Kia, the Korean automaker, will add additional plug-in models to its lineup of electrified vehicles in Europe. According to a new article by Julian Rendell at AutoCar, Kia will add both a Ceed estate and Sportage PHEV, alongside a new electric version of the Soul and a fuel-cell version of the SUV. In 2019, consumers can expect to see the…
Leading the pack for automakers, Toyota, Honda, Hyundai / Kia and other Japanese and South Korean OEMs sold over two million hybrid and plug-in cars in 2017. Toyota, as is the trend, sold the most hybrid vehicles for the year, contributing to the industry’s fourteen percent growth over 2016. As Ward’s Auto points out, Toyota “dwarfs all other brands including…
Hybrid automakers are releasing a new set of feature-filled models throughout 2018. Both regular hybrids and PHEVs are being offered at competitive prices, with many PHEVs still eligible for a plug-in electric vehicle tax credit. Of the models to look out for, the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and Kia Niro are standouts. Jeep is also releasing a hybrid version of its…
Green Car Journal has selected the Kia Niro as its Green SUV of the Year for 2018. The crossover SUV has been a customer favorite since its launch. Its appeal comes from a combination of its sleek design and, according to Ron Cogan of Green Car Journal, “its hybrid powertrain and affordable price point.” The Niro won the award ahead…
Kia introduced the 2018 Niro Plug-in Hybrid at the 2017 Los Angeles Auto Show. It has an estimated 26 miles of all-electric range and gets 46 mpg then not running on electric power. The Niro features a larger battery and motor — a 8.9-kWh lithium-polymer battery pack and a 60-horsepower (44.5-kw) electric motor. Read more.
Hyundai has big plans for the “eco” market, planning to introduce 26 new hybrid, plug-in, battery-electric and fuel-cell vehicles by 2020, a blitz that begins with this year’s launch of the new Ioniq model. “We’re making a serious effort to be the number two producer of EVs and fuel-cell vehicles,” said Byung Ki Ahn, the director of the Eco-Vehicle Performance Development…
Kia unveiled the 2017 Optima Plug-in Hybrid at the Chicago Auto Show. The vehicle, Kia’s first plug-in hybrid, is part of the company’s focus on green cars. “As part of our bold initiative to increase fuel efficiency by 25 percent across the entire Kia model line-up by 2020, a plug-in hybrid was a critical addition to our offering. The Optima HEV…
Kia introduced the new 2017 Niro Hybrid Utility Vehicle at the Chicago Auto Show. The Niro maintains the style and appeal of a utility vehicle while offering outstanding fuel economy with a targeted 50 mpg (combined). It is a key component to Kia’s Green Car Roadmap. “The Niro hits the sweet spot by offering the best combination of outstanding mpg, an…
Green Patent Blog recently highlighted Paice’s success in licensing its patented hybrid vehicle technology, noting that Paice has been an extremely successful non-practicing entity. It says the company’s success “is not a surprise when one understands the power of its patents” and emphasizes that Paice should not be considered a patent troll. “The company should not be put in that…
As part of a focus on hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and battery-electric vehicles, Kia plans to introduce a “hybrid utility vehicle” at next month’s Chicago Auto Show. The company released teaser photos of the Kia Niro at the Detroit Auto Show, which features a hybrid powertrain that was exclusively designed for the new utility vehicle. Read more.