Hybrids

Japanese and American manufacturers are working hard to release a new generation of all-electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles over the next couple of years. European manufacturers have been reluctant in the past to embrace electric propulsion technology, but in light of tough new emissions...

Despite having announced the start of production in March, only a few of Tesla's Roadsters have been delivered to customers due to rough patches in the assembly process. An update on the company's website this weekend confirms the 'logjam' has been broken and cars should start issuing forth at a...

The Nice (No Internal Combustion Engine) electric car company is a British manufacturer of full electric zero-emission vans, hatchbacks and scooters, and is set to unveil a new sports car concept at next week’s London Motor Show. The company has also announced that it will also showcase a new...

Hybrids, plug-ins and electric vehicles are the current best bets for the future of the automobile industry, but Chrysler says its entry into the fray will take at least another 3-5 years to suss out. The carmaker's already woeful lack of small cars is hurting sales as fuel prices continue to rise...

Starting in October, smart's fortwo will get an update that includes a new micro hybrid drive (MHD) system to aid a pair of petrol engine variants. The micro hybrid system consists of start-stop technology, which the company says is good for an 8% reduction in emissions. Around the same time, the...

Despite the rapid pace of change in today's automobile market, the business of designing and building cars requires the adoption of a longer-range view. That includes anticipating periods of rapid change and technological developments. Though a bit behind the curve, the German maker is nonetheless...

On the back of news that Hyundai is now the world’s fifth biggest carmaker in terms of vehicle sales (when sales of its Kia subsidiary are included) comes the announcement that the South Korean carmaker will launch the world’s first hybrid vehicle powered by advanced lithium-polymer...

Whether it's 'Monica Missiles' or 'Economic Stimulus Packages' the political misdirection is a tried and true method of shifting the media's attention from something undesirable and toward another issue that's easier to deal with. General Motors is reported to be considering just such an action in...

A joint effort between the energy departments of the United States and Sweden, through the Argonne National Laboratory in Chicago and the Lindholmen Science Park in Gothenburg, will see the two countries work together under a $37 million program to develop new plug-in hybrid technology. Swedish...

There are already a number of independent firms that will retro-fit solar panels to the roofs of hybrid vehicles like the Toyota Prius to help extend the car’s electric-only driving range, however, from next year onwards the Prius will be available with the panels direct from the factory. The...

Plug-in hybrids, conventional hybrids and pure electric vehicles (EVs) are the hot topic as fuel prices rise with no end in sight. The future of transport appears to be almost certainly electricity-driven, and Renault, which just confirmed it was working on EVs in earnest last week, hopes to be one...

One of Chrysler’s key strategies is to take advantage of the global economy and fill gaps in its current lineup with vehicles sources from other manufacturers. We’ve already seen the Auburn Hills carmaker team up with Nissan over a model swap deal as well as China’s Chery Auto...

Click here for all the official information and pictures for the 2009 Volkswagen Golf Mark VI Volkswagen has revealed its intentions to enter the race to build and market ultra-efficient plug-in hybrid vehicles with the unveiling today of the new Golf Twin Drive. The new concept car receives its...

Fuel prices are a hot topic among American motorists, and ways to reduce bills at the pump are equally popular, but new information shows paying in advance for savings down the road is not an appealing solution for today's buyers. The added up-front costs of hybrid vehicles turned as many as a...

Republican presidential candidate John McCain has intensified his efforts to fight global warming by proposing a $300 million government prize to the first person or corporation to develop vehicle battery technology superior to anything currently available. Speaking at Fresno State University in...

The age of electric vehicles is nearly upon us, with everyone from Nissan to Peugeot to General Motors at various stages of development. Daimler has now announced that it too will join the ranks of electric vehicle builders by 2010, with both a Smart-branded city car and a Mercedes-branded luxury...

The Toyota Prius was rated the highest-ranking model in three of Europe’s most prominent and influential satisfaction surveys conducted by J.D. Power and Associates. The pioneering hybrid vehicle was picked as the most satisfying vehicle in separate surveys conducted in the UK, France and...

GM is targeting a 2010 launch date for its new Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid vehicle and despite the hype surround its development only 10,000 examples are expected to be built in its first year of production. Depending on its success, GM will lift production to 60,000 units in the following year...

Unlike many concept cars that throw practicality out the window in an effort to achieve fuel economy or light weight, the Hungarian-designed Antro Solo manages to fit three adults while returning excellent fuel figures and highway speeds. Built almost exclusively from carbon fiber composite...

Plug-in hybrids and electric cars are just around the corner, with 2010 set to be a banner year for the industry. Volkswagen's latest news adds to the anticipation with the announcement of hybrid drive to be extended to three models and a new electric car. The three hybrids will be the Golf (Rabbit...