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

Tesla Model S P100D, electric car as fuel station, hybrid Firebird via Prius V: Today's Car News John Voelcker March 7, 2016

A possible new Tesla battery, the world's only hybrid Pontiac Firebird, and plug-in electric car sales in Canada. All this and more today on Green Car Reports.

A notorious software hacker may have...
Next top-level Tesla Model S to be P100D, says software hacker
Perhaps no car company today is as good at the extended tease as California electric-car maker Tesla Motors. Whether it's tweets from CEO Elon Musk, fervent fan speculation on few facts, or mainstream-media coverage based on incomplete knowledge and misunderstanding, the tiny carmaker gets huge...
John Voelcker March 7, 2016

Hyundai Ioniq lineup, Geneva's green debuts, Leaf 2G update, nervous Nevada: The Week In Reverse
Which startup company is making the state of Nevada nervous right about now? And, what vehicle did we consider to be the most important new entry at this week's Geneva Motor Show? This is our look back at the Week In Reverse--right here at Green Car Reports--for the week ending on Friday, March 4...
John Voelcker March 5, 2016
Faraday's Future bumpy; Nevada nervous, first car 'no Tesla'
Company startups are, by their nature, secretive and turbulent places. Toss in a Chinese billionaire or two, a new business model for selling transportation services rather than cars, and the brutal competition in the global auto industry, and you have the recipe for frequent and disruptive change...
John Voelcker March 4, 2016
Plug-In electric car sales for Feb: winter doldrums continue
As in previous years, the dog days of January and February were not kind to electric-car sales this year. Both 2014 and 2015 saw the lowest number of plug-in cars sold in their first two months, and 2016 appears to be following that pattern. While February sales were slightly up on those in...
John Voelcker March 4, 2016
Charger, charger, on the wall, who's the prettiest plug of all? (video)
You can't refuel your gasoline or diesel car in your garage, but one of the greatest benefits of owning a plug-in electric car is home recharging. With a device that requires no more wiring than an electric clothes drier, electric-car drivers quickly learn to plug in when they arrive home in the...
John Voelcker March 3, 2016
2017 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid, Electric: more notes from Geneva Motor Show John Voelcker March 3, 2016

The 2017 Hyundai Ioniq lineup was largely downplayed by European media that focused more on local makers, along with the supercars and high-end luxury vehicles debuts, at this week's Geneva Motor...

2017 Chevy Volt: what GM is doing differently this time
By virtually all accounts, the second-generation Chevrolet Volt is a handsome, enjoyable, efficient, and comfortable plug-in hybrid hatchback. This site named it our Best Car To Buy for 2016, and it's won plaudits from reviewers across the spectrum. But as we wrote last summer, "We worry most about...
John Voelcker March 3, 2016
Hyundai Ioniq: most important car at the Geneva Motor Show?
The Geneva Motor Show is stuffed with cars, both European volume cars we don't see in North America and a huge number of pricey and high-performance supercars and customs. So despite the fact that it was a global debut, the 2017 Hyundai Ioniq didn't seem to get the buzz it might have if it had been...
John Voelcker March 1, 2016
VW T-Cross Breeze Concept in Geneva previews new small SUV
Right now, Volkswagen has two crossover SUVs in production: the new second-generation Tiguan that will come to North America next year, and the larger, pricier Touareg premium utility vehicle A concept introduced this morning at the Geneva Motor Show, however, points the way to a new and smaller...
John Voelcker March 1, 2016
Hyundai Ioniq, First Drives, Koch Brothers, Garage Wiring: The Week In Reverse
Which company released info on new hybrid, electric, and plug-in hybrid models--all at once? And, what aspect of green vehicles do a pair of conservative billionaires reportedly plan to spend millions of dollars on? This is our look back at the Week In Reverse--right here at Green Car Reports--for...
John Voelcker February 27, 2016
How To Wire A New Garage For Electric-Car Charging: What You Need To Know
One of the more daunting perceived obstacles to driving a plug-in electric car seems to be the need for a home charging station. While plug-in hybrids can be recharged overnight using their 120-Volt charging cords, battery-electric drivers should really have access to a 240-Volt Level 2 charging...
John Voelcker February 26, 2016

Chevy, GMC V-8 Pickups Get 20 MPG With $500 eAssist Mild Hybrid Option John Voelcker February 26, 2016

The eAssist mild hybrid system is dead, long live the eAssist mild hybrid system?

With continually rising corporate average fuel economy levels required through 2025, General Motors will test a third...
Colorado Megachurch Goes Electric: BMW i3, Charging Stations, And More
Electric cars and organized religion aren't necessarily seen as fellow travelers, but one megachurch is bridging the two in pursuit of its mission. The Resurrection Fellowship Church in Loveland, Colorado, has installed a charging station in its parking lot--and its pastor, Jonathan Wiggins, has...
John Voelcker February 26, 2016
2016 Hyundai Tucson Eco: Gas Mileage Drive Of New Compact SUV
South Korean carmaker Hyundai has aggressive plans to expand its lineup and its sales in virtually every segment, and it's launched consistently better cars for several years in a row. With gas prices remaining low, the compact crossover utility segment is red-hot in the U.S. market right now, and...
John Voelcker February 25, 2016
Can Diesel Emission-Cheating Scandal Change VW Culture?
German automakers are both famously opaque in their management and remarkably leaky about their future product plans. And in the wake of the Volkswagen diesel emission scandal, now in its sixth month, VW Group has been turned upside down, shaken, and stirred. But will the changes be enough to break...
John Voelcker February 25, 2016
2017 Hyundai Ioniq Lineup Specs, Details Emerge For Geneva Motor Show (Video)
The 2017 Hyundai Ioniq will debut at the Geneva Motor Show next week, with the full global lineup--hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and battery-electric versions--in attendance. Ahead of that event's media days, the company has released some additional specifications on the three vehicles. For one thing...
John Voelcker February 24, 2016
Two-Thirds Of 2030 Hondas Will Be Electrified Or Zero Emission: CEO
Fifteen years is a short time in the life of the auto industry, just two complete product cycles for the average high-volume vehicle. But by "around 2030," according to Honda's CEO, his company will "strive" to make fully two-thirds of its cars electrified in some way--including hybrids, plug-in...
John Voelcker February 24, 2016

Volkswagen, EPA Unlikely To Settle Before End Of March: Report John Voelcker February 23, 2016

Five months after it first hit the press, U.S. owners of 580,000 diesel vehicles with Volkswagen TDI engines are no closer to knowing how or when their cars will be modified than they were in...
Oregon Has More Electric-Car Fast Charging Sites Per Person Than Germany
When talking about electric cars and early adopters, the state of Oregon often seems like the Little Engine That Could. It's the only state to have appointed an Electric Car Czar as a state employee, it started work on the West Coast Electric Highway fully five years ago (California is just now...
John Voelcker February 23, 2016
Koch Brothers Go To War Against Electric Cars, Elon Musk Sighs
The Koch Brothers of Texas have long been bêtes noires to the progressive side of the political spectrum. Now, it appears, the dynamic duo are taking on what they perceive as a threat to their fossil-fuel interests: electric cars. And Elon Musk, CEO of highly visible electric-car maker Tesla...
John Voelcker February 22, 2016
EPA To Demand More Electric Cars From VW To Settle Diesel Scandal: Report
A German newspaper has suggested that the Environmental Protection Agency wants Volkswagen to build electric cars at its assembly plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The agency also wants Volkswagen to help build a nationwide network of DC fast-charging sites for plug-in electric vehicles. Those...
John Voelcker February 22, 2016
Kia Niro Hybrid, Tesla Model 3 Date, RAV4 Hybrid Drive, Diesel Future: The Week In Reverse
Which company debuted the world's first dedicated hybrid SUV? And, what unexpected and serious step did Volkswagen take as a result of its diesel-emission cheating scandal? This is our look back at the Week In Reverse--right here at Green Car Reports--for the week ending on Friday, February 12...
John Voelcker February 13, 2016
Next Volkswagen e-Golf To Have At Least 200 Miles Of Range
When it launched in fall 2014, the Volkswagen e-Golf electric car all but duplicated the Nissan Leaf in range and efficiency: 83 miles and 116 MPGe against the Leaf's 84-mile and 114-MPGe ratings. Since then, the Leaf has gotten an upgrade to 107 miles, and an increase is en route for the e-Golf as...
John Voelcker February 12, 2016