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

2012 Coda Sedan: First Drive John Voelcker September 12, 2012

It's been a long time coming, but the 2012 Coda Sedan is now on sale at a handful of dealers in California.

Six months after the very first Coda compact electric cars were delivered to buyers, the...
GM May Kill Two-Mode Hybrid Pickups, SUVs: Report
"We can't provide you with any information related to future product technologies or timing." That's the standard response from carmakers--in this case, from Kevin Kelly, GM's Manager, Electric Vehicle and Hybrid Communications--when asked a question they'd rather not address. Our question was...
John Voelcker September 11, 2012

New Rating System: Most Performance For Least Fuel Use
Many people buy cars because they deliver good gas mileage, with the EPA as an impartial arbiter of fuel efficiency ratings. Many other people buy cars because they're fast and fun to drive, with acceleration times and cornering forces delivered by many auto-media outlets. But what if a buyer wants...
John Voelcker September 10, 2012
2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid: Can It Compete With Toyota Prius?
Several carmakers now offer hybrid models of existing cars, but the number of dedicated full hybrids on the mass market has been exactly one for a decade: the Toyota Prius, now a line of four models. The launch of the 2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid, which we recently drove, doubles that number. And the...
John Voelcker September 10, 2012
2014 Honda Accord Plug-In Hybrid: First Drive
Last week, Honda released the specs and photos for its 2014 Accord Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid. Now, we can talk about what it's like on the road. The short answer? Like the Ford C-Max Hybrid, it offers new and strong competition for a model of the well-established Toyota Prius--in this case, the...
John Voelcker September 10, 2012
Can Chevy Sustain Volt Electric Car Sales After Incentives End?
Last month, more Chevrolet Volts were sold than in any month since the range-extended electric car went on sale in December 2010. The total of 2,831 handily surpassed the 2,289 sold in March, the previous best-selling month for the Volt. But Chevy may not be able to keep up that pace indefinitely...
John Voelcker September 7, 2012
2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid: First Drive John Voelcker September 7, 2012

The verdict is in: At last, the fabled Toyota Prius hybrid has a viable competitor.

If you're in the market for a five-door hybrid hatchback with very high fuel economy--an EPA rating of 47 mpg...

2014 Chevrolet Cruze Diesel Preview
Diesel passenger cars have long been the domain of German carmakers, but that will change early next year with the launch of the 2014 Chevrolet Cruze diesel four-door compact sedan. The eagerly awaited model, the first GM (NYSE:GM) passenger-car diesel since the early 1980s, was confirmed more than...
John Voelcker September 6, 2012
Imagine A World Without Gasoline Cars, Then Fly There To See It
Gasoline and diesel fuel today power almost every one of the 1 billion vehicles on the planet. But what would it be like to live in a town with no gas-powered cars at all? The little Swiss skiing village of Zermatt may be one of the few places in the world where it's possible to experience such a...
John Voelcker September 5, 2012
New York's City Council Wants Electric Taxis: Why?
If you want to change things in New York City, it pays to take the long view. Some real-estate deals take decades to assemble, with families hanging onto key development sites for generations. So a recent bill introduced by two New York City Councilmembers can be viewed as the latest step in a long...
John Voelcker September 5, 2012
2014 Honda Accord Hybrid & Plug-In Hybrid: Photos, Details
Honda was the second carmaker in the world to launch a line of hybrid vehicles, though its compact and subcompact mild hybrids have long been overshadowed by Toyota's dominant Prius models. That may be about to change. Early next year, a new 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid--and equally significant, a 2014...
John Voelcker September 5, 2012
August Plug-In Electric Car Sales: Volt Surges, Leaf Static
While car sales often lag during August, when family vacations take priority, the Chevrolet Volt proved an exception to the rule last month. During August, 2,831 of Chevy's range-extended electric car found buyers--along with 685 Nissan Leaf battery electric cars. The third high-volume plug-in car...
John Voelcker September 4, 2012

2013 Nissan Leaf Electric Car To Use New, Cheaper Battery Cells: UPDATED John Voelcker August 27, 2012

As it enters its third model year, the Nissan Leaf electric car is expected to get a number of updates and improvements for 2013.

Now, it appears one of them is a change in the lithium-ion cells used...
2015 Audi A4 To Get E-Tron Version, Electric AWD Quattro Too
The current Audi A4, the German luxury brand's best-selling car in the U.S., has been with us since the 2009 model year. When it's replaced for the 2014 model year, the model line will include not only a sedan and a wagon but also a pair of hybrids--one that plugs in--and a brand-new Quattro...
John Voelcker August 27, 2012
2013 Chevrolet Spark: First Drive
Yeah, we drove the pink one. The 2013 Chevrolet Spark, the first Chevrolet minicar in many, many years, comes in a remarkable array of pastel colors, including one called Techno Pink. One of two Sparks we tested yesterday came in that very distinctive shade; the other was Salsa (lime green). Other...
John Voelcker August 22, 2012
Which Members Of Congress Drive Plug-In Electric Vehicles?
Last week, President Barack Obama signed into law a bill that would allow the installation of electric-car charging stations in U.S. Capitol parking garages. That got us to wondering, how many U.S. Senators and Representatives actually drive plug-in cars? With the help of Juan Barnett, aka...
John Voelcker August 22, 2012
Electric-Car Charging In The Heart Of New York: How Easy?
Our recent test of a 2012 Mitsubishi 'i' electric minicar was actually the first time we've tested a pure battery electric car in New York City. While the relatively short distances covered in NYC would seem well suited to plug-in cars, there's the big issue of recharging. With most residents not...
John Voelcker August 21, 2012
Fisker Surf, Sunset On Back Burner; Atlantic Is Top Priority
With a cause swiftly identified for a recent fire, 1,000 sales out of about 2,000 cars built , and promising European volume, Fisker has come through some rough water lately. Now, the company can focus on its next cars: the Surf shooting brake and Sunset retractable hardtop coupe derivatives of its...
John Voelcker August 21, 2012

2012 Mitsubishi i Electric Minicar: Drive Report VIDEO! John Voelcker August 21, 2012

We liked the 2012 Mitsubishi i electric minicar we drove last week rather more than we expected.

Its main handicap, even in city usage, is its low electric range.

We didn't test the car to its...
Will Chevy Volt Sales Hit 40,000 This Year (Ampera Included)?
After being flayed for not achieving its 2011 sales goal for the Chevy Volt, you might think General Motors would shy away from further volume predictions for its innovative range-extended electric car. Not so. CEO Dan Akerson said in late June that the company thought it would sell 35,000 to...
John Voelcker August 20, 2012
Fisker Karma Fire Due To Faulty Cooling Fan, Recall Underway, Factory Says
Well, that was quick. On Saturday, just eight days after a fire badly damaged a 2012 Fisker Karma, the company has completed its forensic investigation, announced the cause, and started a recall for the part in question. Fisker concluded that the fire was caused by an internal fault in a sealed...
John Voelcker August 20, 2012
2013 Jaguar XF: From V-8 To Turbo Four For Fuel Efficiency
In coming years, every car company will make every vehicle it builds greener--meaning more fuel-efficient--courtesy of increasingly stringent gas mileage and carbon emissions rules around the world. That applies not only to smaller, simpler cars, but also large, heavy, fast, luxurious, and...
John Voelcker August 17, 2012
2012 Mitsubishi i Electric Minicar: Driven
It took a while, but we've finally had a chance to spend time with the smallest plug-in electric car sold in the U.S. The 2012 Mitsubishi i (also known as the i-MiEV) is a battery electric minicar roughly the size of a Mini Cooper. The little hatchback has four doors, four usable seats, and a lot...
John Voelcker August 17, 2012
Tesla Motors CEO Musk To Support Tesla Museum Project
Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla Motors, has quite a lot on his mind these days. Among his tasks: making sure production of the 2012 Tesla Model S electric sport sedan ramps up quickly enough, while maintaining superb quality, to let Tesla build 5,000 units before the end of the year. But Musk still...
John Voelcker August 17, 2012