On January 15, the OSCar eO became the first-ever extended-range electric vehicle to complete the brutal Dakar Rally. The 2012 race's route through Argentina, Chile and Peru is a grueling test of endurance for even the most robust vehicles. The Latvian team’s historic finish demonstrates that electric vehicles can survive the world's most challenging driving conditions.

An electric Fiat 500? You may remember the concept was displayed last year at the Detroit auto show, but didn't show up again this year. Many people are convinced that a small, cute,electric 500 would be a great city car. Well, everybody but Fiat. And that's fine, because Fiat's refusal to go electric keeps the door open for outside companies to convert them to electric.

GM spokesperson Rob Peterson confirmed to Automotive News that Volt "ordering is down," which he says is due to a "lot of misinformation that has swirled over the past month." Select Chevrolet dealers from New York to California are reportedly turning down Chevy Volts until the negative media buzz dies down.

Beginning on February 6, General Motors will manufacture Chevy Volts that meet California's e-AT-PZEV status, thus enabling the Volt to qualify for the state's highly coveted green High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) stickers.