Earlier this week, at an investors meeting, General Motors’ global product chief Mark Reuss confirmed that GM will make a Chevrolet electric vehicle. Reuss also confirmed that this EV will be different than the Volt and the ELR, in that it will not be an extended range electric hybrid, but a full battery-only electric vehicle.… Continue reading GM to make 200 mile Chevrolet EV
Since Mercedes announced the pricing of the B-Class Electric Drive back at the end of April, the biggest question was what is this range extending option, and how much will it cost? Today, Mercedes Benz launched the online B-Class Electric Drive configuration tool, and now we know! The range package costs $600, and for that… Continue reading Build your Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Drive – add 17 miles range for $600
Back in February, the Soul EV was unveiled at the Chicago Motor Show. At that time, Kia said the Soul EV would go on sale in the UK and select European markets in late 2014. That looks to be on track as today Kia has announced they have started production of the electric vehicle for… Continue reading Kia Soul EV production for export begins
Mercedes Benz announces that production for the upcoming B-Class electric drive has started at the Mercedes plant in Rastatt, Germany. This is the same plant that produces the gasoline and diesel powered A-, B-, and GLA-class models. The 5 seater B-Class electric drive MPV is set to go on sale in select US states in… Continue reading Mercedes Benz B-Class Electric Drive start production, first electric vehicle rolls off line
A plug-in hybrid version of the BMW 3 series is undergoing winter cold weather testing ahead of launching later this summer. The new model is expected to use the 4 cylinder drive train featured in the BMW X5 eDrive concept. If so, the 3-series will use a 4 cylinder turbocharged engine along with a 95… Continue reading Plug-in hybrid BMW 3 series launching this summer
In addition to the ‘Hybrid Test Vehicle’ stickers that clearly designate this vehicle as such, there is also a second fuel door located on the front fender – probably hiding the electric charging port. This 3-series plug-in hybrid test vehicle is likely using the same 4 cylinder turbocharged engine and electric motor that was in… Continue reading BMW 3 series eDrive Plug-in Hybrid spotted in development
Earlier this week, Audi filed a patent for 2 engineering ideas. The simpler, and more interesting of the two, was for hinged flaps that are placed inbetween the spokes of an allow wheel. As the wheel spins faster and faster, the flaps rotate inwards to create a completely flat wheel cover. According to Audi’s patent… Continue reading Audi patents wheels with ‘active aerodynamics’
Volvo is coming out with an all-new version of the XC90 large crossover utility vehicle, and when it does on sale in Spring 2015, it will be followed by a plug-in hybrid electric version. According to Volvo executives, the plug-in version could come as quick as 4 months after the spring launch of the gasoline… Continue reading 2015 Volvo XC90 plug-in hybrid could arrive in summer 2015
According to Autobild.de, Audi is preparing to take Tesla head on in the coming years with the planned launch of the Audi Q8 e-Tron quattro. With four wheel drive and an anticipated range as high as 430 miles, the Q8 e-Tron would compete nicely with the upcoming Tesla Model X SUV. Now, Autocar Magazine has… Continue reading Audi Q8 e-Tron to be produced in 2017, battling Tesla Model X
According to a top BMW executive, the automaker will not add a third model to its i sub-brand of electric vehicles until it gets a better picture of demand. In an interview with Reuters, Harald Krueger said “We need to see how demand for the car develops” before they add more i vehicles to the brand.… Continue reading BMW has no plans for additional ‘i’ electric vehicles
By now, you’ve heard the rumors that Ford may bring a 2015 Focus Energi plug-in hybrid to next year’s lineup. When the Focus Energi PHEV mention was first made, it was only stated that it would use the same 2.0 liter engine as the C-max Energi. GreenCarReports.com wasn’t happy leaving at that, so they did… Continue reading Ford Focus Energi could have 25 miles of range, $27,500
Bentley has confirmed that it’s upcoming SUV will be available as a plug-in hybrid vehicle in 2017. The PHEV comes a year after the launch of the Bentley SUV. The rest of Bentley’s lineup will follow suit with hybrid versions when they’re due for refresh or replacement. Bentley Chairman and Chief Executive, Dr Wolfgang Schreiber… Continue reading Bentley SUV will get plug-in hybrid version in 2017
With no announcement or press release, Ford has lowered the price on the Ford Fusion Energi by $4000. Thanks to the eagle eyes at InsideEVs, the new pricing was spotted yesterday. Ford’s plug-in offerings have really started to gain traction in the marketplace recently. In the last 4 months of 2013, Ford sold over 3600… Continue reading Ford Fusion Energi price reduced $4000, quietly
Based on the successful Nissan NV200 van, the new London Taxi has been re-designed to make it “instantly recognizable” as one of the capital’s iconic black cabs. The newly redesigned taxi was developed in London by Nissan Design Europe in Paddington. The NV200 for London is part of Nissan’s global taxi program which involves providing… Continue reading Nissan unveils plans for e-NV200 London Taxi
At the LA Auto Show in late November, Mercedes brought 2 B-Class Electric Drive vehicles along for a small group of journalists to ride along in. All the reviews we saw were very positive, with comments regarding mostly around the components that Mercedes borrowed from Tesla for the electric drive train guts of the car.… Continue reading Mercedez teases price on the B-Class Electric Drive
Last month it was announced that the i-MiEV would be returning to the US after a year hiatus. Now, Mitsubishi has announced pricing for the 2015 model. When the Mitsubishi i-MiEV electric vehicle first went on sale in 2011, it was priced at $27,990, and then shortly later it was increased to $29,125. During the… Continue reading Mitsubishi i-MiEV price lowered substantially for 2014
BMW has been touting the strength and crash worthiness of their carbon fiber passenger cell for a few years now. Last week, the Euro NCAP crash test results were released, and the BMW i3 only received 4 out of 5 stars. According to an article on Tom Moloughney’s i3 blog, this is mostly due to… Continue reading BMW i3 gets 4 of 5 stars in Euro Crash Test
Back in 2009, BMW group launched their first electric vehicle. It was an electrified MINI and they received over 1800 applications to be part of the field trial of 450 MINI Es. Brand manager Peter Schwarzbauer recently said that electrifying future MINI models are part of the strategy. “It fits perfectly with the brand, and… Continue reading MINI electric vehicles planned in the future
