Volkswagen has increased the all-electric range on the European version of its Passat plug-in hybrid to up to 70 kilometers, according to a new report from Green Car Congress. The Passat GTE PHEV has a substantial increase in all-electric range compared to its predecessor. The plug-in hybrid features three operating modes – EV, GTE, and hybrid. The hybrid system carries…
The BMW 330e plug-in hybrid features an upgraded powertrain, pushing the vehicle to 41 miles of all electric range, a greater than 50% increase on the old model. The vehicle carries a 2L four-cylinder engine mated to an electric motor for total system output of 292hp and 310lb-ft of torque. Green Car Congress reports that a new feature, XtraBoost, allows…
Porsche is pushing ahead with additional plug-in hybrid vehicles as mainstays of its lineup. The German automaker will debut a plug-in hybrid as the flagship model of its Cayenne series. The Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid and the Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid Coupe will each feature a total system output of 500 kW, powered by a 4L V8 engine in combination…
Hyundai has developed a new technology for debut in its upcoming Sonata hybrid. The technology is an Active Shift Control (“ASC”) transmission technology, which “optimizes transmission efficiency by monitoring gear shifts 500 times per second, precisely adjusting the transmission rotation speed to for faster shift times,” according to a report from Green Car Congress. The ASC technology “allows the hybrid’s…
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…