Category Archives: fuel economy or emissions

Eight States Want 3.3 Million EVs on U.S. Roads by 2025. Here come More Subsidies for the Rich

Eight states, representing 27% of the total U.S. new vehicle market, have announced a joint plan to put 3.3 million allegedly zero-emission electric vehicles on America’s roads by 2025. “Alleged” because EVs are elsewhere emissions vehicles when you take into account how the electricity is generated. Continue reading

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Electric Vehicle Sales to Top 2 Million by 2020?

This latest soothsaying from ABI Research flies in the face of the trend actual EV sales thus far, which have been weak because of image, price, performance and recharging problems. Continue reading

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2014 Toyota Corolla Ups Ante in Compact Car Game

Toyota Motor coming off two straight months knocking Ford Motor out of its traditional Number Two sales position in the U.S. market is introducing an all-new Corolla model. Not only will this present formidable competition for the Ford Focus, but it will also challenge Honda Civic, Nissan Altima, Mazda3 as well as the rest of compact cars in this high volume segment. Continue reading

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Alternative Powertrains to Remain Technical Curiosities

The market share of battery electric vehicles’ (BEVs) of U.S. light vehicle sales is expected to remain below 1% through 2020. If plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), such as the Chevrolet Volt and the Ford Fusion Energi are included, share will only increase to 3% by 2020. Continue reading

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VW to Introduce New Diesel Engine in U.S. in mid-2014

Volkswagen Group of America today confirmed the timing of the company’s newest diesel engine, the so-called EA288 will power the 2015 Golf, Beetle, Passat, Jetta, due in dealer showrooms during the second half of 2014. Continue reading

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Cuts to 2014 EPA Budget Threatens Auto Emissions Rules

Not surprisingly since the chairman is Hal Rogers, a Republican from Kentucky, the legislation reflects significant efforts to cripple the EPA – “an agency that has been rife with governmental overreach, overspending on ineffective and unnecessary programs, and costly and questionable regulations.” The bill funds the EPA at $5.5 billion, a reduction of $2.8 billion – or -34% – below the fiscal year 2013 enacted level. Continue reading

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Milestones – 500,000th Porsche Cayenne Made in Leipzig

German Chancellor German Chancellor Angela Merkel last week killed a draft European Union law aimed at reducing carbon dioxide. Merkel facing federal elections in September, said “This is also about employment,” a concept that has eluded EU politicians for more than five years as the economic crisis deepens, but not for the lavishly paid, fed and housed Eurocrats. Continue reading

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Light Duty Diesel Ram Ups Fuel Economy Ante in 2014

The comeback automaker, Chrysler Group, ups the ante in the ongoing pickup truck fuel economy wars by offering the first light duty diesel engine pared with an 8-speed automatic transmission, both exclusives in the segment. Just bring money – this is going to be a +$45,000 (or more) set of wheels, AutoInformed predicts. Continue reading

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Supreme Court Dismisses Ethanol Waiver Case

The United States Supreme Court today dismissed a petition by the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers or AFPM challenging an EPA regulation that allows for 15% ethanol in gasoline. Continue reading

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Milestones – Volvo Produces New Engine Family

Volvo Car Group is now manufacturing the first versions of a new, high-efficiency four-cylinder engine family after two years of preparation. The engine plant in Skövde, Sweden is making new smaller engines that are claimed to deliver higher performance than today’s six-cylinder units, while offering lower fuel consumption than the current generation of four-cylinder units. Continue reading

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Chevrolet Cruze Diesel Rated at 46 MPG Highway

Chevrolet said that its new 2014 Cruze Diesel will be rated at an EPA-estimated 46 MPG on the highway, better than any non-hybrid passenger car in America. It will be available in some cities this spring and nationwide and in Canada in the early fall. Continue reading

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Ford and GM to Develop 9- and 10-Speed Automatic Transmissions

Ford Motor Company and General Motors Corporation have signed an agreement whereby both companies will jointly develop an all-new generation of 9- and 10-speed automatic transmissions for cars, crossovers, SUVs and trucks. Continue reading

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New Steel Alloys can Outperform Aluminum and Carbon fiber

Part of the steel industry’s problem, aside from the overall lack of interest among technically illiterate consumers, is regulatory. While the Obama Administration is in the process of implementing the most stringent emissions and fuel economy standards in history, the Environmental Protection Agency only looks at a crude mile per gallon rating that does not take into effect the energy used and greenhouse gas emissions that result during the creation of the 10,000 or more components that comprise an automobile. Continue reading

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Dominion Energy Deal Cuts Emissions at Coal Powered Plants

The Department of Justice and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said that Dominion Energy has agreed to pay a $3.4 million civil penalty and spend approximately $9.8 million on environmental mitigation projects to resolve Clean Air Act (CAA) violations. Continue reading

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EPA Voids Import Certificates for More Chinese Recreational Vehicles

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today that it is withdrawing approval of the import and sale of up to 74,000 gas-powered motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles from China. The agency said that it received either incomplete or falsified certification information. Continue reading

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