Toyota launched its next-gen Prius C, the Aqua, in Japan with a new bipolar-nickel hydrogen battery technology that allows the Aqua to be 20% more fuel-efficient than its previous generation, the Prius C. The bipolar nickel-hydrogen battery has a more compact design and produces more output than a hydrogen battery. The Aqua starts at $18,000. Read more
Bentley adds to its hybrid line-up with the Flying Spur sedan
New Look for the 2023 Kia Sportage
Kia has redesigned the Sportage for the 2023 model year. On the exterior, the SUV features a clamshell hood with a full-width grille and matrix LED lights below. The interior is no slouch either and features a clean layout with a 12-inch infotainment display screen and a rotary dial for a gear selector. The car will be available in Europe with gas, diesel, hybrid, and plug-in hybrids powertrains. The specs for U.S. version will be available later this year. Read more
2021 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4xe Plug-in Hybrid review
The 2021 Wrangler 4xe is both the most powerful and fuel-efficient Wrangler built. The rugged SUV adds two electric motors and a 17.3 kWh battery to its existing turbocharged inline-4 gas engine to deliver 375 hp and 370 lb.-ft torque. It gets an EPA fuel economy rating of 49MPGe. The 4xe starts at $51,000 for its lowest trim level, the Sahara. Read more
Hybrid vehicles outsell electric vehicles in the U.S. in April 2021
In April 2021, hybrids and electric vehicles accounted for a record 8.4% of all new vehicles registered in the U.S.; hybrids made up 6.1%, while EVs made up 2.4%. For the seventh month in the running, hybrids and EVs have together made up more than 5% of all new vehicles sold. Hybrids continue to be the main driver of the electrification of the auto market, and its volume has more than quintupled from 17,591 last April to 92,865 this April. Read more
2021 Vauxhall Astra to offer plug-in hybrid powertrain
Vauxhall will be releasing the 2021 Astra with a plug-in hybrid powertrain. The Astra will be the first model in the carmaker’s lineup to feature an electric motor. The car has a total output of 178 bhp produced by its 1.6 L turbocharged inline-4 engine and 108 bhp electric motor.Read more
2022 Santa Fe to offer plug-in hybrid powertrain
The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid will be available in U.S. showrooms later this year and has an official fuel-efficiency rating of 33 mpg combined in hybrid mode. Its fuel economy is ahead of the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV’s 26 mpg but behind the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime’s 38 mpg. Read more
The 2022 Lexus NX 450h+
The 2022 Lexus NX 450h+ will be arriving in dealerships this fall as a plug-in hybrid with an estimated base price of $47,000. This is the first time the NX model will be available in a plug-in hybrid powertrain. The NX 450h+ can travel 36 miles on electricity alone with a fully charged battery pack. Read more
2022 T7 Multivan will offer a plug-in hybrid powertrain
The 2022 Volkswagen T7 is here and will be available in the plug-in electric version called the eHybrid. A 2L inline-4 engine and an 85kW electric motor combine to power the eHybrid. The vehicle has a wider body compared to its predecessor, the T6, and a full-width front grille and headlights. Read more
PHEVs account for 20% of Volvo’s monthly sales
This past May, plug-in hybrids accounted for 20% of Volvo’s monthly U.S. sales. And in California, that figure was higher at 47.7%. Since Volvo “reduced its prices, redesigned its tailpipes to hide them, and introduced a plug-in get-paid program,” (Green Car Reports) the sales of its plug-in hybrids have continued to rise. Read more