self Driving Cars
Scientists in Europe are working closely with major industry and government as part of a new initiative called SARTRE (SAfe Road TRains for the Environment), which hopes to develop self-driving technology that will allow vehicles to drive autonomously in long road trains on the highway. Just...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
The biggest challenge for battery electric vehicles is clearly the cost and the weight of today's lithium-ion battery packs. Now Volvo is experimenting with a new composite material that can store and release energy more quickly than a convention lithium-ion cell and, it says, might one day replace steel for making auto body panels. European consortium The material is being developed by a consortium of nine European companies and organizations, launched by the Imperial College in London and funded in part by the European Union. Volvo is the sole carmaker in the three-year project. The team...
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World's First Diesel Hybrid SUV: 2011 Peugeot 3008 HYbrid4
Almost exactly a year ago, we wrote that Peugeot would display its 3008 HYbrid4 Concept at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show. Right on schedule, the French automaker is now showing the production version of the compact crossover ahead of its debut at next month's Paris Motor Show. Why would we cover a...
John Voelcker -
Chinese EV Manufacturer BYD Announces New European Headquarters
Having recently announced plans for its U.S. headquarters in Los Angeles, Chinese battery specialists and electric vehicle manufacturer BYD has now announced that it will establish its new European headquarters in Frankfurt, Germany. The Shenzhen-based automaker is likely to build its latest...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
2011 Chevy Volt “Hold Charge” Mode for European ZEV Zones, But Not U.S.
The EPA and CARB like zero emissions vehicles, but don't want you controlling when you decide your vehicle is zero emissions. According to Tony Posawatz, line director for the Chevy Volt program, the two agencies concerned with protecting the emissions from cars aren't happy about a plug in...
Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield -
Nissan Announce Leaf Pricing in E.U., Confirm Three More EVs
Nissan Europe have announced the pricing structure for the European rollout of the 2011 Nissan Leaf. The Leaf car has received a huge number of reservations in the U.S already and will be launched in Europe in three stages. Nissan plans to release just one model of the Leaf in Europe, as oppose...
Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield -
Small Engines Get Even Smaller: Fiat's Turbocharged Twin
As we keep saying, one of the ways that automakers will meet more stringent fuel economy regulations is by making smaller engines that work harder. Now Fiat has one-upped its European competition by announcing it will offer a 900cc turbocharged twin in European models of its Fiat 500 mini-car. That...
John Voelcker -
Electric vehicles are significantly quieter than their traditional gas-powered counterparts. Maybe it's fitting then, that Volvo doesn't plan to say anything when they unveil their electric C30 at the Detroit Auto Show next week. Volvo spokesman, Dan Johnston, told Inside Line that the new zero-emissions vehicle will be on display, with requisite spokesperson nearby, but the company will not hold a press conference. Johnston went on to say that the C30 isn't intended to compete with the Chevy Volt and that the market will decide what its rivals will be. (How does the Nissan Leaf sound?) Volvo...
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Tata Nano Hybrid Headed for the U.S.?
Is the diminutive Tata Nano Hybrid coming to America? According to a report in The Maeil Business Newspaper out of Korea, Ratan Tata, chairman of Tata Motors, says the Indian automaker could sell the gas-sipping four-seater in more established markets like those of the U.S. and Europe. Tata was...
Robert Scardino -
Here It Is: New 2012 Ford Escape, But Will There Be a Hybrid?
The Ford Escape compact sport utility, including its hybrid model, is now long in the tooth or beyond. It was first introduced as a 2001 model, and has been restyled twice. It still sells well, though, and Ford continues to update the hybrid model. Nonetheless, it's overdue for replacement. Now...
John Voelcker -
Suzuki Swift Plug-In Hybrid Headed To Tokyo
Suzuki says that their cars are as much fun as their bikes. Now they're trying to make one model just as fuel efficient. The Japanese automaker plans to unveil a plug-in hybrid version of the Swift hatchback at the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show. Suzuki's subcompact already has a loyal following in...
Robert Scardino -
First Look: 2010 Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid
⢠What is it?: The first-ever hybrid version of the big Mercedes-Benz sedan ⢠The basics: All the S-Class virtues, much better gas mileage ⢠On sale: This fall ⢠Price: $87,950 This weekend, GreenCarReports.com will be one of...
John Voelcker -
Lexus Releases More Details On The LF-Ch Hybrid Concept
If you like premium compact hatchbacks, Lexus has something for you - provided you live in Europe. As we've previously reported, Toyota's luxury brand will unveil their LF-Ch hybrid concept in a few days at the Frankfurt Motor Show and their most recent press release called our attention to some of...
Robert Scardino