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

Honda Hybrids Hit The 1-Million Mark, After 13 Years John Voelcker October 15, 2012

Quick, name a Japanese carmaker that's sold 1 million hybrid cars.

Yes, OK, Toyota is a right answer. But there's another one, too, as of the end of September

Automaker Honda announced yesterday that...
Will EPA Waive Ethanol Requirement Due To Drought?
This summer's drought across the midwestern U.S. may have an impact in an unexpected place: your gasoline tank. Almost 200 members of Congress, and the governors of eight states, have called on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to suspend portions of the 2007 Renewable Fuel Standard that...
John Voelcker October 12, 2012

Vice-Presidential Debate: Tesla Escapes, Fisker Only Nodded To
There's probably relief in Palo Alto this morning, as Tesla Motors executives quietly give thanks that their company was not named in last night's vice-presidential debate. The startup electric-car company in Silicon Valley was explicitly cited in last week's presidential debate by candidate Mitt...
John Voelcker October 12, 2012
2013 Chevrolet Volt: Gas Mileage, Electric Range Test
It had been almost two years since we'd driven a Chevrolet Volt range-extended electric car, and the new 2013 model has been slightly modified to boost its electric range. We took a new 2013 Chevy Volt on our usual weekend test route, which covered 360 miles that included about two-thirds freeway...
John Voelcker October 11, 2012
Small Car Sales Soar As Gas Prices Rise
It happens every time gas prices spike, and it's happening again: Small-car sales are soaring. In fact, the total of 2.1 million compact and subcompact cars sold over the nine-month period ending in September is up by fully 50 percent compared to the same period a year ago. That's the highest...
John Voelcker October 11, 2012
2013 Nissan Leaf: Spy Shots Of New, Less-Expensive Model
With the first 2013 Nissan Leaf electric car expected to roll out of the Smyrna, Tennessee, plant in mid-December, many rumors have been flying about what changes the updated Leaf will have. Now we have the first spy shots showing some of the modifications Nissan has made to create a new, less...
John Voelcker October 9, 2012
2013 Green Car Buyers Guide: Hybrids, Diesels, Plug-Ins John Voelcker October 9, 2012

It's autumn, which means that new 2013 cars are now showing up in dealerships all across the country.

With gas prices high and new fuel-economy standards in effect, automakers are rolling out new...

Mercedes-Benz B Class Electric Coming To U.S.: Report (Compliance Car Watch)
It's hard to miss a Mercedes-Benz compact hatchback when it's wrapped in a shiny blue-chrome finish. That was the attention-grabbing color the luxury German maker used at the recent Paris Auto Show to distinguish its two electric models, the 2014 SLS AMG Electric Drive all-electric supercar and the...
John Voelcker October 9, 2012
Toyota Prius Hybrid Family: Which Models Are Most Successful?
For 12 years, the Toyota Prius hybrid stood alone in the growing lineup of Toyota vehicles. Then, for 2012, the Prius model became a whole family of cars--four of them, in fact. So which of the new Prius family members is doing the best so far, and which kid is lagging and might benefit from some...
John Voelcker October 9, 2012
2012 Nissan Leaf Gets Even Cheaper: Now, $139/Month Lease
Plug-in electric car sales are growing in the U.S., with the Chevy Volt in particular going from strength to strength. The 2012 Nissan Leaf, however, is not doing so well. Despite being one of the earliest electric cars on the market, it's been outsold three to two this year by the Toyota Prius...
John Voelcker October 8, 2012
Saudi Arabia Uses Your Gas Dollars To Fund...Solar Energy
Renewable energy, especially solar, is making inroads into the U.S. power grid, but it's a very slow process. And especially in the wake of the Solyndra collapse, it's one fraught with political wrangling. But there's another country that plans to invest heavily in solar power, hoping to provide...
John Voelcker October 8, 2012
California Gas Prices Set To Soar Beyond 2008 High Of $4.61
Brace yourself, Californians. Gas prices are going up. Again. With the Golden State already paying some of the highest gas prices in the nation, California drivers will find it's going to get more costly than ever to fill their tanks. According to Reuters, oil analyst Tom Kloza, chief oil analyst...
John Voelcker October 5, 2012

2013 Smart Electric Drive Test: Lowest-Priced Electric Car In U.S. John Voelcker October 4, 2012

If at first you don't succeed, try, try again.

Smart took that advice to heart; its 2013 Smart ED3 is the third generation of its all-electric version of the two-seat ForTwo minicar.

And it's the...
Tesla: 'Loser' Along With Ener1, Solyndra, And Fisker, Romney Says
Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney has weighed in with his verdict on startup electric-car maker Tesla Motors: It's a "loser." So, for that matter, is another startup that's still in business, Fisker Automotive. The two car companies were lumped in with a pair of bankrupt businesses...
John Voelcker October 4, 2012
2013 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible Unveiled, TDI Diesel Included
With the new VW Beetle launched last year, you knew there would be a ragtop, right? We now have photos of the 2013 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible, which includes a unique model: the only diesel convertible available for sale in the U.S. This is only the third all-new open-air Beetle in history; the...
John Voelcker October 3, 2012
Weakest Links In Electric Car Sales: Local Salespeople, Dealers
Plug-in car sales hit a new record in September--more than 5,500 sold in a single month--and there will likely be more records to come. But plug-in hybrids and battery electric cars are still unfamiliar to most U.S. car buyers, not to mention pricey. And there's increasing discussion that the...
John Voelcker October 3, 2012
Fisker Atlantic Could Bring New Strategic Partners, CEO Says
It's probably not much fun being Tony Posawatz, the latest CEO of Fisker Automotive, these days. Consider the list of challenges he faces: Fisker appears to have built only 2,000--perhaps 3,000--of its Karma range-extended electric luxury sedan, not the 15,000 it projected for its first year The...
John Voelcker October 3, 2012
2014 Volkswagen Golf Preview: Lighter, Larger, More Efficient
The new, seventh-generation Volkswagen Golf was unveiled early last month in Berlin, but more models were added to the lineup at last week's Paris Auto Show. And while complete details weren't forthcoming, VW Group executives offered some hints on what we'll see when the 2014 VW Golf debuts in the...
John Voelcker October 3, 2012

Which Auto Startup Has Built 2,500 Cars Over The Last Year? John Voelcker October 2, 2012

Tesla Motors gets a huge amount of media attention, and Fisker Automotive isn't far behind.

Other automotive startups, including Coda Automotive and tiny Wheego Electric Cars, are less well known.

...
Bollore Bluecar: Sharing Paris's Most Popular Electric Car
The most popular electric car in Paris is not what you think. It's not the Nissan Leaf, or the Mitsubishi i-MiEV (or its Citroen C-Zero or Peugeot i-On siblings). It's a silver three-door hatchback with four seats and a basic interior that Parisians drive for only a few minutes to a few hours, from...
John Voelcker October 2, 2012
September Plug-In Electric Car Sales Surge, As Tesla Sells 200 (Or So)
Sales of plug-in electric cars surged in September, after setting a new record in August. And this month's notable event was the projected delivery of 200 or more 2012 Tesla Model S all-electric luxury sport sedans to buyers. Tesla refuses to release monthly sales figures, as every other automaker...
John Voelcker October 2, 2012
Nissan To Reboot Leaf Effort, Asks Electric-Car Fans For Help
This is a tough period for Nissan and its Leaf electric car. Sales have been stagnant, averaging 500 cars per month this year. More recent concerns by owners in Phoenix over unexpected battery-capacity loss raise the specter of a plug-in car with limited lifespan. Some observers feel that Nissan...
John Voelcker October 1, 2012
Value Of Early Fisker Stake Drops By Two-Thirds After New Money
Investing in startup companies is a risky way to make money. And if the startups are carmakers, it may be even riskier yet--as the Illinois Student Assistance Commission found out recently. The state agency managing the College Illinois prepaid tuition program had invested $10 million in the stock...
John Voelcker October 1, 2012
Toyota iQ EV: The Electric Car You'll Never See (Live Photos)
When a major automaker introduces a new electric car, you'd expect a major event with plenty of hoopla. But at last week's Paris Auto Show, the Toyota iQ EV--a battery electric conversion of the minicar it sells in the States as the Scion iQ--was pretty much ignored by Toyota executives. Instead...
John Voelcker October 1, 2012