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

Review: 2023 Audi Q4 E-Tron SUV and Sportback go for practicality more than punch John Voelcker September 30, 2022

The 2023 Audi Q4 E-Tron gives the German luxury brand an all-electric entry in the popular compact crossover segment, making EV Audis accessible at prices of $50,000 and up. The brand’s large ...
Review: 2023 Lexus RX 450h+ plug-in hybrid falls short of prime mover
The RX 450h+ will cost more and weigh more than hybrid versions of the popular Lexus crossover—without remarkable performance or electric range.
John Voelcker September 9, 2022

GMC Hummer EV electric truck: First details emerge before Super Bowl ad
The GMC Hummer EV boasts 1,000 horsepower, 11,500 pound-feet of torque, and 0-60 mph in 3.0 seconds.
John Voelcker January 30, 2020
GM’s electric-vehicle future: President Mark Reuss offers some hints
The future of General Motors involves many more electric cars, and in a few brief answers GM president Mark Reuss gave us some more hints about what, when, and even why.
John Voelcker January 29, 2020
GM names Hamtramck as first US plant to build only electric cars
The automaker will spend $2.2 billion to produce electric-only vehicles at the plant that once made the Chevy Volt.
John Voelcker January 27, 2020
Toyota vs. electric cars: Smart strategy, or Innovator’s Dilemma?
Over the years, Toyota's caution to focus on hybrids and fuel cells over electric cars has been replaced by recalcitrance.
John Voelcker December 5, 2019
How many Mustang Mach-E electric SUVs will Ford build? We’ve got numbers John Voelcker November 29, 2019

In presentations before and during the launch of the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E, the company said several times that the electric SUV that expands its pony-car range wasn’t a compliance car.

...

2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E preview: Electric SUV targeting 300-mile range
The fully electric Mach-E gives Ford a jump with a non-compliance EV that helps keep the Mustang name relevant.
John Voelcker November 20, 2019
Five things we didn’t expect in the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E electric SUV
The first dedicated, widely available electric vehicle from Ford holds some surprises.
John Voelcker November 20, 2019
We rode in the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E: Here’s what it felt like
The Ford Mustang Mach-E SUV doesn't reach dealerships until fall 2020, but a small ride-along told us a bit more about this upcoming all-electric vehicle.
John Voelcker November 18, 2019
Seven China-connected electric-car companies: Headed for boom or bust?
Dozens of automakers have been vying for the grand scale of the Chinese car market, some with ties to the U.S. Which ones are for real?
John Voelcker October 25, 2019
2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV: How GM’s only electric car stacks up after 3 years
It might be another three years—or more—before the vehicles on GM's BEV platform arrive. Where does that leave the Bolt EV?
John Voelcker October 15, 2019

2020 Porsche Taycan electric car: Seven things we didn't expect John Voelcker September 4, 2019

The 2020 Porsche Taycan is the German sports-car maker’s first all-electric car. It’s also the most serious competitor yet to the Tesla Model S, the groundbreaking luxury electric car...
2020 Porsche Taycan preview: Fast, electric, expensive
Porsche unlocks all the secrets of its new all-electric Taycan battery vehicle.
John Voelcker September 4, 2019
1,000-mile electric car unveiled: Aptera returns 10 years later
One of the early electric-car hopefuls, Aptera, is back a decade later with a reconstituted version of its car and the team behind it.
John Voelcker August 28, 2019
VW diesel mitigation: PIRG rates state plans, lacks reality check on EVs
The Volkswagen diesel emissions scandal has fallen out of the news, but VW Group recently boosted its allowance for the total costs to 30 billion euros ($33 billion). In the U.S., VW has bought back hundreds of thousands of TDI diesel vehicles and is paying two distinct 10-figure penalties. The...
John Voelcker June 3, 2019
Busting 7 of the most common myths about electric cars
Reader receives some misleading information about electric cars, batteries, and manufacturing. We respond with facts and reason.
John Voelcker May 1, 2019
Step aside, Boomers: New electric-car buyers in Northeast may be Millennials
A new survey of Northeastern drivers suggests the demographics of future electric-car buyers in that region may evolve from the Baby Boomers who’ve bought most of them so far to Millennial buyers who see them as an inevitable part of a tech-focused lifestyle. Released Thursday at the New York...
John Voelcker April 18, 2019

Genesis Mint Concept: luxury urban electric two-seater debuts in New York John Voelcker April 17, 2019

Genesis is the newest brand trying to take a piece of a global luxury-vehicle market still dominated by German makers. Last night, in New York City, the Korean brand revealed its first-ever electric...
10 lessons from the short life of the Chevy Volt, 2011-2019
On February 15, GM ended production of the innovative Chevrolet Volt with little fanfare. Over two generations and nine model years, the company sold more than 150,000 of the compact plug-in hybrid hatchbacks. In automotive time, nine model years isn’t that long. The best brand names live for...
John Voelcker March 28, 2019
2019 Nissan Leaf Plus vs. 2011 Nissan Leaf: 5 takeaways over 8 years
When a completely new vehicle is introduced, it's generally around for five to seven years before an entirely redesigned generation of that vehicle is launched. By that measure, the 2019 Nissan Leaf Plus we reviewed earlier this week is ancient, with a basic structure in its ninth model...
John Voelcker February 28, 2019
First drive review: The 2019 Nissan Leaf Plus delivers more power, 226-mile range at last
At the moment, there are more Nissan Leafs on the world’s roads than any other electric car in history—closing in on 400,000. As of Jan 1, Nissan had delivered 380,000 Leafs globally, 130,000 of them in the United States. Nissan is entirely aware that honor may not last long. It all...
John Voelcker February 25, 2019
Long-range Cadillac SUV to lead GM's next electric-car push, in 3 years
On Sunday night, General Motors showed renderings of a future long-range, all-electric SUV to be offered roughly three years hence by its Cadillac luxury brand. The look at the brand's first battery-electric vehicle came as part of the 2019 Detroit auto-show debut for the 2020 Cadillac XT6, a...
John Voelcker January 14, 2019
2019 CES: Quiet year for green-car and self-driving news
As always, the 2019 Consumer Electronics Show held this week in Las Vegas was massive. Hundreds of thousands of attendees, workers, and support staff converged at multiple venues to show off their latest wares, meet with clients, partners, and the media and try to break through the news clutter...
John Voelcker January 13, 2019