Category Archives: environment

CARB Delays ZEV Requirements for Truck Fleets

Heavy-duty vehicle public fleet owners subject to California’s Advanced Clean Fleet (ACF)* regulation have new flexibility in meeting the regulation’s requirements along with streamlined processes for applying for exemptions. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) approval of amendments to ACF yesterday that will help state and local fleets continue introducing zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) to their fleets while “providing clarity, certainty and flexibility in ACF’s implementation.”

“Today’s approval of amendments to ACF – a critical component in the state’s efforts to achieve emissions reductions for a healthier future for all residents – keeps California advancing towards the cleanest fleet in the nation and provides flexibilities to help ensure a smooth implementation,” said CARB Chair Liane Randolph. Continue reading

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CARB – Zero-Emission Vehicle Transition Ahead of Schedule

Zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty vehicle sales continued to rise in California during 2024, with manufacturers reporting 30,026 zero-emission trucks, buses, and vans sold — representing nearly 23% of all new Class 2b–8 vehicle sales. The data is according to information reported by manufacturers to the California Air Resources Board (CARB), which released it today. That figure is more than double the minimum statewide requirement for the 2024 model year and marks the highest total of sales ever reported. Since 2021, more than 57,000 ZEVs have been sold in California’s medium- and heavy-duty market, and statewide ZEV truck sales have now increased for the fourth consecutive year.*

“This continued growth in zero-emission truck sales shows that manufacturers are stepping up to meet California’s clean air goals and that the transition to cleaner fleets is accelerating,” said CARB Chair Liane Randolph. “With strong sales, a growing credit surplus, and rapid innovation, the industry is proving that zero-emission technology is ready for wider deployment.” Continue reading

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Facing Road Rage? You’re Not Alone as It Grows

A new study from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety released today shows that an astounding 96% of drivers admit to engaging in aggressive driving behaviors during the past year. The study also found that the more drivers are exposed to aggressive behavior on the road, the more likely they are to drive aggressively themselves. This non-virtuous upward cycle of aggressive driving and road rage is energizing a culture where impatience and hostility are becoming the norm behind the wheel.

“Driving can be a stressful experience due to behaviors of others on the road and how you respond to various situations. Our study finds that experiencing various forms of aggressive driving behaviors is common for almost all motorists and many drive aggressively,” said Dr. David Yang, president and executive director of the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. “This work also concludes that road etiquette and manners can be a protective factor against aggressive driving. Let’s change our driving culture so we can achieve the safe mobility vision for all road users.” Continue reading

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CARB Submits “Scathing Critique” of EPA

“Let’s just say the quiet part out loud: EPA’s proposal is a stunningly sloppy and amateurish effort to sow doubt where there is no doubt,” said CARB Chair Liane Randolph. “And EPA cannot simply repeal its own standards based on a political whim. The agency owes the American people straight, honest answers why it is proposing to carelessly risk their health, lives and property.” Continue reading

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Bad Seat Belts – Hyundai Recalls 568,580 Palisade SUVs

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling ~568,580 2020-2025 model-year Palisade SUVs. The seat belt buckles in the driver, passenger, and second-row window seats may fail to latch. Seat belt buckles that fail to latch may not properly restrain occupants in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. The recall was prompted by a growing number of customer complaints the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)  Office of Defect Investigations. ZF Lifetec in India is the supplier of the defective buckle.

In the mandatory safety recall documents made public by NHTSA today Hyundai said, “Customers may notice a lighter than normal audible “click” during the fastening process and/or a recessed push button on the buckle housing. Additionally, if the seat belt becomes unbuckled, the Palisade is equipped with visual and auditory notifications for all seating positions within the vehicle.” Continue reading

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EV Breakthrough? Peugeot with Embedded Inverter, Charger

Stellantis N.V. (NYSE: STLA) said today that in partnership with Saft (a TotalEnergies subsidiary) it has started prototype testing of a Peugeot E-3008 EV that eliminates the need for separate charger and inverter components. This could be a substantial breakthrough for both mobile and stationary energy applications.

“This project reflects our belief that simplification is innovation. By rethinking and simplifying the electric powertrain architecture, we are making it lighter, more efficient, and more cost-effective. These are the kinds of innovations that help us deliver better, more affordable EVs to our customers,” said Ned Curic, Chief Engineering and Technology Officer at Stellantis. Continue reading

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National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine Refute Climate Change Deny-ers

A new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine says the evidence for current and future harm to human health and welfare created by human-caused greenhouse gases is beyond scientific dispute.*

“This study was undertaken with the ultimate aim of informing the EPA, following its call for public comments, as it considers the status of the endangerment finding,” said Shirley Tilghman, professor of molecular biology and public affairs, emeritus, and former president, Princeton University, and chair of the committee that wrote the report. “We are hopeful that the evidence summarized here shows the strong base of scientific evidence available to inform sound decision-making. Continue reading

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American Honda Advances the Circular Economy

American Honda (NYSE: HMC) said today that operations of its new Resource Circularity Center have begun. Located near the Marysville and East Liberty Auto Plants in Ohio, the Honda Resource Circularity Center is consistent with Honda’s  global goal to reduce its environmental impact by creating a circular economy business model that maximizes material value and extends the lifecycle of indirect goods.

“Going beyond traditional manufacturing recycling programs that focus on direct materials such as scrap metal and plastics used to produce products, the Honda Resource Circularity Center focuses on recycling and repurposing indirect goods – tools, equipment and other items used in operations, including those that support vehicle production. These include everything from tools like torque wrenches and industrial robots to office chairs and vehicle service replacement parts such as aluminum wheels. Honda aims to recover value from such decommissioned items, helping divert waste from landfills and lower reliance on virgin raw materials,” Honda said. Continue reading

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Hyundai Motor Updates Growth and Profit Strategy

Hyundai Motor Company (KRX: 005380 KS) in New York today unveiled its latest growth strategy at the company’s first CEO Investor Day held outside of Korea. The event served as a stage to convey the company’s mid-to long-term strategy to investors and stakeholders, prompted in large part by Trump’s tariff wars.

“In an industry facing unprecedented transformation, Hyundai is uniquely positioned to win through our unmatched combination of compelling products, manufacturing flexibility, technology leadership, outstanding dealer partners and global scale,” said José Muñoz, President and CEO of Hyundai Motor Company. Continue reading

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Extreme H to Hold First Hydrogen Powered World Cup Race

The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), the global governing body for motor sport has signed a multi-year agreement with Extreme H to deliver the world’s first hydrogen-powered World Cup event.

“The World Cup will test the boundaries of what can be achieved in motor sport and the wider automotive and energy industries, opening up opportunities for further investment into hydrogen infrastructure by showing what is possible, and driving progress towards a low-carbon future,” said Extreme H, which is an extension of Extreme E racing that uses electric vehicles. Continue reading

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Constitution Day 2025 Thoughts

The point here is that to govern without facts is madness. Leaving aside the historical revisions that show that King George III, the monarch who lost the colonies to what became the United States, was, well,  mad as a hatter in his later years. Donald J. Trump – the man who wishes to be our King now  – should not be our president based on his deteriorating mental condition. He doesn’t even know what is going on in his own administration.Is Trump going to fire the entire CBO? [See the following] It’s time for “We the People” to fire Trump and his Curia Regis, the advisors – cabinet members, agency heads and the like – who are against the facts or falsify them. Continue reading

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CARB Chair Liane Randolph to Retire

Late yesterday, California governor Gavin Newsom announced that California Air Resources Board (CARB) Chair Liane Randolph will be retiring from state service effective 30 September 2025. Newsome named Senior Advisor to the Governor for Climate Lauren Sanchez to serve as the next CARB Chair. Chair Sanchez starts 1 October 2025 and assumes Chair Randolph’s current term which ends in December 2026. The appointment is subject to state Senate confirmation. It is inarguably the most powerful position in the Clean Air movement now that the US EPA has abandoned its role on protecting the environment and dealing with planet threatening Global Warming. Continue reading

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Bad Defrosters – Toyota Motor Recalls Lexus and Subaru SUVs

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling ~94,000 2023-2025 model-year bZ4X, Lexus RZ, and Subaru Solterra SUVs. During certain Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning system problems (HVAC), such as electrical compressor failure, the defroster and defogger system may become inoperative because of a software problem in the Denso supplied ECU software. Apparently, Transport Canada originally identified the safety hazard. Continue reading

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Ford Motor Recalls 1.5M Vehicles for Bad Rear-View Cameras

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is model-year  2015-2019 Lincoln MKC, Mustang, F-350 SD, F-250 SD, F-450 SD, 2015-2017 Lincoln Navigator, Expedition, 2015-2018 Edge, Transit Connect, 2016-2019 F-550 SD, Transit, 2017-2019 Econoline and 2019 Ranger vehicles. The rearview camera may display a distorted, inverted, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse. The latest of seemingly endless recalls were made public today by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. It is an expansion of a previous recall involving a Magna produced part. Continue reading

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Gasoline Prices Stable as Summer Travel Ends

“The national average for a gallon of regular is down about a penny to $3.19. There remains an abundance of crude oil supply which is outweighing demand. The seasonal transition to winter-blend gasoline – which is cheaper to produce – is also beginning. While the national average has been relatively stable, drivers in the Pacific Northwest are feeling pain at the pump. Gas prices in the area have jumped more than 20 cents in the past week due to the shutdown of a major pipeline that transports fuel from Washington to Oregon. The pipeline is reportedly expected to resume operations in a few days,” said AAA Continue reading

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