Recently, the EV press, including Charged, has been reporting that Toyota seems to be placing all its chips on fuel cells, and abandoning efforts to develop battery-electric vehicles. However, comments by Elon Musk at Tesla’s first-quarter shareholders’ meeting imply that there may be more to the story. In answer to a question about competition from… Read more »
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Google reveals prototype self-driving car with no steering wheel or pedals
After several years of exploring self-driving technology, Google has revealed its own prototype vehicle, which has no need of a steering wheel or accelerator pedal. Google has been testing its self-driving systems in Lexus SUVs, but Sergey Brin said the company decided to change gears after some experiments, which convinced engineers that it wasn’t practical… Read more »
Next-generation Prius Plug-in to have more electric range, wireless charging
With the entire collection of 23 Toyota and Lexus hybrid models as a backdrop, Toyota Managing Officer Satoshi Ogiso delivered an inspiring overview of the past, present and future of the Prius family at the “2013 Toyota Hybrid World Tour event in Michigan. Ogiso was one of the engineers who began developing hybrid technology at… Read more »
Elon Musk reveals plan for Hyperloop, might build prototype himself
The Hyperloop: a new and super-high-tech form of transportation that can take passengers (and maybe even cars) from LA to San Francisco in 30 minutes, and that can be built for a tenth of what California is planning to spend on its high-speed rail system. If anyone else had come up with this idea, few… Read more »
Supercars, hybrids and EVs take the stage in Geneva
At Geneva’s enormous Palexpo convention center, it’s obvious we’re not in Detroit – there’s hardly a pickup truck in sight, and the wine and coffee are flowing freely. Reflecting Europe’s colorful collage of cultures, a vast variety of vehicles from hybrids to EVs to seven-figure super-sports cars are spinning on the turntables. Europe is just… Read more »
Consumer Reports: Tesla Model S is the best car since 2007 (VIDEO)
Tired of hearing about a certain California carmaker? Well, sorry. Tesla’s name is all over the press this week, from gushers about stock market success to sour-grapes hit pieces about ZEV credits to tantalizing hints of next-gen batteries and self-driving sedans. However, this is the most important news of all for a prospective Model S buyer: Consumer… Read more »
Tesla slightly sweetens financing program
Tesla has announced a couple of small improvements to the financing program that it introduced in April. It is raising the Model S resale value guarantee to make it the highest of any premium sedan (excluding rare, low volume or limited edition vehicles). Buying a Model S through the Tesla financing offering now comes with… Read more »
The promise of the Prius Plug-in
On the march toward widespread adoption of 100+ MPGe plug-in vehicles, the Prius Plug-in could take the most significant step. “When you think of hybrids, you think of Prius.” So says Geri Yoza, National Manager for Advanced Technology Vehicles, Product Planning Department at Toyota. Of course, that would be the standard company line at Toyota,… Read more »
EVs and hybrids top customer satisfaction ratings
Consumer Reports has released its 2012 Car Reliability Survey, and each of the plug-in cars that have cracked the mass market in the US was the top-rated model for its brand.