Sami Haj-Assaad

A long time road test and features editor, Sami has been enthusiastic about the world of vehicles and EV for as long as he can remember. As a member of the World Car of the Year Jury, he's had plenty of unique and rare first drive opportunities. He's recently been named the 2020 AJAC Journalist of the Year, but he doesn't let that get to his head.
Sami Haj-Assaad
Take a journey through 50 years of BMW electric vehicles

This year, BMW is making a huge deal about the 50th anniversary of its M brand. While the motorsports arm of the brand is certainly due for a celebration, the automaker should also be celebrating the 50th birthday of its first electric vehicle, not to mention its other milestones in electrification. While the automaker offers […]

by Sami Haj-Assaad
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History 101: 5 incredible early EVs you’ve likely forgotten about

Even casual car fans know about the GM EV1, long described as a pioneer in the world of electric vehicles. That recognition may come from the well-received 2006 documentary Who Killed the Electric Car? But what about the other early EVs that popped up in the late 1990s? Electric vehicles on sale today owe a […]

by Sami Haj-Assaad
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2023 BMW iX M60 first drive review: Creamy Bavarian high performance

The folks and BMW M have made a living taking mainstream, premium Bimmers and turning them into excitable, energetic, and emotional rides. Now their attention turns to the electrified iX, which gets more power, speed, and a few extra tweaks to make the experience more enjoyable. Officially known as the 2023 BMW iX M60, this […]

by Sami Haj-Assaad
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Some of the coolest companies out there restomodding classics with EV power plants

Some automotive enthusiasts love new technology and electrified power plants while others prefer the old-school identity and style of retro rides, but there is a growing intersection of these passions.There are a growing number of boutique shops restomodding vehicles, which is to say they’re updating old-looking cars with modern tech. Here’s a shortlist of unique-looking […]

by Sami Haj-Assaad
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13 EVs that are making a big splash in China

China is looking to push the standards for electric vehicles and has shown some promising results. Last year saw a massive boost to sales of “New Energy Vehicles,” which include battery electric vehicles, hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles, and plug-in hybrid vehicles. As of the beginning of 2021, there are nearly 5 million NEVs on the road […]

by Sami Haj-Assaad
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Recharge your EV knowledge: What’s old and new in EV battery technology

Every month we hear rumblings of an exciting new battery tech that will revolutionize the electric vehicle world. From ultrafast charging packs to modular, swappable units, it seems like there is a lot of research and development going on in this field. To those asking “what’s taking so long?” Let’s walk through the history of […]

by Sami Haj-Assaad
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2021 Porsche Taycan 4S review: Electric sports sedan with few peers

Porsche rarely delivers a half-baked car, although the 912E and 914 are as close as any whiffs the automaker has made in its history. When it comes to its electric cars, Porsche has been offering hybrids since 2010 and even gone racing with electron powered 911s, so when it comes to the new Taycan, it’s […]

by Sami Haj-Assaad
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2021 Audi e-tron Sportback review: Electric German style

While the Porsche Taycan has been stealing the headlines over the past year, Audi has been quietly working on its all-electric offering, bringing something that’s expected to be far more popular than a speedy sedan. I’m talking about the Audi e-tron, an electric SUV with plenty of power, torque, and size. For those seeking something […]

by Sami Haj-Assaad
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Canada’s most roadtrippable town gets EV charger

If you’re General Motors, there’s only one way to celebrate “the country’s most roadtrippable town,” and that’s to install an electric charger so that even owners of EVs can come to visit. That’s just what GM did in Elora, Ontario, Canada, a year after the town was dubbed the most roadtrippable town. The Flo CoRe+ […]

by Sami Haj-Assaad
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2021 Kia Soul EV review: Forbidden fruit across our northern border

Is it time for the Kia Soul EV to evolve beyond a compliance vehicle in the U.S.? Fortunately, a recent CARB filing suggests that the next-generation Soul EV may finally be arriving. However, buyers just across the border already get this stylish and practical compact electric car. We snagged the keys to one of these […]

by Sami Haj-Assaad
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