Green Car News

We've all heard the stories about how electric cars were set to take over at the turn of the last century (before ironically being killed by the electric starter motor), and at least once over the last four decades too. Now they're really here, and the fact that many major manufacturers are now...

Hope springs eternal, as Alexander Pope notably said, and so it is in the world of plug-in hybrid vehicles. A new British partnership has unveiled two drivable prototypes of a lightweight plug-in electric urban delivery van with a small diesel range extender. The two companies, Intelligent Energy...

Electric motorcycles have already proven they’re great for inner-city commutes, dirt-track fun and even drag strip racing, but now Oregon-based Brammo Motorcycles adds something very important to that list: taking a pillion passenger. In the highly-polished ad for its new 2012 Brammo Empulse...

The May sales figures for plug-in electric cars continued steady, with the Chevrolet Volt leading the pack at 1,680 deliveries--15 percent up on the April figure of 1,462, but below its all-time March high of 2,289. The Nissan Leaf logged sales of just 510 units in May, barely starting a recovery...

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away... In fact, not that long ago, and right here on earth, a rebel alliance of green-minded folk were attracted to the force of hybrid vehicles. Using less fuel and producing less pollution, the oil empire has never been quite the same since. We're not sure...

You’ve decided to take the plunge and buy an all-electric or plug-in car, and you want to use it as your daily driver to and from work. Although your car gets a full recharge every night, you’d like to convince your boss to let you plug in at work, or perhaps even have a dedicated...

There's a quiet revolution going on in the auto world, one that isn't as trendy as plug-in cars or hybrids: turbocharged engines. Cheaper to build and buy than hybrid systems, they offer great gas mileage and great performance. In some cases, such as the 3-cylinder 2014 Ford Focus 1.0-liter...

With several manufacturers offering increased-economy versions of their regular vehicles these days, you might be tempted to buy them as a way of saving some money on gas. Improved aerodynamic fittings, low rolling-resistance tires and altered gear ratios are all used to eke out a few extra MPG...

When it comes to learning stuff, most kids look towards older siblings, parents and teachers to find out how to do something. But a 13-year old car expert in Ontario, Canada is so enthusiastic and knowledgable about cars that he’s helping his local Chevrolet dealership train its staff to be...

If you're looking to buy your son or daughter a first car, the choice on offer might seem a little overwhelming at first. With gas prices on the increase, you may be tempted to get them something with good gas mileage, without spending too much money to buy it. The good news is, cars like the 2013...

When Lexus rolled out its HS 250h hybrid sedan a few years ago, there was a lot of head-scratching. The HS 250h was rather cramped inside, had a powertrain that was way too noisy for a Lexus, and was rated at just 35 mpg city, 34 highway—barely better than the Camry Hybrid of the time, which...

At $19,705 and up, the 2012 Toyota Prius C subcompact is the company's least expensive hybrid. It's also tied with its larger Prius liftback sibling for best gas mileage on the market: 50 mpg combined. And those two qualities seem to be making it a sales hit for Toyota, meaning car buyers seem to...

After the devastating earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan in March 2011, Japanese automakers Toyota, Nissan and Mitsubishi have all been working on technology designed to let electric cars provide emergency backup power. So far, we’ve seen a range of applications for backup electric car...

The Toyota Yaris Hybrid is as significant a car for Toyota in Europe as the 2012 Toyota Prius C is for the company in the U.S. It's the cheapest hybrid on the market, emits the lowest levels of CO2 of any non plug-in car--vital for European taxation reasons--and returns impressive gas mileage...

Less than 30 days hence, the first 2012 Tesla Model S sedans will be delivered to paying customers. Now, one Model S buyer who holds a low reservation number for the all-electric luxury car is using it as a lure to sell a million-dollar home in an upscale Illinois suburb. Not only has the home...

Earlier on this year, we asked you if the 2012 BMW ActiveHybrid 5 was really green, or not? Now we've had a chance to drive it. Combining a 3.0-liter TwinPower Turbo straight-six engine and full-hybrid drivetrain into a 5-series body, the ActiveHybrid 5 looks just like any other premium 5-series on...

Tesla Motors has released the first installment in its series of "Inside Tesla" articles, whetting the world's appetite in the run-up to the first 2012 Model S deliveries in only 22 days time. Tesla's George Blankenship shares some insights into the Model S production process, the first aspect of...

We've been closely following the progress of Gordon Murray's T25 and T27 minicars for some time now, and like many green vehicles of recent years, they've often seemed so near and yet so far away. However, unlike some of the more recent startups, Gordon Murray has been keeping his cards close to...

It's been just over a week since I picked up my all-electric Renault Fluence ZE--one of 110 Better Place customers to do so during May, according to the company. I've now put on 430 all-electric miles in nine days of driving. I've charged the car predominantly at home, with a couple of extra...

Like so many Americans, perhaps you've been thinking you really have to replace your old car this year. And maybe you're thinking your next car should get much better gas mileage, to protect against fluctuating gas prices. (They're down this month, but who knows for the future?) Well, looks like...