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

  • Fuel Efficient Fours Gain Ground on V-6s, V-8s In New Cars

    At December's Los Angeles Auto Show, Hyundai made a big splash by saying it would no longer offer V-6 engines in its Sonata midsize car or its Tucson compact crossover. Instead, it replaced them with...

  • Californians: Buy a 2010 Tesla Roadster, Get $12,500 Off!

    The nice thing about buying advanced-technology cars is that many of them, at one point or another, come with financial incentives meant to encourage fuel efficiency. Even if the car in question is a 2010 Tesla Roadster, the $109,000 two-seat all-electric convertible that blasts from 0 to 60 mph in...

  • Green-Car Tip: Hybrid Vehicles Get Discounts, Incentives Too

    While the auto industry in general offers an average incentive of more than $1,000 off the sticker price of any new vehicle, many buyers somehow assume this doesn't apply to hybrids. Oh, but it does. You can get money off pretty much any hybrid out there at the moment, since gasoline prices are far...

  • 2010 Toyota Prius Reigns As Japan Sales Champ Despite Recalls

    Unlike some of its Toyota brethren, the 2010 Prius hybrid was never pulled off sale due to recalls. But U.S. sales fell 6.1% in February anyway, against the previous month, though they rose versus February 2009, when the new 2010 model hadn't yet hit dealers. Currently, the 2010 Prius is the...

  • GM Planning Engineless All-Electric Cars To Follow the Volt

    Bob Lutz, the retiring eminence grise of General Motors, is known for pithiness and plain speaking. Yesterday, he tossed off a nugget of news: GM is working on a range of pure electric cars, without range-extending engines, that will follow the 2011 Chevrolet Volt--most likely a few years hence...

  • Clunkers Program Worked, Didn't Hurt Car Sales, Study Says

    A new study concludes that last summer's government-funded "Cash For Clunkers" program didn't hurt car sales rates in future months, and in fact did just what it set out to do: get old, low-mileage cars off the road and stimulate auto sales in the U.S. An analysis by Maritz Research refutes one of...

  •
    2010 Geneva Motor Show: Hyundai i-Flow Diesel Hybrid Concept

    The 2010 Geneva Motor Show is over, but we realized that we missed out on covering one significant vehicle: Hyundai's i-flow diesel hybrid concept.

    While the first gasoline hybrid was the 1997 Toyota...

  • 2011 Honda CR-Z Videos, While We Wait For the Actual Car

    We're eagerly waiting to get our hands on a 2011 Honda CR-Z for a test drive. The two-seat coupe, Honda's latest dedicated hybrid, is the spiritual successor to the 1983-1991 Honda Civic CRX, and we're devoutly hoping it's as fun to drive as its predecessor. The performance numbers aren't...

  • Now, For Your Fuel-Efficient Little Green Car, V-8 Sound!

    If you drive a small car or, heaven forfend, a hybrid or a clean-diesel, you may have heard the jokes. And the jibes. "Hey, Mister, how many rubber bands that thing have?" And so on. But we've got a foolproof way for you to grin all the way past the gas pumps. Suppose your fuel-efficient green car...

  • GM Plug-In Hybrid Program Underway, Vehicle Still Unconfirmed

    Recent spy shots posted by our sister site Motor Authority show that despite delays, General Motors is continuing to develop the plug-in version of its Two-Mode Hybrid system. While the system is being tested in a discontinued Saturn Vue crossover, it now seems likely to appear in a version of...

  • 2004-2009 Toyota Prius Recall Will Reshape Accelerator Pedal

    Owners of Toyota's iconic Prius hybrid model who thought they'd escaped the rash of Toyota recalls need to think again. The company is working on a fix to reshape accelerator pedals so that they cannot be trapped by floor mats, and will issue details within weeks. The upcoming recall took center...

  • 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid Continues Conquest Campaign

    Just yesterday, we reported on Ford's first-ever 300 hp/30 mpg ratings for the 2011 Mustang. The company has vowed to achieve best-in-class fuel economy numbers for every new model it launches. Certainly the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid clears that bar, trouncing any other mid-size sedan with an EPA...

  •
    Recycling Your Entire Car: From Hooptie To Handbag

    And now for something completely different. But first, a definition from Wikipedia, in case "hooptie" wasn't in your vocabulary as yet:

    Hooptie ... an old, decrepit, unreliable and often...

  • 2011 Ford Mustang V-6 With 305 HP Rated At 31 MPG Highway

    Ford's on a roll lately, selling more cars in the U.S. than General Motors last month. And it's vowed to achieve best-in-class fuel economy numbers for every new model it launches. So the news today that its revised 2011 Ford Mustang with the 3.7-liter V-6 engine has been rated at 19 mpg city, 31...

  • 2011 Lexus CT 200h Makes U.S. Debut at New York Auto Show

    Well, when we get it wrong, we really get it wrong. Just yesterday, when we reviewed the new green production cars from the Geneva Motor Show, we said the new 2011 Lexus CT 200h compact hatchback hybrid would be restricted to Europe. Not so. This morning, Lexus dropped a press release saying the...

  • 2010 Geneva Motor Show: Green Car Concepts Roundup

    Yesterday we covered the new green production cars at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, now underway in snowy Switzerland. Today, we get to cover the cooler, sexier side of the show: concept cars! So, here's our roundup of notable green and advanced-technology concept cars at Geneva. Audi A1 e-tron...

  • Volkswagen Will Dominate the World of Electric Cars. Got That?

    Maybe it's just the translation. But auto writers often chuckle at announcements from German manufacturers that come across as just a touch bombastic. Latest case in point: Volkswagen's long-term plans for vehicle electrification, released at the Geneva Motor Show this week. Key excerpt...

  • 2010 Geneva Motor Show: 57-MPG Mercedes-Benz E300 Bluetec Hybrid

    Earlier today, we ran down our list of new green production cars at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, where press days are now underway. There's one more we might have added to the list: the 2012 Mercedes-Benz E300 Bluetec Hybrid. At the show today, Mercedes-Benz confirmed that the car "has already...

  •
    2010 Geneva Motor Show: New Green Production Cars

    No, sadly, we're not at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, underway this week in Switzerland. But we've been keeping close tabs on the introductions via our colleagues throughout the High Gear Media...

  • Geneva Motor Show Preview: 2012 Ford Focus Station Wagon

    The 2012 Ford Focus four-door sedan and five-door hatchback were probably the most important cars unveiled at January's Detroit Auto Show. And Ford has many more compact vehicles to come, one of which is this striking Ford Focus station wagon, which will be shown at this week's Geneva Motor Show...

  • Electric-Car Dealerships Struggle, But Why Such Surprise?

    A recent article in the Oakland Tribune highlights the high failure rate of independent car dealerships selling only electric vehicles. Frankly, we're not at all surprised. We worried readers might find a subtext that the slew of EV-only dealerships that have closed--in Berkeley, Concord, Davis...

  • Geneva Motor Show Preview: 2011 Fisker Karma Space Frame

    While no journalist has yet driven a 2011 Fisker Karma with just nine months left before launch, the company will show the plug-in extended-range electric luxury sports sedan's aluminum space frame at this week's Geneva Motor Show. Designed to distribute elements of the car's plug-in hybrid...

  • Geneva Motor Show Preview: BMW ActiveHybrid 5 Concept

    We've already seen two hybrids from BMW: the 2010 ActiveHybrid X6 "sport activity vehicle" and 2010 ActiveHybrid 7 full-size sedan. Now BMW's third hybrid model, which it has hinted at for several months, will be unveiled next week at the Geneva Motor Show. As a show car, its full name is the BMW...

  • Tiny Lotus Engine Powers Proton Series Hybrid Mini-Car Concept

    Normally we wouldn't cover a Malaysian mini-car concept exhibited at an auto show in Switzerland. But we're making an exception for the Proton Concept, which will be unveiled next week at the Geneva Motor Show in three different body styles. That's because Proton is the first maker to use the new...

Charging Mobility Sustainability
Gas Mileage Hybrids Electric Cars
Alt Fuels Diesel Cars Features
View All
Green Car Reports Newsletter
Sign up to get the latest green car and environmental news, delivered to your inbox daily!
I agree to receive emails from Green Car Reports. I understand that I can unsubscribe at any time. Privacy Policy.
News
Charging Mobility Sustainability Gas Mileage Hybrids Electric Cars Alt Fuels Diesel Cars Features View All
First Drives Electric Cars Hybrids Guides Green Life