federal government
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It's an unusual thing, to say the least, when the U.S. Chamber of Commerce publicly suggests a major tax increase. In general, the pro-business lobbying group advocates for tax cuts, reducing or eliminating regulations, and free-market policies that allow companies to operate however they choose. But there it was on Tuesday: The Chamber will propose a 25-cent-per-gallon increase in the federal tax on gasoline paid by everyone who fills up at the pump. DON'T MISS: Fuel Efficiency Hurts: Gas Tax Revenue Plummets, Roads Crumble (Nov 2011) The group intends to introduce a set of principles it...
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Will 3-wheeled so-called 'autocycles' break out this year? We're skeptical
Several manufacturers are trying to launch new 3-wheeled vehicles, but will they succeed?
Stephen Edelstein -
Under Trump, renewable-energy progress may not change much
Under Trump, the state of renewable energy may not change much, experts believe.
Stephen Edelstein -
Will California lead the green-car resistance?
California's role as the leading advocate for green cars may become more important.
Stephen Edelstein -
You know cars, trucks, and motorcycles, but what's an autocycle? (It's an Elio)
To say three-wheeled vehicles are rare in the North American car market would be an understatement. Traditionally, motorcycles have two wheels, and passenger cars and light trucks have four. But Elio Motors wants to change that with its three-wheeled car, which it says will be offered for $7,300...
John Voelcker -
Tesla To Testify At FTC Hearing On Auto-Dealer Franchise Laws
The Federal Trade Commissions will hold a panel discussion on auto-dealer franchise laws January 19.
Stephen Edelstein -
Federal vehicle fleets will cut emissions 30 percent by 2025.
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When Federal Electric-Car Tax Credit Ends, Nissan Will Be Ready, Exec Says
Both Nissan and General Motors are roughly one-third of the way toward sales of the maximum number of plug-in electric cars that qualify for a Federal income-tax credit of $7,500. But a Nissan executive says that his company has already made plans for the day when those credits end. DON'T MISS...
John Voelcker -
White House Budget Asks For $10K Electric-Car Credit, Natural-Gas Cars Added
The proposed 2016 budget includes some measures meant to boost electric-car adoption.
Stephen Edelstein -
Low Gas Price An Opportunity For Higher Gas Tax? Not A Chance
With gasoline costing 40 percent less than it did just six months ago--and under $2 a gallon in many states--you might think this would be a good time to discuss raising the Federal gas tax. You would be wrong. The Federal gas tax hasn't risen since 1993, and the U.S. Highway Trust Fund has been...
John Voelcker -
12-Cent Rise In Federal Tax On Gas, Diesel Proposed By Pair Of Senators
Two facts sit in opposition to each other in Washington, D.C., and have for many years. First, raising taxes--in any way, for any purpose, under any circumstances--is virtually impossible. Second, the U.S. Highway Trust Fund is broke, because the Federal gasoline tax hasn't been raised in two...
John Voelcker -
FTC Considers Changes To Rules On Carmaker Claims For Fuel Economy
The FTC is seeking comments on potential updates of its fuel-economy advertising guidelines.
Stephen Edelstein -
A lack of documentation when BYD was first awarded its $12.1 million contract could jeopardize the entire program.
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EPA Proposal Would Cut 2014 Ethanol Mandate By 20 Percent
The EPA may cut the amount of ethanol required to be blended with gasoline from the amount originally specified in a 2007 law.
Stephen Edelstein -
DoE Backpedals, Will Fund Slight Hydrogen Fueling Station Expansion
It appears that the U.S. Department of Energy has had a change of heart. Four years ago, then-Energy Secretary Steven Chu was widely known as a skeptic about hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles. Last summer, he appeared to relent--and now the DoE has said it will launch a campaign to promote hydrogen...
John Voelcker -
France Offers $6,900 Hybrid Car Subsidies: Should The U.S.?
Look back a few years, and the Federal government under President George Bush offered buyers of hybrid cars up to $3,400 in tax credits for buying an electric car. As of December 31, 2010, those tax credits expired, to make way for similar tax credits for those who buy fully electric or plug-in...
Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield -
Job Training For Returning Vets: Installing Electric-Car Chargers
Industrial manufacturer Eaton Corporation, whose automotive business makes superchargers and many other parts, also supplies electric-car charging stations. Under a recent Federal contract, Eaton will provide those charging stations to various Federal locations--and the company is also working to...
John Voelcker -
Obama 2012 Budget Proposes Higher Tax Credit For Plug-In Cars
Two days ago, President Barack Obama released his proposed U.S. government budget for the fiscal year starting in October. And in it, he followed through on a promise from his State of the Union address last month, by proposing to cut up to $4 billion in subsidies to the oil and gas industry. The...
John Voelcker -
Few things seem to set off a certain part of the political spectrum like the Chevrolet Volt, the extended-range electric car from General Motors. It's been on sale exactly one year, so we think it's rather too early to deem the Volt a success or a failure, though that hasn't stopped its critics. When criticizing anything, however--the Volt included--it's usually incumbent on the critic to get the math right. Off by a factor of 10,000 Yesterday, The Street posted a lovely takedown of the math offered by a critic who claims Volts carry quarter-million-dollar subsidies. The Street's contributor...
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Why The 2013 Dodge Dart Sedan HAS To Get 40 MPG Highway
It's a magic number, 40 mpg, a nice big round figure to tout in big print every time gasoline prices go up. Most makers have at least one car that achieves 40 mpg, but for the new 2013 Dodge Dart, it's not an option--there has to be one model of the Dart that's rated by the EPA at 40 mpg or better...
John Voelcker -
Want A Tax Break On An Electric-Car Charging Station? Act Now!
For several years now, the Federal Government has offered tax credits to people buying brand new highway-capable electric cars, as well as those installing electric car charging stations. But while the $7,500 federal tax credits towards the purchase of an electric car most likely won't end for...
Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield -
DoE's Chu Hopes Chrysler Can Play With Big Kids, Get Loans At Last
Well, looks like Chrysler is getting closer to playing with the big kids at last. The back-from-bankruptcy third U.S. automaker, now effectively controlled by Italy's Fiat, is putting together a financial package that will allow it to pay off all the money invested in it by the Obama Administration...
John Voelcker