Category Archives: fuel economy or emissions

Toyota Hydrogen Road Service Vehicle at Motegi

“When we were first approached, the project only entailed the hydrogen module. However, from the perspective of JAF’s operations, we informed Toyota that running out of fuel was a relatively rare problem, while the most common issues are tire-related, “said General Manager Koso Takeda, JAF Road Service Division. “From there, the conversation turned to creating an all-in-one vehicle with the equipment to carry out JAF tasks. Before the day was out, people from Toyota visited our offices to measure sizes, and proceeded to build it.” Continue reading

Posted in alternative fuels, concept, environment, fuel economy or emissions, global warming, shows and events | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

EPA – Lead Emissions from Aircraft Cause Air Pollution 

“The science is clear: exposure to lead can cause irreversible and life-long health effects in children,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “Aircraft that use leaded fuel are the dominant source of lead emissions in our air. With today’s action, the Biden-Harris Administration can move forward in the process to propose new standards to protect all communities from the serious threat of lead pollution from aircraft.”  Continue reading

Posted in aviation, fuel economy or emissions, milestones, public health | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Census Bureau Releases Data on US Fleet after 18 Year Gap

The US Census Bureau today released data on the nation’s inventory and use of selected vehicles. The Vehicle Inventory and Use Survey (VIUS) is a collaboration with the Department of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Statistics and Federal Highway Administration, the Department of Energy; and the Census. For automakers it contains a wealth of data about miles driven, fuel economy and actual use patterns, which are key to product development, marketing, corporate forecasting, among other things. Continue reading

Posted in economy, environment, fuel economy or emissions, news analysis, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

California Launches International Methane Reduction Initiative

“The climate crisis knows no borders. We’re partnering with governments around the world to tackle methane emissions, a dangerous pollutant that has 80 times the warming power of carbon dioxide,” said Gov. Newsom. “By working together on strategies informed by science, like deploying methane detection satellites, we can help address this global threat.” Continue reading

Posted in environment, fuel economy or emissions, global warming, public health, shows and events | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

EPA Launches More Climate Pollution Reduction Grants

The two new competitions are part of the second round of funding from EPA’s $5 billion Climate Pollution Reduction Grants program, which was created by President Biden’s bi-partisan Inflation Reduction Act, the largest climate investment in history. EPA is announcing the availability of $4.6 billion across two implementation grant competitions, one general competition and one specifically for Tribes and territories. Under these competitions, eligible applicants will compete for CPRG implementation grants to fund measures in their state-, municipality-, Tribe-, or territory-specific climate action plans. As part of its evaluation of applications, EPA will prioritize measures that achieve the greatest amount of GHG emissions reductions. Continue reading

Posted in economy, electric vehicles, environment, fuel economy or emissions, global warming, public health | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Strange Green Bedfellows – Stellantis and Aramco

Low carbon eFuel is a drop-in synthetic fuel made by reacting CO2, captured either directly from the atmosphere or from an industrial facility, with renewable hydrogen. The use of low carbon eFuel has the potential to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from existing internal combustion vehicles by at least 70% on a lifecycle basis, compared to conventional fuels its advocates claim. Continue reading

Posted in alternative fuels, energy, environment, fuel economy or emissions, global warming, public health, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

EPA Offers Grants to Cut Oil and Gas Well Methane Emissions

“Thanks to President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, we now have unprecedented funding to cut methane pollution that is fueling the climate crisis,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “This investment will increase competition and help small and medium-sized producers compete on a more level playing field, create new good-paying jobs in energy communities, and support environmental restoration, making clear that strengthening our economy, tackling climate change, and protecting our communities go hand in hand,” Regan claimed. Continue reading

Posted in environment, fuel economy or emissions, global warming, milestones, public health | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Hurricane Idalia – EPA Issues Florida Summer Fuel Waiver

Storm preparations have resulted in the closure of multiple ports in the state that receive fuel and have restricted and interrupted fuel terminal operations, preventing an adequate supply of gasoline. In addition, evacuations – including mandatory evacuations – are straining available supplies. Waiving federal requirements to sell summer gasoline can help address these supply shortages. Continue reading

Posted in environment, fuel economy or emissions, global warming, public health, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Iowa, Nebraska Sue EPA to Sell E-15 Year Round

“The EPA’s ongoing failure to act following our E15 notification more than two years ago is nothing more than a thinly veiled disguise of their disdain towards clean, renewable, American-produced ethanol. The EPA disfavors anything that doesn’t have the word ‘electric’ in its name,” said Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds. She has a point. Continue reading

Posted in alternative fuels, customer satisfaction, environment, fuel economy or emissions, global warming, litigation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Parts Maker Sinister Diesel to Pay $1 Million After Guilty Plea

The defendant is scheduled to be sentenced in the criminal case by US District Court Judge John A. Mendez for the Eastern District of California on 14 November 2023. Although Sinister Diesel agreed to pay a $500,000 criminal fine under its plea agreement, the company faces – for each count – a maximum fine of $500,000 or twice the gross pecuniary gain derived from the offense. Its sentence will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of all applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which consider a number of variables. Continue reading

Posted in environment, fuel economy or emissions, litigation, public health | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

USDOT Proposes 58 MPG Fuel Economy Standard

The US Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration today issued a proposal to update fuel economy standards for passenger cars and light trucks. The “preferred alternative” among several in NHTSA’s proposal includes a 2% per year improvement in fuel efficiency for passenger cars and a 4% per year improvement for light trucks beginning in model year 2027. This increases through model year 2032, potentially reaching an average fleet fuel economy of 58 miles per gallon by 2032. However, NHTSA notes that real word fuel economy is ~20-30% lower than estimated CAFE fuel economy.* Continue reading

Posted in engineering, environment, fuel economy or emissions, milestones | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

EPA – As Economy Grows Key Pollutants are Declining

Air pollution contains gas and particle contaminants that are present in the atmosphere. Gaseous pollutants include sulfur dioxide (SO2), oxides of nitrogen (NOx), ozone (O3), carbon monoxide (CO), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and certain toxic air pollutants. Particle pollution (PM2.5 and PM10) includes a mixture of compounds that EPA groups into five major categories: sulfate, nitrate, elemental (black) carbon, organic carbon and crustal material. Continue reading

Posted in fuel economy or emissions, global warming, public health | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Stellantis Buys Share of Symbio for Fuel Cell Technology

“Acquiring an equal stake in Symbio will bolster our leadership position in hydrogen-powered vehicles by supporting our fuel cell van production in France, and it also serves as a perfect complement to our growing battery electric vehicle portfolio,” said Carlos Tavares, Stellantis CEO. Continue reading

Posted in electric vehicles, environment, fuel economy or emissions, global warming, manufacturing, milestones | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Nel Announces Automated Hydrogen Fuel Factory in Michigan

“The short distance to General Motors, headquartered in Detroit, has played a decisive role in the choice of state. The two companies collaborate to develop further and improve Nel’s PEM electrolyzer technology,” said Nel’s CEO, Håkon Volldal. “The choice of Michigan is based on an overall assessment of what the state can offer in terms of financial incentives, access to a highly skilled workforce, and cooperation with universities, research institutions, and strategic partners. I will also highlight the personal engagement from Governor Whitmer and her competent and service-minded team,” Volldal said. Continue reading

Posted in electric vehicles, environment, fuel economy or emissions, manufacturing, milestones | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

CARB Mandates Zero-Emission Medium, Heavy-Duty Vehicles

Trucks represent only 6% of the vehicles on California’s roads. However, CARB noted that they account for more than 35% of the state’s transportation generated nitrogen oxide emissions, and 25% of the state’s on-road greenhouse gas emissions. Continue reading

Posted in environment, fuel economy or emissions, milestones, public health | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment