Tag Archives: global warming

More EV Charging Stations for COP21 in Paris

Posted on 19 November 2015 by Ken Zino

France already has about 10,000 quick and standard charging spots. In the Paris region alone, there are more than 4,000 spots, making Paris one of the most “plugged in” cities in Europe. Continue reading →

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

Posted on 9 November 2013 by Ken Zino

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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Volkswagen to use CO2 as Air Conditioning Refrigerant

Posted on 12 March 2013 by Ken Zino

The Volkswagen Group is developing air conditioning systems that use CO2 as the refrigerant. Currently automotive air conditioners, depending on age, use R12, which is banned because of global warming effects, R134a, a replacement for R12, which is also now being phased out for its role in global warming, and its replacement R1234yf, which apparently poses safety threats. Continue reading →

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President Obama Unveils 54.5 MPG Fuel Economy Regulation for 2017-25. Will it Alter Vehicle Choices and Increase Costs?

Posted on 29 July 2011 by Ken Zino

In a thirteen minute speech in Washington this morning, President Obama revealed his proposal for doubling the fuel economy of vehicles sold in the U.S. by 2025. This proposal, which will apply to cars and light trucks sold during model years 2017 to 2025, establishes a global warming pollution standard of 163 grams of CO2 per mile per new vehicle by 2025—the equivalent of 54.5 mpg if all the improvements are met through actual increases in fuel-efficiency. Continue reading →

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Muscle Hybrids Decried for Performance in Hybrid Scorecard

Posted on 8 July 2011 by Ken Zino

The pressure group criticized the Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid, the new Porsche Cayenne Hybrid and BMW’s X6 and 750i Active Hybrids as among the worst-rated hybrids for environmental improvement because they emphasize power over economy in their design. UCS is apparently unaware of the long standing performance marketing positioning of German brands. Continue reading →

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Electric Utility Coal Ash Safety Plans Released by EPA

Posted on 17 May 2011 by Ken Zino

Electric vehicles, the current technology in favor by special interest groups who want their use mandated as well as subsidized by taxpayers, raise many legitimate environmental concerns since half the electricity in the United States is generated by burning coal. Continue reading →

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Lousy Economy Lowers U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Posted on 18 April 2011 by Ken Zino

Emissions in 2009 represent the lowest total U.S. annual GHG emissions since 1995. These numbers reflect the most up to date data at the time of publication. Continue reading →

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Global Share of Emerging Auto Markets Exceeds Matures

Posted on 18 April 2011 by Ken Zino

The marketshare of global light-vehicle sales coming from so-called “emerging” markets has surpassed share from economically mature regions, led largely by growth in China, according to J.D. Power and Associates. “Mature markets like the United States, Western Europe and Japan … Continue reading →

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EU Proposes Banning Cars from Cities. Automakers Protest

Posted on 28 March 2011 by Ken Zino

The European Commission today adopted 40 initiatives that it claims will increase mobility, dramatically reduce Europe’s dependence on imported oil and cut carbon emissions from transportation by 60% by 2050. It also requires the investment of €1.5 trillion or $2.1 trillion across the EU. Continue reading →

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World First – Suzuki Fuel Cell Motorcycle Street Legal in EU

Posted on 9 March 2011 by Ken Zino

The upshot is that zero emission motorcycles are now a step closer to becoming commercially available, and since motorcycles don’t come in right-hand-drive versions, the motorcycle could – in theory – be produced and sold throughout Europe. Continue reading →

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CAR Says Electric Vehicles Will Follow the Incentives at the Federal, State and Local Levels. Budget Battles Loom?

Posted on 12 February 2011 by Ken Zino

Executive summary – taxpayer money on the hood moves the sheet metal, but auto company press release predictions are dubious. Continue reading →

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EPA Says Nissan Leaf Gets 106 MPGe

Posted on 23 November 2010 by Ken Zino

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved the fuel-economy label of the Nissan Leaf electric vehicle, claiming that the five-passenger car is best-in-class with a miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe) of 106 city, 92 highway or a combined 99 MPGe. Continue reading →

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Toyota Tops EPA Economy and CO2 Emissions List

Posted on 9 November 2010 by Ken Zino

For the 2009 model year Toyota had the lowest fleetwide adjusted composite CO2 emissions – and highest fuel economy – performance, followed by Hyundai and Honda, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 

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Driving a Toyota Camry Hybrid

Posted on 6 November 2010 by Ken Zino

The Toyota Camry hybrid is a technological triumph that produces significant increases in fuel economy, particularly during urban and suburban driving that many of us face. However to achieve this Camry hybrid employs a number of sophisticated systems that affect … Continue reading →

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