Green
-
Lots and lots of Volkswagen news today, plus electric-car sales in California and the Tesla gigafactory too. All this and more on Green Car Reports. Some of Volkswagen's 30 upcoming electric-car models by 2025 will be built in North America, says its top executive here. Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk spoke to reporters yesterday at the formal opening of the battery gigafactory outside Reno, Nevada. Yesterday, a judge granted preliminary approval to the VW diesel settlement plan—but that doesn't mean buyback offers will come just yet. Last month, California accounted for more electric car...
-
VW diesel deception known by highest execs, lawsuits say
Every scandal comes down to a set of related questions: who knew what, and when did they know it? Thus far, in the VW diesel emission scandal, those questions remain unanswered. A report from an independent inquiry into the entire chain of events, commissioned by VW Group and conducted by law firm...
John Voelcker -
California bought more electric cars than rest of U.S. combined in June
Sales of plug-in electric cars are not evenly distributed across the U.S. by any means. California, with its pioneering zero-emission vehicle sales requirements, has always occupied an outsize place in the sales charts. Not only is it the most populous state in the union, with 39 million residents...
John Voelcker -
VW diesel plan gets preliminary approval, but buyback offers won't start yet
As expected, a federal district-court judge gave preliminary approval yesterday to a plan for Volkswagen to buy back or modify hundreds of thousands of 2.0-liter diesel vehicles sold from 2009 through 2015. The cars, sold by VW and Audi, contained "defeat device" software that kept their emissions...
John Voelcker -
Tesla battery gigafactory opens as pace ramps up to ludicrous
If it's built out to the full size in the original plans, the Tesla gigafactory outside Reno, Nevada, will cover 10 million square feet. That's the equivalent of more than 260 U.S. football fields, which would make it one of the largest buildings in the world. Yesterday, Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk...
John Voelcker -
VW likely to build electric cars in North America by 2020: executive
Volkswagen may build an electric car in North America beginning in 2020.
Stephen Edelstein -
Some VW diesel update details, more electric cars from Audi, and continuing questions over whether retail buyers will get a crack at early Chevrolet Bolt EVs. All this and more on Green Car Reports. A new video shows what the Tesla Autopilot system does and doesn't do, and suggests how to use it. VW diesel owners have been left hanging about the kinds of modfications they may be offered to make their cars' emissions legal; now a few details have emerged. Debate continues over the accuracy of a report suggesting that Lyft drivers would get the bulk of early 2017 Chevy Bolt EV electric cars...
-
Two more electric cars to follow Audi e-tron SUV by 2020, maker says
We know that Audi, along with BMW, is convinced that the luxury car market must include high-performance battery-electric vehicles. And we know that VW Group's luxury brand will launch a sporty and all-electric crossover utility vehicle, to be called simply the Audi e-tron, for 2018. What we hadn't...
John Voelcker -
2017 Mitsubishi Mirage preview
The 2017 Mitsubishi Mirage boasts a number of notable updates.
Stephen Edelstein -
Lyft drivers to get bulk of early 2017 Chevy Bolt EV electric cars? Updated report
The first 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV electric cars will go to Lyft drivers.
Stephen Edelstein -
Updates to VW diesel cars: a few details, timing emerge on modifications
With luck, owners of the 466,000 Volkswagen and Audi 2.0-liter diesel cars at the center of the VW emission cheating scandal now know that they will be offered a choice of what to do with their cars. Either they will be able to sell their cars back to the company for a set price, or they can have...
John Voelcker -
When to use Tesla's Autopilot system, and when not to use it
Autopilot should only be used on highways with clear lane markings, says one Tesla driver.
Stephen Edelstein -
We have stories on Chevrolet, Tesla, and Volkswagen today.
-
Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle landscape truly changed, says longtime expert
Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles are getting a more concrete commitment from policymakers, says one longtime expert.
Stephen Edelstein -
Reactions to Tesla Motors' master plan are mixed
Analysts react to the second Tesla Motors "master plan" released last week.
Stephen Edelstein -
VW's long road ahead to restore consumer trust, faith in green credentials
Volkswagen has a long way to go before it restores its green credentials.
Stephen Edelstein -
2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV preview
The 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV will be the world's first mass-priced electric car with a range of 200 miles or more. That alone makes it a hugely important new market entry. Going on sale in late 2016 or early 2017, just six years after modern electric cars arrived, the Bolt EV represents a second...
John Voelcker -
Nissan Leaf 48-kWh prototype built to compete in Spanish race series (video)
Nissan employees built a 48-kWh Leaf prototype in their spare time.
Stephen Edelstein -
Why did we decide that the Honda Accord Hybrid, our Best Car To Buy three years ago, faces new and tougher competition? And, what new types of electric vehicles is Tesla Motors promising to introduce now? This is our look back at the Week In Reverse—right here at Green Car Reports—for the week ending on Friday, July 22, 2016. Friday, we looked at a frequent question from owners of 2.0-liter Volkswagen and Audi diesel cars: should I take the buyback, or wait to see what modifications may be offered. You can get a sense for how long this question has plagued VW owners by looking at...
-
VW diesel buybacks, Tesla Autopilot changes, U.S. funds electric-car charging: Today's Car News
We have news on Volkswagen diesels, Tesla Autopilot, and electric-car charging today.
Stephen Edelstein -
Next BMW 3-Series to include all-electric Tesla Model 3 rival: report
Tesla rocked the German luxury makers a couple of years ago when it became clear that its all-electric Model S sedan was truly appealing to a wide swath of enthusiastic luxury-car buyers. With more than 125,000 sold since mid-2012, Tesla Motors has since launched the Model X electric crossover...
John Voelcker -
U.S. to offer $4.5 billion for electric-car charging stations via DoE loan guarantees
The Obama Administration will release $4.5 billion to fund a nationwide network of charging stations.
Stephen Edelstein -
VW diesel deal: what should I do? Take buyback? Wait for updates?
It's a question that hundreds of thousands of VW 2.0-liter TDI diesel owners will be asking soon, if they haven't already: Should I take the buyback? Some have already made up their minds. They want their cars to go away, and will sell them back to the manufacturer that deceived them and lied to...
John Voelcker -
Samsung takes stake in Chinese electric-car maker BYD, joining Warren Buffett
Samsung takes a 1.92-percent stake in BYD.
Stephen Edelstein