synd-vehicle-history
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The very first working four-cycle internal-combustion engine was invented by Niklaus Otto in 1876, and in due course it changed the world. A quarter of a century later, gasoline engines, steam-powered vehicles, and electric drive competed on an equal basis, but by 1915, it was clear the gasoline engine would triumph. The next 100 years brought more than 1.2 billion vehicles to the surface of our planet, the vast majority fueled by gasoline burned in internal-combustion engine. DON'T MISS: China developing timetable to end sales, production of gasoline cars Six weeks ago, state media in China...
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Arizona joins 7 Western states in deal to expand electric-car charging networks (update)The Western United States will soon see an electric-car charging network that covers 5,000 miles of roadways. Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper announced on October 4 that he and six other governors in western states have agreed to develop a network of fast-charge stations in the region. Now...
Sean Szymkowski -
Mazda all but confirms rotary range extender engine for electric carHow Mazda plans to integrate plug-in hybrid and battery-electric vehicles into its range of increasingly efficient gasoline and diesel models is a topic that interests parts of the global auto industry. In 2019, the small Japanese maker will offer a combustion-engine technology never before...
John Voelcker -
Cummins buys Brammo electric-drivetrain group for future electric semiCummins has long been known for its diesel engines, but the company recently revealed its first concept truck using an all-electric powertrain. The Urban Hauler Tractor debuted last month and Cummins said it previewed a production model that could arrive by the end of this decade. Now, the...
Sean Szymkowski -
Nissan e-NV200 Fridge Concept: electric refrigerated van at Tokyo Motor ShowNissan will roll out a new electric van concept at the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show, one that it believes will help solve urban delivery congestion. The e-NV200 Fridge Concept adds a refrigerated compartment to the existing e-NV200 electric small delivery van to keep various perishable goods fresh while...
Sean Szymkowski -
Proposed ethanol cuts bring EPA up against Iowa's powerful politicianFollowing years of debate, the EPA said earlier this month it will study the possibilities of cutting the amount of ethanol in the United States' gasoline supply. Since 2007, the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) has required growing amounts of ethanol to be blended into U.S. fuel supplies, with...
Sean Szymkowski -
Electric cars pale in comparison to gasoline or diesel-powered cars when it comes to the time presently required to add energy for more driving distance. Although automakers have begun to curb "range anxiety" with longer-distance electric cars, battery charging times on lengthy road trips remain a hurdle for many buyers. The fastest "quick charging" stations presently add 200 to 250 miles in roughly half an hour under optimal circumstances, while gasoline or diesel fuel to attain that range can be pumped into a car in a couple of minutes. DON'T MISS: 2022 Toyota electric car to use...
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Mercedes, Smart, Daimler trucks update electric-car, electrification plansMercedes-Benz has already laid out its plans for a portfolio of electric and electrified vehicles, and now parent company Daimler has announced further strategy refinements for Mercedes-Benz and its other brands. The Smart brand will become all-electric, it said, while its commercial truck...
Sean Szymkowski -
UAW wakes up to job threat posed by electric cars, as German unions have alreadyWith an evolving shift to electrified and plug-in electric cars, the changes that will bring to the auto industry are far from limited to the powertrains. The entire mass-production and vehicle assembly process the industry pioneered a century ago will require major restructuring, it appears...
Sean Szymkowski -
VW plans for electric trucks and buses, starting production next yearVolkswagen Group has now detailed its aggressive electrification timeline for every part of its vehicle operations, including heavy trucks, setting lofty goals for zero-emission vehicles in the future. While Volkswagen works on the passenger car side of things, VW Group's commercial-vehicle...
Sean Szymkowski -
Shell buys its first electric car charging station firm in EuropeEven oil companies have begun to realize the future will not be nearly as reliant on fossil fuels, and Royal Dutch Shell is moving to safeguard its future business. The Dutch oil company acquired NewMotion, an electric-car charging station firm, for an undisclosed price. DON'T MISS: Shell fuel...
Sean Szymkowski -
Bosch creates off-the-shelf 48-volt battery for mild-hybrid systemsWhether car buyers are ready or not, many future cars will boast some sort of electrification. The numerous announcements from automakers declare their brands will begin electrifying all vehicles post a certain date; to be clear, that does not mean cars will be solely electric. What it does likely...
Sean Szymkowski -
Electric car builder Tesla is calling back 11,000 examples of its Model X crossover to rectify a folding rear-seat issue. The California company says that the recall affects Model Xs fitted with a flat-folding second row that were built between October 26, 2016, and August 16, 2017. At issue is a cable in the rear seatback, which the automaker says may not have been tightened correctly at its Fremont, California, assembly plant. MORE: Tesla recalls 53,000 cars for faulty parking brakes No injuries or incidents of the cable failing have occurred, Tesla said in a written statement. "Although we...
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GM's view of hydrogen fuel cells: great for military useGeneral Motors thinks there's a future for hydrogen fuel cells, but it's not in your driveway. Unless you're a member of the armed forces and your driveway is, say, Fort Bliss. The Detroit automaker is and the U.S. Army are collaborating on a modular experimental light- and medium-duty fuel-cell...
Andrew Ganz -
California mobility company Ridecell wants to revolutionize self-driving electric shuttles on private propertyOne California company has a different idea to ensure self-driving cars earn their "training wheels," so to speak. Instead of deploying self-driving cars on public roads, California-based mobility company Ridecell wants to tackle private properties with electric self-driving shuttles. DON'T MISS...
Sean Szymkowski -
2010 Lexus HS 250h sedans recalled for potential hybrid-system failureSome owners of the 2010 Lexus HS 250h will find an unfortunate notice in their mailboxes next month. Lexus has issued a recall of the hybrid car over the hybrid transaxle, which can potentially fail altogether. If an affected HS 250h's hybrid system does go kaput, the luxury brand says power...
Sean Szymkowski -
Best deals on hybrid, electric, fuel-efficient cars for October 2017Another month, another round of deals for hybrid, electric, and fuel-efficient cars. This month, many cars hold their spots as solid deals, but the offers have become slightly more generous for a few. The deals on diesel-powered vehicles have also been shaken up. So, without further ado, the best...
Sean Szymkowski -
Electrified cars start down the pay-per-month roadA few taps at a smartphone will soon cue up white-gloved same-day delivery of a shiny, new Porsche Cayenne S E-Hybrid—if you happen to be in Atlanta. The Netflix of cars is finally here, although it's a bit more than than $11 you'll pay to binge watch "Entourage." MORE: 2017 Porsche Cayenne S...
Andrew Ganz -
After announcing the 2018 Nissan Leaf in September, Nissan hinted that a Nismo variant was on the way to tap into a rather different electric car market. Now we've learned that a Nissan Leaf Nismo Concept is headed to the Tokyo Motor Show later in October, and that it will be more than just a styling statement. DON'T MISS: World's sexiest car, Jaguar E-Type, reappears as all-electric concept In typical Nismo fashion, the Leaf Nismo Concept will focus on driving excitement through a custom-tuned computer which is said to deliver instant acceleration at all speeds. In addition to software...
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EPA to roll back Obama-era greenhouse gas policies on coal power plantsEPA head Scott Pruitt told miners in Kentucky on Monday that he intends to begin dismantling former President Barack Obama's signature climate-change agenda effort to curb greenhouse gas emissions from coal power plants. Standing alongside Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Pruitt told...
Andrew Ganz -
Bill could ban gasoline-car sales in California by 2040California, long a leader in emission reduction and electric-car incentives, may be ready to take the next big step: a full ban on the sale of new cars powered by gasoline or diesel. Such a ban would follow India, the United Kingdom, France, the Netherlands, Norway, and others around the world with...
Sean Szymkowski -
Tesla has now sold 250,000 electric cars, more than GM (but fewer than Nissan)Electric-car maker Tesla posted its best quarterly sales results in company history after it closed out the third quarter with 26,150 units sold. Despite the figure's cause for celebration, the figure may be interpreted as a downside by some since the third quarter's sales in 2017 just inched past...
Sean Szymkowski -
If Toyota and Mazda make electric cars together, where's Subaru?At the end of September, Toyota and Mazda announced they would form a joint venture with parts maker Denso to design, test, and build components for a shared electric-car platform. Earlier interviews with Mazda indicate that the small Japanese maker will create its first all-electric model for...
John Voelcker -
Nissan e-NV200 electric van gets longer-range battery; still no U.S. plansWhile U.S. buyers eagerly await the arrival of the 2018 Nissan Leaf electric car at dealerships early next year, the company has updated another of its electric vehicles as well. Unfortunately, it's one that the company has no current plans to sell in North America. That's the new longer-range...
John Voelcker