John Voelcker, Contributing Editor

John Voelcker is an accomplished automotive journalist with a diverse background in the industry. As a cofounder of Tempting Fate Tours, he has delved into the world of adventurous car experiences, providing enthusiasts with unforgettable journeys for a year and a half. With a passion for automotive journalism, Voelcker's expertise extends to his tenure as a Contributing Editor at Internet Brands. During his stint, he has contributed valuable insights and engaging content to one of the most respected automotive publications in the industry. Previously, Voelcker served as the inaugural Editor of Green Car Reports under the Internet Brands Automotive Group. For over nine years, starting in 2009, he played a vital role in reporting, editing, and providing news coverage and new-car reviews. His contributions also extended to sister sites, including The Car Connection and Motor Authority, solidifying his reputation as a trusted source in the automotive community. In addition to his editorial work, Voelcker has actively covered advanced auto technologies and energy policy for a multitude of esteemed publications. Wired, Popular Science, Tech Review, IEEE Spectrum, and HybridCars.com are among the platforms that have featured his articles. Recognized for his expertise, he was appointed as one of the jurors for the prestigious North American Car and Truck of the Year Awards in 2015. With a wealth of experience behind the wheel, Voelcker has driven electric and hybrid cars from dozens of automakers, along with countless other vehicles. His firsthand experiences provide a valuable perspective in his automotive reporting. Voelcker's editorial journey has taken him through various notable magazines, including This Old House, Metropolis, Psychology Today, Exposure, Mother Earth News, Budget Living, and IEEE Spectrum. His diverse background showcases his versatility and ability to cover a wide range of topics. Voelcker holds a BS in Industrial Engineering from Stanford University, which adds a unique analytical lens to his automotive reporting. Splitting his time between the picturesque Catskill Mountains and vibrant New York City, he finds inspiration in both the tranquility of nature and the dynamic urban environment.

Articles

2015 BMW X3 Crossover Adds Diesel AWD Model, Other Updates John Voelcker February 6, 2014

The BMW X3 sport-utility vehicle will add a diesel engine option for 2015 to the two gasoline engines now offered, part of a mid-cycle refresh for BMW’s compact crossover.

The new diesel X3...
2015 Tesla Model X Will Have All-Wheel Drive Only, Company Confirms
With less than a year to go before the first production Tesla Model X all-electric crossover utility vehicles are scheduled to roll off the assembly line, the company has confirmed that every Model X will come standard with all-wheel drive. Previously, four driven wheels were listed as an option...
John Voelcker February 6, 2014

2014 Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid: Gas Mileage Test Disappointing
Hybrid SUVs and crossover utility vehicles remain rare compared to the growing array of hybrid passenger sedans and hatchbacks. So we've been eager to test the new 2014 Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid, one of only four hybrid crossovers. MORE: 2014 Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid: Is It Hybrid Enough To Matter?...
John Voelcker February 5, 2014
FINAL UPDATE: Plug-In Electric Car Sales In January: Leaf, Volt Both Low
In the first month of 2014, sales of the two most popular plug-in electric cars were lower than they've been in many months. Sales levels likely fell victim both to the predictable winter slowdown in electric-car sales (which we saw in 2012 and 2013 too) and to particularly bad weather last month...
John Voelcker February 4, 2014
Hyundai On Hydrogen Fuel-Cell Vehicles: Critiquing Its Claims
Every so often, Hyundai posts an entry on its "Hyundai Like Sunday" blog, which promotes itself as "Truth, Candor and Conversation." Two months ago, the company's Elizabeth Chun offered some thoughts on its upcoming 2015 Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell compact crossover. That vehicle will be offered for...
John Voelcker February 4, 2014
Green Car Reports, Five Years And 9,800 Articles Later
Five years ago today, Green Car Reports began a daily publishing schedule. At first one a day, and then more, we wrote articles on fuel efficiency, hybrids, diesel vehicles, and the plug-in electric cars that were then still two years away from the market. Think back to February 2009, when the...
John Voelcker February 3, 2014
2014 Jeep Cherokee Limited 4X4: Gas Mileage Test With V-6 John Voelcker January 31, 2014

It's winter in the Northeast, and last week's Polar Vortex luckily came along just as our weekend test car was a 2014 Jeep Cherokee.

This is the all-new compact crossover that replaces the old...

Five MORE Big Myths About Green Cars And Gas Mileage, Debunked
Yep, Big Oil is definitely scheming and plotting to destroy the electric car. Everyone knows that. Right? [sigh] Time for more mythbusting, it seems. The surprising success of our first debunking of five green-car myths led us to look at five more relatively common ideas and explain ... well, as...
John Voelcker January 31, 2014
2015 Lexus NX Compact Crossover Model Revealed: Accident Or Not?
Remember the Lexus LF-NX, the jaw-dropping concept for a new compact crossover from Toyota's luxury brand? It's been making the rounds at auto shows since last fall, scaring small children in many cities. Well, looks like Lexus will dial down the styling considerably when it hits the showrooms...
John Voelcker January 30, 2014
2016 Volvo XC90 Plug-In Hybrid Could Arrive Summer 2015, Execs Say
When the all-new 2016 Volvo XC90 large crossover utility vehicle goes on sale in the spring of 2015, it will be followed by a gasoline plug-in hybrid version. And, according to Volvo executives, the plug-in Volvo could come as little as four months after the launch of the regular version. The...
John Voelcker January 30, 2014
2014 Cadillac ELR Electric Coupe: Free Home Charging Station Included
When the price of the 2014 Cadillac ELR range-extended luxury coupe was announced last October--it's $75,995--the gasps and shrieking could be heard throughout the plug-in electric car world. Yesterday, Cadillac sweetened the pot a bit: It said it would offer a "complimentary" 240-Volt Level 2 home...
John Voelcker January 30, 2014
Toyota Exec Stresses Hydrogen Fuel-Cell Future, Slams Critics
Just in case there was any doubt that Toyota sees the future of green cars as powered by hydrogen fuel--not grid electricity--a company executive reiterated the point in a speech during the recent Detroit Auto Show. As reported by Reuters, not only did Toyota's senior vice president for automotive...
John Voelcker January 29, 2014

Chrysler Hybrid Sedan And Minivan: Missing, Presumed Dead? John Voelcker January 28, 2014

Pretty much every carmaker offers at least one hybrid model these days, even if they're notably unenthusiastic about it.

(Have you ever seen an Audi Q5 Hybrid? Ahem.)

But one carmaker is missing from...
Tesla Gets Its Brand Name Back In China, Via Court Decision
With Tesla having announced the price of its Model S electric car in China yesterday, one question remained unanswered: What name would the cars actually be sold under? As of this week, the company can now legally use the brand name "Tesla" on its cars--which it had not previously been able to do...
John Voelcker January 24, 2014
Electric Cars & Solar: Will They Make Gasoline & Utilities Obsolete?
These are interesting times in the automotive and electric-utility businesses. While the reasons are different, it turns out they may intersect. It's been quietly discussed among electric utilities that increasing amounts of distributed solar power and other renewable energy may destroy their...
John Voelcker January 23, 2014
U.S. Demand For Oil Rose 4-5 Percent In 2013, Startling Analysts
With increasing energy efficiency in cars, homes, and industry, plus a surge in domestic natural-gas production, U.S. demand for oil is widely said to have tapered off and in fact begun a structural decline. Except that, as it turns out, last year it seems U.S. demand for oil actually rose by...
John Voelcker January 23, 2014
2014 Smart ForTwo Electric Drive: What It's Like On The Road
With minimal changes from the model launched last year as the least expensive electric car in the U.S., the 2014 Smart ForTwo Electric Drive remains the smallest and shortest plug-in electric car sold in the U.S.--as well as the only one offered as a convertible. The two-seat electric Smart comes...
John Voelcker January 21, 2014
2015 Ford Focus Energi Rumored: 25 Miles Of Range, $27,500?
Ford's sales of its two Energi plug-in hybrid models climbed steadily throughout 2013, and now it appears the company will add a third model to the Energi family for 2015. If rumors are correct, the 2015 Ford Focus Energi will add a plug-in hybrid model to the existing gasoline and battery-electric...
John Voelcker January 18, 2014

Five Big Myths About Green Cars And Gas Mileage, Debunked John Voelcker January 17, 2014

Every now and then we get a reader question that reminds us how many myths about green cars are out there.

In the interests of helping you actually save money by using less gasoline, here are five of...
VL Destino Faces Uncertain Fisker Future For Its Non-Electric Karma
Engine swaps are one thing; complete powertrain replacements are another. But if your business is yanking range-extended electric running gear out of a stunning-looking car from a now-bankrupt company, and replacing it with Corvette power, there are two ways you can go. Swaps, new cars You can wait...
John Voelcker January 17, 2014
2015 Honda Fit: Video Summary From Detroit Auto Show
Undoubtedly the most important green car at a rather scattered Detroit Auto Show, the 2015 Honda Fit promises to be a strong entry in the subcompact segment when it arrives this spring. MORE: 2015 Honda Fit: Full Details From 2014 Detroit Auto Show The latest generation of the most flexible and...
John Voelcker January 16, 2014
Diesel Vs Electric Chevrolet: Cruze Diesel Vs Volt Sales In 2013
This year, 2014, is going to be the big test for diesel engines in U.S. passenger vehicles. It's the first full year in which two popular cars--the Chevrolet Cruze compact sedan and the Jeep Grand Cherokee--are offered with diesel engines as optional equipment, complete with higher EPA fuel...
John Voelcker January 16, 2014
2014 BMW i3 Range Extender: No White CA Carpool-Lane Sticker, Here's Why
Incentives help drive the purchase of plug-in electric cars, which remain unfamiliar and expensive to many first-time buyers. But a recent article on The Street may have caused some confusion over which incentives will be granted to BMW's first electric car, the i3, when it goes on sale this...
John Voelcker January 16, 2014
Best In Show: Green Cars At The 2014 Detroit Auto Show
It's a time-honored auto-show tradition, picking the best new cars and concepts in the show. While this year's Detroit Auto Show had very few cars that could genuinely be viewed as "green," we've nonetheless picked both our favorite production car and our favorite concept. MORE: 2014 Detroit Auto...
John Voelcker January 15, 2014