Aaron Cole, Managing Editor
Articles
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Federal regulators gave final approval to Fiat Chrysler Automobiles to resume sales of diesel-powered Jeep Grand Cherokee and Ram 1500 models in the U.S., the company announced Friday.
In May, FCA...
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Climate resistance grows; more states ally to flout Trump, commit to Paris accord (updated)
Thirteen states, at least 80 mayors, and more than 100 businesses will task themselves to meet ambitious climate-change goals—with or without federal participation. The newly formed United States Climate Alliance—which so far has support from more than a dozen states including New York...
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2018 Subaru Crosstrek preview
Five years after the first Subaru Crosstrek hit the streets, the small Japanese automaker with a cult-like following has significantly updated its unexpectedly successful small crossover utility vehicle. The 2018 Subaru Crosstrek will hit the streets later this year wearing a new exterior and an...
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What's the best Porsche Panamera? It's a plug-in hybrid now
The top 2018 Porsche Panamera that money can buy now comes with a plug. That’s according to Porsche Cars North America’s Chief Operating Officer Joe Lawrence, who said as much to Green Car Reports last week during the 2017 New York auto show. “I think what we have with the (2018...
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Tesla Autopilot features edge closer to self-driving in 3 to 6 months
Last year, after Tesla updated the radar, camera, and ultrasonic sensors on its electric cars, CEO Elon Musk said the new hardware's capabilities would lag behind the cars on the street already. Now, Musk has projected that the "Hardware 2.0" cars may surpass the older generation of "Hardware 1.0"...
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EPA says Ram, Jeep diesel emission software violates Clean Air Act (updated)
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles may have used illegal software for emission controls to get more than 100,000 trucks and SUVs through emissions testing, the EPA said Thursday. The agency avoided dubbing that software "defeat devices," but it has asked FCA to explain up to eight auxiliary emissions...
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Electric vehicles are hardly a new concept any more, but they've largely been the province of Nissan and Tesla.
Add another nameplate to that battery-powered mix. The future of Jaguar arrives next...
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Chevy confirms diesel Cruze, looks to capitalize on VW's loss
General Motors chief in North America confirmed that Chevrolet will bring its diesel compact car to the U.S. and "seize" on ground that VW has lost. "People who drive diesels, love diesels. And so there is a customer base there that wants to drive this type of vehicle and have this type of...
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VW diesel buyback: Here's what it's like to be an owner, so far
A Volkswagen TDI owner in Portland, Oregon, who's a good friend of this site is taking us along for the ride as he prepares to sell back his 2010 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen TDI. The car, which only has 43,000 miles on it, was purchased new from a Portland-area dealer and maintained very well. Our...
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The Tesla Model S P100D really, seriously goes over 300 miles this time
The first time may have been a Pyrrhic victory. In April, an updated 90D emerged with a kinda, sorta 300-mile range and a new face. Tuesday, Tesla announced that a new 100-kilowatt-hour battery would deliver 315 miles on the EPA cycle and accelerate up to 60 mph faster than falling off the roof...
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EPA releases final heavy-truck emissions rules
The Environmental Protection Agency unveiled this week its final rules for reducing emissions from heavy-duty trucks, including semitractor-trailers, buses, and other heavy trucks. The agency said the new rules would cut carbon dioxide emissions by 1.1 billion tons, cut fuel costs by $170 billion...
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Just how 'green' is a Ford Super Duty truck?
Most buyers won't consider a truck's environmental impact when considering a heavy duty hauler. That's a given. Yet, while most buyers may not consider the idea, that doesn't mean the lumbering haulers aren't changing. The idea a decade ago that truck buyers would swap their thirsty V-8s for...
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A backlog of diesel cars waiting to be tested by federal regulators has delayed several models from going on sale in the U.S. including many from BMW and possibly others from different manufacturers.
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VW won't relaunch 'clean diesels' as part of its US core, execs say
Automotive News reported Tuesday that Volkwagen's North American chief said the brand won't bring back most of its diesels to the U.S. anytime soon. “We are not stopping diesel. Wherever diesel makes sense as a package to the car, we’ll continue,” Hinrich Woebcken told Automotive...
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Tesla's Autopilot not flying past regulators, maybe; 2017 Honda Clarity preview; VW's emissions penalties come into view: Today's Car News
Tesla's Autopilot is scrutinized by more humans, Volkswagen will fund programs to literally (and figuratively) clear the air, the Clarity is clear enough to see—and more on Green Car Reports. Consumer Reports took Tesla to task saying its Autopilot feature was "too much, too soon" for the...
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Want a solar panel with your electric car? Tesla bets you do in SolarCity bid
Tesla CEO Elon Musk is betting that electric car buyers want home solar panels in addition to batteries. In fact, he’s betting nearly $3 billion on the idea. On Tuesday, Musk announced that Tesla [NYSE: TSLA] would acquire SolarCity, one of the nation’s largest residential and...
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Volkswagen's plan to bounce back? 30 electric cars in 10 years
Roughly a week before the automaker is expected to tell a court how it plans to make amends for lying about cheating diesels, Volkswagen announced Thursday a far-reaching plan to stake the company's future on battery electric vehicles. Last year, the company admitted millions of diesel cars...
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How CAFE works: 5 things you should know about gas-mileage standards
As automakers and policy wonks fret and fuss over future fuel economy standards, interested spectators may be lost in the fumes. What exactly are Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards, and what's important to know about them? The CAFE rules have many layers and facets—far too many to put...
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Today, Germany goes ahead with its plan to incentivize plug-in hybrids and EVs, Tesla Model 3 reservations top 373,000 after the dust has settled, Suzuki's woes may be mounting over fuel economy...
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2017 Mercedes-Benz GLS diesel on hold, facing further EPA scrutiny
Sales of the 2017 Mercedez-Benz GLS350d are on hold in the U.S. while it awaits a certificate of compliance from the EPA, a Mercedes-Benz spokesman said this week. The diesel SUV, which is the automaker's base offering in the GLS range, is slightly different than the 2016 version that was sold last...
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Colorado simplifies electric-car incentive, but axes used models
Last week, the Colorado State Legislature passed a bill that would simplify the state's electric car incentives. However, it would remove the eligibility of used cars that could qualify for the same credit. The measure, House Bill 16-1332, would make the state's electric and alternative vehicle...
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Tesla's psychology; Volvo's concept; Apple bets on China: Today's Car News
Today, Elon Musk gives us a glimpse at his effective (yet Machiavellian, maybe) management practices, Volvo shows us what may be coming for its V40 and XC40, and Apple puts more of its money where its money is, up next. Elon Musk on how to win friends and influence people: "In order for us to be...
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Apple takes a bite out of Uber, invests $1B into chief China rival
Apple will invest $1 billion into Uber's main car-hailing rival in China, Didi Chuxing, the tech company announced Thursday. Reuters reported that the investment will only add to the Chinese company's sizable coffers—Reuters reported Didi is worth around $20 billion–but the investment...
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Best-selling Bolt?; Genesis goes green; Audi's big bet: Today's Car News
Today, one analyst seems to think the Chevy Bolt could go gangbusters, Total goes all in on a storage battery maker, and Audi's big bet on electrification (definitely not the other stuff) is all up next. One auto industry analyst seems to think that Chevrolet's Bolt EV could capitalize on the Tesla...
Aaron Cole