Sean Szymkowski, Contributor
Articles
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Kia Niro crash test, first Tesla Model 3 Performance AWD, and falling battery prices: Today's Car News Sean Szymkowski
The Kia Niro (mostly) aced the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's crash tests. Tesla has built the first Model 3 Performance AWD variant. Falling battery prices could lead to a boost in...
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Hyundai Ioniq preview, new VW emission fines, and Toyota Prius Prime purchase: Today's Car News
We preview the 2019 Hyundai Ioniq and go over what the new model year brings. Volkswagen AG has been hit with new fines over its diesel-emissions scandal. A reader reports on his final decision to purchase a Toyota Prius Prime plug-in hybrid. Infiniti updates the QX30 and adds safety tech. All of...
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Ford Explorer Hybrid, Tesla job cuts, and Byton electric sedan concept: Today's Car News
Ford has confirmed the upcoming Explorer Hybrid for police fleets. Tesla announced it will cut 9 percent of its salaried workforce to cut costs. Chinese electric-car startup Byton revealed the K-Byte sedan concept in China. Automakers make the case to nine state governors to help boost electric-car...
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Volkswagen quantum computers, Daimler diesel recall, and Tesla tax credits: Today's Car News
Volkswagen wants to use quantum computers to develop tailor-made electric-car batteries. Daimler has recalled hundreds of thousands of diesel cars in Europe. The results are in from our latest Twitter poll asking what electric car readers would buy when Tesla's tax credits begin to sunset. And the...
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Byton raises $500M, Tesla Autopilot defeat, and electric-car rally in Switzerland: Today's Car News
Chinese electric-car maker Byton announced it's raised $500 million in new funding. New controversy sets in surrounding a Tesla Autopilot add-on that defeats baked-in safety. The world's largest electric-car rally kicks off in Switzerland. And we ask what a "green car" means to readers. All of this...
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Kia Niro EV specs, recapturing CO2, and electric-car support vs interest: Today's Car News
Kia has revealed official specifications for the Niro EV. Scientists have discovered a way to recapture CO2 and recycle it into fuel. A new study found there's more support for electric cars than knowledge or interest. And Waymo's purchase of up to 62,000 Chrysler Pacific Hybrids could account for...
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Tesla Model Y teaser, Shell Starship semi record, and US plug-in sales: Today's Car News Sean Szymkowski
Tesla told us the Model Y electric car will come in 2020. The Shell Airflow Starship semi truck posted a new fuel-economy record. The sales report is in for May plug-in car sales in the United...
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Panasonic studies new batteries, Canadian plug-in car sales, and Twitter poll results: Today's Car News
Panasonic is looking into new electric-car batteries with smaller amounts of cobalt. The latest Canadian electric car sales may raise some eyebrows. The results are in from the latest Twitter poll. And a new study shows it's less expensive to curb global warming than it is to adapt to the changes...
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Tesla Model 3 refunds, Toyota Prius Prime award, and Texas electric car rebates: Today's Car News
Tesla has reportedly refunded 23 percent of Model 3 deposits. The Toyota Prius Prime has been recognized for its low environmental and social impact. Texas has reinstated rebates and incentives for electric cars. And we ask what electric car readers would purchase after Tesla's federal tax credits...
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FCA electrification push, crowdfunded electric car, and California charging incentives: Today's Car News
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles will charge ahead with an electrification strategy beginning with the Jeep brand. An Estonian electric car may come to life thanks to a crowdfunding campaign. California has approved record incentives for charging infrastructure. And Washington state has lost its...
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Tesla Model 3 gets CR OK, Audi e-tron cameras, and electric car predictions: Today's Car News
The Tesla Model 3 has now earned a recommendation from Consumer Reports. The Audi e-tron electric crossover will introduce the first production cameras to replace side mirrors. The International Energy Agency (IEA) predicts more than 100 million electric cars will hit the road by 2030. And both...
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BMW 530e wireless charging, Tesla Model 3 electric issues, and EPA program review: Today's Car News
BMW says it will be first to lease a wireless inductive charging system in the U.S. Edmunds' Tesla Model 3 is still brought down by various electrical problems. The EPA watchdog says overturning fuel-economy regulations requires a review. And the results are in for our latest Twitter poll asking...
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Porsche 911 hybrids, future EV market share, and living with 2 Chevy Bolt EVs: Today's Car News Sean Szymkowski
Porsche has plans for not one, but two 911 hybrid variants for the next-generation sports car. A new report predicts that electric cars will exceed half the worldwide market by 2040. A reader checks...
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No Model 3 recommendation, Chevy Silverado fuel efficiency, and new charging stations: Today's Car News
Consumer Reports did not issue a "recommendation" for Tesla's highly anticipated Model 3 electric sedan. The 2019 Chevrolet Silverado will roll out with technology to run the truck's turbo-4 engine on just two cylinders. Electrify America plans to expand its fast-charging network to Simon malls...
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Tesla Model 3 AWD specs, electric Jaguar carries royalty, and FCA diesel cheating: Today's Car News
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has announced specifications for the Model 3 all-wheel-drive and performance variants. A battery-electric Jaguar E-Type carried the royal couple, Prince Harry and his new princess Meghan Markle. Subpoenaed emails suggest Fiat-Chrysler Automobiles may have known about diesel...
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Tesla Supercharger expansion, EPA comments on emissions, and Bitcoin mining: Today's Car News
Tesla is continuing to expand its network of Superchargers rapidly as the Model 3 electric car rolls out. The EPA inspector general believes more can be done to improve emission testing. Bitcoin mining may use more electricity than all electric cars put together. And the Shell Starship semi truck...
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Tesla heads for China, BMW iNext concept, and Volvo ditches diesel: Today's Car News
The IIHS has rated the automatic emergency braking system on the Tesla Model 3, while Tesla has taken the first steps to set up shop independently in China. BMW has teased the self-driving and battery-electric iNext concept. Volvo says so-long to diesel engines. All of this and more on Green Car...
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Honda Insight production, electric car advertising, and Tesla AutoPilot sensors: Today's Car News
Honda has begun production of the new Insight hybrid in Indiana. Tesla reportedly rejected additional driver sensors for its Autopilot system. Are automakers actually advertising electric cars? They do, but the exposure may be limited. And Northeast states have banded together to coordinate...
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Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid, Model 3 AWD orders, and are Americans going electric? Today's Car News Sean Szymkowski
Subaru will bring back the Crosstrek Hybrid and it will be a plug-in hybrid this time. Tesla CEO Elon Musk says orders will open for all-wheel drive and performance-oriented Model 3s. A new AAA poll...
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Tesla teases something, Clarity Electric lease rates, and Bolt EV software updates: Today's Car News
Tesla has shown off a cloaked car, and we suppose it may be the Model Y crossover. Honda has released attractive lease rates for the Clarity Electric in California and Oregon. We round out the best deals on hybrid, electric, and fuel-efficient cars for May 2018. And Chevrolet's Bolt EV gets...
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Jeep Wrangler fuel economy, another Tesla investigation, and Audi talks electric-car plans: Today's Car News
The EPA has posted official ratings for the 2018 Jeep Wrangler and its turbocharged inline-4 engine. Tesla is under scrutiny again after the NTSB opened a new investigation following a vehicle fire that killed two teenagers. The Consumer Federation of America issued a new report declaring improved...
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Ghosn on EVs, Honda Clarity PHEV driven, California emissions standards, GM talks CAFE changes, and Japanese solid-state batteries: Today's Car News
Carlos Ghosn, chairman of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance, and a leading proponent of electric cars, believes the industry has found the electric-range sweet spot. It's the price that must drop to sway consumers. Green Car Reports takes another look at the 2018 Honda Clarity PHEV, with some...
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Bentley Bentayga plug-in hybrid SUV to debut in March at Geneva auto show
Unlike rival Rolls-Royce, which may go directly to an all-electric model in future, Bentley has set its sights on plug-in hybrids first—and the Bentayga luxury SUV will be the first one from the brand. The plug-in versions of the Bentley Bentayga is expected to debut in March at the Geneva...
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Mazda rotary engine may find new life in self-driving Toyota e-Palette project
Mazda's famed rotary engine may spin once again. The automaker confirmed the development of a range-extending rotary engine with Toyota for use in a shared future project. Toyota revealed the e-Palette concept on Monday at the 2018 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. The vehicle, a...
Sean Szymkowski