Karma Automotive introduced the Karma E-Flex Platform a highly versatile chassis that will offer new electric vehicle mobility solutions ranging from autonomously-driven utility vans, to daily-driver vehicles, to high-performance supercars. Karma, the Southern California-based creator of luxury electric vehicles and high-tech incubator, said the first showcase of the highly-flexible platform... Read more →

Volkswagen reports that, even before the launch of the new ID.3 EV this summer, demand for electrified Volkswagen products has increased in Germany. Every second order for the up! model series is for the fully electric version, with around 20,000 orders received over the first three months of this year.... Read more →

The all-new SEAT Leon offers five different powertrain technologies: gasoline (TSI); diesel (TDI); mild-hybrid (eTSI); plug-in hybrid (eHybrid); and compressed natural gas (TGI). SEAT is a member of the Volkswagen Group. In total, there are eleven different mechanical variants, with power outputs ranging from 90 PS with the 1.0 TSI... Read more →

BMW is introducing the BMW 330e and 330e xDrive PHEV sedans (earlier post) in the US with an MSRP of $44,550 for 330e and $46,550 for 330e xDrive sedan plus $995 Dest. The new BMW 330e and 330e xDrive Sedans utilize an intelligently controlled powertrain consisting of an electric motor,... Read more →

The decline of the European new car market has continued throughout February. According to JATO Dynamics data, 1,063,264 units were registered last month, compared to 1,143,852 in February 2019. This equates to a decline of 7.0%, as last month saw the lowest number of registrations since 2015, when only 955,113... Read more →

Power Integrations, a provider of gate-driver technology for medium- and high-voltage inverter applications, announced that its SIC118xKQ SCALE-iDriver, a high-efficiency, single-channel gate driver for silicon carbide (SiC) MOSFETs, is now certified to AEC-Q100 for automotive use. Fast-switching gate driver ICs are ideal motor inverter switches for electric vehicles (EV) or... Read more →

BMW eDrive Zones trigger an automatic shift to all-electric operating mode as soon as the vehicle enters a designated area, such as a low emission zone. BMW eDrive Zones are now available in various BMW plug-in hybrid models. In addition, the BMW Points loyalty program will be introduced later in... Read more →

Following a year of rapid growth in 2018, in which sales nearly doubled from the previous year, sales of plug-in electric vehicles in the US declined in 2019, due to lower sales of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. Sales of all-electric vehicles remained steady with a slight increase of about 3,000... Read more →

Volkswagen’s top-of-the-range model Touareg now also features a plug-in hybrid drive. The Touareg R—the first R-Line model to be available as a hybrid—delivers total power output of 340 kW (462 PS) and 700 N·m of torque. The Touareg R can be driven at up to 140 km/h using electric power;... Read more →

Volkswagen unveiled the new eight-generation Golf GTI, the Golf GTD and the Golf GTE plug-in hybrid via a live stream event, in place of the cancelled Geneva International Motor Show. GTI. The new Golf GTI is powered by a 180 kW (245 PS) 2.0-liter turbocharged direct injection engine (EA888 evo4).... Read more →

Mercedes‑Benz Cars continues to increase its range of plug-in hybrids under the EQ Power label, with he latest additions being to the compact-car range. With the CLA 250 e Coupé (combined fuel consumption 1.5-1.4 l/100 km, combined CO2 emissions 35-31 g/km, combined electrical consumption 15.1-15.0 kWh/100 km); CLA 250 e... Read more →

Mercedes-Benz Cars has begun production of the first Mercedes-Benz compact vehicles with plug-in hybrid drive (earlier post) at the Mercedes-Benz Rastatt plant in southern Germany. Supported by a systematic digitization of production processes, Mercedes-Benz Rastatt plant and its workers have implemented the simultaneous ramp up of two body variants: The... Read more →

Volkswagen will introduce the new Touareg R with a plug-in hybrid drive at the Geneva Motor Show (5 to 15 March 2020). The hybrid drive of the Touareg R essentially consists of a 2,995 cm3 V6 turbocharged gasoline engine (250 kW/340 PS), the electric drive motor (100kW/136 PS) and a... Read more →

As part of California’s AB 32 climate change program, Executive Order B-48-18 administratively created a goal of 5 million zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) on California roads by 2030. This action expands on the prior Executive Order B-16-2012, which set a goal of 1.5 million by 2025. While these goals were set... Read more →

Registrations of new electrified light-duty vehicles (HEVS, PHEVs and EVs) in California rose 3.6% to 250,566 units in 2019, up from 241,970 units, according to the California New Car Dealers Association (CNCDA), using data from IHS. Overall, the California new light-duty vehicle market declined 5.5% from 2018 to 2019 (2,002,047... Read more →

At the upcoming 2020 Geneva International Motor Show, BMW will present three new plug-in hybrid models for the premium mid-range—all in the 3 Series. The debuts include the new BMW 330e Touring (combined fuel consumption: from 1.7 l/100 km; combined power consumption: from 15.7 kWh/100 km; combined CO2 emissions: from... Read more →

In Germany (the largest car market in Europe), the 2020 registration year started with 246,300 newly registered passenger cars—7.3% less than in January 2019, according to figures from the German KBA (Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt). However, alternative drive types increased significantly in the reporting month. Source: KBA. With 7,492 new vehicles, the number... Read more →

Charging network ChargePoint and NATSO, which represents America’s travel plazas and truckstops, are creating a National Highway Charging Collaborative to extend access to EV charging. Over the next decade, the Collaborative will leverage $1 billion in capital to deploy charging at more than 4,000 travel plazas and fuel stops that... Read more →

The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) unveiled ten new hydrogen fuel-cell-electric Xcelsior CHARGE H2 heavy-duty transit buses in Santa Ana, California. The order was previously announced in April 2018, at that time becoming the US’ largest procurement and deployment of fuel cell-electric buses. The hydrogen-fueled buses will be strategically integrated... Read more →

In order to advance its fleet electrification and emissions reduction goals, the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans (SWBNO) has deployed six new XL plug-in hybrid electric Ford F-150 pickup trucks to its fleet. The trucks were unveiled during a ceremony at the SWBNO Central Yard on 28 January... Read more →

SEAT presented at its Martorell facilities the all-new SEAT Leon compact. The company, a member of the Volkswagen Group, has invested more than €1.1 billion in fourth generation of the Leon to bring it to market with more efficient engines, next levels of connectivity and driving assistance, dynamism and eye-catching... Read more →

Audi is pricing its 2020 A8 TFSI e plug-in hybrid with a MSRP of $94,000 in the US. Joining the flagship sedan model line, the Audi A8 TFSI e serves as the first plug-in hybrid variant of the A8. (Earlier post.) By comparison, the starting MSRP for a 2020 Audi... Read more →

Audi is working to electrify one in ten parking spaces at its German plants by mid-2022; most of these charging spaces will be accessible to the public. This independent concept is the largest charging infrastructure project carried out by a German employer. The ~€100-million investment provides Audi with a head... Read more →

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed legislation (S2252) that establishes goals and incentives for the increased use of plug-in electric vehicles (BEV and PHEV) and infrastructure in New Jersey. (Earlier post.) The bill also codifies the Murphy Administration’s goal of 330,000 registered light-duty electric vehicles by 2025 and directs state-owned... Read more →

Audi of America is introducing its first plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variant of its bestselling SUV, the Audi Q5. The Audi Q5 TFSI e (earlier post) will be joined by the A8 TFSI e and the Audi A7 TFSI e in the coming months. The Audi Q5 TFSI e is equipped... Read more →

Both houses of the New Jersey Legislature (Senate and Assembly) have passed a bill (S2252/A4819) that establishes goals and incentives for increased use of plug-in electric vehicles in NJ. The Governor is expected to sign it. Specifically, the bill sets a goal of at least 330,000 of the total number... Read more →

The BMW Group is introducing new plug-in hybrid models: the new BMW X1 xDrive25e and the new BMW X2 xDrive25e. The electric drive and a latest-generation lithium-ion battery enable an electrically powered range of up to 57 kilometers (35 miles) in the two new plug-in hybrid models. The new BMW... Read more →

FCA’s Jeep brand is utilizing CES to showcase three plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), the first step in the brand’s plan to offer electrification options on all models by 2022. All Jeep electrified vehicles will carry a new “Jeep 4xe badge.” Additional information about the Jeep Wrangler, Compass and Renegade... Read more →

The BMW Group has delivered half a million electrified cars to customers worldwide so far. The company aims to have one million electrified vehicles on the road within two years, said Oliver Zipse, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG. Next year, the BMW X3 will become the... Read more →

GKN Automotive launched the next phase in its electrification strategy. The leading supplier of all-wheel drive and electric driveline technology and systems is standardizing a range of intelligent highly integrated “3-in-1” P4 electric drive systems for pure electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, in a move to decrease cost and increase... Read more →

Vitesco Technologies, the Powertrain business area of Continental, presented at the CTI Symposium in Berlin (9-12 December 2019) a cost-effective and compact dedicated hybrid transmission solution with integrated electric machines, designed for use in applications such as plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). At the heart of Vitesco Technologies’ solution is... Read more →

Presales of the Audi Q7 TFSI e quattro (combined fuel consumption 3.0–2.8 l/100km; combined electric power consumption 22.9–21.9 kWh/100 km; combined CO2 emissions 69–64 g/km) have just started in Germany and other European countries. The SUV, the plug-in hybrid drive of which combines a three-liter V6 gasoline engine with a... Read more →

Mercedes-Benz Cars has opened a factory for plug-in hybrid (PHEV) batteries in the Bangkok region in Thailand. The new battery factory was built on a 50,000 m² site located at the vehicle manufacturing plant in the Bangkok region. The new plant is the third production facility in the company’s global... Read more →

At the Los Angeles Auto Show, Toyota introduced its new plug-in hybrid (PHEV) RAV4 performance model with an estimated 302-horsepower, advanced all-wheel drive, sport-tuned suspension and exclusive design features. In addition to an ability to do 0-60 mph in a projected 5.8 seconds—the second quickest acceleration time in the Toyota... Read more →

Sales of BMW Group electrified vehicles worldwide were up 8.6% to 14,182 units in October, due to availability of the new BMW 330e and the BMW X5 xDrive45e. For the first 10 months of 2019, sales of electrified vehicles are up 0.1% to 110,734 units. The BMW i brand, with... Read more →

Hyundai said it will introduce 13 alternatively fueled vehicles by 2022, including six sedans and seven SUVs. Upcoming highlights from this eco-friendly commitment include a refreshed 2020 Ioniq Electric, Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid to be revealed later this month at the Los Angeles Auto Show. In addition, the all-new Sonata... Read more →

Ford is extending its European plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) trial to Cologne. The study, which is also testing Ford PHEVs on the streets of London and Valencia, Spain, aims to better analyse and show the real-world benefits of such vehicles for the environment and for commercial vehicle owners and... Read more →

Volkswagen has unveiled the eighth generation of the Golf—the most successful Volkswagen model, having sold more than 35 million units. The newest Golf is digitalized, networked, predictive, intuitively operated and electrified, with five hybrid versions from mild to plug-in. Its digital interior architecture opens up a new dimension of intuitive... Read more →

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) unveiled the MI-TECH CONCEPT electrified small SUV concept car at the Tokyo Motor Show 2019. The company is also showcasing the twin-motor, 4WD Engelberg Tourer, unveiled in March in Geneva (earlier post). We are dedicated to electrification technology, particularly plug-in hybrids (PHEVs). We will be expanding... Read more →

WiTricity, a pioneer in wireless power transfer over distance, has entered into licensing and technology transfer agreements with Green Power, a leading South Korea-based supplier of power electronics and high power wireless charging systems for various applications. The agreements allow Green Power to leverage WiTricity’s innovative technology and reference designs... Read more →

Audi is introducing a plug-in hybrid version of its A8 L luxury sedan. The combination of plug-in hybrid drive and intelligent drive management allows distances of up to 46 kilometers (28.6 mi) (measured in accordance with WLTP) to be covered with electric drive alone. System power of 330 kW (449... Read more →

XL, a growing provider of vehicle electrification solutions for commercial and municipal fleets, made two significant announcements designed to capitalize on the company’s current momentum and position the business for rapid, sustainable growth in 2020 and beyond. First, on 4 October, XL acquired the electrification division of Quantum Fuel Systems,... Read more →

Global sales of BMW Group electrified models (fully-electric and plug-in hybrid) increased by 10.1% in September year-on-year to 16,035 units—due in part to the new BMW 330e. Sales of electrified vehicles for the first nine months have dropped by 1% at 96,570 units, compared to the same period last year.... Read more →

At the Tokyo Motor Show lather this month, Mitsubishi Motors (MMC) will unveil the MI-TECH CONCEPT—a small plug-in hybrid SUV featuring a 4-motor 4WD system called Quad Motor with Dual Motor AYC (active yaw control) with 2-motors for both front and rear axle. The light and compact PHEV drive system... Read more →

The BMW Group is introducing a further plug-in hybrid model—the new BMW X1 xDrive25e—a subcompact crossover. An electric drive and a latest-generation lithium-ion battery enable an electrically powered range of up to 57 kilometers (35 miles). With an average fuel consumption from 2.0 liters per 100 kilometers (117.6 mpg US)... Read more →

Ford’s Transit Custom Plug-In Hybrid van (earlier post)is available to order now with first deliveries before the end of the year. Combining zero-emission driving capability and no range anxiety, the first-in-class Transit Custom Plug-In Hybrid van can be charged with grid electricity for a pure electric NEDC driving range of... Read more →

BMW Group Thailand has inaugurated local high-voltage battery production plant in partnership with the DRÄXLMAIER Group, one of the world’s leading automotive suppliers and a partner of BMW Group since 1966. BMW Group Thailand launched the local assembly lines in July 2019 at the DRÄXLMAIER Group plant. The high-voltage battery... Read more →

Audi is systematically pursuing its electrification strategy and is now offering its large four-door A7 Sportback coupe as a powerful, efficient plug-in hybrid (PHEV). The new Audi A7 Sportback 55 TFSI e quattro delivers a system output of 270 kW (367 PS) (combined fuel consumption of 2.1 – 1.9 l/100... Read more →

The Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e 4MATIC EQ Power, featuring third-generation plug-in hybrid technology, is making its debut. With battery capacity of 13.5 kWh, the GLC 350e 4MATIC EQ Power will benefit from increased all-electric range (NEDC electric range approx. 28-30 miles; EPA electric range TBA). The redesigned Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e will... Read more →

The new MINI Cooper SE electric vehicle (fuel consumption combined: 0.0 l/100 km; electric power consumption combined: 16.8 – 14.8 kWh/100 km; CO2 emissions combined: 0 g/km) will make its show debut at the IAA in Frankfurt next week. Also highlighted will be the latest version of the MINI Cooper... Read more →