EPA
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EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler signaled that when revised fuel-economy regulations are released in coming months they may not directly follow proposed rules that would freeze emissions standards.
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2019 Audi e-tron EPA range revealed: Nothing to brag about, but aiming for the real world?
The 2019 Audi e-tron electric SUV's range will be rated at 204 miles, lower than initial estimates—although the automaker says the range should be repeatable in the real world.
Bengt Halvorson -
Chinese fuel-cell cars, lithium-ion battery growth, EPA and health: Today's Car News
A Chinese hydrogen company introduces its own line of fuel-cell cars. A Texas startup plans to make motors more efficient. A report shows more battery production coming online. And without science boards the EPA questions some fundamental links. All this and more on Green Car Reports. The Chinese...
Eric C. Evarts -
EPA panel questions health effects of air pollution
Recommendations could dramatically limit what studies are used to determine safe limits on air pollution, and question the link with mortality.
Eric C. Evarts -
2020 Tesla Model Y, Mazda rotary, wider VW electric plans: The Week in Reverse
Which two companies announced expanded lines of plug-in hybrids this week? What big decision did Tesla take back? This is our look back at the Week In Reverse—right here at Green Car Reports—for the week ending March 15, 2019. The big news this week was Tesla's unveiling of its...
Eric C. Evarts -
Mazda rotary hybrids, plug-in hybrid Ford F-250, EPA ethanol push: Today's Report
The EPA releases a proposal to increase ethanol blends, even in the summer when it can increase smog. Mazda may have more plans for its rotary engine technology than a single new hybrid. Conversion company XL Hybrids releases its new Heavy Duty Ford F-250 Hybrid pickup. And we run down the best...
Eric C. Evarts -
Ethanol is known as an alternative fuel, and is even renewable. But that doesn't always make it clean. The Environmental Protection Agency, after proposing watered down emissions and fuel economy standards for cars, has now released a proposal to increase the amount of ethanol blended into pump gas year-round, including selling E15 in the summer. READ THIS: Trump expected to lift E15 ban limiting ethanol in summer gasoline Currently ethanol blending is restricted between June 1 and September 1, because a higher ratio of ethanol has been flagged by scientists and environmental groups for being...
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Tesla stores, plug-in Jeeps, EPA fuel-economy, Colorado charging: Today's Car News
Tesla reversed its decision to go online only, and is keeping many stores open. Fiat Chrysler announced two new plug-in Jeeps for Europe. An annual EPA report shows rising fuel-economy standards are working—just as the EPA plans to gut them. And a new program aims to get Colorado ready for...
Eric C. Evarts -
EPA says fuel economy rose in 2017, but it may be falling again
An EPA report released Wednesday shows that cars are getting better gas mileage in response to rising fuel economy standards. Yet a roaring economy and low gas prices have put Americans on a truck-buying spree, and the EPA is working to undermine those standards. According to its annual automotive...
Eric C. Evarts -
Base Tesla Model 3, Polestar 2, Kandi cars, Volvo and Audi plug-in hybrids: The Week in Reverse
Which two startup companies showed new ways to get more miles out of an electric vehicle? What Chinese automaker received approval to import new models to the U.S. this week? This is our look back at the Week In Reverse—right here at Green Car Reports—for the week ending March 1, 2019...
Eric C. Evarts -
Ford fuel economy, EPA ends talks, better hybrids, Audi ad: Today's Car News
Ford opened an investigation into the way it conducts fuel economy tests. The EPA quit speaking to California in their dispute over emissions rules. Half of Consumer Reports top picks for 2019 include hybrids or plug-in cars. And Audi makes good on advertising the performance benefits of an...
Eric C. Evarts -
EPA cuts off fuel-economy talks with California
The Trump administration has ended talks with California aimed at settling their differences over increasing fuel economy and tightening emissions regulations, Reuters reported Thursday, citing an unnamed government official. In August, the EPA, led by Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler, released...
Eric C. Evarts -
If you plan to drive an EV in winter weather you’ll need to charge more often to avoid “being stranded by a dead battery.” So sums AAA about its report on electric vehicle range, released this past week, which resulted in a very useful data set underscoring the reality of how EV range drops, especially at cold temperatures. As the organization concludes, on average, a 100-mile range at 75 degrees will drop down to just 59 miles on a 20-degree day, or 83 miles on a 95-degree day. The organization however fumbles some of the broad takeaways for would-be electric-vehicle...
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Tesla batteries, EPA comments, Hyundai and Kia plug-in availability: Today's Car News
Acting EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler said electric cars are "not grounds for concern" at the EPA—yet highway safety and car prices are. Tesla buys a company that builds ultracapacitors. Hyundai and Kia aim to avoid the dreaded "compliance car" label with their EV sales—barely. We...
Eric C. Evarts -
Analysis: Wheeler says electric cars "not grounds for concern" at the EPA. Really?
The EPA may publish window stickers for all new cars that list their fuel efficiency, but it's not clear the agency's acting administrator has read them. At BloombergNEF's Future Mobility summit in San Francisco, on Monday, Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler told Bloomberg, "It is not the...
Eric C. Evarts -
Tesla squeeze, broadband charging, EV education, EPA science: Today's Car News
The British parent of Virgin Media plans to use Virgin's broadband wiring to build public electric-car charging stations. Electric-car charging info site Chargeway sets up its first installations in Portland, Oregon. And the EPA appointed a noted skeptic of climate action. All this and more on...
Eric C. Evarts -
EPA adds climate skeptic to science board
Science at the EPA has been a topic of much debate, and a lot of turmoil since President Trump took office. In that way, the addition of eight new members to the agency's much discussed Science Advisory Board isn't surprising. What may more surprising to some is the makeup of the new members...
Eric C. Evarts -
Ford Mustang Hybrid, wind power, EPA holdups, American electrics: Today's Car News
Wind power is expected become America's top renewable energy source in 2019. The recent government shutdown may have held up the sale of some new fuel-efficient cars—and another one may hold up even more. Our latest Twitter poll asks how important it is to our readers for electric cars to be...
Eric C. Evarts -
Now that the government has reopened after a 35-day shutdown, EPA employees are going back to work facing a backlog. Toward the end of the shutdown last week, executives at all three major Detroit automakers expressed concern about certification delays that could affect new models they plan to bring to market. It can now begin addressing that backlog, but any further delays could still threaten to postpone some new models—especially those with new technology designed to make them cleaner or more efficient. DON'T MISS: Trump administration releases proposal to weaken fuel economy...
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Electric pickups, Byton tech, battery business, EV affordability: The Week in Reverse
Which company is looking for new battery suppliers outside the U.S.? What upcoming electric car is not designed to drive but to ride in? This is our look back at the Week In Reverse—right here at Green Car Reports—for the week ending January 25, 2019. This week included much news about...
Eric C. Evarts -
EPA enforcement efforts slide 85 percent under Trump administration
Not only do polluters have lower standards to meet under the Trump administration, they may not really have to meet those standards at all. That's the conclusion of a new study, published by the Washington Post, that shows enforcement activity has fallen drastically in the past two years since...
Eric C. Evarts -
Colorado takes first step toward California electric-vehicle mandate
Electric cars aren't just for the coasts anymore. Colorado took its first step Thursday toward becoming the 10th state to follow California's zero-emissions vehicle mandate, which would require automakers to sell electric cars there. At an event where he rolled up in an electric car, Colorado's...
Eric C. Evarts -
Tesla drops 75Ds, Nissan Leaf Plus, EPA head, peak internal-combustion: Today's Car News
We look at what sets the Nissan Leaf Plus apart. President Trump nominates Andrew Wheeler as EPA chief. And analysts report that the world may already have reached peak sales for internal combustion engines. All this and more on Green Car Reports. Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced that the company will...
Eric C. Evarts -
Trump nominates coal-lobbyist Wheeler to head EPA
In the midst of a government shutdown, President Donald Trump formally nominated Acting EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler to head the agency on Wednesday. Wheeler is a former lobbyist for coal mining company Murray Energy when the Obama administration was working to pass new restrictions on power...
Eric C. Evarts