Category Archives: global warming

Supreme Court Dismisses Ethanol Waiver Case

The United States Supreme Court today dismissed a petition by the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers or AFPM challenging an EPA regulation that allows for 15% ethanol in gasoline. Continue reading

Posted in alternative fuels, economy, engineering, environment, fuel economy or emissions, global warming, litigation, milestones, news, news analysis | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Milestones – Nissan Begins Assembly of 2013 LEAF EV in Tennessee

Nissan is starting U.S. assembly of the 2013 LEAF electric car at its manufacturing plant in Smyrna, Tennessee, where it will be made along with the far more popular Altima and Maxima models. Since 2010 Leaf has been imported from Oppama, Japan. Continue reading

Posted in auto news, electric vehicles, environment, fuel economy or emissions, global warming, manufacturing, milestones, mobility company, public health | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Food Fight over Ethanol as Special Interest Groups Trade Charges

Two special interest groups are sparing in public over the cost implications of a long-standing federal energy policy that mandates the use of ethanol and ever increasing amounts of bio-fuels in an attempt to free the United States from importing oil sold by terrorist supporting nations. In 2012 about 9% of all transportation fuel used will be from so-called renewable sources. Continue reading

Posted in alternative fuels, AutoInformed Editorial, energy, environment, global warming, news, news analysis, transportation | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Honda World’s First Company to Reveal Third-party Validated Estimates of Global CO2 Emissions during Product Use

Honda Motor Company said in Japan today that it is the world’s first mobility company to disclose estimated global CO2 emissions during customer use of its motorcycles, automobiles and power products. The move will likely force other automakers who claim to be green into similar disclosures. A next step could be window or product stickers that list the effects of their use on the environment. Continue reading

Posted in auto news, environment, global warming, news, news analysis, results | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Toyota Launches Prius c Hybrid as Aqua in Japan for $21,700

In Japan the Prius c comes in seven models with a price ranging from $21,750 to $34,500 for lavishing equipped models for handicapped people. Look for the Japanese-built Prius c in the U.S. to start somewhere under $20,000 with several more expensive option packages. AutoInformed is betting Toyota will continue to use aggressive ‘comeback pricing’ and incentives to regain market share lost post-tsunami and Thailand floods this year. With the introduction of the all-new reduced price Camry last October, Toyota has regained 2 percentage points of U.S. share in the last two months. Continue reading

Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, electric vehicles, environment, fuel economy or emissions, global warming, marketing, milestones, new vehicle, news, news analysis, shows and events | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Honda Closed, Toyota Cuts Japan Production from Thailand Floods. After Effects Continue to Worsen for Japanese Makers

Honda Automobile Thailand – HATC – continues to be shut down since October 4th because of the Thailand floods. “Due to the inability to access its facility in, Ayutthaya , HATC does not currently have a clear outlook for when production will resume.

Toyota Motor Corporation has also “adjusted” production in Japan this week due to Thailand parts shortages at least through Friday, as the after affects of the Thailand Floods – responsible for at least 300 deaths – continue to grow. Continue reading

Posted in auto news, economy, environment, global warming, manufacturing, news analysis, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

President Obama to Announce First Fuel Economy Regulations for Heavy Trucks, Buses. $50 Billion in Fuel Savings Claimed

The complicated standards vary by size and type of truck, and whether gasoline or diesel engines are used. However they appear stringent, calling for a 7-20% reduction in emissions with roughly corresponding increases in fuel economy. Continue reading

Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, energy, environment, fuel economy or emissions, global warming, milestones, news analysis | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Construction of Nissan Leaf Electric Vehicle Battery Plant in Tennessee Well Underway

Construction is progressing on Nissan’s manufacturing facility in Smyrna, Tennessee, which will produce lithium-ion batteries for the Leaf electric vehicle. Continue reading

Posted in auto news, economy, electric vehicles, environment, global warming, manufacturing, new vehicle, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Fuel Economy Regulations Risk Huge Job Losses, While Increasing Environmental Damage, CAR Study Predicts

This comes as the U.S. national unemployment rate hovers at an official 9.8%, which is an understated number since it doesn’t include under-employed, forced retirees or beaten down job seekers who are the victims of Republican ‘socialism and tax cuts for the rich’ policies.  Continue reading

Posted in auto news, AutoInformed Editorial, economy, environment, fools 'n frauds, fuel economy or emissions, global warming, public health | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Toyota Ups 2011 Prius Pricing. Hybrid Costs More than $30,000

The Prius entered the Japanese market in 1997 as the world’s first mass-produced hybrid – negating the conventional wisdom of German and U.S. engineers and executives that the Japanese only copy and couldn’t innovate. Toyota’s complicated, but effective Hybrid Synergy Drive System was introduced in 2004 on the second-generation Prius, another technical coup.

The first-generation Prius was rated at an estimated 41 EPA combined MPG, and the second-generation model achieved a 46 MPG EPA combined rating. Using a combination of technologies, Toyota increased fuel efficiency for the new Prius to an EPA estimated 51 MPG in city driving, 48 MPG highway and a combined 50 MPG. Mileage is especially improved in cold-start conditions and at higher speeds, according to Toyota. Continue reading

Posted in auto news, electric vehicles, engineering, environment, global warming, marketing, new vehicle, news analysis | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Nissan Leaf Debuts in U.S. at $32,780

Nissan North America, Inc. (NNA) says that the 2011 Nissan LEAF electric vehicle on sale in December starts at $32,780 MSRP before a $7500 federal tax credit, plus taxes, title and license fees. A Leaf lease starts at $349 per month. The pure electric vehicle requires a charging dock, which Nissan says will cost another $2200 on average, and require eight hours to fully recharge Leaf’s 48 lithium ion battery modules. 

There are also other potential subsidies for the mid-size with what is claimed to be a 100-mile range. There is $5,000 statewide tax rebate in California; a $5,000 tax credit in Georgia; a $1,500 tax credit in Oregon; and carpool-lane access in some states, including California. The charging dock and installation are eligible for a 50% federal tax credit up to $2000. Continue reading

Posted in auto news, electric vehicles, environment, fuel economy or emissions, global warming, milestones, new vehicle, news analysis | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

EPA to Stigmatize Gas Guzzlers with a D Grade?

EPA and DOT are proposing the most radical changes to the fuel economy labels of every new vehicle in dealer showrooms since the regulation began more than 30 years ago. “New technologies such as battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids are entering the American market in greater numbers,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “We need to provide consumers with labels that include fuel economy and environmental information so that buyers can make better informed decisions when purchasing new vehicles.”

EPA and DOT are actually proposing two new label designs for comment during a rule making period that will be subject to intense behind the scenes lobbying by automakers in pay to play Washington.  At stake is the stigma of a bad label on the side of a vehicle. Continue reading

Posted in auto news, fuel economy or emissions, global warming, milestones, news analysis | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment