What if Highways Were Electric? Germany Is Testing the Idea.

OBER-RAMSTADT, Germany — On a highway south of Frankfurt recently, Thomas Schmieder maneuvered his Scania tractor-trailer and its load of house paint into the far right lane. Then he flicked a switch you won’t find on most truck dashboards. Outside the cab a contraption started to unfold from the roof, looking like a clothes-drying rack… Continue reading What if Highways Were Electric? Germany Is Testing the Idea.

G.M. Is Expanding the Chevrolet Bolt Recall

General Motors said on Friday that it was expanding its recall of Chevrolet Bolt electric cars that have been found to be at risk of catching fire as a result of rare manufacturing defects. The company said it was recalling Bolts from the 2020 through 2022 model years. An earlier recall covered 2017-2019 models. G.M.… Continue reading G.M. Is Expanding the Chevrolet Bolt Recall

Nikola Founder Trevor Milton Charged With Securities Fraud

In a warning shot to a thriving corner of Wall Street, federal authorities on Thursday filed criminal and civil securities fraud charges against the founder of Nikola — a start-up automaker that went public by merging with an investment firm last year. An indictment by the U.S. attorney’s office in Manhattan charged the founder, Trevor… Continue reading Nikola Founder Trevor Milton Charged With Securities Fraud

General Motors Recalls Chevrolet Bolts Over Battery Fire Hazard

General Motors is recalling nearly 51,000 Chevrolet electric cars in the United States whose battery modules have been found to be at risk of catching fire. The recall covers Chevrolet Bolts from the 2017 to 2019 model years and comes after an earlier recall to add software designed to prevent the cars’ batteries from overheating.… Continue reading General Motors Recalls Chevrolet Bolts Over Battery Fire Hazard

The Car Market ‘Is Insane’: Dealers Can’t Keep Up With Demand

Some customers have balked at paying top dollar for new cars and have opted to make do with older vehicles. That has increased demand for parts and service, one of the most profitable businesses for car dealers. Many dealers have extended repair-shop hours. Mr. Ricart said he had some repair technicians putting in 10- or… Continue reading The Car Market ‘Is Insane’: Dealers Can’t Keep Up With Demand

Tesla Autopilot Faces U.S. Inquiry After Series of Crashes

The U.S. auto safety regulator said Monday that it had opened a broad investigation of the Autopilot system used in hundreds of thousands of Tesla’s electric cars. The investigation was prompted by at least 11 accidents in which Teslas using Autopilot, an assisted-driving system that can steer, accelerate and brake on its own, drove into… Continue reading Tesla Autopilot Faces U.S. Inquiry After Series of Crashes

Lordstown Motors says it is likely to begin only ‘limited production’ of its electric truck this year.

Lordstown Motors, the cash strapped electric pickup truck start-up, said on Wednesday that it will only begin “limited production” by the end of September and expects that to be the situation through the rest of this year. The company, in a release of second quarter financials, indicated it was still in need of cash to… Continue reading Lordstown Motors says it is likely to begin only ‘limited production’ of its electric truck this year.

Road Rage, ‘Zipper Merging’ and a Stress-Free Path Through Traffic

You’re approaching a construction zone and a sign tells you the left lane will end several miles ahead. Traffic is heavy, but you see an opening and move to the right lane. As you inch along, drivers to your left keep zipping by. Miles ahead, you finally reach the merge point and the left-lane drivers… Continue reading Road Rage, ‘Zipper Merging’ and a Stress-Free Path Through Traffic

BMW Has Fallen Behind in the Electric Vehicle Race

MUNICH — Eight years ago, BMW was one of the first major automakers to sell a battery-powered car: The i3 broke ground with its lightweight carbon-fiber body and aluminum chassis. But lately, the German company, known for its sporty luxury cars and “ultimate driving machines,” has fallen behind in the global race to develop the… Continue reading BMW Has Fallen Behind in the Electric Vehicle Race

Volkswagen Sheds Bugatti, Maker of Over-the-Top Sports Cars

Volkswagen said Monday that it was giving up control of Bugatti, the storied automaker whose absurdly expensive hypercars are worshiped by aficionados but seemed incongruous at a company better known for economical Golfs and Passats. Bugatti, whose Chiron model starts at close to $3 million, will become part of a joint venture between Volkswagen’s Porsche… Continue reading Volkswagen Sheds Bugatti, Maker of Over-the-Top Sports Cars