Ford debuted its latest Explorer crossover/SUV at the Detroit Auto Show earlier this year-- and, while a big SUV isn't something we normally get all that excited about here at Gas2 Enrg.io, this one was a little different. What made it slightly different from what we were used to was Ford's commitment to using recycled and recyclable materials throughout the vehicle. What … [Read more...] about Hybrid Police Cars in Hot Pursuit of Fuel Savings
Hybrid Cars
Toyota Releases Thousands of Hybrid Patents
In a complete reversal of its longstanding policy, Toyota has decided to stop suing every manufacturer that dares to offer a hybrid vehicle to the public in an effort to protect its more than 24,000 patents on the technology. It says everyone is free to use those patents without paying royalties from now until 2030. Why? Because it thinks there is more money to be made … [Read more...] about Toyota Releases Thousands of Hybrid Patents
2020 Ford Explorer Gets ST, Hybrid Variants
At last week's Detroit auto show, Ford showed off two new versions of its 2020 Ford Explorer that caused a lot of excitement. The first one is a more powerful, sporty version of the soccer mom SUV called the ST that's with a twin turbo 3.0 liter EcoBoost engine good for 400 HP. The other version is probably more exciting to Gas 2 readers, though: it's a … [Read more...] about 2020 Ford Explorer Gets ST, Hybrid Variants
2020 Jeep Renegade Hybrid Nearly Ready
The Jeep Renegade plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) that will be launched in early 2020 is inching closer to production. Currently, the Fiat Chrysler Melfi Plant in Italy is being readied for the production run. Pre-production copies will be made in 2019, before the final versions in 2020. €200 million is the amount reportedly invested in the new powertrain’s lau … [Read more...] about 2020 Jeep Renegade Hybrid Nearly Ready
LA 2018: Toyota Launches First AWD Prius
Whether it was through leaked technical drawings or fanciful renderings of our own making, we've been been predicting the coming of an all-wheel drive Toyota Prius for years. It never arrived-- until last week's LA Auto Show, that is, when Toyota took the wraps of the all-new Toyota Prius AWD! Well, it's not ALL all-new. See, Toyota has been offering an AWD Prius in Japan … [Read more...] about LA 2018: Toyota Launches First AWD Prius
2019 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid Arrives in Dealerships
Sport Hybrid SUV. Three words calculated to appeal to an impressive Venn diagram of the American motoring public. Paired with a premium badge, 37% higher fuel efficiency, and not so premium hybrid upgrade cost, this seven passenger NSX cousin may be the large SUV hybrid to beat in 2019. And you can see one right now. The 2019 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid began arriving at Acura … [Read more...] about 2019 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid Arrives in Dealerships
Forbidden Fruit: Nissan Serena Hybrid Minivan
Meet the 2018 Nissan Serena. It's a minivan, in the first-gen Nissan Quest/Mercury Villager sense of the word, with room for seven passengers, a number of different seating configurations, and massive cargo-hauling capability. More to our purposes, however, it is not "just" a minivan, but a hybrid minivan. A hybrid minivan that you can't buy in the US. All of which is to … [Read more...] about Forbidden Fruit: Nissan Serena Hybrid Minivan
Made in the USA: All-new 2019 Volvo S60
Earlier today, Volvo Cars took the wraps off the all-new 2019 Volvo S60 sedan. Built on the same award-winning scalable product architecture (SPA) platform as the award-winning, safest-ever new Volvo XC60, the S60 is expected to take the entry-luxe fight to BMW's 3 series and Mercedes' C class when it starts to reach dealers next year. We'll have more on the new … [Read more...] about Made in the USA: All-new 2019 Volvo S60
Polestar 1 to Make its Goodwood Debut
The Volvo-developed Polestar 1 is a formidable coupe. Packing 600 electrified horsepower and nearly 740 lb-ft of torque into a lightweight carbon body shell and putting that power to the ground via all four wheels, it's going to be a thriller-- but when it makes its debut on Goodwood Hill later this summer, it will have a chance to be an iconic thriller. Polestar's chief … [Read more...] about Polestar 1 to Make its Goodwood Debut
GM Pumps Up its Electrified Chinese Lineup
In the US, General Motors has two EVs for sale — the Chevy Volt and the Chevy Bolt. But in China, it has just doubled down on its electric car plans. According to Reuters, Matt Tsien, head of operations for GM in China, told the press in Shanghai this week the company plans to launch 10 more heavily electrified vehicle models in China between 2021 and 2023. It has already c … [Read more...] about GM Pumps Up its Electrified Chinese Lineup