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

North American Car And Truck Of The Year Finalists Announced John Voelcker December 8, 2015

The finalists for the pair of awards known as the North American Car (and Truck) of the Year were released today.

For the 2016 Car of the Year finalists, the finalists are the Chevrolet Malibu, Honda...
Elon Musk On Climate: Tax Carbon Appropriately, Tesla Founder Says (Full Transcript, Video)
The COP21 climate summit in Paris is now in its second week. Presentations, conferences, trade shows, and probably thousands of individual meetings are being held among attendees from almost all the countries of the world. Last week, Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk spoke to a group of college students...
John Voelcker December 8, 2015

Green Car Reports Best Car To Buy 2016 Award: Nominees Coming Next Week
We find ourselves, once more, in December, the last month of another year. And that means it's time once more for our annual Best Car To Buy award. Somewhat to our surprise, this is now the sixth time we've chosen the one car or lineup--newly introduced for the coming model year--that represents...
John Voelcker December 8, 2015
Plug-In Electric Car Sales In Nov: Volt Strong, But Leaf, i3 Decline (UPDATED)
Sales of plug-in electric cars generally fall off a bit as the weather gets colder, and it's the same this year, with November sales slightly down on those of October. The new 2016 Chevrolet Volt continued strong, even though it's on sale only in California and a few other states, but weakness in...
John Voelcker December 7, 2015
Hyundai Ioniq Name Confirmed For Hybrid, Electric Prius Competitor
As rumored about a month ago, Hyundai has chosen the model name Ioniq for its upcoming five-door hatchback, whose lineup will include hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and battery-electric versions. The news came via a press release from the U.K. arm of Hyundai; at the time this article was published...
John Voelcker December 7, 2015
Mercedes: 'More Than Competitive' Electric Cars Possible--When Business Makes Sense
BMW has had a battery-electric car (with an optional range extender) on the market for two years now. Audi and Porsche have announced battery-electric luxury models coming in two to four years that directly target Tesla. But what of the third German automotive powerhouse, Daimler? DON'T MISS...
John Voelcker December 7, 2015
CO State Group Deal On 2015 Nissan Leaf Electric Cars Cuts $9,000 From Price: UPDATED John Voelcker December 7, 2015

For the rest of the year, consumers in the northern part of Colorado state can take advantage of a remarkable discount on the world's best-selling electric car.

Through December 31, the dealership...

Confirmed: Porsche Mission E Electric Car Will Be Built By 'End Of Decade'
It's official now: Porsche will put its striking and all-electric Mission E concept car into production within three to five years. One of the hits of the Frankfurt Motor Show held in September, the low, sleek, four-door Mission E concept represented Porsche's take on an all-electric luxury sport...
John Voelcker December 6, 2015
2016 Toyota Prius Vs 2016 Chevrolet Volt: Video Test
They're both green-car leaders--in the public eye and in EPA energy-efficiency ratings. But the new 2016 Toyota Prius and 2016 Chevrolet Volt take very different approaches to delivering that efficiency. The newest Prius is the latest generation of the world's best-known, and best-selling, hybrid...
John Voelcker December 5, 2015
German Regulators Deem VW Diesel Emission Software A 'Defeat Device,' Deepening Crisis
The Volkswagen diesel emission scandal deepened on Tuesday as German regulators ruled that software to evade the use of emission-control systems constituted an illegal "defeat device." Known by its initials KBA, the German Federal Motor Transport Authority issued its decision in an e-mail--though...
John Voelcker December 3, 2015
Use Old Electric-Car Batteries To Electrify Used Vans, Carwatt Suggests (Video)
It's a frequent question about electric cars: What happens to the battery packs after they reach the limit of their automotive life? The usual answer is that they'll have a second life as energy storage in houses or for other stationary uses. But what if that second life were in another vehicle?...
John Voelcker December 3, 2015
Custom Tesla Model X Thanks Company's Veterans, Model S Too
Seeing a Tesla Model X electric SUV on the roads at all is still a rare occurrence; seeing one in flat black is even rarer. That's because there's only one that looks like the Model X in these photos, snapped at a Supercharger site 10 days ago by our Tesla-owning author George Parrott. After...
John Voelcker November 26, 2015

What Is It With Electric Cars And Star Wars Stormtroopers Anyway? John Voelcker November 25, 2015

There it was, in one corner of the Fiat display at last week's Los Angeles Auto Show: an odd black-and-white Fiat 500e electric car.

On closer inspection, it proved to be the custom-painted "Fiat...
Volkswagen Proposes 2.0-Liter Diesel Fixes As Crisis Continues
Being a Volkswagen executive these days may be one of the more thankless jobs in the auto industry. Among groups including car buyers, business travelers, and environmental advocates, the first association with the brand now is often now "diesel emission scandal.” But differing customer...
John Voelcker November 25, 2015
2017 BMW i3 Electric Car: 100- To 110-Mile Range, Battery Pack Retrofit?
BMW may boost the range of its i3 electric car, and offer a battery-pack retrofit for older cars.
John Voelcker November 25, 2015
Software To Be Updated In All 2009-2016 VW, Audi V-6 Diesels
It was only three weeks ago that Volkswagen headquarters in Germany came out swinging against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The EPA had issued a complaint in which it accused VW of incorporating emission-cheating software into its 3.0-liter V-6 TDI diesels, used by Audi and Porsche as...
John Voelcker November 24, 2015
Some BMW i3 Electric-Car Owners Get Expanded Free Fast Charging
As DC fast-charging networks emerge as a crucial battleground for long-range electric cars, BMW will expand its ChargeNow program for owners of its i3 electric hatchback. Announced last week at the Los Angeles Auto Show, the expanded program will give those drivers access to 500 additional DC...
John Voelcker November 23, 2015
All 90,000 Tesla Model S Electric Cars Recalled For Seat-Belt Check
The news emerged late last week: Tesla Motors is recalling all 90,000-plus Model S electric cars it's built to check that their seat belts were properly connected. The recall stemmed from the discovery in Europe two weeks ago of a single Tesla Model S with a "front seat belt that was not properly...
John Voelcker November 23, 2015

One-Quarter Of All Audis To Be Electric In 10 Years, Company Says John Voelcker November 20, 2015

It was an audacious statement, but there it was.

Audi expects that 25 percent of the cars it sells just 10 years hence will be either battery-electric or plug-in hybrid models.

And it came directly...
Scion C-HR Concept: Live Photos From Los Angeles Auto Show
With its iA subcompact sedan and iM compact hatchback launched, Scion is now starting to reap the benefits of its first mainstream new models in several years. But there's a third model coming, the brand's first-ever crossover utility vehicle, and today at the Los Angeles Auto Show, Toyota's "youth...
John Voelcker November 18, 2015
2016 Toyota Prius: First Drive Of 56-MPG Hybrid
When a Toyota Prius drive event comes with a handling course, you know that things have changed. And in some ways, the all-new 2016 Toyota Prius hybrid is a very different car from the three generations of Prius that preceded it. Perhaps the main difference is simply that it drives, handles, and...
John Voelcker November 18, 2015
Tesla Motors Talking To German Government About Battery Factory: UPDATED
Well, here's one that ought to irk the German automakers. Silicon Valley electric-car maker Tesla Motors is reportedly in talks with the German government to establish a lithium-ion battery plant in that country, which could kickstart slow sales of its Model S and future vehicles. And as is usual...
John Voelcker November 18, 2015
Audi Q7 e-Tron 3.0 TDI Quattro: First Drive Of Diesel Plug-In Hybrid SUV
Last week may not have been the ideal time for Audi to show off its second plug-in hybrid vehicle, since its Q7 e-tron SUV is powered by a 3.0-liter V-6 turbodiesel engine. With the Volkswagen diesel emission scandal now entering its third month—and no resolution apparent—the...
John Voelcker November 16, 2015
Audi e-Tron Electric Car To Offer 150-kW Quick Charging Sites
It’s increasingly clear that the German prestige brands plan to launch luxury electric cars that will go head-to-head with upstart Tesla Motors and its Model S and Model X. But a sexy, fast, comfortable, luxurious electric car will not be enough to compete effectively. The German brands must...
John Voelcker November 16, 2015