Category Archives: environment

Death of the Diesel: CARB Fines LKQ $294,000 for Selling Illegal Used Diesel Soot filters

In a related case in 2017, West Coast Diesel, a Fresno repair shop caught selling and installing illegal parts, agreed to a settlement that included additional monetary penalties should they violate the terms of the agreement by installing even one diesel particulate filter. Several other Central Valley diesel repair shops are now under investigation for selling and installing illegal filters. Continue reading

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CARB Increases Low-Carbon Fuel Use Regulations

Amendments include the most stringent carbon intensity requirement, additional incentives for zero emission vehicles, and a protocol for carbon capture & sequestration. Today’s public hearing was the second hearing on these amendments, which take effect on January 1, 2019. Continue reading

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Toyota to supply its hydrogen technology to Caetanobus

The latest move supports Toyota’s vision of a de-carbonised society―as stated in its 2050 environmental challenge, Toyota is promoting the application of its hydrogen fuel cell technology beyond passenger cars, including heavy duty trucks, small delivery trucks, forklifts and buses. Continue reading

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Ford, Uber And Lyft Announce Agreement to Share Data

Ford Motor Company, Uber and Lyft today announced a pledge to SharedStreets, a new data platform designed – it’s claimed – to make it easier for the private sector to work with cities around the world to use your driving data to improve urban mobility. No mention of privacy or legal issues arising from the personnel data were addressed. Continue reading

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SoCalGas to Sell Renewable Natural Gas for First Time

Renewable natural gas (RNG) is produced from the methane generated in landfills, wastewater treatment plants, food processing and dairies and depending on its source, can be low-carbon or in some cases, even carbon-negative. It can be used to fuel trucks and buses, to generate electricity, to heat homes and businesses, and to cook. Capturing the methane from these waste sources and using it for fuel has two benefits: It keeps methane, a greenhouse gas, from entering the atmosphere and contributing to climate change, and it reduces the use of traditionally-sourced natural gas. Continue reading

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Toyota Mobility Foundation Wants Second Round of Proposals to Support Innovative Hydrogen Energy Technology

Shifting the world to hydrogen-based systems for energy supply and consumption is a much discussed topic, but cost remains a formidable obstacle for execution – as it has for decades. Continue reading

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Saudi’s to Finance Lucid EV

The deal claims to represent a major milestone for Lucid. It will provide it with the necessary funding to commercially launch its first electric vehicle, the Lucid Air in 2020. Continue reading

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Toyota Motor and Uber Expand Collaboration

To accomplish this, technology from each company will be integrated into purpose-built Toyota vehicles to be deployed on Uber’s ride-sharing network. Separately, Toyota is investing $500 million in Uber. Continue reading

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Ford Releases Self-Driving Vehicle Safety Assessment

The 44-page document, titled “A Matter of Trust,” details Ford’s “prioritization of safety” during self-driving vehicle development, as well as how the company is working with industry and government, and how it is applying the technology to solve the challenges our cities face. It’s partly technical but looks to be largely a marketing document design to sell self-driving vehicles to potential buyers. Continue reading

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Mazda, Saudi Aramco, AIST Researching CO2 Reduction

Mazda says it is no longer enough to focus solely on the tank-to-wheel phase and develop fuel efficient engines and cars that emit low levels of carbon dioxide while driving on the road. Continue reading

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Global Warming Floods Big Population Coastline Counties

“With the exception of 2005 to 2006, a year marked by an intense hurricane season that included three of the costliest hurricanes on record (Katrina, Rita and Wilma), the population in Atlantic and Gulf Coast counties grew every year from 2000 to 2016,” says Darryl T. Cohen is a geographer in the U.S. Census Bureau’s Population Division. Continue reading

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US DOT and EPA Want to Slash Fuel Economy Standards. Trump Administration Proposal Has Many Critics

The Trump Administration claimed that the new national automobile fuel economy and greenhouse gas emissions standards will give the American people greater access to safer, more affordable vehicles that are cleaner for the environment. Continue reading

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Ongoing Death of the Diesel: Toyota Shows Next Gen Zero Emissions Heavy-Duty Fuel-Cell Truck

Toyota put another shovel of dirt on the diesel engine grave by unveiling the second iteration of its hydrogen fuel cell electric Class 8 truck before a crowd of media and industry leaders during the Center for Automotive Research (CAR) Management Briefing Seminars in Northern Michigan. Continue reading

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Death of the Diesel Continues: CARB Probe Prompts Recall of 500,000 Cummins Trucks

The recall number includes about 232,000 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 vehicles with Cummins engines that had the same SCR defect. Recalls for those vehicles were approved in July 2016 and July 2017, respectively, and are already underway. Continue reading

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Smart Head Annette Winkler Abruptly Departs Daimler

Winkler and – struggling Smart – were (are?) part of Daimler’s confusing small car strategy and current rush to electric vehicle production. Smart lost billions of Euros for Daimler. Its only fit appeared to be as a foil against mileage and emissions regulations, allowing the owner of Mercedes Benz to continue to thrive selling gas guzzlers. Continue reading

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