2023 Tesla Model 3 on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Tesla Wins Technology Of The Year Award

The winner of AOL Auto's second annual Technology Of The Year award ran away with the votes for the award, clearly surpassing all of the other contenders. We're giving it to Tesla's Supercharger Network, which today is made up of 54 charging stations in the U.S. that can provide about half an electric car's full charge in just 20 minutes, compared with the 8-hour charges from conventional outlets. The editorial staff agreed that the Tesla Supercharger is a game changer, and easily deserves to be called the Technology Of The Year. "Tesla is showing, again, that there are amazing technological breakthroughs to be made in the EV game, and are kind of making the rest of the industry look bad," said Sebastian Blanco, editor of Autoblog Green. AOL Autos' Multimedia Director Adam Morath agreed that the Supercharger is a game changer. "With the Supercharger, Tesla is tackling the tired arguments against the electrification of the automobile head on by addressing range, charge times, charger accessibility and clean energy production (the Supercharger is powered by solar energy, not coal) all in one stroke," he said. The panel reviewed more than 40 qualified submissions from readers, editorial staff and industry, the panel of judges named the following as finalists: Chevrolet MyLink Valet Mode; Infiniti Backup Collision Intervention; Tesla Supercharger Network; Volvo Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection with Full Auto Brake; Mopar In-Vehicle Wireless Charging for Portable Devices; and Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Drive. Superchargers are located across the U.S., making it possible for an electric car driver to take a coast-to-coast trip. They're strategically placed near amenities like roadside diners, cafes, and shopping centers so drivers can stop, eat, and come back to a charged electric car. Most of the staff did not get to test the Supercharger network firsthand, but have been following it closely. A former TRANSLOGIC reporter tested it, and said it works as promised. And Blanco has been following the Supercharger's development quite closely, and said he hasn't heard a single complaint from users in the U.S. or Europe. Jeremy Korzeniewski, Managing Editor of Autoblog, said the Supercharger levels the playing ground, making electric cars almost as convenient as gas-powered cars. "There's simply no way the average consumer is going to consider putting an electric vehicle in their garage if there's no way to refuel it on the go," he said.

Recharge Wrap-up: Tesla considers Model III SUV and wagon, Ford tears Tesla apart

Worries over Brazil's electric grid mean EVs are excluded from green car incentives. As part of a new efficiency program, non-plug-in hybrids will be eligible for a reduction in import duties, while EVs and plug-in hybrids will not. Brazil's government is concerned that the country's grid lacks the capacity to handle the increased load from an influx of EVs. Brazil plans to create a new incentive program - perhaps a more inclusive one - when the current one expires at the end of 2015. Read more at Green Car Reports. Tesla could make SUV and wagon derivatives of the upcoming Model III sedan. Tesla's VP of engineering, Chris Porritt, told Auto Express that to reach as many customers as possible, Tesla would consider all its options. "SUVs, estates - who knows?" says Porritt. He also says that while the company is currently focused on products with a broader appeal, another Roadster or other sports car aren't out of the question in the future. Read more at Auto Express. Ford admits to a Tesla Model S teardown. Ford CEO Mark Fields says that after disassembling, reassembling and driving the model S, his company is "very familiar with that product." He also says the Ford has the capability to build a similarly high-tech, long-range electric car. The questions still remains if Ford has plans for such a vehicle, but Fields says that it fits within Ford's "product philosophy." Read more at Business Insider and at USA Today.

Tesla Stock Hits All-Time High Hours Before Fifth Car Fire Reported

A Tesla Model S caught fire while parked in its owner's garage in Toronto earlier this month. This marks the fifth car fire in five months for the California automaker, according to CNBC. On Feb. 1, a four-month-old Model S was parked and unplugged in a garage when its owner heard the fire alarm go off. The car was quickly engulfed in flames. The fire damaged the garage and nearly destroyed another vehicle. Toronto Fire Service tells CNBC the engine area was the source of the blaze. Tesla is investigating the fire, and issued a statement to Business Insider reminding consumers that every automotive company expects to deal with car fires at some point and that gasoline cars experience higher car fires than Tesla on average. There have been no deaths due to the fires. Five Teslas have caught fire in the last five months, two were started when their battery packs were punctured by debris in the road. A ho-hum third-quarter in 2013 and news of the fires caused the stock price to dwindle to $120 a share. The company recently reclaimed much of that ground, surging for the first time past $200 a share just this week, Autoblog Green reported. Related: Tesla Model S Test Drive | TRANSLOGIC Related Gallery The Top Ten Best Green Cars -- And 3 Clunkers View 14 Photos Tesla fire engine stock stocks