Fuel Efficiency
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Reducing gas and diesel consumption is a virtual guarantee of cutting energy costs, but the savings depends on where you are and how you charge.
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Oil industry pushes back versus softened fleet mpg standards
Petroleum companies are going after EPA standards that had already gone lighter on truck and SUV mpg versus what was originally proposed.
Bengt Halvorson -
Final US mpg rules through 2031 go easy on gas trucks, SUVs
Will another wave of surging EV sales prove these standards irrelevant by then, or will automakers make as many gas trucks as they can?
Bengt Halvorson -
These big, thirsty SUVs don't rate well for safety
The Ford Expedition and Chevy Tahoe might be popular picks for safety, but new tests show that these gas-guzzlers don't deliver that.
Stephen Edelstein -
Versus cars, SUVs emit about 20% more CO2—EV or not
SUVs surpassed 50% of the market for the first time in "advanced economies" with around 20 million sales, according to the IEA.
Stephen Edelstein -
Toyota, Subaru, Mazda ally for engines burning hydrogen, e-fuels
Smaller engines to be used in hybrids are a core element of the plan, which may influence Subaru's next Crosstrek Hybrid.
Stephen Edelstein -
Toyota has previously said that diesel engines are on the way out, but it appears that it sees them differently for some global markets—with a future pairing of diesel and hybrid tech.
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Tighter EPA emissions rules for big trucks don't mandate EVs
Tougher emissions targets will likely lead to more EV sales, but environmental groups say they're again a step behind California.
Stephen Edelstein -
DOE rule may encourage more plug-in hybrids, fewer EVs
With tweaks to the final rule, it projects 56% EV sales will be needed by 2032, along with at least 13% plug-in hybrids.
Stephen Edelstein -
EPA may allow weaker emissions rules, slower EV rollout
The Biden administration may "slow the pace at which auto manufacturers would need to comply" with tighter emissions rules.
Stephen Edelstein -
EPA: Hybrids and EVs helped offset more polluting trucks and SUVs
Americans' continued shift toward larger vehicles and trucks boosted the average CO2 emissions per vehicle from 2017 to 2022, but rising sales of hybrids and EVs helped offset it.
Stephen Edelstein -
House votes to block emissions rules with misconception of EV mandate
The Republican-controlled House appears to believe these targets constitute an EV mandate—even though the EPA's proposal clearly lays it out as the opposite.
Stephen Edelstein -
The parent of Dodge, Jeep, and other brands claims the California Air Resources Board (CARB) "improperly adopted" a 2019 deal negotiated between the regulator and four automakers.
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Do engine block heaters boost mpg, reduce cold-weather emissions?
Despite plenty of claims otherwise, a group of Finish researchers found that block heaters didn't cut fuel consumption or emissions significantly in light-duty gas or diesel models.
Stephen Edelstein -
Report: Automakers see efficiency rules costing billions in fines
Legacy automakers may end up paying "alarming" penalties for not meeting proposed federal fleet fuel economy standards, a lobbyist report claims.
Stephen Edelstein -
Poll: Americans are sharply divided over fossil-fuel phaseout
EVs reduce global warming emissions, but that and the phasing-out of fossil fuels may be far less important to Republicans than Democrats.
Stephen Edelstein -
Toyota Land Cruiser returns as hybrid-only SUV with lower price
The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser has been redesigned with a turbocharged hybrid powertrain, a smaller footprint, and a base price in the $50,000 range.
Stephen Edelstein -
NHTSA aims for 43.5 mpg across new vehicles by 2032
A 2% annual improvement in fuel efficiency is in the cards for passenger cars, and a 4% yearly improvement for light trucks.
Stephen Edelstein -
Maps' efficiency-focused routing has prevented 1.2 million metric tons of estimated carbon emissions, Google claims in its latest environmental report.
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Report: GM and Stellantis paid record fuel economy fines
GM chose to pay the fines for fuel-economy shortfalls and bank its credits, while Stellantis reportedly says it's doing better now.
Stephen Edelstein -
Senate blocks Biden clean-truck rules, without Feinstein vote
The 50-49 vote rescinds stricter standards for emissions from heavy-duty trucks—although a veto could revive their implementation.
Stephen Edelstein -
Study: EV policy around gasoline superusers could help the most
So-called "gasoline-burdened families" are paying a huge portion of their income toward gas vehicles and could greatly benefit from a switch to EVs.
Stephen Edelstein -
EPA tailpipe emissions rules for 2027-2032: EVs not mandated
EVs aren't mandated by the set of rules proposed by the EPA Wednesday, but they will almost certainly offer the easiest path to compliance under extremely strict new requirements.
Stephen Edelstein -
California may mandate replacement-tire efficiency standards
The California Energy Commission (CEC) wants replacement tires to be as efficient as original tires.
Stephen Edelstein