Ford has completed a year-long study of its Transit Custom Plug-In Hybrid vans in London, and the results point toward a strong future for PHEVs as an integral part of commercial vehicle fleets. Green Car Congress explains, “The trial sought to test whether businesses could carry out the typical daily duties of their diesel-powered vehicles, while maximizing the use of…
Honda will add its i-MMD two-motor hybrid system to additional vehicles in its lineup, according to a new report from Green Car Congress. The news comes from a briefing in Tokyo earlier this month where the automaker announced it will “expand the application of its i-MMD (Intelligent Multi-Mode Drive) two-motor hybrid system from large to mid-sized vehicles to small-sized vehicles,…
According to a new report from Emissions Analytics, an independent group known for the scientific measurement of real-world emissions, the mass adoption of hybrids is more effective for cutting CO2 emissions and meeting 2030 emissions targets than the mass adoption of battery electric vehicles would be. Green Car Congress breaks down the report’s findings, saying, “of all electrification strategies, full…
BMW will launch a plug-in hybrid version of its Series 3 Touring model. The hybrid features an ICE engine and an electric motor “integrated into the eight-speed Steptronic transmission,” for a total system output of 292 horsepower when XtraBoost mode is engaged. XtraBoost allows the vehicle’s horsepower to be increased by an additional 40hp “under particularly hard acceleration.” In other…
Mitsubishi’s Outlander plug-in hybrid has sold 200,000 units worldwide since its launch, the company announced recently. The plug-in hybrid was the first SUV of its kind, according to a report by Green Car Congress. The vehicle launched in 2013 and has been sold in 50 countries since that year. The 2019 model carries additional efficiency features including upgrades to both…
Hyundai and Kia have announced that they will integrate solar panels into select vehicles. The panels will be located on the roofs of these cars, and will generate additional electrical power for the vehicles to use. Green Car Congress reports that they panels will be installed on ICE, hybrid and battery electric vehicles, and will improve fuel efficiency. Hyundai will…
Hyundai has updated its Sonata plug-in for the 2018 model year. The vehicle carries 28 miles of all electric range, a small improvement on the previous model year’s 27 miles. The 2018 Sonata PHEV also comes equipped with a set of new features, including Driver Attention Alert and an additional USB port in the second row. The 2018 model employs…
When Volvo’s announced that it would electrify every vehicle in its lineup by 2019, many media misinterpreted the German automaker’s plans. John Voelcker, a senior editor at Green Car Congress, wants to set the record straight. Two days after the Volvo announcement, Coelcker wrote an aptly-titled column: Hey, media, get it straight: “electrified” is NOT “electric,” and the difference matters. He…
A new industry insider report predicts a bright future for full hybrid systems. The 170-page report — “Assessing the Future of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles: The 2014 xEV Industry Insider Report” by Dr. Menahem Anderman of Advanced Automotive Batteries — indicates that full hybrid systems are entering a strong growth phase. The report predicts a rapid expansion of strong-hybrid vehicles, led…