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

First 2014 Chevy Spark EV Sold: Why We Chose This Electric Car John Voelcker June 21, 2013

So how did Rick and Christine Prell and their two teenage sons become the first family in the U.S. to buy a 2014 Chevrolet Spark EV?

Turns out it was at least partly luck.

The family needed a third...
New York Auto Dealers Try To Make Registering Tesla Stores Illegal: BREAKING
Well, this is a new tactic we haven't seen before in the fight between franchised auto dealers and Tesla Motors, the Silicon Valley electric-car startup. A pair of bills in the New York State Legislature, backed by New York state auto dealers, would make it illegal to license or renew licenses for...
John Voelcker June 21, 2013

Tesla Shows 90-Second Battery Swapping For Model S, Details Rollout Plans
As predicted last month, and tweeted and teased by CEO Elon Musk, Tesla Motors showed off battery swapping for its Model S electric car at a press event last night. Held at Tesla's design studio in Hawthorne, California, the demonstration itself was simple: A Tesla Model S drove onto the stage and...
John Voelcker June 21, 2013
Nissan To Offer Leaf Battery Replacement Plan: $100 A Month
To allay fears about loss of capacity in its Leaf electric-car battery packs, Nissan announced today that it would offer what amounts to a battery leasing program after the pack goes out of warranty. The cost of ensuring minimum capacity will be $100 a month. The company now warranties the Leaf...
John Voelcker June 20, 2013
First 2014 Chevrolet Spark EVs Now At CA, Oregon Dealers
Add one more battery-electric vehicle to the list of electric cars for sale in California (if not the rest of the U.S.). The 2014 Chevrolet Spark EV is now available for purchase or lease at several dealerships in northern and southern California, as well as a few in Oregon. About a hundred of the...
John Voelcker June 20, 2013
2014 Honda Accord Hybrid Arrives This Fall, Rated At 47 MPG
The 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid, a mid-size sedan that competes with hybrid models of the Ford Fusion, Hyundai Sonata, Kia Optima, and Toyota Camry, will go on sale in October, its maker said today. 47 mpg combined With a more powerful electric motor than its competitors, the 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid...
John Voelcker June 20, 2013
UPDATE: Musk Posts Photo Of Tesla Model S Battery Swap Video John Voelcker June 20, 2013

Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk confirmed that a press event to be held this Thursday evening will demonstrate battery-swapping for the Tesla Model S.

The mode of communication was his favorite medium: a ...

New Gas Mileage Rules Will Reshape What Americans Drive: Hybrids, Electrics, Cost
Hybrids and plug-in electric cars probably get more press than they deserve, given how small their numbers are in the vehicle fleet. The U.S. has roughly 250 million vehicles on the roads, of which less than 2 percent are hybrids and plug-ins of all kinds. Nonetheless, both technologies are...
John Voelcker June 19, 2013
Bosch Offers Wireless Charging For Nissan Leaf, Chevy Volt
Tired of plugging in your Nissan Leaf or Chevrolet Volt electric car to recharge every night? Yearn for the simplicity of simply parking over a charging pad and walking away? Bosch Automotive Service Solutions feels your pain. The service arm of the German auto-parts maker is now offering a...
John Voelcker June 19, 2013
Tesla Model S Recall Announced For Rear-Seat Latch Bracket
Tesla Motors announced this morning that it will conduct a partial recall of Model S electric sedans manufactured between May 10 and June 8 of this year to fix a potentially weakened left-rear seat attachment striker bracket. According to a post on the company's website and signed by CEO Elon Musk...
John Voelcker June 19, 2013
Electric-Car Guide, State-By-State Specifics From Sierra Club
What's your first resource for electric-car information? We're hoping you answer Green Car Reports (of course!), but in reality there are quite a few by now. Today, the conservation group Sierra Club has launched its own Electric Vehicle Guide--and one of its key features is the ability to learn...
John Voelcker June 18, 2013
Build Your Own Ford Transit Connect Electric: Gliders On eBay
Remember the now-defunct Ford Transit Connect Electric? It was the all-electric conversion of the Transit Connect delivery van that actually sank Azure Dynamics, which declared bankruptcy in March 2012 after sales fell short of projections. If you've always wanted one, now's your chance. But...
John Voelcker June 18, 2013

New Gas Mileage Rules Will Reshape What Americans Drive: Engines And Transmissions John Voelcker June 18, 2013

Smaller, more efficient engines better matched to more complex transmissions will have some of the biggest effects in making tomorrow's cars more fuel-efficient.

The 2025 corporate average fuel...
What's Going On At Fisker These Days?
At this point, many auto journalists have a pre-written obituary for Fisker Automotive all ready to publish if that company declares bankruptcy. Which, so far, it hasn't. And according to Reuters, its remaining executives are working furiously to arrange a buyout to avoid that fate. In fact, the...
John Voelcker June 17, 2013
Hyundai Still Backing Hydrogen Fuel Cells--Where Infrastructure Exists
On June 3, Hyundai delivered the first ix35 Fuel Cell vehicle in Europe, to the City of Copenhagen in Denmark. Production of the company's hydrogen-fueled vehicle began in February. That means that its first production hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle is now on the roads, albeit at low planned volumes...
John Voelcker June 17, 2013
New Gas Mileage Rules Will Reshape What Americans Drive: Aerodynamics And Weight
No, we won't all be driving golf carts. In fact, as cars change over the next 12 years to meet much tougher fuel-economy rules, automakers will likely do their best to keep the changes invisible. Your next vehicles will deliver better gas mileage than ever before, no matter how large or small they...
John Voelcker June 17, 2013
Real-World Gas Mileage Moving Away From EPA Ratings: Report
Your mileage may vary--but these days, it appears, your mileage may vary more than it used to. According to a new report, the gap between rated fuel efficiency and the real-world gas mileage achieved by actual drivers is increasing. In 2001, it notes, the average difference between rated gas...
John Voelcker June 16, 2013
What Questions Would You Ask Tesla's Elon Musk?
It's probably safe to say that many readers of this site would love to sit down for a chat with Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk. While he's known for tweeting about the company--and autographing owners' Model S cars at publicity events--Musk is a pretty busy guy. While he can be refreshingly blunt in...
John Voelcker June 14, 2013

2013 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid: Brief First Drive John Voelcker June 14, 2013

Remind us in future to avoid drive routes confined almost exclusively to Manhattan.

While they're great for showing off hybrid cars--including the 2013 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid we briefly tested on...
GM, BMW Complete Testing Of New CCS Quick-Charging Stations For Electric Cars
General Motors and BMW announced on Tuesday that they had jointly completed testing new quick-charging equipment for plug-in electric cars. The charging stations, cables, and plugs were built to the new Combined Charging Standard (CCS) specification adopted by the Society of Automotive Engineers...
John Voelcker June 13, 2013
2014 Ford Focus Electric: No Updates, No Love For Ford's Electric Orphan
Rarely has any carmaker launched a car as obviously unloved as the Ford Focus Electric, the battery-electric conversion of a five-door Focus compact hatchback. As a company, Ford does not believe battery-electric cars will have much of a future for many years to come. Unusually for a new car, it...
John Voelcker June 13, 2013
NYC Bans Electric Bikes (Again), Launches Bike Sharing System
About a month ago, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg signed a bill that banned electric bikes from the city's streets. (Like all bikes, they're also banned from sidewalks--not that every rider seems to know that.) And as a Navigant Research blog post points out, e-bikes were already illegal...
John Voelcker June 12, 2013
2013 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid Underscores 'Your Mileage May Vary'
It seems Ford has taken to heart the concerns over the difference in its new hybrids between EPA gas-mileage ratings and real-world results. In a media presentation yesterday on the new 2013 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid, Ford's luxury brand devoted considerable time to explaining how it helps drivers...
John Voelcker June 12, 2013
Electric-Car Price War Heats Up: Chevy Volt $5,000 Cash Back
Last month, the Nissan Leaf passed the Chevrolet Volt to take this year's top spot among plug-in electric cars for sale. Now Chevy is fighting back. It announced that it will offer $5,000 cash back on remaining 2012 Volt range-extended electric cars, and $4,000 on 2013 models, according to...
John Voelcker June 11, 2013