Hybrids

Seat has unveiled an electrically-driven prototype based on its Leon hatchback, which the company plans to trial in an urban environment together with the Spanish government. The technology behind the new prototype is Volkswagen Group’s Twin Drive plug-in hybrid powertrain, which was first...

In July last year Smart unveiled three new concept versions of its second-generation ForTwo minicar, all based around an ultra-efficient electric drivetrain. The trio included a regular petrol-electric hybrid, a diesel-electric hybrid and a zero-emissions electric vehicle. This third concept, the...

Engineering firm Johnson Controls has unveiled a new concept at this year’s Detroit Auto Show that is described as a preview of technologies we can expect to see in future small cars. Combining intelligent packaging solutions with sustainable motoring concepts, the compact show car is one of...

Chinese manufacturer BYD is planning to have vehicles on sale in the U.S. within two years, with similar ambitions for the European market. The company took a step closer to reaching those goals by launching the world’s first mass-produced plug-in hybrid vehicle in China last month, and at...

California’s Fisker Automotive has unveiled the production version of its Karma plug-in hybrid at the Detroit Auto Show today, just 12 months after the car was shown in concept form at last year’s show. With only minor design enhancements made to the exterior of the original concept...

Ford has used the opening day for the 2009 Detroit Auto Show to announce plans for its future electric vehicle (EV) program, confirming several zero-emissions vehicles for the North American market as well as next-generation hybrid and new plug-in hybrid models. Ford will call on its global...

Lexus today announced an all-new dedicated hybrid model for its lineup in the form of the HS 250h. The HS fits between the current IS and ES models and is designed to make luxury hybrids more affordable. According to the company almost 60% of entry level luxury car buyers would consider a hybrid...

Following on from the Dodge Circuit EV sports car shown earlier today, Chrysler has revealed the 200C EV concept, which is designed to showcase the carmaker’s future designs as well as its electric powertrain technology in a premium sedan. It doesn’t end there as the concept also...

The all-new 2010 Honda Insight hybrid car made its world debut today at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show, ending several weeks of image leaks and specifications conjecture. Utilizing the latest generation of Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid technology and new, more cost-efficient...

Back in September Chrysler showed off three vehicles designed to show the world that it too could keep up with Ford and GM as they developed low emissions powertrains for the future. One of those vehicles was essentially a Lotus Europa with Chrysler badging, but this was understandable as the...

Back in September Chrysler showed its commitment to designing and marketing a range of electric and hybrid vehicles with the unveiling of a trio of concept vehicles, one for each of the Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge brands. Despite its current financial situation, Chrysler is keen to show its...

Chinese manufacturer BYD is planning to have plug-in hybrid vehicles on sale in the U.S. within two years, with similar ambitions for the European market. The company took a step closer to reaching those goals by launching the world’s first mass-produced plug-in hybrid vehicle in China last...

The 1-series has been a popular staple among premium small-car buyers in Europe for some time, but it has only hit the U.S. recently. The fun-to-drive and attractive compact has just gained a new sibling in the form of the 116d, powered by an efficient four-cylinder diesel. Unfortunately it's only...

A company based in Florida has found itself an interesting niche in the automotive world - converting Porsche models into electric vehicles that combine sports car handling ability with the economy of a battery-powered electrical motor. On top of this, the company also specializes in making their...

Honda announced today that it will be developing an electric-powered motorcycle, with sales of the bike expected to begin some time next year. The news will be pleasing for those of you who remember Honda's electric moped concept that was unveiled back in 2004 but failed to see production. Honda's...

This year has been a hard one for a lot of people, companies and industries. It has been an especially tough one for Pininfarina, losing its CEO, Andrea Pininfarina, to a traffic accident in August. Today news is breaking that the company has decided to end its stint as Italy's last contract...

Automotive parts supplier Eaton is best known for its forced induction systems, but now the company has unveiled details behind a product that it claims can improve fuel economy by "between 50 and 70%". Known as the 'series hybrid hydraulic system', Eaton has revealed the new technology is being...

Toyota’s next-generation petrol-electric Prius hybrid is scheduled to make its world debut at the Detroit Auto Show in January, however new images of the car, plus this latest teaser video, have made their way onto the web, showing up-close details of the interior and exterior of the upcoming...

Chinese carmaker BYD has pushed back the expected release date for its plug-in hybrid vehicles destined for non-Chinese markets. The company’s chairman, Wang Chuanfu, stated that the original target of 2010 was being pushed back by a full year to 2011. The new date puts the release for the...

Toyota confirmed today it is planning to unveil a concept version of a new dedicated hybrid vehicle for its Lexus brand at next month’s Detroit Auto Show. So far no official information on the car has been released, but several preview sketches of the final production version as well as some...