ELECTRIC

Insider: How Electric Vehicles Can Save You Money in the Long Run

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There has been an increase in cars that use alternative energy sources as their primary power source. The one reason driving this change is lower fuel costs than conventional gas or diesel-powered vehicles. In order to understand why these new types of models are cheaper, it makes sense to compare them with the aspects of the cost associated with conventional alternatives. First of all, battery and hybrid engines are much more efficient than the ones powering conventional cars when converting stored energy into motion – which translates into less power consumption per mile driven. This can be seen as a …

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Embrace The Future: 12 Key Reasons to Choose an Electric Car or Truck

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Electric vehicles (EVs) are no longer an unfamiliar sight on our roads. As technology advances, they are becoming increasingly popular for many reasons. Below are the top twelve reasons why investing in an electric car is a wise and forward-thinking decision, from their environmental benefits to their future-proof potential. Beneficial To The Environment Perhaps the most compelling reason to invest in an electric car is its positive impact on the environment. EVs emit no tailpipe pollutants, reducing their overall carbon footprint. This feature makes them a prime solution in combating climate change and improving air quality, which is crucial as …

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Hyundai Unveils 2024 Kona, Will Be Global Offering With Radical Redesign

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It’s no secret that Hyundai has been hard at work on the next generation Kona thanks to various prototypes that we have spotted running around select parts of Metro Detroit. However, the Korean car giant has chosen (surprisingly) to not only unveil the 2024 Kona lineup, but also share some new information about some of the features that will be coming to the model for 2024.   Radical Redesign Adds Sci-Fi Style To Kona The current generation Kona had styling that was already unique to say the least, but the 2024 model doubles down on things and embarks in an …

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Auto Industry Insider: 4 Questions To Ask Before Switching To Electric

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Let’s face it; there has never been a more attractive time to make the switch to an electric vehicle.  EVs are becoming more affordable. Chargers are more readily available. And the landscape is now more accommodating. Before buying your first EV, though, it’s important that you enter the process with a clear mindset. Use the following four questions for guidance and you won’t go far wrong.   1) Is all-electric the way to go? It’s great that you want to jump into the world of electric vehicles. However, you have to confirm that it is a practical choice. Depending on …

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Insider: The Best Tips and Tricks for Saving Money on Your Car  

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We all need cars to get around. This is especially true during the coronavirus pandemic when people are worried about the dangers of travelling by public transport. Additionally, you are probably reading this article because you want to buy a car yourself, but you are not sure whether or not you have the money to do so. There is no need to worry however, as this guide has you covered when it comes to ways to save money on your first car purchase. Read on now for the ultimate guide. Get a Good License Plate Registration Deal It might not …

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2021 LOTUS EVIJA – USA Arrivals in Sept 2020 – Walkaround at Amelia Island Concours

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Evaya is how it is said!  This stunning machine that is just six months from its first owners has a tricky name to pronounce.  As noted in the video Evija means first of its kind and the pronunciation takes Latin. This smooth beauty is quite an awesome step into the future for Lotus with its all-electric 2000HP drivetrain the most potent to ever be installed on any road car – ever. Watch the vid for more info on the car – with smooth viewing thanks to shooting this on the latest GoPro Hero8.   2021 LOTUS EVIJA – Detailed Walkaround …

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Sony shocks with Vision-S Concept Preview.

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Watch out Tesla! Apple beaten to the punch! Sony previews their entry into the future of the automobile. Doing what only a true electronics giant can, Sony touches every aspect of the modern automobile with its legacy of moving electrons to provide customers with style and substance. In the age where many automobile analysts espouse that people don’t want to drive their cars, they want to drive their iPhones, it appears that Sony has embraced that and lined every nook and cranny with portable device feature goodness. DriveMan or “Drive your Walk-Man”, perhaps? Sony Vision-S Official Page Quick Specs (More …

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2019 Jaguar i-Pace EV400 – First Drive Review – By Becky Antioco

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The Jaguar I-Pace is everything you’d expect from a luxury car, and more than you would from an electric vehicle (EV). The case for EVs, in general, is complex, with considerations like environmental impact, practicality, range anxiety, and issues of substance and style coming into play. I’d argue that the I-Pace has the last two, in spades. I-Pace’s accolades are many: World Car of the Year, World Car Design of the Year, and World Green Car for 2019, European Car of the Year, and one of AutoTrader’s Best New Cars for 2019, to name a few. Yet, judging by sales …

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2019 Kia Niro EV – Road Test Review – By Ben Lewis

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Cynics that we are, we are slowly becoming fans of Electric Vehicles. While we still love the sound of a good engine, there’s a lot to love about the newest wave of fully electric and plug-in hybrid models. Our favorite plug-in may be the Honda Clarity,  whose futuristic good looks and reasonable 47 miles of EV mode range won us over. More important was the Hyundai Kona Electric, with an amazing 258-mile Tesla-baiting range, and great fun-to-drive spirit. We could easily drive it every day. Maybe the Kona is a little too small? Good news, we now have the Kia …

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Insider: What You Need To Know About Electric Bikes

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If you own a regular bike, it may be time for you to upgrade to an electric bike. An e-bike has a powered drive system. The battery-powered drive system makes all the difference. You will not get late to work because you will ride faster. You will not get sweaty because the energy you use up while riding it is little if any. Better yet, you will climb hilly terrains and unleveled roads with ease. So, in case you were asking what the best bike to buy is to get yourself an e-bike.   Picking the best electric bike that …

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2019 Hyundai Kona Electric – Road Test Review – By Ben Lewis

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We just spent another week in Kona, and although we’re not tan, we can’t wait to go back. This is our second visit – after our first trip, we came back singing praises for its Island Style, the strong performance, and loads of equipment for the buck. And in many ways the Kona EV is even better. Slicker and Sleeker We loved the regular Kona’s style, and it had a tough, aggressive vibe to it. For the EV, Hyundai has decided to go a little more futuristic, a little more upscale. It starts with the grille. Well, it’s a grille …

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TechRules Turbine EV Racecar Shows Its Glowing Heart

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Some interesting news from TechRules today — a closer look at the mini-turbine that will recharge future EVs on the go.  This is a series hybrid like an Abrams tank or certain military ships, where the power created from the gas turbines is directly applied to the electric motors which do the actual propulsion. What makes this new design so fascinating and potentially game-changing is the micro nature of the turbine that TechRules has created. A new air-bearing appears to solve a frequent wear-out item in turbines and should make the system an interesting long-term/long-range electric. One that you can …

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2019 Nissan LEAF SL – Road Test Review – By Ben Lewis

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Ok, let’s start with Good News, Bad News. The Good News – for 2019 there’s a new LEAF PLUS model with more power, enhanced tech and improved range. The Bad News – There wasn’t one in the fleet to test, so we go the current 40 KWH battery model. Actually, it’s not that bad, in fact after spending a week with our LEAF, we’re not sure most buyers will need that new PLUS model. A new LEAF Introduced as a 2018 model, the all-new builds on the goodness that made the previous – and continues to be – the world’s …

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Is It Really Worth Giving Your ID For a GAC Motor Press Kit? We Find Out, Part 1 of a Two Part Series (Video)

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Amid all the glitz and glamour that defines the North American International Auto Show, one particular company has stood out over the years, GAC. GAC (or Trumpchi as their cars are known in China) is a Chinese automotive company that has bold plans for the U.S. market in the near future. Unlike other auto companies and suppliers here at the 2019 North American International Auto Show, GAC insists that you give them your business card or other form of ID before they give you one of their press kits. But is the cost of a slice of your identity really …

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2019 Infiniti QX Inspiration Concept – EV SUV Debut Gallery

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This new QX Inspiration from Infiniti takes a few minutes to really sink in.  At first glance the design is just impossibly puffy and rounded. Marshmallows come to mind. But spend a few more taps in the slideshow.  You discover really cool proportions, surface detailing and LED executions.  And this is all just the outside! THe cabin is perhaps more special.  Very sumptuous and inviting even in photos.  This is a luxury car cabin that beckons — and that is not always the case with Infiniti’s sterile German rivals. 2019 Infiniti QX Inspiration Concept – EV SUV Debut Gallery

2017 VW E-Golf SEL Premium – Road Test Review – By Ben Lewis

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OK, we’re a little late to the EV game. We recently tested the Soul EV, and came away charmed by the unique driving experience, and the way Kia made the electric Soul feel special and unique – like driving a car of the future. Which is a great counterpoint to the VW Golf EV. While the Kia celebrates its EV-ness, the Golf plays it the other way – it completely feels like any other Golf, the only difference is that it has a different way of fueling up. For someone with EV anxiety, or who just wants to go electric …

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2018 Kia Soul EV+ Road Test Review – By Ben Lewis

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You may have heard the term “Range Anxiety” when it comes to Electric Vehicles. (EV to you and me). It describes the nervousness you have over not having enough range to get where you’re going. With a gas car, it’s a stop at the local sip ‘n go. But with an EV, if you can find a place to plug in, it’s still between 45 minutes to a couple hours to get a meaningful charge. But now we have a new term. EV Anxiety? This is different. For many of us enthusiasts, we look at the EV as the death …

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2018 Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid – Road Test Review – By Ben Lewis

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A friend just asked about buying a Diesel-engine car. Diesel? Really? It seems like that boat has sailed a while ago, with VW’s diesel-gate putting the powertrain on the chopping block for most passenger cars. Hybrids and EV’s are where it’s going – for their combination of low or zero emissions, hefty government subsidies (ok, those may go away) and driving fun. Yes, driving fun. And one of the most interesting of these vehicles is the new Honda Clarity. A new way to roll Well, the Honda Clarity actually gives you three ways to roll – if you’re on the …

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Update1 – 2017 Lamborghini Terzo Millennio

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Updated with high-res photos. Lambo just whipped the wraps off the newest, hottest Lambo yet: the Terzo Millennio.  This third wave hypercar aims to make electric exotic.  And make it sexy. Tough ask! The new Lambo TM aims to revolutionize materials and packaging to go even more mid-engined than Aventador or Centenario.  Cab farther forward.  More extreme rakes to all glass.  And extreme aero taking more precedence than beauty.  We see Lambo’s wild pipedream of what their flagship might be in 2025. Only fairly lousy images and no tech specs available yet.  Watch this space for better materials when available. …

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200MPH 2017 Vanda Dendrobrium Joins Goodwood FoS Lineup

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  Geneva was filthy with million-dollar exoptics this year.  And at least half of those were from new brands with electric propulsion. The Vanda Electrics entry is one of the most compelling, visually, for its modern and carved track appeal.  A no-fluff machine clearly designed for laptimes!   Ground-effect aero, power doors and canopy and floating wheels?  Dreamy! Concept hypercars have a bad reputation for not being real, however.  And Dendrobrium’s lack of tech specs makes one worry a bit.   The targets are simple enough for any EV hypercar: 3.0-seconds to 60-mph, 200-mph top speed and a range of …

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2017 VW ID Crozz Concept – Goofy Preview of Future E-SUV

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The tsunami of EV crossovers in development from all brands is starting to worry us.  Where will demand for these E-SUVs (trademark!:) come from when these all arrive together in late 2018?! Automakers near and far are sure that these vehicles are the way forward.  Expensive vehicles as a way to offset the giant costs of the battery packs needed for 300 miles.  The same size batteries would be needed for a compact size car, but who would buy that?  As such, EV crossovers do make some sense, and will let carmakers in the US keep selling a load of …

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4.0s, 400HP Jaguar I-PACE Concept – Design Analysis: Is It Sexy?

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The Jaguar I-Pace has a hard name to overcome.  And when it was first shown in silver, it had a mountain to climb for good style, too. Too generic EV, they said. FastForward two months and the I-Pace is back in striking red paint with dark details.  More fitting, perhaps, for the first credible Model X rival. Going full electric for the i-pace means the proportions are radically rethought.  Yes, this is crossover territory, but with a chopped (and hard to digest) nose and nonexistent overhangs.  A lower roof and much lower ride height than F-Pace.  But looking wide as XJ and …

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2017 Toyota Prius PRIME – HD Road Test Review

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Our hopes about Prius Prime were through the roof.  Gorgeous new looks.  A battery pack 10X as large as the most thrifty standard Prius.  Luxed-up cabin and 20 miles of EV range? It seemed like a winning formula on paper, and it is a winner in the flesh on the road. We spent a happy week in the Prime to see how this Super Prius compares versus young gun Hyundai Ioniq as well as full EVs like the eGolf, Focus Electric or even a pre-owned Tesla.  ANd how about the upcoming Honda Clarity Plugin? There is great and less-great news to …

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2018 LUCID AIR – $60k EV Limo Is Dream Tesla Rival

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Pretty fascinating new make at the NY auto show this year.  Lucid out of California, a startup set to take on Tesla.  How will they succeed where others failed?  Similar talent pools help, while Tesla’s current market cap makes an investment in Lucid seem genius.  What can take down a killer startup?  An even more-killer startup. Lucid is making big promises and is taking reservations for their launch model now.  This is a real-deal car versus a one-off concept.  But still, production remains some time off into the future.  Likely about a year from now. Let’s focus elsewhere: the powertrain with three …

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2017 BMW 740e xDrive – Road Test Review – By Ben Lewis

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I have driven the car of the future, today. OK, we hear stories like this all the time. And usually, the “Car of the Future” is some cobbled-together prototype that has little likelihood of actually making it to market. Or worse, it points to the time when folks like you and I aren’t needed. Just robots, pal. And if you think an autonomous EV is the wave of the future, I’m going to disagree. While there are plenty of folks who would rather let the machine drive, there are also plenty who still enjoy time behind the wheel. And for …

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2017 Hyundai IONIQ Electric – First Drive Review w/ Video

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The sleeper hit of the Hyundai Ioniq launch? The full EV! This will be the rarest of the three Ioniq models as it will be sold in California only for the first year.  [First arrivals around April/May in stores, by the way, and Ioniq EV can be special-ordered nationwide at that time too.] It was not just the incredible normalcy about the EV drive Ioniq that makes it surprising.  Really it’s the thoroughness of the engineering and exceptional value this car represents. Hold your horses, though!  Let’s discuss what this car offers, how it looks, drives and feels.  Click play below …

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World Debut – 2016 GLM G4 is Four-Door HyperEV Out of Japan

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One of the most stunning vehicles at the Paris motor show?  This unknown entry from a Japanese startup called GLM. Their debut model is dubbed the G4, an all-electric supersedan with stellar performance and untouchable style. Think of the size of a Lamborghini Huracan or Gallardo, but stretched lengthwise and integrating four doors.  Still an ultra-low roof and brutal, mid-engine proportions… but expressed for a new era.  This is a car that competes with the Tesla Model S, but is a cool half-foot shorter and far more extreme overall. The closest spritual predecessor of this model is surely the Fisker/VLF …

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RoboRace Launches Driverless Formula E Series – Signs Daniel Simon as Lead Designer

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Formula E is quite a hit so far, with a global schedule and many new entries for the 2016 and 2017 seasons.  Even Jaguar is signed up for next year! These McLaren-powered electric racecars have overcome much skepticism already as a green F1 rival.  And they are taking things much further today. RoboRace.  RoboCar. RoboWin!? Daniel Simon is kindof an asshole but is a genius designer.  His book Cosmic Motors is visually outstanding, if VERY light on actual story value or depth of universe. Put it this way: if it were a PDF, you’d be through it in under 90 …

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2017 Audi SQ7 TDI – Triple-Turbo Diesel V8 is Ultimate Tax on Society

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  Could there be a worse time for the SQ7 TDI to make its world debut? Ultra-high-performance.  Diesel.  SUV. These top models like the previous V10 turbodiesel appeal to a tiny slice of the population, mostly in crowded European city centers, who are incentivized by the tax programs of their countries to choose a high-powered diesel over a similar gasoline model. The differences in tax, insurance and running costs for any diesel — no matter how hot — are dramatically lower than a similar Cayenne Turbo of GLE63 AMG.  Ballpark?  About a third cheaper for the diesel models like this 90k …

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2016 TechRules AT96 TREV Supercar Concept 1

2016 TechRules AT96 TREV Supercar Concept

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Very promising debut from TechRules today!  The AT96 is the supercar startup’s launch prototype, making its big-league entrance in Geneva after a round of testing at Silverstone and years of development in China. The core premise is to introduce a revolutionary new turbine-recharged EV powertrain — and make it viable as a hypercar! Of course, keen readers will recall the many turbine misadventures in automobiledom, from the Chrysler Turbine cars to the original powertrain of the canceled Jaguar C-X17 prototype. The idea of turbines to deliver an EV charge makes perfect sense.  Military vehicles have employed this tech for decades. Functionally, the …

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Chevrolet Unveils 2017 Bolt EV at CES

Barra Delivers! 2017 Chevrolet BOLT EV – $30k Price and 200+ Mile Range Should Worry i3, Leaf and Prius PHEV

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Disbelief?  Awe?  Wonder? Trying to find the right description to pick my jaw up off my desk. The new Chevy Bolt EV is almost surreal at its CES reveal this week.  Just a year ago, the Bolt concept wowed Detroit with its big range promises, practical shape and interesting cabin tech.  Few people — this author included — ever expected a production car to be so close on the horizon. But here it is, folks!  The massive promises from General Motors about their future electric product plans were not just hot air! The 2017 Bolt EV promises a 200-mile-plus battery range …

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2016 TESLA Model X – Fug EV SUV May Carry $150k Sticker As Gas Falls Below 2 Bucks

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  The Model X SUV is big news for Tesla — a reminder that the company actually makes cars versus headlines. Amid the inventions and novel solutions for the first seven-seat, AWD EV SUV lurks a pair of big concerns for Tesla and car lovers alike: the Model X’s awkward design and expected obese pricetag. Morbidly obese pricetag? Perhaps…. INTRO The Tesla hype machine can be seriously exhausting. The company relies on fairly gratuitous financial PR outreach — juicing NASDAQ:TSLA with every snippet of info rehashed by analysts ad nauseam. The entire operation starts to feel like a boilerroom pump …

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2008 Dodge ZEO

Concept Flashback – 2008 Dodge ZEO Was EV Tesla-Fighter

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The 2008 Dodge ZEO was conceived in a world of $150-per-barrel oil in 2006 and 2007, when the full electrification of the car seemed inevitable. The freedom to run a flat-pack of Li-Ion batteries in the floor of the vehicle offered Dodge a chance to break out of typical packaging constraints. We see some great elements in the ZEO, including its finished four-seat cabin and spectacular doors. But the design is a bit busier than the Dodge ideal, especially around the nose. Lack of air intakes means the ZEO and its crossbar grille just seem a bit scrunched and silly …

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