Stephen Edelstein, Contributing Writer
Articles
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Tesla announced in November that it would end free unlimited use of its Supercharger DC fast-charging stations.
Now that the cutoff point for that perk has arrived, the company is offering more...
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5 more VW diesel execs indicted, including R&D head, after weekend arrestOn Wednesday, six senior VW Group executives were indicted by the Justice Department on multiple counts of conspiracy and intent to defraud. The charges include conspiracy to defraud the United States, to defraud customers, and to violate the Clean Air Act. All stemmed from the Volkswagen diesel...
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China's GAC shows electric car, plug-in hybrid concept, crossover at Detroit Auto ShowChina is now the world's largest new-car market, but no native Chinese manufacturers sell passenger cars in the U.S. At least one of those manufacturers is at least considering having a go at the U.S. market. GAC appeared this week at the 2017 Detroit Auto Show with three vehicles, including an...
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Tesla P100D 'Ludicrous Plus' mode makes electric car even fasterAs well as software updates to add back Autopilot functionality in its latest cars, Tesla CEO Elon Musk has hinted on Twitter at an update to improve performance even further. Musk recently teased a software update that would allow the latest Model S P100D to do 0 to 60 mph in 2.4...
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FCA 'defeat device,' plug-in electric-car sales, Ford GT EcoBoost gas mileage: Today's Car NewsToday, a report claims the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will accuse Fiat Chrysler Automobiles of using an illegal "defeat device" to cheat on emissions tests, plug-in electric car sales were strong in December 2016, and the Ford GT supercar returns low fuel economy, despite its EcoBoost...
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When the 'eco' in EcoBoost is so low that gas-guzzler taxes applySince Ford launched its line of downsized EcoBoost engines in 2009, the "eco" part of that name has often required an asterisk. That's because some owners have found that real-world fuel economy results don't always live up to the vehicles' official EPA ratings. The phrase "you can have Eco, or you...
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When it comes to policy efforts aimed at promoting electric cars, the focus is usually on private passenger vehicles.
But to cut carbon emissions in a meaningful way, policymakers will have to look...
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Honda hybrids, Prius Prime buyers misled, PG&E electric-car rebate: Today's Car NewsToday, Toyota Prius Prime buyers complain of uncooperative dealers, Honda announces a new dedicated hybrid model for 2018, and California utility Pacific Gas & Electric offers rebates for electric-car use. All this and more on Green Car Reports. Find out why Faraday Future's luxury electric car...
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California's PG&E utility now offers $500 rebate for electric-car usePacific Gas & Electric now offers a rebate to customers who charge electric cars at home.
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Best deals on hybrid, electric, fuel-efficient cars for January 2017It's a new year, and that means a new crop of buyer deals on green cars. The 2017 model year is now well underway, but older 2016 versions of certain vehicles still sit on dealer lots. As dealers get more anxious to clear this older stock, look for more aggressive incentives on these models. DON'T...
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China's five-year budget for renewable energy: $360 billionDespite a recent downturn, the Chinese government is moving full-speed ahead to invest heavily in renewable energy. The country's national regulators have already promoted renewable energy as a possible cure for the country's notoriously-bad air pollution. But China has placed more emphasis on...
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Why Faraday Future's luxury electric car is named FF 91Faraday Future unveiled its FF 91 electric car at a special event held during the 2017 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas last week. It's a crossover-utility vehicle with a claimed 1,050 horsepower and 378-mile range, the latter courtesy of a 130-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack. Aside...
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For nearly a decade, the average fuel economy of new cars sold in the U.S. steadily increased—but that moment has stalled in recent years.
Low gas prices and increased consumer interest in SUVs...
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Samsung lithium-ion cell to recharge to 80 percent in 20 minutesThe limitations of current lithium-ion battery-cell technology pose a hindrance to more widespread adoption of plug-in electric cars. Relatively short ranges and long charging times accorded by current lithium-ion cells still limit the appeal of electric cars in the minds of many new-car buyers...
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VW ID Buzz concept, Ford F-150 diesel, electric-car battery costs: Today's Car NewsWe have news from the 2017 Detroit Auto Show and more today.
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Advocacy group says diesel cars coming back; it meant trucksThe Diesel Technology Forum notes that diesel's market share increased in the second half of 2016, but that was mostly due to truck sales.
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Will 3-wheeled so-called 'autocycles' break out this year? We're skepticalSeveral manufacturers are trying to launch new 3-wheeled vehicles, but will they succeed?
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How much have electric-car battery costs fallen? This much!High costs of lithium-ion battery cells have been one of the main hindrances to large-scale electric-car adoption, as they typically lead to higher purchase prices for electric cars than comparable internal-combustion models. But electric-car battery prices are falling fast, according to one recent...
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Today, the next-generation Nissan Leaf will have a range of 200 miles or more, Tesla is allowed to re-open its three Missouri stores, and Indiana considers an annual fee for electric cars. All this...
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Clean energy to grow, coal to fade, regardless of Trump EPA plansPresident-elect Donald Trump's choice of Oklahoma attorney general Scott Pruitt to lead the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) indicates that his administration will pursue radically different energy policies from its predecessor's. Pruitt is a climate-science denier, and has sued the agency he...
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Indiana too slaps electric cars with $150 fee for not using gasA bill before the Indiana legislature would add an annual fee for electric cars.
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UPDATE: Tesla can still sell cars in Missouri stores, pending appeal, after dealer lobby lauds victoryTesla's Missouri dealer license expired December 31.
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Detroit Auto Show preview, Tesla Gigafactory cell production, German VW lawsuits: Today's Car NewsToday, we preview the green cars of the 2017 Detroit Auto Show, Tesla begins lithium-ion battery cell production at its "Gigafactory," and German diesel owners sue Volkswagen. All this and more on Green Car Reports. Tesla began lithium-ion battery cell production at its Gigafactory this week, for...
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Explaining how Honda Accord Hybrid system works: videoThe 2017 Honda Accord Hybrid mid-size sedan returned last year, ending a one-year hiatus for the model. The new version uses an updated version of the two-motor hybrid powertrain fitted to earlier hybrid Accords, which were sold as 2014 and 2015 models. That powertrain is notable because it uses a...
Stephen Edelstein