Green Car News
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There's been a lot of discussion and consideration given to the topic of public charging stations for electric vehicles. The old "chicken verses egg" conundrum is called to mind as auto makers and politicians seem to fumble around without really knowing what to do and where to allocate funds. Will people buy electric cars without a complex network of public charging points available? Why should we invest in these charging stations if there really are aren't any electric cars on the roads yet? Shouldn't we wait to see if the public actually buys these cars before we spend tens of millions of...
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2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid: First DriveWe've told you many times about the upcoming 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid--delving into its cosmetic and technical changes in our live coverage from the 2010 New York auto show, discussing how it fits in the Sonata lineup in a New York preview, reporting live from Korea on the Sonata Hybrid's...
Martin Padgett -
2012 Think City EV’s New Lithium-Ion Battery A Welcome UpgradeHow fast, how far, and how long? These are the three most important questions asked of any electric car coming to market. Just like their gasoline counterparts, drivers want to know their first electric car won't leave them foundering at the lights, stranded on the freeway, or taking forever to...
Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield -
VIDEO: Ford Says “Rock it Like Block” In New Ford Fiesta CommercialThe Fiesta Shows Its Racing Pedigree
Jonathan McGrew -
Cities Want High-Mileage Hybrid Taxis; Judge Says It's IllegalIf you've been to New York City lately, you may have noticed an increasing number of hybrid taxis on the roads: mostly Ford Escape Hybrid SUVs, but also Toyota Camry Hybrid and Nissan Altima Hybrid sedans, and a scattering of others too. It's part of a long-term plan to green the fleet of 14,000...
John Voelcker -
2011 Chevy Volt: Official GM Propaganda On Why It's BetterForgive us our weariness, please. It's only Thursday, but the barrage of news about the two upcoming electric cars that will go on sale for the 2011 model year is wearing us down. Nonetheless, we have manfully pulled ourselves together to bring you the video at the bottom of this piece, in which...
John Voelcker -
A few years back Saab, together with fellow Swedish automaker Volvo, formed an alliance with a number of utility and technology companies to further the development of new hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles. However, since both automakers were subsequently put up for sale by their respective owners, the original plans for a new generation of environmentally friendly vehicles was put on hold. Now, with Saab in the relatively safe hands of Spyker, there’s a newfound focus on accelerating plans for the electrification of the automobile. At the U.S. launch of the new 2010 Saab 9-5, CEO Jan Ake...
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BMW Ban From Claiming Zero-Emissions In Latest AdvertBMW doesn’t actually have a vehicle with zero emissions in its current lineup but that hasn’t stopped the automaker from touting its cleanliness with advertising promoting its Concept ActiveE all-electric vehicle, where the slogan is: "Thanks to its electrifying performance and zero CO2...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Renting a Dollar Small Car Gets Charged By Hertz CompetitionAvis Puts a Bid To Grab The Thrifty Rental Chain
Jonathan McGrew -
Great Smart Car Road Trip: The Smart Versus The CanyonSporty Might Not Be the First Adjective That Comes To Mind
Jonathan McGrew -
Porsche 918 Spyder, World's Fastest, Priciest Hybrid, OKed For ProductionToss everything you thought you knew about hybrid-electric vehicles out the window. Porsche has just green-lighted production of a car that will shake preconceptions about hybrids to their roots. The Porsche 918 Spyder hybrid supercar, first shown as a concept at this spring's Geneva Motor Show...
John Voelcker -
2011 Nissan Leaf: First DriveThe automotive world is tilting on its axis, and electric cars are about to become reality. Have you bought in, drunk the Kool-Aid? In other words, are you ready to drive a rechargeable car, something as mind-blowingly, reassuringly all-new as the 2011 Nissan Leaf? If you've hung in there through...
Martin Padgett -
With yesterday's big news on the 2011 Chevrolet Volt price and the year-long nationwide sales launch of the 2011 Nissan Leaf, you'd think the news from Plug-In 2010 in San Jose would be over. But we're charged with looking farther into the distance so you don't have to--and that's why earlier this week, we asked about the future of the Leaf and how it would change over time as Nissan learns how to build it more efficiently. Mark Perry, director of product planning at Nissan, says the one thing the company would be looking for throughout the car's life cycle would be more power. As it is, he...
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2011 Chevrolet Volt Price Finally Announced Coming shortly after the Chevrolet's announcement about the 2011 Volt's 8 year, 100,000-mile battery warranty, GM has now announced the price for their range-extended EV. The Volt's MSRP will be $41,000. GM have also announced the three-year lease price for the Volt. At $350, with a $2,500...
Antony Ingram -
Senate Energy Bill: $$$ for Natural-Gas Vehicles, EVs Get LessIf there's even a chance for the U.S. Congress to pass an energy bill this year, it's going to be a long and tortuous slog. But the first cut at legislation, introduced yesterday, offers $4 billion for infrastructure and subsidies for natural-gas vehicles (NGVs), but just a tenth of that for the...
John Voelcker -
2011 Chevy Volt: No $5K Rebate, HOV-Lane Access For CA BuyersNow we know: The first two plug-in cars from major manufacturers will go head-to-head on warranties and lease prices: $350 a month for the 2011 Chevrolet Volt, $349 for the 2011 Nissan Leaf. Now the choice shifts to other measures, including electric and overall range, as well as the plug-in perks...
John Voelcker -
Nissan Leaf EV: Timeline For Rollout, More About Hand-RaisersIt was surely no mistake that on the same day that General Motors unveiled pricing for its 2011 Chevrolet Volt, Nissan tried to grab at least some of the plug-in limelight and revealed new details about exactly where it will first roll out the Leaf.
Bengt Halvorson -
Coulomb Brings Its EV Charging Stations To The HomeCoulomb Technologies, one of the most successful companies rolling out rapid roadside charging stations for the new generation of plug-in vehicles debuting this year, announced today that it has adapted its technology for use in the home. Interestingly, residential chargers are where many of...
John Voelcker -
It's no secret that Porsche has a new found love affair with vehicle electrification, having recently unveiled its first hybrid model ever, the 2011 Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid, as well as teasing fans with high-performance hybrids such as the 911 GT3 R Hybrid and 918 Spyder. Porsche even confirmed this week that it would be testing an all-electric version of its Boxster sports car next year and eventually plans to release a production version. That’s already quite a tally for a company focused on building sports car but Porsche has even more electrified vehicle plans up its sleeve. The sports...
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Report: Audi Working On e-tron MinicarMercedes-Benz has the Smart Fortwo Electric Drive, BMW has the upcoming Megacity Vehicle, and even Volkswagen is working on a production version of its E-Up concept car, but what about Audi? We know the automaker is establishing its new e-tron division to promote and develop a new generation of...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Mercedes-Benz Launches Trial Of Vito E-Cell All-Electric VanElectric vehicles are ideal for hopping around town, making frequent stops and carrying heavy loads, so it’s not surprising to see the major automakers roll out all-electric commercial vans in addition to more mainstream models. The latest is Mercedes-Benz, which has unveiled its new Vito E-Cell...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Volt Price Revealed: Be Prepared For a $41K Sticker PriceAfter Rebates the Pain In Your Wallet Should Lessen By $7K
Jonathan McGrew -
Electric Vehicles Rule 100MPGe Auto X-Prize, Fighting For $10m PrizeWhile Nissan and Chevrolet fight it out to become the number one consumer electric vehicle of 2010, six electric vehicle companies most consumers will have never heard of are battling it out to become $10 million richer. That's the prize fund the winner of the Auto X-Prize could take home in...
Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield -
Next Toyota Prius To Be Built in U.S.--But Not Until 2016The convoluted twists and turns of possible Prius production in the U.S. have taken another unexpected bend. A Toyota executive has now told Reuters that the company intends to build the quintessential hybrid in the States, but not until its next generation is launched. That would be in 2016, since...
John Voelcker