electric

GM extends EV drivability with apps

With current technology, GM can't give its upcoming Spark EV more range, but its OnStar division is giving drivers the tools to deal with limited driving range. A new feature of OnStar's RemoteLink Mobile app will let drivers plan trips based on charging-station availability along a route.

Volt owners use the RemoteLink Mobile app to program charging times remotely. OnStar will add the new Waypoint tab in anticipation of next year's launch of the Spark EV. When a driver enters a destination, the Waypoint feature will plot a route incorporating necessary charging-station stops.

Given that the Spark … Read more

Kettle corn on the kitchen countertop

You know the aroma. It beckons as if it were a magical cartoon hand, wafting through the air until it finds its destination: you. There is no choice but to follow the waggling smoke fingers until you find its source: popcorn. But there is something different about this enticing scent. Tinged around the edges is the distinct sense of sugar and salt. And furthermore, this is not an outdoor event; this is your own kitchen.

Bringing kettle corn to the inside, the Nostalgia Electrics KCP100 Carnival Kettle Corn Maker ($49.99) mirrors the magic of the popular treat without the … Read more

A3 E-tron previews Audi electric car

Ever since 2009, Audi has been showing off enticing electric cars under the E-tron name, its brand for any electrified power train. I finally got to drive one during a green industry conference in San Francisco, but it was a far cry from the original sporty-looking E-tron concept. However, the A3 E-tron looks a lot more like a car that Audi would put into production.… Read more

Tesla Model S: 1st Car of the Year with no internal combustion engine

The 2013 Motor Trend Car of the Year has all the features you'd expect from a vehicle that has earned that honor. It has a light body, advanced design, a roomy cabin, and plenty of load capacity. What the Tesla Model S doesn't have is an internal combustion engine.

Motor Trend heaps praise on the Model S, saying it drives like a sports car and sashays like a supermodel working a Paris catwalk. I never thought about a car being able to sashay, but it's certainly an evocative comparison.

This all-electric supermodel starts at $58,570 and has a range of 265 miles. That's not enough for a cross-country road trip, though a new network of Supercharger fast charging stations could make it more practical for long journeys.… Read more

Tesla celebrates production of 1,000th Model S car

After a sluggish start in its Model S car production, it seems electric-car company Tesla is getting back on track for the year's end. Reaching a milestone today, Tesla CEO Elon Musk tweeted that his company had just finished the production of its 1,000th Model S car.

As noted in Musk's tweet, Tesla has made more cars in October than the whole rest of the year combined. In a July letter to shareholders, Tesla said its Model S volume projection was 5,000 units for 2012. However, Tesla's ability to crank out the Model S has … Read more

Tech car buying guide

When shopping for a new car, the old questions remain relevant. Does it have enough seats for my family and friends? Are the seats comfortable? Will it suit all the uses for which I need it? Does it get good fuel economy? Is it safe?

However, there are many new tech features available that can make your drives more comfortable, keep you out of traffic jams, and prevent accidents. In addition, there are different drivetrain options that can save you a lot of money, depending on your lifestyle.

In this guide, we will let you know what features you can … Read more

Retro popcorn maker blends in

Design always has, and always will, play a big part in our purchasing decisions. Kitchen gadgets are, of course, not immune to our personal preferences. Perhaps they are even subject to a more stringent set of deliberations, seeing as additional kitchen appliances require the reduction of a valued commodity: counter space. However a device that may be frivolous or unnecessary dressed in one design sense may look the part of high fashion in another.

Depending upon personal tastes, the Nostalgia Electrics Retro Stir Popcorn Popper ($39.99) may or may not be the perfect accessory for your kitchen countertop. Those … Read more

Kitchen countertop treat maker is for the dogs

Specialty countertop kitchen appliances have evolved at a spectacular rate. These clamshell contrivances that populate countertops everywhere have become common enough that they can produce everything from cupcakes to empanadas at a moment's notice. That's all fine and well for the humans in the family, but our four-legged friends want to get in on the action, too.

Fido can finally join in the fun with the Nostalgia Electrics DBM200 Dog Biscuit Treat Maker Kit ($29.99). The familiar shape of this appliance doesn't hide people food this time around, instead housing doggie delights sure to make our … Read more

Government-funded battery maker A123 files for bankruptcy

A123 Systems, a lithium-ion battery maker that has received hundreds of millions in government support, filed for bankruptcy protection today.

The move makes A123 the latest government-backed energy company to file for Chapter 11. Many of these companies have struggled to make money as demand slows for their products. A123 received more than $250 million in state and federal funding to help it run its operations providing batteries for electric cars and other products. But it has also faced many problems, including defective products.

A123 today said Johnson Controls will help finance the filing by buying A123's automotive business … Read more