January has always been a slow month for EV sales, and this month didn’t fail to disappoint. Monthly sales of 5,924 barely bested last January’s figure. A new generation of vastly-improved plug-ins is in sight, so a lot of buyers may be opting to wait a bit, and those rock-bottom gas prices probably aren’t helping…. Read more »
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BYD taking pre-orders for Tang plug-in SUV
Chinese automaker BYD is poised to profit from two converging trends: the government’s support for new energy vehicles, and what the company calls China’s insatiable appetite for SUVs. BYD has begun taking pre-orders for the Tang, a plug-in SUV that’s named for the most prosperous of Chinese dynasties. The Tang is built on BYD’s second-generation… Read more »
VW to include CCS fast charging on all future plug-in vehicles (PHEVs too?)
Like the other German and US automakers, Volkswagen has signed on to the SAE-sanctioned CCS standard for DC fast charging. CCS fast charging capability is included with the new e-Golf. Last week in Detroit, Michael Horn, Volkswagen’s US CEO, told Green Car Reports that it plans to include fast charging on all its future plug-in… Read more »
Mercedes C350 Plug-In Hybrid debuts in Detroit, lots more PHEVs on the way
Automakers may not be investing in pure EVs as seriously as Elon Musk (and many others) would like, but there is a steady stream of announcements of new PHEVs. Mercedes-Benz introduced its 2016 C350 Plug-In Hybrid sedan at the Detroit auto show. This is one of three PHEVs (with the S500 and a new ML-class… Read more »
Hyundai plugs in the Sonata
Hyundai introduced hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions of its popular Sonata sedan at this week’s Detroit auto show. The two electrified models have similar powertrains, including a 2.0-liter four-cylinder GDI engine and a six-speed automatic transmission with an integrated electric motor. The PHEV has a larger motor (50 kW) and lithium polymer battery pack (9.8… Read more »
2014 plug-in sales post 23% gain over 2013 as Tesla takes the lead and Mercedes and VW enter the race
2014 was another year of steady growth for EV sales. Some 12,874 plug-ins were sold in the US in December, a healthy gain compared to December 2013. For the full year, sales are up 23%. The Tesla Model S passed the LEAF and Volt to slide into the lead (doubtless thanks to the new P85D’s… Read more »
Peugeot Sport sees plug-in hybrids as the future of sports cars
PSA’s Peugeot Sport division plans to focus future efforts on plug-in hybrid technology, in an effort to maintain performance but reduce running costs in future hot hatchbacks and sports cars. “I think hybrid will play an important role in the future of our sportier models,” Managing Director Carlos Tavares told Auto Express. “Hybrid technology helps… Read more »
Volvo’s new plug-in hybrid SUV
The XC90 T8 is the first Volvo designed from the ground up for plug-in compatibility, according to the company. Built on the Scalable Product Architecture platform, the 7-seat SUV features a 4-cylinder Drive-E gas engine with supercharger and turbocharger, an 8-speed automatic gearbox. The high-voltage (270–400 V) lithium-ion battery has a 9.2 kWh capacity, capable of… Read more »
November plug-in sales: LEAF (still) leads, Ford falters, Toyota tanks, smart surges
The US auto industry had another banner month, and plug-ins were present at the party, though perhaps not first in line at the punchbowl. PEV sales were down a tick from October, but eked out a gain compared to November 2013. Year-to-date sales have now surpassed 2013’s total, and it appears that annual sales will… Read more »
Air Force rolls out plug-in vehicle fleet with V2G
Los Angeles Air Force Base has replaced its entire general-purpose vehicle fleet with plug-in vehicles. The 42-vehicle fleet includes 13 Nissan LEAFs, five Ford pick-up trucks with EVAOS PHEV kits, 9 VIA Motors VTRUX vans, four Electric Vehicle International medium-duty trucks and one Phoenix Motorcars 12-passenger bus. Most are equipped with vehicle-to-grid (V2G) capability, allowing… Read more »
