Bengt Halvorson, Senior Editor

Bengt Halvorson is the Editor of Green Car Reports and Internet Brands Automotive Group’s Senior Editor. He specializes in EVs and the transformation of the auto industry around them. For more than 25 years, Halvorson has reported on cars and the auto industry, honing in on topics related to efficiency and electric cars for nearly as long. He has written for a range of outlets including Forbes, Motor Trend, Time, Cargo, and Men’s Journal; consulted on powertrain tech for Detroit insiders; and tracked collector-car prices at Sports Car Market. He’s been cited in books about the evolution of hybrids and EVs, been a guest on Autoline, and led panels at the EV Roadmap conference and the Detroit auto show. In 2013 he established an EV-education-focused event called Drive Revolution. Early in his career he was a writer at the UK publication Autocar and an editor at Automobile Magazine. Until he took on his current role, he was a senior editor at Car and Driver, focused on nudging the gearhead/enthusiast publication toward greater EV awareness. Prior to that he was part of this group’s predecessor, High Gear Media, and helped start Green Car Reports. Halvorson also serves as a North American Car and Truck of the Year juror. He holds degrees in Applied Physics and Philosophy from the University of Michigan.

Articles

Volvo opens orders for XC40 Recharge electric car Bengt Halvorson January 27, 2020

Ahead of the arrival of the Volvo XC40 Recharge later this year, the Swedish automaker has opened its order books “in select markets” that include the U.S. and Europe.

Volvo reports that...
Norway cracks down: Is “self-charging” a misleading way to pitch hybrids?
In much of Europe, Lexus is pitching hybrids as "self-charging"—and many consumers and electric vehicle fans think it's misleading.
Bengt Halvorson January 26, 2020

Subaru’s electric plans, Toyota Prius impact, New Jersey invests in green: The Week In Reverse
Which automaker’s targets for electric vehicles are seen as out of reach by a consulting firm? What kind of vehicle will be built at the former Chevy Volt plant? This is our look back at the Week In Reverse—right here at Green Car Reports—for the week ending January 24, 2020...
Bengt Halvorson January 25, 2020
Report: Cruise Origin electric self-driving shuttle will be made in Detroit
The former home of the Chevrolet Volt, among other vehicles, will assemble the Cruise Origin as well as GM's electric trucks and SUVs.
Bengt Halvorson January 24, 2020
Canada fines VW, Mercedes EQC production, FCA and Foxconn: Today’s Car News
Mercedes-Benz says full speed ahead on its EQC electric SUV. FCA is in talks with that company that made your iPhone. And the VW scandal is still costing the automaker—this time in Canada. This and more, here at Green Car Reports. More than four years after the Volkswagen diesel scandal, VW...
Bengt Halvorson January 24, 2020
Fiat Chrysler and iPhone maker head toward electric-vehicle venture
FCA and Foxconn, already an investor in Byton, are talking about developing EVs together.
Bengt Halvorson January 24, 2020
Mercedes unfazed by battery-supply issues for EQC, still targeting 50,000 in 2020 Bengt Halvorson January 24, 2020

The Mercedes-Benz EQC electric SUV was originally supposed to be on U.S. streets and highways by now.

Daimler called the decision to delay sales in the U.S. until 2021 a strategic one, so it could...

Diesel damages: Canada slaps VW with new fine for environmental violations
More than four years after the diesel scandal hit, VW has been fined by Canada for violating environmental laws and importing nonconforming vehicles.
Bengt Halvorson January 24, 2020
Hyundai and Kia electric trucks, EPA mpg rule, Toyota Prius analysis: Today’s Car News
The EPA backs off its plan to gut fuel efficiency rules and freeze targets. Hyundai and Kia partner with a UK company for commercial EVs. And we look back—and ahead—at the Toyota Prius. This and more, today at Green Car Reports. The U.S. EPA has reportedly eased up on a plan to...
Bengt Halvorson January 23, 2020
Hyundai and Kia invest in UK electric commercial-vehicle maker Arrival
Hyundai and Kia have formed a development partnership with the UK-based electric commercial vehicle maker Arrival.
Bengt Halvorson January 23, 2020
Report: EPA eases up on plan to rework mpg rules
Instead of doing away with some of the current incentives for hybrids and PHEVs, it might just limit the annual hike to 1.5% through 2026.
Bengt Halvorson January 23, 2020
Cruise Origin, Canoo countdown, Tesla in Michigan: Today’s Car News
The Cruise Origin jumps ahead to a completely driverless future. Canoo starts taking names for its subscription service. And Tesla is finally good to service its vehicles in Michigan. This and more, today at Green Car Reports. The California startup Canoo has opened up its waitlist, which includes...
Bengt Halvorson January 22, 2020

In Michigan, Tesla cleared to service its cars—but still not actually sell them Bengt Halvorson January 22, 2020

Tesla’s direct sales-and-service model works beautifully in some states, while in others it’s still definitely a work in progress.

Don’t blame Tesla for this one; the reason why is...
Cruise Origin launches the driverless future of electric mobility
With the introduction of its fourth-generation self-driving vehicle, Cruise hopes to commercialize the technology on a much broader scale.
Bengt Halvorson January 22, 2020
Canoo opens waitlist for subscription-only EV, offers Tesla-like referral perks
The startup electric mobility company Canoo aims to give the most engaged prospective customers top priority.
Bengt Halvorson January 22, 2020
Tesla’s pushback, Subaru’s electrification push, VW’s EV targets: Today’s Car News
Subaru is planning a big shift toward hybrids and electric cars. VW’s targets seem far off, according to one analysis. And Tesla cries foul about unintended-acceleration claims. This and more, here at Green Car Reports. As Volkswagen’s CEO presses for more urgency in the company’s...
Bengt Halvorson January 21, 2020
Analysis suggests Volkswagen electric-car targets are out of reach
A UK consultancy isn't convinced on Volkswagen's targets for electric vehicles—of a cumulative 28 million EVs by 2028.
Bengt Halvorson January 21, 2020
Subaru aims for dramatic CO2 cuts: All hybrids and EVs by mid 2030s
With some collaboration with Toyota, electric vehicles and hybrids will make up 40 percent of Subaru's lineup by 2040.
Bengt Halvorson January 21, 2020

Volvo’s US-made EV plans, Audi plug-in hybrids, NJ electric transit: Today’s Car News Bengt Halvorson January 20, 2020

New Jersey is going electric, with a $5,000 vehicle incentive and a comprehensive plan. Audi’s latest plug-in hybrids arrive soon and supplement its EVs in the lineup. And Volvo is planning to...
Plug-in hybrid versions of Audi Q5 crossover and A8 sedan arrive for the US
With larger 14.1-kwh battery packs and stronger performance, the latest plug-in hybrids aim to support the brand's grand EV plans.
Bengt Halvorson January 20, 2020
New Jersey approves $5,000 EV rebate, charging infrastructure, electric transit
The U.S. state of New Jersey has one of the most ambitious programs yet, on the state level, for encouraging electric cars.
Bengt Halvorson January 20, 2020
Volvo to build electric XC90 and its battery packs in South Carolina in 2022
An upcoming electric version of the Volvo XC90 SUV will be Volvo's third EV and is due to be U.S.-made.
Bengt Halvorson January 20, 2020
Electric emergency vehicles: Tropos Motors shows how to start small
At CES, Tropos Motors showed how it can make a mini electric fire truck at half the cost of the full-size one.
Bengt Halvorson January 19, 2020
Lucid Air timeline, Nissan electric future, Bolt EV deals: The Week in Reverse
Why did our power grid get cleaner than expected in 2019? How is it that Teslas will talk? This is our look back at the Week In Reverse—right here at Green Car Reports—for the week ending January 17, 2020. Fresh off the U.S. debut of the Nissan Ariya concept, in Las Vegas at CES, Green...
Bengt Halvorson January 18, 2020