Five Must-Have Features for Tesla's Affordable Mass-Market Car

By Jim Motavalli ·
May 21, 2013

The next Tesla is targeted as a $30,000 plug-in for everybody, and it's the one that can establish the company as a major player. It has to be great, and here's how it can be.

Keep reading · 11 comments

The Basics

Everything you need to know about charging, range, batteries, incentives and more - explained in plain English. Our reference section is like an online users guide for electric cars and plug-in hybrids.

Check out the Guides

The Nissan LEAF is a well-equipped, all-electric hatchback that seats five adults and commonly travels about 80 miles on a single charge. It's the world's best-selling pure electric car of all time. As of summer 2012, the LEAF is available to test-drive and purchase at Nissan dealerships throughout the United States.

Visit site · 337 discussions · 103 photos · 37 fans

The Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid’s 4.4 kilowatt-hour battery pack provides 11 or more all-electric miles after a full charge. As a result, drivers with short commutes commonly get more than 100 miles per gallon. But EV purists might be disappointed with how often the gas engine comes on.

Visit site · 51 discussions · 18 photos · 6 fans

The Chevy Volt's technology has leapfrogged standard hybrids like the Toyota Prius. This five-door, four-seat hatchback operates as an electric car for its first 35 miles after a full charge, and then uses gas to extend its range.

Visit site · 308 discussions · 35 photos · 24 fans

By Alysha Webb ·
May 21, 2013

Used Market for Plug-in Cars in Nascent Stage

Pity the person shopping for a used plug-in vehicle. Aside from a few previously owned Nissan LEAFs and Volts, there just aren’t very many used electric cars and plug-in hybrids on the market. That’s why Edmunds.com hasn’t bothered to compile any tips for buying a used plug-in electric vehicle, said John O’Dell, the website’s fuel efficiency senior editor, in an interview with PluginCars.com.

Keep reading · 1 comment

By Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield ·
May 21, 2013

How to Maximize Your Electric Car's Range

Just like gasoline cars, the real-world range of electric cars depends on a lot of different factors—from the climate and road conditions to car speed and the number of passengers on board. Does your EV get less range than the E.P.A. estimates? Follow these tips.

Keep reading · 4 comments

By Brad Berman ·
May 20, 2013

BMW Videos Emphasize Carbon Fiber in Electric Car Strategy

The use of lightweight carbon fiber car bodies in BMW’s upcoming electric cars is the focus of a new series of videos produced by the company. The set of 10 videos released on YouTube last week, promote the i3 all-electric compact car and i8 plug-in hybrid sports car.

Keep reading · 5 comments

By Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield ·
May 20, 2013

Have Kids? Three Family-Friendly Electric Cars To Consider

Despite what friends and family might tell you, however, you don’t need a big gas-guzzling car to raise a family. Check out three electric vehicles that can work well for family life.

Keep reading · 16 comments

By Brad Berman ·
May 17, 2013

Survey: To Be Satisfied, Electric Car Drivers Want 150 Miles of Range

As we’ve seen from past surveys, EV owners drive their cars an average of nearly 29 miles per day—well below the range capabilities of their vehicles. While most respondents expressed overall satisfaction with their vehicles, 40 percent were dissatisfied with their electric range. Fifty-seven percent indicated that it would take a range of 150 miles or more to be extremely satisfied.

Keep reading · 30 comments

By Zach McDonald ·
May 16, 2013

Colorado Extends $6,000 Plug-in Vehicle Credit Through 2021

Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper Wednesday signed into law a pair of bills relating to plug-in and other alternative fuel vehicles, including a measure to extend a plug-in vehicle tax credit into the next decade. The "Innovative Motor Vehicle Income Tax Credit" passed the Colorado House last week and will extend Colorado's existing incentive program—which provides up to a $6,000 tax credit toward the purchase of a new plug-in and as much as $7,500 toward a conversion—until 2021.

Keep reading · 3 comments

By Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield ·
May 16, 2013

Volvo Demos Second Generation C30 Electric, Keeps Quiet On EV Plans

Swedish automaker Volvo wants the world to know it has big plans to produce a zero emissions fleet by 2020. But while its rivals are moving forward with their EV programs, Volvo isn’t speaking in specific terms about full-scale production electric cars.

Keep reading · 2 comments

By Alysha Webb ·
May 16, 2013

Automakers Consider Polygons on Map to Show Electric Car Range

Rather than having to program in your destination, EOLAS-EV displays different colored polygons overlaid on a map. They show you how many miles are left on your battery and where you could go on that charge.

Keep reading · 6 comments

By Laurent J. Masson ·
May 16, 2013

Panamera S E-Hybrid: A True Plug-in and a True Porsche

It's usually easy to tell if a car is a plug-in: there's no exhaust pipe. But the Porsche Panamera S e-hybrid is no ordinary plug-in. It has four large pipes on its rear. The message is clear: This is not an electric car with a range extender. The gas engine is a powerful unit. This car needs it to be a real Porsche.

Keep reading · 2 comments

All Discussions

2014 Chevrolet Spark EV Headed to Canada as Fleet-Only Vehicle

Article · comments

Eric Loveday says:
The 2014 Chevy Spark EV will trek across the border to Canada and launch there in late 2013 or early 2014, but it will...

Five Must-Have Features for Tesla's Affordable Mass-Market Car

Article · comments

Jim Motavalli says:
The next Tesla is targeted as a $30,000 plug-in for everybody, and it's the one that can establish the company as a...

Real World Leaf Range 27 - 38 miles

Discussion · comments

ex-EV1 driver says:
I've been giving a lot of thought to the fact that Nissan clearly fell short of expectations with...

Lets talk Cmax Energi

Discussion · comments

jeffandthedrums says:
PROUD BUYER! Im stoked about my Cmax energi. I have only driven it for one day. The ev miles are...

Used Market for Plug-in Cars in Nascent Stage

Article · comments

Alysha Webb says:
Pity the person shopping for a used plug-in vehicle. Aside from a few previously owned Nissan LEAFs and Volts, there...

Have Kids? Three Family-Friendly Electric Cars To Consider

Article · comments

Nikki Gordon-Bl... says:
Despite what friends and family might tell you, however, you don’t need a big gas-guzzling car to raise a family....

How to Maximize Your Electric Car's Range

Article · comments

Nikki Gordon-Bl... says:
Just like gasoline cars, the real-world range of electric cars depends on a lot of different factors—from the climate...

Ford C-Max Energi Operates As Pure Electric Car for First 20 Miles

Article · comments

Brad Berman says:
Mea Culpa. Last week, I criticized Ford for hyping up the capabilities of its upcoming C-Max Energi plug-in hybrid. I...

Emergency charging thru portable Generator

Discussion · comments

newEVEnthusiast says:
I was wondering if it is first possible & then practical to charge Leaf (in emergency) using a...

Survey: To Be Satisfied, Electric Car Drivers Want 150 Miles of Range

Article · comments

Brad Berman says:
As we’ve seen from past surveys, EV owners drive their cars an average of nearly 29 miles per day—well below the range...

BMW Videos Emphasize Carbon Fiber in Electric Car Strategy

Article · comments

Brad Berman says:
The use of lightweight carbon fiber car bodies in BMW’s upcoming electric cars is the focus of a new series of videos...

Public EV Charging: Think Before You Plug In

Article · comments

Nikki Gordon-Bl... says:
Upon finding an EV-only parking space with attached charging station, most electric car and plug-in hybrid owners will...

Volvo Demos Second Generation C30 Electric, Keeps Quiet On EV Plans

Volvo C30 Electric Article · comments

Nikki Gordon-Bl... says:
Swedish automaker Volvo wants the world to know it has big plans to produce a zero emissions fleet by 2020. But while...

Automakers Consider Polygons on Map to Show Electric Car Range

Article · comments

Alysha Webb says:
Rather than having to program in your destination, EOLAS-EV displays different colored polygons overlaid on a map. They...

Energy Center Reveals Surprising Plug-in Prius MPG Range

Blog Post · comments

Brad Berman says:
A few weeks ago, I spoke with Mike Ferry, transportation program manager at San Diego’s Center for Sustainable Energy...

Tesla Leads Because It Outsmarts the Competition

Tesla Model S Article · comments

Laurent J. Masson says:
Consumers expect convenience and ease of use. Lengthy charging times are a no-go. And when it comes to EVs, that makes...

Exclusive: Chevrolet Volt Chief Engineer Explains Volt Drivetrain, Says "Volt is an Electric Vehicle"

Blog Post · comments

Nick Chambers says:
What is it about the Chevy Volt that seems to elicit such heated discussion? After the last couple days' worth of...

Wireless Electric Vehicle Charging Moves Forward, In Long Beach Buses

Article · comments

Alysha Webb says:
The battle cry to “plug in” your car might need to be adjusted, because wireless charging of electric vehicles is...

Colorado Extends $6,000 Plug-in Vehicle Credit Through 2021

Article · comments

Zach McDonald says:
Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper Wednesday signed into law a pair of bills relating to plug-in and other alternative...

LEAF Hits 25,000 Sales, What It Needs To Pass 50,000

Nissan Leaf Article · comments

Nikki Gordon-Bl... says:
While Nissan sales figures are as more than 400 percent higher than last year, the Japanese automaker is facing tough...

Meet Our Contributors

Brad Berman
· Brad Berman ·

Bradley Berman is a leading writer and researcher about ...

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Jim Motavalli
· Jim Motavalli ·

Jim Motavalli writes on environmental topics for The New ...

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Zach McDonald
· Zach McDonald ·

Zach McDonald is a writer from New York City. He has been ...

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Laurent J. Masson
· Laurent J. Masson ·

I've been covering the green automotive scene in Europe ...

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Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield
· Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield ·

EV advocate, journalist, presenter, musician, geek, mom, ...

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David Herron
· David Herron ·

Passionately interested in electric vehicle and green ...

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John Gartner
· John Gartner ·

John Gartner is Research Director of Navigant Research’s ...

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Tom Moloughney
· Tom Moloughney ·

Tom is an passionate EV advocate as well as a proponent of ...

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Nick Kurczewski
· Nick Kurczewski ·

Nick Kurczewski is an automotive journalist based in New ...

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