How to Diagnose Car Electrical Issues

Engine under the hood Photo: Kevin P. via Pixabay Cars are complex pieces of machinery, and as technology improves each year, the electrical systems in vehicles become even more complicated. An issue with your car’s electrical system can range from a minor inconvenience to a full-blown catastrophe. And while your first thought might be to…

Are Electric Cars Ok After a Flood?

Photo: Chris Waits Generally, people know that a car that was in a flood is likely going to have severe problems. Flood waters pool in engine parts that are definitely not supposed to have water in them, while washing a variety of mud and other contaminants into every nook and cranny. This is not what…

Americans Are Buying More EVs Than Manual Transmission Vehicles

2019 might be gradually drawing to a close. However, some automotive trends will likely continue as we transition into 2020 — like the U.S. consumer’s slow (but persistent) shift toward viewing electric vehicles more favorably. In fact, during the third quarter of this year, more Americans bought electric vehicles than models with manual transmissions. Tire…

Do Electric Cars Really Save You Money?

Photo: Mikes Photos If you’ve been researching electric cars, you’ve probably heard a lot about how owning an electric car will “save you money at the pump.” Sure, you won’t have to spend money on gas — especially with the spiking prices — but with electric car sticker prices so high, does it really save…

Honda Says Electric Type R Could Happen

Photo: Honda Honda plans to electrify more than two-thirds of its global lineup by 2030, and while performance vehicles tend to be the last to receive electrification, it doesn’t entirely leave them out of the picture. In fact, Honda Civic Type R project leader Hideki Kakinuma says it’s entirely possible that Honda would eventually make…

Ford to Build Electric Motors in Detroit

Photo: Ford Motor Company As if the debut of the Mustang Mach-E and sizable financial investments weren’t indication enough, Ford is going all in on electrification. As the Blue Oval turns increasingly toward EVs, electric motors become a larger priority. Where most electric motors are typically purchased from suppliers, Ford seems poised to build its…

Chevrolet Menlo Electric Crossover Debuts in China

The Chevrolet Menlo electric crossover Photo: Chevrolet Chevrolet has unveiled the Menlo compact crossover — the brand’s first all-electric vehicle for the Chinese market. The Menlo made its debut earlier this month at the Chevrolet Gala Night and is currently on display at the Auto Guangzhou 2019 show. According to testing conducted under the New…

Mercedes Plans to Make Only Electric Cars in 20 Years

Mercedes-Benz is moving away from traditional engines and reducing its carbon footprint by pledging to roll out only electric cars by 2039. Trust Us: There is a lot of excitement for 2019 alone This go-getting goal on renewable energy came on Monday after other automakers pledged similar quests in recent months. Volkswagen has vowed to…

Ford Electrified Vehicle Sales Sizzle in Record April

Mustang Mach-E helped Ford achieve a new record for electrified vehicle sales in April Photo: Ford Ford Motor Company enjoyed a successful April in terms of sales with its three newest products leading the way. The Ford Mustang Mach-E and F-150 PowerBoost spurred a 262 percent gain in electrified vehicle sales and a new all-time…

Honda Reveals Next Stages of Electric Vision Strategy

The production-ready Honda e revealed at the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show Photo: Honda Honda wants 100 percent of all vehicle sales in Europe to be electrified vehicles by 2025, and to that end it is embarking on its Electric Vision strategy. During this month’s Frankfurt Motor Show, Honda tipped the next steps of its strategy,…

The Top Five Plug-in Vehicles of 2017

As I have written more and more for The News Wheel, I have found myself turning into the plug-in car guy. So, as we are approaching the end of this landmark year in the development of the electric car market, I found myself wondering, what were the top plug-in (meaning electric and plug-in hybrid) cars…

Infiniti Still Says “No” To Electric Cars

The Infiniti LE concept was unveiled in 2012 When you look at the electric cars on the market, there is one big brand that is missing. Infiniti, the luxury arm of Nissan, has so far declined to produce an electric car. It seems kind of odd, considering that the Renault Nissan Alliance has sold more…

Hyundai Unveils Long-Range Electric Scooter Concept

Hyundai’s new electric scooter concept is compact and easily portable Photo: Hyundai Envision this scenario: You’re desperately trying to find parking on a crowded city street, but the only space you can find is a long walk from where you need to be — and you’re already running late. A new long-range electric scooter concept…

2020 F-Series Super Duty Tremor Gets Integrated Electric Winch

The Tremor package-equipped 2020 Ford Super Duty features an available integrated electric winch option Photo: Ford Motor Company If you’re a competing heavy-duty truck coming for the 2020 Ford F-Series Super Duty, there’s something you gotta know: Now you’re messin’ with an An electric winch! Now you’re messin’ with an electric winch! You can practically…

Lincoln Electric SUV to Use Rivian Skateboard Chassis

The Rivian skateboard chassis may underpin a new Lincoln electric SUV Photo: © Rivian Automotive Lincoln is expected to launch an all-electric all-wheel-drive SUV in 2022, and it will likely be the first Ford Motor Company vehicle underpinned by the Rivian skateboard chassis. Sources familiar with the development of Lincoln’s dedicated electric SUV tell Reuters…

Toyota Agrees to Develop Class 8 Fuel Cell Electric Truck

Photo: Toyota Toyota and Hino Trucks have agreed to jointly develop a Class 8 fuel cell electric truck for the North American market. With a minimum gross vehicle weight rating of 33,001 pounds, these are the biggest type of semi-trucks you’ll find on the roads. Toyota and Hino’s energy-focused partnership stretches back nearly 20 years,…

Are Aluminum Vehicles Any Better Than Hybrids?

The new Ford F-150 is an aluminum vehicle We’ve seen a lot of innovative new technology this year that’s especially focused on fuel economy. There are more hybrid and alternative fuel-powered cars than ever, often being marketed as the future of the auto industry. However, with alternatives to hybrids like lightweight aluminum vehicles, the question is:…

Mazda Developing Diesel-Hybrid Vehicles; U.S. Looks On

The Mazda 6 was delayed in its worldwide release this year when attempting to improve fuel economy using diesel. Photo: Mazda Mazda has had a rocky relationship with diesel, hybrid, and other such green-friendly technology.  Having put all their eggs in one gas tank– developing a more efficient gasoline engine– the company has been left…

Hydrogen vs. Electric Cars: Which Is Better?

With electric cars being favored in news as the fast-approaching car of the future, it’s easy to forget about cars powered by hydrogen fuel cells. Now that electric cars have such a bright future with the introduction of long-lasting batteries and ranges of 300 miles, what will happen to the hydrogen cars? They’ll coexist, apparently….

Audi Reveals Electric e-tron quattro concept

When the 66th International Motor Show (IAA) opens tomorrow in Frankfurt, Audi will be ready to show its latest concept to the world. The Audi e-tron quattro concept is meant to give the public a preview of an all-electric SUV that Audi expects to present in early 2018. Industry experts see this as Audi’s direct challenge…

Pay for Parking with Electricity at the Nissan Pavilion

Photo: Nissan The Nissan Pavilion is an eco-friendly new attraction in Yokohama. From the moment you park, you’re greeted by its forward-thinking ideas. Instead of paying for parking with pocket change, this innovative attraction lets you pay for your parking with electricity from your vehicle’s battery pack. Here’s a look at the program, and the…

New Research Could Solve Goldilocks Problem for Electric Car Fast Charging

Interestingly, the newest innovation in vehicle batteries isn’t some high-tech conglomeration of super-expensive materials combined with some sort of space-age biotechnology. Nope, the newest innovation seems to be a cleverly-implemented idea using cheap, light materials to allow easier electric car fast charging. It’s nice when things work out sometimes. Steady Improvements: Here are several ways…

Electric Car Terminology – Part 3

Photo: NewMotion Every electric vehicle (EV) needs to recharge. This process comes with its own terminology, as you might’ve guessed. Explore the range of charging related words to enhance your green car vocabulary. Nab New Tires Easily: Try the tire finder tool [wptab name=’#1′] Photo: EVgo Network Charging Station Also called a charging point, the…

New Electric Porsche Taycan Sets Nürburgring Record

Photo: Porsche Well, that didn’t take long. The new Porsche Taycan, which is not yet officially available at dealerships, has already had a go at the Nürburgring Nordschleife and set a new record for four-door, all-electric sports cars. With Lars Kern at the wheel, the pre-series Taycan was able to set a time of seven…

Is It Wise to Buy an Electric or Hybrid Accessible Van?

2020 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Photo: FCA As the automotive industry continues transitioning from outdated fossil fuels to environmentally conscious, renewable energy, more vehicles are being manufactured with hybrid and all-electric powertrains. Automakers have even begun producing electric- and hybrid-powered minivans, commercial vans, and large SUVs that can be modified for wheelchair accessibility. Is an eco-friendly…

DIY Maintenance for Your Vehicle

Owning a Jeep or truck with suspension parts comes with a fair amount of responsibility. Far too many drivers overlook routine maintenance, which will wear down your vehicle over time. But you don’t have to take your vehicle into the shop every time you need to make a few repairs. A mechanic may overcharge you…

Japan Gets Second e-POWER Nissan Vehicle

The Nissan Leaf is a groundbreaking electric car and one of the first commercially successful EVs on the market. However, American consumers aren’t getting the whole story when it comes to Nissan’s electrical prowess. In its home country of Japan, the company launched its e-POWER system in the Nissan Note in 2016 and this month…

Nissan Has a New Best-Selling Vehicle

The Nissan Altima, a mid-sized sedan, has been the Nissan’s bestselling vehicle since 2001. The Altima might have to give its crown to a new leader soon, though: the Nissan Rogue. The SUV is currently being sold in two forms: the all-new Nissan Rogue and the Nissan Rogue Select, which is essentially the SUV’s previous generation…

The Vehicles of Death Stranding

Image by OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay Death Stranding is the long-awaited brainchild of the visionary game director Hideo Kojima. It is also a fever dream of metaphors and evocative imagery delivered via a story that involves The Walking Dead’s Norman Reedus carrying an insane number of boxes across the entirety of the United States and creating grenades…