Chevrolet Impala 2 Door Hardtop on 2040-cars

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Recharge Wrap-up: Tata unveils tiny H2 vehicle,Volt's new drivetrain explained

A new video explains the second-generation Voltec drivetrain in the 2016 Chevrolet Volt. The new Volt uses two planetary gear sets, a big difference from the first-gen Volt, which used just one. This opens up a multitude of various drive modes, and allows the engine to drive the wheels as well as the motor-generators. See the video above for the full, in-depth explanation, and read more at GM Authority. Coal power plants need to be retired to achieve air quality benefits from EVs. According to a study, EVs charged in coal-heavy regions produce more lifecycle emissions than gasoline vehicles. Depending on when they're charged, EVs with high-capacity batteries can be responsible for two to three times the amount of emissions as a hybrid car. In the near future, though, as coal plants are retired, this is expected to change. "When EV charging load is added to a power system, wind and solar plant output can't be turned up to respond because they are typically already fully utilized," says Jeremy Michalek, Professor of Engineering and Public Policy and Mechanical Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University. "Fossil fuel plants are the ones dispatched in response to new charging load. That's why the shift away from coal is so important for EVs." Read more at Green Car Congress. Tata has debuted the Magic Iris Ziva fuel-cell microvan at AutoExpo India. Replacing the Magic Iris' single-cylinder engine with a hydrogen-powered unit gives the Ziva 5 kW (6.7 hp) of power for normal driving, with a maximum output of 9 kW (12 hp) and 31 lb-ft of torque. It has room for five passengers, and features an eight-inch touchscreen display. Learn more at Green Car Reports. Related Gallery Tata Magic Iris News Source: GM Authority, YouTube: Alex on Autos, Green Car Congress, Green Car Reports Green Chevrolet Tata Motors Alternative Fuels Emissions Electric Hydrogen Cars Videos recharge wrapup

GM extends production at Detroit factory until early 2020

General Motors Co said on Friday it had extended the production at its Detroit Hamtramck plant until January 2020, against an earlier plan to discontinue production in June this year. The No.1 U.S. automaker is revamping its operations, which include plant closures and thousands of job cuts, as it looks to boost profitability in the wake of declining U.S. auto sales. The Hamtramck plant will continue to produce the Chevrolet Impala and Cadillac CT6 sedans until early next year, the company said. "We are balancing production timing while continuing the availability of Cadillac advanced technology features currently included in the CT6-V — the Blackwing Twin-Turbo V-8 (engine) and Super Cruise (driver assistance system)," GM said. The plant has already discontinued production of the Buick LaCrosse sedan and Chevrolet Volt electric hybrid car. Detroit-based union United Auto Workers' President Gary Jones said GM's decision to continue production at the plant was a relief for the workers as well as their families. "We commend GM for today's decision and we reiterate the importance of a collective bargaining process in times like these," Jones said. Reporting by Ankit Ajmera. Related Video:

2019 Toyota Avalon vs. full-size sedans: How they compare on paper

Full-size sedans aren't exactly in great demand at the moment, and at least one of the vehicles in this comparison has been rumored to be on the endangered species list. Yet, we've just had our first drive in the 2019 Toyota Avalon, and if anything has a chance of rejuvenating the segment a bit, it's an all-new version of what has long been the segment's benchmark. To see how the new Avalon compares, we've put together the below spreadsheet featuring the Avalon's primary apples-to-apples rivals, the Buick LaCrosse and Chevy Impala. We also included the Nissan Maxima, which is comparable in price, sales and non-luxury badge, and which offers the sort of increased driver engagement promised by the new Avalon XSE and Touring trim levels. We also included the outgoing Avalon for reference as well as that car's luxury cousin, the Lexus ES, which can definitely be cross-shopped with the luxuriously trimmed Avalon Limited. You can use our Compare Cars tool to create your own comparison, such as one featuring the rear-wheel-drive Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger or even Kia Stinger. Alright, enough chit chat. On to the spreadsheet. Performance and fuel economy The GM sedans may come standard with four cylinders, including a mild hybrid system in the LaCrosse, but puh-lease. The V6 is the name of the game in this segment, with outputs now surpassing the 300-horsepower mark. The LaCrosse is the horsepower and torque champ, though it also weighs a bit more than the new 2019 Avalon, so acceleration is likely to be comparable. The Impala weighs a lot more and has only a six-speed automatic, so despite having a wee bit more power, one should expect it to be pokier (not a good sign for a car rumored to be on the chopping block). One would expect the Maxima's 300 hp and lowest curb weight to result in the quickest acceleration, but then it's also strapped to a CVT, which despite being better than ever, is still a CVT. Things get worse for Chevy when you consider the Impala's base four-cylinder gets the same 25 mpg combined as the Avalon's V6 — once again a segment best. Now, should you really prioritize fuel economy, the 2019 Toyota Avalon Hybrid really stands out with a 43 mpg rating (or 44 with the base XLE trim) that bests the outgoing Avalon Hybrid. Honestly, after driving this new Hybrid, it actually seems like it would be the best bet for most buyers. There's sufficient power, and it only costs $1,000 more than the comparable V6 version.