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

A Little Math Lesson: Are Used Cars Greener Than Hybrids? John Voelcker January 23, 2012

It's a common question: Which is greener, continuing to drive my old car or buying a new, more fuel-efficient one?

As with many such questions, the answer is: It depends.

But one of the things it...
House Hearing On NHTSA, Volt Battery Fire Starts Wednesday
Often, timing is everything. So Rep. Darryl Issa (R-CA) and his plans for Wednesday likely aren't helped by the NHTSA's decision last Friday to close its Volt battery-safety inquiry after GM developed upgrades for the Volt battery crash structure and coolant filler, and offered them to all existing...
John Voelcker January 23, 2012

NHTSA Closes Chevy Volt Battery-Pack Fire Safety Investigation
Well, it's all over but the shouting now. This afternoon, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued a statement saying it had closed its investigation into the causes of a fire in the battery pack of a Chevrolet Volt range-extended electric car. The statement said the agency had...
John Voelcker January 20, 2012
What Would You Pay For A 100-MPG Via Full-Size Pickup Truck?
This is a perfectly serious question. A basic 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 full-size pickup truck starts around $23,000, and the rear-wheel drive XFE model is rated by the EPA at 18 mpg combined. The Silverado Hybrid model, a 1500 twin-cab, starts at around $40,000, and the RWD model is rated at...
John Voelcker January 20, 2012
Gas Mileage Rises, Hybrid Car Sales Fall: Here's The Reason
Gas mileage: It's all about hybrids, right? The 2012 Toyota Prius hatchback and Toyota Prius C models each get a combined 50-mpg rating from the EPA, the highest fuel efficiency of any non-plug-in vehicle sold in the U.S. So hybrid sales should be soaring. They're not. While Toyota has expanded the...
John Voelcker January 20, 2012
2012 Fisker Karma: Brief Drive Report
Well, after three years of asking, we've finally had a chance to drive the 2012 Fisker Karma. And we can confirm that the extended-range electric luxury sport sedan is, in fact, a real car. It's got drop-dead styling, unique interior furnishings, and a good ride that's aided by the fact that it's...
John Voelcker January 20, 2012
Car Dealers Fight Higher MPG Rules, Again, Over Affordability John Voelcker January 19, 2012

You'd think that if President Obama, two government agencies, and 13 of the world's largest carmakers supported a set of new regulations to improve gas mileage, they might be popular with auto...

BMW ActiveE First Drive: At The Wheel (Video)
Yesterday we reviewed the BMW ActiveE electric car after spending an afternoon in the first ActiveE delivered in the U.S. Now, we have a brief video clip to take you inside the car, hitting some of the high points of the driving experience. The clip starts with the car at rest in the remarkably...
John Voelcker January 19, 2012
BMW ActiveE Electric Car First Drive: What's It Really Like?
The first BMW ActiveE electric car in North America was just delivered last Friday. Now, with only 600 miles on that car, we've driven it. Our first impressions of BMW's final electric test car, converted from a standard BMW 1-Series two-door sedan, are favorable. It's solid, comfortable, performs...
John Voelcker January 18, 2012
Tesla Update: Model S On Track, Reservations Good, Don't Worry
After news on Friday that two of its executives had departed, the stock price of Tesla Motors plummeted. Reporters and the many, many commenters on all things Tesla raised questions about whether undisclosed problems had resulted in the resignation of Peter Rawlinson, chief body and chassis...
John Voelcker January 17, 2012
2013 Ford Fusion: High-MPG Engines, Hybrid, Plug-In (Video)
Now that we're back from the Detroit Auto Show, we can say with confidence that the two most important cars of the show were the 2013 Ford Fusion and the 2013 Dodge Dart. The 2013 Fusion in particular got rave reviews for its styling--which blended elements of Audi A7 and even a hint of...
John Voelcker January 16, 2012
2013 Dodge Dart Compact Sedan: Video From Detroit Auto Show
We brought you the actual unveiling of the 2013 Dodge Dart, complete with flashy graphics, loud music, and the car emerging in a welter of spotlights. Now, we can bring you a slightly calmer walkaround and summary of Chrysler's most important new car on video, as a complement to the full Dodge Dart...
John Voelcker January 16, 2012

BMW Delivers First of 700 ActiveE Electric Cars In New Jersey John Voelcker January 16, 2012

Regular readers may recognize the name of Tom Moloughney, who has written several stories on his experiences living with a Mini E electric car for two years.

Now Moloughney has moved up in the...
Tesla Model S Electric Sport Sedan: Video From Detroit Auto Show
With production of its ground-breaking electric Roadster now complete--despite a recent offering of some 2012 models--Tesla Motors is fully focused on bringing its Model S electric sport sedan to market and delivering the first cars to paying customers. At this year's Detroit Auto Show, the company...
John Voelcker January 13, 2012
2013 Buick Encore: Video Walkaround At Detroit Auto Show
Until now, you'd have been hard-pressed to find the words "Buick" and "compact five-door crossover" in the same sentence. But as of this month's Detroit Auto Show, the 2013 Buick Encore--available at dealers roughly a year from now--takes GM's entry luxury brand into new territory. It's a five-door...
John Voelcker January 13, 2012
Nissan e-NV 200 Concept Electric Van: Detroit Auto Show Video
It's a little confusing when a carmaker shows a concept vehicle derived from a product that it's going to sell but hasn't yet announced. Nonetheless, the Nissan e-NV 200 Concept at the Detroit Auto Show attracted its share of attention. With a Leaf-like charging port door on its nose, and Leaf...
John Voelcker January 13, 2012
Arizona Dumps Stricter CA Emissions Standards Over Electric-Car Rules
California has always led the nation in mandating reduction of tailpipe emissions and development of low- and zero-emission vehicles. For several years now, states have had the option of adopting stricter California vehicle-emissions regulations or sticking with the national standards. Roughly a...
John Voelcker January 12, 2012
Washington Post To Syndicate Green Car Reports Articles
Being a startup media company means knocking on a whole lot of doors. And, occasionally, someone important answers. Here at High Gear Media, we're delighted to announce a partnership with The Washington Post. Their editors will choose certain stories from GreenCarReports and our other sites (The...
John Voelcker January 12, 2012

Nissan e-NV 200 Concept Electric Minivan: NYC's Electric Taxi? John Voelcker January 11, 2012

The vehicle in the photos is blue, but imagine it in New York City taxicab yellow, complete with a black checkboard stripe and mismatched fonts in the logo.

The Nissan e-NV 200 Concept electric...
Toyota FCV-R Concept, Hydrogen Fuel-Cell Vehicle In Detroit: Photo Gallery
While most of Toyota's focus for fuel efficiency remains on its growing lineup of Prius dedicated hybrids, the company said almost two years ago that it would launch a hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle in 2015. Its latest concept vehicle designed around fuel-cell technology is the FCV-R, which it unveiled...
John Voelcker January 11, 2012
Toyota NS4 Plug-In Hybrid Concept: Is This The Next Camry?
After a surprisingly perfunctory Detroit Auto Show launch of the 2012 Toyota Prius C small hybrid hatchback, Toyota unveiled an all-new plug-in hybrid concept car, known as the NS4. The company challenged multiple engineering teams to design an all-new mid-size sedan model for the global market in...
John Voelcker January 10, 2012
2012 Toyota Prius C: 50-MPG Subcompact Hybrid For $19K, Detroit Auto Show Details
Toyota officially launched the 2012 Prius C compact hybrid hatchback at the Detroit Auto Show. The new car adds a fourth member to the expanding family of Prius hybrid vehicles and takes the base price for a Toyota hybrid below $20,000 for the first time. While the car is considerably smaller than...
John Voelcker January 10, 2012
Acura NSX Concept: All-Wheel Drive Hybrid Supercar For 2015
It's the revival of a legendary supercar, the mid-engined all-wheel drive aluminum Acura NSX, and it's said to be a hybrid. What more could Green Car Reports fans possibly want? Announced today at the Detroit Auto Show to applause from the assembled press corps, the new Acura NSX Concept was...
John Voelcker January 9, 2012
2013 Acura ILX Compact Hybrid: Detroit Auto Show Preview
Since the demise of the well-loved Integra compact many years ago, Acura has had no compact four-door sedan. That's about to change, with the arrival of a production car based on the 2013 Acura ILX Concept shown today at the Detroit Auto Show.. It's a compact four-door near-luxury sedan with one...
John Voelcker January 9, 2012