Category Archives: fuel economy or emissions

CAFE, Global Warming Rules Approved for 2022-25

In a parting shot to Twit-nitwit Trump who wants to despoil the environment because global warming is all a “Chinese hoax,” EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy says it will maintain the current greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions standards for model years 2022-2025 cars and light trucks. Continue reading

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Dieselgate2? EPA Says Jeep, Ram Diesels Use Illegal Software

In what looks to be a sequel the Volkswagen Dieselgate scandal, EPA is working in coordination with the California Air Resources Board (CARB), which has also issued a notice of violation to FCA. EPA and CARB have both initiated investigations based on FCA’s alleged actions. FCA could be liable for civil penalties and injunctive relief for the alleged violations. EPA is also investigating whether the auxiliary emission control devices constitute “defeat devices,” which are illegal. Continue reading

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Volkswagen Pleads Guilty on Felony Charges in Dieselgate

Volkswagen AG will plead guilty to three criminal felony counts and pay a $2.8 billion criminal penalty because of the company’s long-running Dieselgate caper that sold ~590,000 diesel vehicles in the U.S. using a defeat device to cheat on emissions tests. Continue reading

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CARB, CDOJ Whack VW for Another $66 Million in Ongoing Dieselgate Scam

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) and the California Department of Justice today announced a partial Dieselgate consent decree for violations of the Clean Air Act caused by a “defeat device” in 3-liter diesel crossover SUVs sold by Volkswagen, Audi … Continue reading

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2017 Honda Clarity Fuel Cell Deliveries Start

California has approved a plan to develop up to 100 hydrogen refueling stations in the state during the next several years. This California initiative dovetails with some increased government support of hydrogen infrastructure development at the federal level, such as H2USA (http://h2usa.org/). Continue reading

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2017 Kia Niro Gets 76.6 MPG in US West to East Coast Run

The Kia Niro, a small five- passenger Crossover Hybrid Vehicle, is the first dedicated Kia hybrid. Continue reading

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Hybrid Vehicles Overtaking Diesels on Fuel Economy

However, the downturn in diesel mpg may be due to a change in manufacturers’ focus from fuel economy to NOx emissions after the Volkswagen Dieselgate fraud. Nonetheless, there clearly is an improvement in gasoline hybrid performance because of technologyl advances. Continue reading

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EPA Keeps 54.5 MPG Fuel Economy Rules in Place

Automakers are squealing about the just announced EPA plan to keep 54.5 mpg fuel economy regulations in place after a detailed technical analysis of the industries progress thus far. The agency’s rule still must be finalized after a 30-day comment period that would close before Donald Trump’s inauguration. Continue reading

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VW Diesel Emissions Settlements – Wisconsin Tax Rules

The Wisconsin Department of Revenue has issued guidance on the sales tax implications of the VW and Audi diesel emission fraud settlements. Continue reading

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NiroBot for Facebook to Hype Kia Niro Hybrid

Messenger is allegedly used by more than 1 billion consumers monthly, and those accessing the NiroBot for Messenger will get vehicle information, interior and exterior galleries, multimedia product overviews, lots of hype and the ability to schedule a test drive of the first Kia vehicle to make use of an all-new, dedicated eco-car platform. Continue reading

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Seattle Fire Department Increases Mileage with Hybrid Ambulances

Hybrid ambulances responding to 911 emergencies in the Seattle city centers how a 23% increase in mpg and a 19% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions. Continue reading

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Jaguar I-Pace Concept – Electric but not Electrifying

The revenge of tougher fuel economy regulations is on full display at the Los Angeles Auto Show with the debut of the Jaguar I-Pace concept – a frumpy electric vehicle that runs counter to Jaguar’s low and sleek design practices. Continue reading

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Volkswagen Passat GT Concept at Automobility LA

Year-to date diesel emissions defeat-device Volkswagen sales are at 256,047 (-13.09%) with the Passat at 59,320 for a -17.4% drop. The German automaker is strapped for cash, hence the trim package on an aging design. Continue reading

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Is Renault Joining VW in Failed Diesel Emission Tests?

In a tersely worded statement this afternoon, Renault Group acknowledged that a French Government Agency forwarded a file on failed diesel emission tests to prosecutors, who now must decide the next steps. Continue reading

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ExxonMobil Under Scrutiny for Its Climate Change Propaganda

In a disturbing development with broad First Amendment implications, ExxonMobil is lashing out against the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) and others – in the words of UCS, “who feel they are holding them accountable for their decades of deception.” Continue reading

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