Fuel Efficiency
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The automakers face off versus a coalition of 17 state governments opposing a significant portion of the auto industry and rallying for greater emissions
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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 -
Automakers back EPA rules, amid opposition from 16 states and ethanol interests
Texas and 15 other states, along with ethanol groups, have challenged the EPA's emissions rules under the Biden administration
Stephen Edelstein -
It's been a long time coming. Enforcement had been delayed after automaker lobbying, triggering a lawsuit from California.
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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 -
California no longer shuns GM, as automaker complies with its emissions rules
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.
Stephen Edelstein -
So much of the responsibility for CO2 reductions is falling on the auto industry. Should more of it rest on the oil industry?
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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 -
Study: Taking Uber or Lyft costs society and environment more than driving yourself
All the miles ride-hailing cars travel with only the driver amounts to more overall pollution, congestion, crashes, and noise, a study concludes.
Stephen Edelstein -
The no-frills, high-mpg, three-wheeled car that's been anticipated for a decade still hasn't arrived, but now the company's decided an electric version comes first.
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Automakers will soon pay steeper fines for gas-guzzling fleets under Biden, after Trump break
The NHTSA under President Biden will resume the higher fine schedule for gas-guzzling fleets approved in 2016. Should they be applied retroactively?
Bengt Halvorson -
Report: Globally, internal combustion car sales have already peaked
EV sales will rise from 3 million in 2020 to 66 million in 2040, Bloomberg projects—and it appears that ICE sales peaked in 2018.
Stephen Edelstein -
Study links fine particulate tailpipe pollution to dementia, Alzheimer's
Dementia is the latest health issue potentially tied to the fine particulate emissions produced by vehicle tailpipes.
Stephen Edelstein -
Biden targets 50% EVs by 2030, as US automakers “aspire” to a lesser goal
Ford, GM, and Stellantis expressed a “shared aspiration” to achieve 40% EVs by 2030, with a framework yet to be worked out in detail.
Bengt Halvorson -
Enviro groups: Biden emissions and mpg rules need to be tougher to make up for Trump rollback
A number of environmental groups called for higher targets and fewer loopholes in Biden gas mileage rules expected in the next week.
Bengt Halvorson