Category Archives: fuel economy or emissions

FAA Grants $19M for University Research on Noise Reduction

“Research is the gateway to breakthroughs. With the best minds, we can reduce noise and fly with net-zero emissions by 2050,” said Acting FAA Administrator Billy Nolen. Continue reading

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EPA Approves New California Heavy-Duty Emissions Standards

In this latest victory for environmentalists, CARB requested two waivers for regulations relating to heavy duty vehicles and diesel engines. After reviewing the technical information provided by CARB, reviewing comments submitted by the public, and applying the limited authority for review under section 209 of the Clean Air Act, EPA said it was “appropriate” to grant the waiver and authorization requests. Continue reading

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Mazda Adding Renewable Solar Power to Japanese Plants

Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (MITI) provides subsidies to cover a portion of the expense of installing solar power generation facilities in cases where consumers of electric power coordinated with an electric power producer to establish such facilities. “These subsidies are intended to promote such collaborations and encourage wider adoption of independent initiatives to establish renewable energy sources, contributing to a reliable, long-term, supply-demand balance in energy use during the period up until 2030, thereby supporting the achievement of ambitious targets for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.” Continue reading

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Cordless EV w 400 Mile Range – 2023 Toyota Mirai Fuel Cell

At its heart, Mirai remains a breakthrough fuel-cell electric vehicle where the driver fills the tank with compressed hydrogen gas rather than liquid gasoline. It was derived from the Lexus LS 400 platform (rear-wheel drive – RWD-GA-L). A FCEV, of course, generates its own electricity onboard from hydrogen, with water as the only emission. A fuel cell system combines stored hydrogen with oxygen from the air, and a chemical reaction that produces electric current, and water, which drops out of a vent pipe beneath the Mirai. Continue reading

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January Western European Diesel Car Market Flat

Western European diesel car sales were flat, according to the latest data just released by LMC Automotive.* Even though the data are incomplete with the Greek market lacking, LMC notes that 147,000 diesel cars were sold in the month, the … Continue reading

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Genesis Slowly Expanding US EV Sales

Genesis Motor America, in collaboration with Electrify America, offers three years of 30-minute complimentary charging sessions from the date of vehicle purchase.* Owners of the 2023 GV60 and Electrified G80 have access to hyper-fast charging on Electrify America’s coast-to-coast charging network and can seamlessly locate and access charging stations while on the road via the Genesis Connected Services and Electrify America mobile apps. Continue reading

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Death of the Diesel – EPA Fines Genesee & Wyoming Railroad Services

GWRSI estimates that the company will spend approximately $42 million to comply with the consent decree requirements which will reduce NOx emissions from its locomotives by approximately 469 tons per year and particulate matter emissions by 14 tons per year. As these things go, this appears to be an amiable settlement to AutoInformed. Continue reading

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Current Flows – J.D. Power Now Tracking EV Parity

Today, the EV Index score is 47 (based on the most recent available data from November 2022), with some categories improving and others declining during the 12-month pilot period. The EV Index score and accompanying analysis will be available monthly. The index is of use to people who are considering purchasing, one of the reasons AutoInformed uses it. Continue reading

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More Fuel Cell Vehicles from CJPT

Since it was founded in April 2021 by Toyota, Hino and Isuzu Motors, CJPT’s goal was “to enable technology development for commercial vehicles by considering initiatives at logistics sites to contribute to achieving a carbon neutral society and reduce the burden on drivers and workers by accelerating the use of autonomous vehicles and systems.” Continue reading

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Stellantis to Buy a Large Part of Faurecia Michelin Hydrogen

Stellantis is tiptoeing into hydrogen mobility having launched mid-size vans in late 2021. Stellantis is pursuing an aggressive ambition as part of the so-called “Dare Forward 2030” strategic plan, which includes expanding its hydrogen offerings to large vans as early as 2024 in Europe and 2025 in the US while further exploring opportunities for heavy-duty trucks. Toyota Motor appears to AutoInformed to be the clear leader in these areas, but this is an endurance race not a sprint. Continue reading

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Bah Humbug! SEMA on Congressional Inaction on Racing Parts

SEMA was referring to the “Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports Act” (RPM)* that has hobbled around congress for three years staring with the 114th Congress, including the 2021–2022 session of Congress. The Senate Environment & Public Works (EPW) Committee and the House Energy & Commerce Committee were involved in the bill, but members weren’t able to get it out of the House or Senate committees for lack of, well, horsepower. Perhaps the bills sponsors, who were overwhelming Republican (102 Republicans, 30 Democrats), were part of the problem. The Republicans aren’t known for their environmental policies, but rather the opposite as Global Warming repudiators often backed by the fossil fuel industry and perennial opponents to fuel economy or clean air regulations. Continue reading

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EPA Final Heavy-Duty Truck Standards Released, Well, Finally

The new standards are long overdue. They are the first update to clean air standards for heavy duty trucks in more than 20 years. EPA says they are more than 80% stronger than current standards. Continue reading

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EPA Automotive Trends – 2021 Fuel Economy at Record High. Emissions at Record Low.

Without question advancements in technology and government regulations are prodding industry to reach these carbon reduction achievements. In model year 2021, hybrid vehicles reached a new high of 9% of all production. These vehicles can use a larger battery to recapture braking energy and provide power when necessary, allowing for a smaller, more efficiently operated engine. Continue reading

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Death of the Diesel – CARB Tightens Off-Road Equipment Regs

The amendments will require fleets to phase-out use of the oldest and highest polluting off-road diesel vehicles in California; prohibit the addition of high-emitting vehicles to a fleet; and require the use of R99 or R100 renewable diesel in off-road diesel vehicles. These vehicles are the second largest mobile source of NOx in California, only exceeded by trucks on roads and highways, aka on-road trucks. Continue reading

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Big Oil Rebuff as Nel ASA, GM Unite on Renewable Hydrogen

A PEM electrolyzer and a fuel cell are largely based on the same principles. A PEM electrolyzer uses electricity and water to produce hydrogen and oxygen, while a fuel cell reverses the process, using hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity and water. Continue reading

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