The clouds parted just long enough to let sunlight timidly lick the surface of the Nürburgring race track in Germany. The previous night, I watched in amusement as an amateur racer had a blast taking a fully stock, 1970s Volkswagen bus around the …
Author: Internet Brands
2019 Toyota Prius AWD-e: First drive of 50-mpg all-weather hybrid
Between the unexpectedly wild styling, the very wide model range, the Prius Prime plug-in, and now the all-wheel-drive 2019 Prius AWD-e, it seems that Toyota has opted for a mix-and-match philosophy for the current fourth generation of America’s …
Electric car-sharing programs expanding in U.S.
Electric cars and car sharing go naturally together. Both aim to clean up the environment by reducing gasoline consumption. With lower maintenance, electric cars are also easier to maintain for fleets than gas cars. Combined with gas cars, car-sharing …
Battery electrics steal sales from hybrids
Strong sales of electric cars and plug-in hybrids in California seem to have a downside. According to an analysis by the California New Car Dealers Association, all of those new plug-in cars are replacing traditional hybrids, not conventional cars. So …
Explainer: What is WLTP and why should you care?
Starting next month, Europe will implement the first phase of new fuel economy and emissions standards that were intended to take effect worldwide. Automakers are required to release initial ratings based on lab tests using the Worldwide Harmonized Lig…
2018 Chevy Bolt EV makes successful 2,000-mile road trip
Readers like David Edwards periodically send letters about road trips they’ve made in their electric cars. While long road trips are becoming somewhat commonplace with Teslas, he points out that they still aren’t common for other electric c…
Canadian gold mine cleans up its act with electricity
Mining operations get a lot of flack for creating environmental problems around the world. Yet they provide much of the basic material that keeps the global economy humming. Some mining companies are drilling down in their efforts to clean up their act…
Beyond the federal tax credit: A Guide to Clean Car Incentives
The king of all financial incentives for plug-in cars is, of course, the federal tax credit of up to $7,500. It’s not the only one, though. With Tesla’s federal tax credit already on its way to expiring and GM’s close behind, it&rsquo…
Why Tesla’s court battle to sell cars in Michigan could set national template
In a case that could be a bellwether for Tesla, the car company has won some opening skirmishes in its 2016 lawsuit against the state of Michigan, which forbids the company from operating stores or selling cars in the state. If Tesla wins the big prize…
Analysis: Is shale oil a cost effective switch or just a dent in our wallets?
Shale oil’s prevalence in the American oil market may present a large obstacle for rising fuel economy standards. Shale oil creates gasoline with a lower octane rating than gasoline created by conventional crude oil. This is due to higher concentration…