Tag Archives: fuel economy

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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WLTP How Does It Work? Will it Work?

After the scope of the Dieselgate scandal was revealed by American University and regulatory agency tests, an embarrassed European Union has developed a new test, called the Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP). Continue reading

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CARB Defies Trump on Vehicle Emission Standards

The courts have long upheld California’s right to set its own emission standards – for decades longer than District and Federal Courts have summarily dismissed Trump’s attempt at racist travel bans. Continue reading

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California Proposes Strict Greenhouse Gases, Fuel Economy Rules for 2030

Twit-nitwit Trump – “global warming is a Chinese hoax” – is an additional exacerbating factor here with his EPA head nominee, Scott Pruitt saying it’s real – a lie about Global Warming to get through his confirmation hearing, or is he serious? Continue reading

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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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Accord Hybrid Falls Short of its EPA Fuel Economy Rating

Honda Accord Hybrid posts 40-mpg Consumer Reports combined city and highway test , but the magazine warned prospective buyers EPA’s 47 mpg is fiction. Continue reading

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Honda Environmental Report Shows CO2 Cuts, Fuel Economy Gains

The eighth annual Honda environmental report just released for the North American regions show that the Japanese automaker reduced on average its output of CO2 with corresponding increases in fuel economy. During the 2012 fiscal year that ended last March the CO2-adjusted fleet-average fuel economy of Honda and Acura vehicles sold in the U.S. in model year 2011 rose 0.8 mpg, or 3.2%, to 25.7 mpg, compared to the previous model year. Continue reading

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DOT and EPA Issue Record 54.5 MPG Fuel Economy Standards

Realistically, the fuel economy average will likely be in the 38-40 mpg range. Therefore, your mileage not only can vary but will vary from big numbers being touted in a closely contested Presidential election year. This, by the way, is where European fuel economy is right now, so if you want to know what the roads will look like a decade hence, travel to Spain or Italy whose governments desperately need tourist revenues to cover their massive deficits. Continue reading

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EPA Releases 2010 U.S. Greenhouse Gas Inventory

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released today the 17th annual U.S. greenhouse gas inventory. The final report shows overall emissions in 2010 increased by 3.2% from the previous year because the economy expanded slightly. In addition, a factor was an … Continue reading

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EPA Says Fuel Economy at Record High, CO2 at Record Low

One giant caveat here: The EPA window sticker rating is not the same as the EPA CAFE rating used by automakers. As a general rule window sticker ratings are 25% lower than the numbers used for CAFE compliance. Moreover, the sticker ratings have been adjusted downward in recent years after drivers complained they were too optimistic. Continue reading

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Buick Drops Base Regal Model in 2013. E-Assist Now Standard

Starting with 2013 models this fall, E-Assist will be standard on the mid-size Buick Regal with the discontinuation of the 2.4-liter base model. It is the second mild-hybrid to join the Buick lineup as standard equipment following the full size … Continue reading

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Alcoa Expanding to Make More Lightweight Aluminum Alloys

With the auto industry now pursuing composites to reduce weight to meet increasingly stringent emission and fuel economy standards, the increased supply of lightweight aluminum alloys could find its way onto production automobiles. The question is at what rate? Continue reading

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Chevrolet Adds “Ecologic” Window Sticker – Info Overload?

Whether consumers or General Motors will derive any clear benefits from the stickers remains to be seen. The Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Transportation are also in the process of vastly expanded the amount and type of information on legally required window stickers, starting with the 2013 model year. Critics of the new stickers claim they are confusing since they contain so many different types of data. Continue reading

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Bosch To Build Pilot Line to Make Lithium-Ion Batteries

Currently, lithium ion battery technology is dominated by Asian firms, in China, Japan and Korea. U.S. and European automakers are scrambling to increase their expertise in hybrid and electric vehicle technologies because of increasingly stringent government regulations that favor hybrid and electric vehicles. Continue reading

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General Motors and LG to Jointly Develop Electric Vehicles

The high cost of developing new technologies to meet increasingly stringent CO2 and fuel economy regulations prompted the deal. Earlier this week Ford Motor and Toyota announced a collaboration on new hybrid trucks. Continue reading

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