Fuel Efficiency
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The demonstration tire shows Goodyear has the capability to make a tire with 90% sustainable content, even as it aims to launch a production tire with 70% sustainable content this year.
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New EPA truck emission rules still fall short of California regs
The EPA has enacted standards taking effect for the 2027 model year, applying to heavy-duty trucks, buses, and vans. But in some respects they're weaker than what California has drafted.
Stephen Edelstein -
Vehicle fuel economy gains faltered in 2021: Blame the SUV, again
Real-world fuel economy of light-duty vehicles sold in the U.S. remained flat for the 2021 model year, at 25.4 mpg, according to the report, and the shift to SUVs plus relaxed Trump-era fleet rules may be to blame for this.
Stephen Edelstein -
IEA: Global demand for fossil fuels will peak this decade
Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the resulting economic uncertainties have accelerated the timeline—leading to more spending on renewables, cleaner EVs, and a "historic turning point," the authority anticipates.
Stephen Edelstein -
Not all California clean cars states agree with 2035 gas-vehicle ban
While New York, Washington, Oregon, Massachusetts and others have signed on, Minnesota is a maybe and Virginia's governor is reportedly calling the policy "ludicrous."
Stephen Edelstein -
EPA cracks down on companies selling aftermarket diesel "defeat devices," with fines in the millions
The EPA recently announced the levying of millions of dollars in fines against companies for selling equipment designed to circumvent pollution controls, illegal under the Clean Air Act.
Stephen Edelstein -
California sets more aggressive emissions standards and electric vehicle targets, and it's joined in doing so by a growing group of states.
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Ford, BMW, VW, Honda, Volvo back California emissions authority in legal challenge
The automakers face off versus a coalition of 17 state governments opposing a significant portion of the auto industry and rallying for greater emissions
Stephen Edelstein -
Could studying gasoline "superusers" be a catalyst for EV policy? At least one state thinks so
One in 10 U.S. drivers burn 32% of gasoline used in U.S. light-duty vehicles, and these users burn more gasoline than the bottom 60% of drivers combined.
Stephen Edelstein -
2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid rated at up to 43 mpg, priced at $28,545
The Sportage Hybrid has recently been rated at up to 43 mpg—beating the most efficient versions of all its hybrid rivals without a charge port.
Bengt Halvorson -
Poorly timed traffic lights add to greenhouse gas emissions: Here's an estimate of how much
Well-timed signals can have a significant impact on emissions—equivalent to the CO2 absorbed by a forest 3.3 times the size of Atlanta, according to Inrix.
Stephen Edelstein -
Steeper fleet fuel economy standards finalized, will bring more hybrids and EVs sooner
The mpg standards are a step steeper than an original proposal. Arriving at an effective 49 mpg, they boost fleet efficiency by 8% to 10% annually for model years 2023-2026.
Bengt Halvorson -
Texas and 15 other states, along with ethanol groups, have challenged the EPA's emissions rules under the Biden administration
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Feds reinstate higher fines for automakers failing to meet mpg standards
It's been a long time coming. Enforcement had been delayed after automaker lobbying, triggering a lawsuit from California.
Stephen Edelstein -
Gas prices spur demand for high-mpg vehicles, amid short supplies
Gas prices are fueling a run on high-mpg models, and to some degree on EVs—and it's exaggerating the supply issues already present this year.
Stephen Edelstein -
Ethanol producers, states join opposition to stricter Biden emissions and mpg standards
Producers argue that the new rules exceed the EPA's authority because they effectively force automakers to produce electric cars
Stephen Edelstein -
Do tighter federal heavy-duty truck emissions standards look beyond internal combustion?
Environmental groups claim the EPA's proposed standards should do more to encourage deployment of electric trucks.
Stephen Edelstein -
The 50-mpg club: 8 affordable cars making the best of high gas prices
Here are the widely available cars only fueled by gasoline that achieve 50 mpg combined or more based on EPA ratings. They all start under $30,000.
Bengt Halvorson -
It stopped buying state vehicles from GM in 2019, when the automaker sided with the Trump administration in a challenge to the state's right to set its own emissions rules.
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Should more regulatory responsibility for carbon reduction fall on oil companies?
So much of the responsibility for CO2 reductions is falling on the auto industry. Should more of it rest on the oil industry?
Stephen Edelstein -
EPA says automakers might meet its tighter 2026 fleet standards with just 17% EV sales
By 2026, under stricter rules now written into rulemaking, the EPA anticipates that just 7% of the new vehicle fleet will have “strong hybrid” powertrains, and EVs and plug-in hybrids combined will make up just 17%.
Bengt Halvorson -
2022 GMC Hummer EV range: Edition 1 will be listed—but not EPA-rated—at 329 miles
The first version of the Hummer EV "electric supertruck" is too portly for EPA range and efficiency ratings. But GM is releasing them anyway.
Bengt Halvorson -
EPA report suggests automakers' glut of credits will make fuel economy compliance too easy
Even as the Biden administration prepares for tighter fleet fuel economy standards, automakers' bank of credits could stifle innovation and lower the actual mpg average.
Stephen Edelstein -
DOE: Smaller SUVs are better for the environment, EVs and PHEVs better yet
Given typical driving patterns, there isn't a single gasoline vehicle you can buy today that, on a national basis, promises to be cleaner than an all-electric one.
Stephen Edelstein