John Voelcker, Contributing Editor

John Voelcker avatar
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 Toyota Prius V Wagon: Hybrid Success, More To Be Built

    The 2012 Toyota Prius V wagon hasn't even reached U.S. dealers--it'll arrive this fall--but surging global demand has already convinced Toyota to raise production.

    The world's largest maker of...

  • Gas Taxes Should Go Up To Boost Green-Car Sales, Says GM CEO Akerson

    The CEO of General Motors, Dan Akerson, told a Detroit newspaper that the Federal tax on gasoline should be raised by 50 cents or $1 a gallon to encourage consumers to buy more fuel efficient vehicles.. In an interview last week with the Detroit News, Akerson said a higher gas tax should be part of...

  • 2012 Tesla Model S: More Factory Photos Released (Gallery)

    It seems that people just can't get enough of the 2012 Tesla Model S, the all-electric luxury sports sedan that SIlicon Valley startup Tesla Motors says it will put on sale in little more than a year from now. The factory has now released a whole set of new images, showing slight tweaks to the...

  • New Chrysler Engine To Burn Gas And Diesel--At The Same Time

    You probably drive a gasoline car. And surely you've heard of cars with diesel engines. But how about a car with an engine that burns both fuels, at the same time? That's what Chrysler is working on, it turns out, funded in part with research dollars from the U.S. Department of Energy. Author Mike...

  • What Really Killed The Cadillac SRX Plug-In? It's Complicated

    When a major automaker cancels an innovative plug-in hybrid vehicle program, that's big news. If it's General Motors, that goes double, given the politics that continue to swirl around GM's bankruptcy and the U.S. government's ongoing ownership of part of the company. So it was news when...

  • 2011 Chevy Volt Gets Five Stars For Overall Safety From NHTSA

    Well, log another notch in the bedpost: One more safety myth--that electric cars will be more dangerous than regular ones in a crash--has now been slain. Five weeks ago, the Insurance Industry for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave top ratings for crash safety to both the 2011 Nissan Leaf and the 2011...

  •
    Hyundai Elantra Gas Mileage

    Unlike other compact cars, the gas-mileage story for the 2011 Hyundai Elantra is simple.

    There's a single engine, a choice of two transmissions--six-speed automatic or six-speed manual--and any...

  • Ford's Gas Mileage Goals Spawn 3-Cylinder Engine, New Hybrids

    Smaller, more efficient engines that equal the power of larger, lazier ones are how automakers all over the world plan to raise fuel economy. Today Ford [NYSE:F] doubled down on engineering as the best way to boost gas mileage, with announcements about three separate technologies it plans to use in...

  • Weak Battery Explains Death Of Cadillac SRX Plug-In Hybrid

    Well, now we know a little more about why the Cadillac SRX Plug-In Hybrid project was killed by its development team at General Motors. The culprit, according to GMInsideNews, was the lithium-ion battery pack. More specifically, it wasn't providing the efficiency gains that would have been needed...

  • Gas Prices Rising: Driving Tips, Simple Repairs Boost Mileage (Infographic)

    We have to admit, we're fond of infographics. This one has three simple parts. It looks at gas prices--which recently rose to an average of $4 a gallon before ebbing slightly--showing national average prices for both three grades of gasoline and for diesel fuel. Then it suggests some driving tips...

  • 2011 Fisker Karma Plug-In Hybrid: Sales Now To Start In July

    Much attention and too little perspective has been focused on the monthly sales reports for the Chevy Volt and Nissan Leaf, the first mass-market plug-in electric cars. But electric-car fans still eagerly await the always-imminent arrival of another production car with a plug, the 2011 Fisker Karma...

  • Nissan Doubles Leaf Sales, Volt Stays Steady: Some Perspective, Please

    Sigh. Here we go again. It's the first of the month, which means that auto journalists are scrambling to put together their monthly sales reports. Sales in May weren't great, for a variety of reasons: higher prices and shortages of some Japanese models, among others. Unusual scrutiny But the most...

  •
    Chevrolet Cruze Gas Mileage

    With two models--one all about gas mileage, with two transmission options, plus the other one, which has two engines and two transmissions--the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze may take some sorting out if...

  • 2001-2003 Toyota Prius Recall: Steering Nut On Early Hybrids

    Toyota has issued a recall notice for its very earliest hybrids, the 2001 through 2003 Prius sedan models. The company will replace the pinion-shaft attachment nuts in the electric power steering box, which could loosen over time if the wheel is "repeatedly and strongly turned" to the full-lock...

  • Fisker Karma In Monaco: Winner Of Owner Royalty Award?

    According to startup plug-in hybrid maker Fisker Automotive, production of its 2011 Fisker Karma luxury sports sedan recently started in Finland. The company says it is focusing on delivering cars to dealers, so aside from giving a very small handful of journalists some quick driving time within...

  • Honda Civic Gas Mileage

    With a redesigned range of Civic sedan and coupe models, and no fewer than five separate variants, the new 2012 Honda Civic makes an aggressive effort to position Honda at the forefront of gas mileage. Unlike models from other makers, if you order a standard 2012 Civic with the 1.8-liter engine...

  • Cadillac SRX Plug-In Hybrid Crossover: Killed Before Birth?

    It may be the most star-crossed program in recent automotive history, and now it's apparently dead. According to Reuters, General Motors has canceled work on the planned plug-in hybrid version of its Cadillac SRX crossover sport utility. The canceled SRX plug-in would have been the second GM car...

  • Toyota Prius Gas Mileage

    The 2011 Toyota Prius hybrid gets the best gas mileage rating of any car for sale in the U.S. market today. It's rated at 51 mpg city, 48 mpg highway, for a combined rating of 50 mpg--and that's a number no other car can match. At least, no other car that doesn't plug into the wall for some (2011...

  •
    Why Haven't Hybrid Sales Been Higher, And Should They Be?

    Hybrid cars seem to bring out strong beliefs among car buyers, both pro and con.

    On the pro side, they get better gas mileage, offer some small degree of all-electric running, and let buyers display...

  • Toyota Corolla Gas Mileage

    The 2011 Toyota Corolla is one of the best-selling compact sedans in the U.S. market. But its gas mileage isn't necessarily anything to write home about. The most fuel-efficient model is the one fitted with the 132-horsepower, 1.8-liter engine and a five-speed manual gearbox, a transmission many...

  • Next Mazda Sports Car Rumored To Be Hybrid; Fans Wail, Moan, Gnash Teeth

    Oh, the horror, the horror. Once again, the world is coming to an end. No, not tsunamis, or earthquakes, or tornadoes, or plagues. Not even locusts. Nope, it's the evil specter of hybrid technology that will conclusively decimate all of mankind, depriving it forever of driving fun, pleasure, and...

  • Elon Musk Says Tesla Won't Be Sold, But Elon Musk Is Wrong

    In a sign of its continuing need for capital--and the good performance thus far of its stock--Tesla Motors said today it would sell 5.3 million more shares of common stock. At the same time, according to the announcement, Tesla CEO Elon Musk plans to buy an additional 1.5 million shares of the...

  • New And Improved Comments Debut On GreenCarReports Today!

    We thrive on comments, pro and con, agree and disagree, especially those that add information and richness to the discussion. And now, we proudly introduce (blare of trumpets, please): Comments 2.0! Our goal was to make it easier for both regular users and sporadic visitors to add your points of...

  • Adding Urea To Clean Diesel Cars: Can I Just Pee In The Tank?

    We get punchy around High Gear Media occasionally, and sometimes we BS back and forth about topics less salubrious than, say, fuel efficiency and lowering our oil dependency. Which is how the following question came up: If the urea runs low in my new clean-diesel car, can I just pee in the tank to...

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