Category Archives: transportation

Hertz and GM Plot Major EV Rental Expansion

Hertz said it is investing to create the largest rental fleet of EVs in North America, with tens of thousands of EVs available for rent at 500 Hertz locations across 38 states. The company’s current goal is for one-quarter of its fleet to be electric by the end of 2024. Continue reading

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An Idea Whose Time has Come – Smart Infrastructure

The SMART Grants Program  – the latest example of how government can effect change for its people – comes from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, signed by President Biden on 15 November 2021. The Infrastructure law – almost universally opposed by the Republican party, whose members are still trying to overturn the last election while endorsing political violence – will offer up to $100 million in grants annually over the next five years. It will fund projects that use data and technology to solve real-world challenges facing communities today, the Administration said in a release. Continue reading

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CARB: Small E-Fleet Project Spurs Shift to Electric Trucks

“There are quite a few options in terms of equipment, financing, and planning assistance that fleets can take advantage of in pursuing adoption of electric vehicles. The key first step is showing them they have a resource to help them take advantage of those options,” said Niki Okuk, deputy director of CALSTART Trucks and Off Road. Continue reading

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Air Travel Consumer Complaints Up 2.7X Pre-Pandemic levels

DOT uses the data from the ATCR, consumer complaints, and other information it secures from the airlines to inform its enforcement activities and the adequacy of existing rules. Judging by DOT’s own data, clearly its so-called rules from its Office of Aviation Consumer Protection are ineffective to laughable in AutoInformed’s view. However if you are in the automobile business, it’s an incentive to use vehicles for your transportation needs. Free marketing from the Airline industry and the US Government. Continue reading

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CARB Shows Heavy-Duty Inspection and Maintenance Program

The progressive public health program is the first in the nation of its kind and will ensure that emissions control systems on heavy-duty vehicles operate effectively for the life of the vehicle, improving air quality and protecting public health. The HD I/M program will apply to all heavy-duty trucks, buses, agricultural equipment and personal motor-homes with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of more than 14,000 pounds traveling in the state regardless of whether they are registered in California. Continue reading

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Pro Consumer Milestones: California Mandates 100% Zero Emissions Vehicles by 2035. More States Certain to Follow

The CARB regulation codifies the light-duty vehicle goals set out in Governor Newsom’s Executive Order N-79-20. Transportation is responsible for ~50% of greenhouse gas emissions (when accounting for fuel production emissions) and 80% of air pollutants in California. States that now follow California’s vehicle rules are expected to adopt these regulations through their rulemakings. These states constitute ~40% of the nation’s new car sales.* Continue reading

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DOJ Thwarts Chinese Takeover of Shipping Containers

It’s the latest example of the effective use of Industrial Policy for widespread and long-term consumer and business benefits that virtually all Republicans renounce in favor of policies that only benefit the wealthy, with accompanying tax-payer financed handouts, checks, tax policy and other aspects of a Republican welfare state run solely for the rich.  Continue reading

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US Gets Warrant to Seize Russian Oligarch Airbus

It’s just the latest example of successful maneuvering by the ‘get tough on criminals’ Biden Administration – “Russia, if you’re listening” which, critics note, is in stark contrast to the former administration’s pandering to Russia and its state sanctioned hackers. Russia are you listening now? Continue reading

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Hyundai Motor and Safran MoU on Advanced Air Mobility

The major air industry event occurred as sweltering temperatures continued to assault people globally. It is perhaps ironic that Farnborough, founded in Saxon times, is mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086. Continue reading

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IIHS Wants Speed limiters on Trucks: ’bout time!

Why this is creeping at an idle rate in the bureaucracy is inexplicable because excessive speed was a factor in about one-third of all US crash deaths during 2020. FMCSA began discussing speed limiters more than a decade ago. Continue reading

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Biden Recovery: Transportation Jobs Equal Pre-Pandemic

“In the second quarter of this year, we created more jobs than in any quarter under any of my predecessors in the nearly 40 years before the pandemic. We have more Americans working in the private sector today than any day during Donald Trump’s Presidency – more people than any time in our history,” said President Biden. Continue reading

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DOT Wants Airlines to Seat Families Together for Free

“Today’s announcements are the latest steps toward ensuring an air travel system that works for everyone,” said Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “Whether you’re a parent expecting to sit together with your young children on a flight, a traveler with a disability navigating air travel, or a consumer traveling by air for the first time in a while, you deserve safe, accessible, affordable, and reliable airline service.” Continue reading

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Infrastructure Law Funds Improving Airport Terminals

“Americans deserve modern airports that meet the needs of their families and growing passenger demand. Funded through President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, today’s grants will improve airport terminals while also creating good jobs in communities across the country,” said US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. Continue reading

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US DOT Gives Spirit Slots at Newark as Airlines Bilk Flyers

This comes as as weary people attempt to resume some sort of normal post-covid routines after the disastrous Trump mis-administration that ignored the deadly effects of a corona virus that is still mutating. Let the finger pointing start, or rather continue. That said AutoInformed notes once again that airlines are in effect a free international marketing tool that promotes the use of automobiles and automobility. Continue reading

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Driverless Cars – People Less Positive Than You Might Assume

If you’re like most auto enthusiasts, likely you are comfortable with the progress of technology from manual chokes to feed-back carburetors to port and then direct fuel-injection. When looked at through the windshield of a sports car, electronic shifting and … Continue reading

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