Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Hyundai tops list as most fuel efficient automaker in the U.S.]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/01/hyundai-tops-the-list-as-the-most-fuel-efficient-automaker-in-th/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/01/hyundai-tops-the-list-as-the-most-fuel-efficient-automaker-in-th/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/01/hyundai-tops-the-list-as-the-most-fuel-efficient-automaker-in-th/#commentsFiled under:



Quick - name the most fuel efficient automobile brand in America. Did you say Toyota? Honda? Surely, you're not alone, but incorrect all the same. In fact, the answer is none other than Hyundai, which publicly set out to nab the title just one year ago. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, Hyundai cars averaged 30.1 miles per gallon for the 2009 model year.

Rounding out the top five are Honda (29.7 mpg), Volkswagen (29.6), Toyota (29.4) and Kia (28.0). Naturally, we can expect all of these figures to continue rising in the coming years as every automaker strives to meet the upcoming 35.5 mpg U.S. standard for the 2016 model year.

Hyundai promises to meet that requirement with such technologies as direct injection, turbocharging, hybrid powertrains and lithium polymer batteries. The Korean automaker's first hybrid vehicle will be the 2011 Sonata sedan, which will hit the market early next year. Click past the break for the press release.

[Source: Hyundai]

Continue reading Hyundai tops list as most fuel efficient automaker in the U.S.

Hyundai tops list as most fuel efficient automaker in the U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Dec 2009 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>best fuel efficiencybest fuel mileageBestFuelEfficiencyBestFuelMileageepaepa fuel economyepa fuel efficientyepa fuel mileageEpaFuelEconomyEpaFuelEfficientyEpaFuelMileagefuel economyfuel economy standardsfuel efficiencyfuel efficientFuel Efficient VehiclesFuelEconomyFuelEconomyStandardsFuelEfficiencyFuelEfficientFuelEfficientVehicleshyundaimost fuel efficientmost fuel efficient automakerMostFuelEfficientMostFuelEfficientAutomakerTue, 01 Dec 2009 15:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Feds punt on E15 waiver decision, want to test ethanol's effect on more cars]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/01/feds-punt-on-e15-waiver-decision/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/01/feds-punt-on-e15-waiver-decision/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/01/feds-punt-on-e15-waiver-decision/#commentsFiled under: ,



There is some ethanol in almost all of the gasoline sold in the U.S. Usually, this amount is no more than 10 percent of the total and, if it's more than that, it jumps all the way to 85 percent and is sold as E85. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency was supposed to come down on one side or the other today of a possible increase across the board to 15 percent that Growth Energy and 54 ethanol manufacturers asked for, but instead announced that it needs more time.

The EPA has been looking at the E15 issue all year and investigating all sorts of issues, but there are a lot of moving parts in this sort of decision. Everyone from farmers and their subsidies to grow the corn used to make most of the ethanol sold today to car makers who have tuned their engines to run on E10 but not E15 want to have their say. The EPA has heard the comments, and now says that it needs more time to test E15 in vehicles. Right now, it thinks that any vehicle built after 2001 will burn E15 just fine, but there are a lot of older vehicles still on the road. Cash For Clunkers didn't get all of them off the road, after all. A decision is now expected in mid-June 2010.

The postponement was met with approval by the Alliance of Automobile Manufactures, which said they want more government testing "to prove that increasing the allowable ethanol blend limit will not harm vehicle emissions, performance, and durability." Read their full statement after the jump.

[Source: Reuters, Auto Allliance | Photo: Scott Olson/Getty Images]

Continue reading Feds punt on E15 waiver decision, want to test ethanol's effect on more cars

Feds punt on E15 waiver decision, want to test ethanol's effect on more cars originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Dec 2009 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e10e15e85environmental protection agencyEnvironmentalProtectionAgencyepaethanolgrowth energyGrowthEnergyU.S. Environmental Protection AgencyU.s.EnvironmentalProtectionAgencyTue, 01 Dec 2009 14:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Feds release 2010 Fuel Economy Guide, Prius still most miserly]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/16/feds-release-2010-fuel-economy-guide-prius-still-most-miserly/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/16/feds-release-2010-fuel-economy-guide-prius-still-most-miserly/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/16/feds-release-2010-fuel-economy-guide-prius-still-most-miserly/#commentsFiled under: , ,

2010 Toyota Prius - Click above for high-res image gallery

Quick - what's the most fuel efficient car currently for sale in America? Did you guess the Toyota Prius? If so, give yourself a cookie, you're right. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the 2010 version of Toyota's seminal hybrid once again scores the mileage victory with its estimated 51 mpg city and 48 highway.

Second place is grabbed by a set of newcomers to the hybrid arena for the 2010 model year: Ford's Fusion sedan and its sibling from Mercury, the Milan. The Blue Oval's hybrid duo earn EPA ratings of 41 city and 36 highway, making them the most fuel efficient midsize sedans in America.

Rounding out the top 10 vehicle platforms are the Civic Hybrid and Insight from Honda; the Lexus HS 250h; the Nissan Altima Hybrid; the Ford Escape, Mazda Tribute and Mercury Mariner hybrid 'utes; Smart's Fortwo coupe and cabriolet (the only non-hybrids in the top 10); Toyota's Camry Hybrid and finally the Lexus RX 450h.

Want to know where your next car comes in on the federal government's list for 2010? Click here to find out.


Gallery: Review: 2010 Toyota Prius


[Source: fueleconomy.gov via Green Car Congress]

Feds release 2010 Fuel Economy Guide, Prius still most miserly originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 Oct 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The EPA is aware that range-extended electric vehicles can game the current fuel economy test to deliver mileage estimates way up in the stratosphere. It makes for impressive advertising, like General Motors' touting of the Chevrolet Volt's estimated 230 mpg, but the EPA wants to give a more realistic reflection of the fuel efficiency of these types of cars, and it's not alone.

According to USA Today, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory would like the EPA's new formula to provide buyers information about the efficiency of the vehicle on either of its two fuels, providing two different numbers. An Israeli company also wants more data, pushing for three pieces of information: electricity used when fully charged, electricity consumed to top off the batteries, and how much fuel the range-extending gasoline engine uses when pressed into service.

The new ratings are important to consumers and automakers alike. If accurate, these new ratings would give buyers more insight into what they can actually expect to get. For now, carmakers are holding their breath to determine just what they'll be able to get away with claiming when advertising... let the lobbying begin!

[Source: USA Today]

REPORT: EPA planning to address outlandish fuel economy claims of electric cars originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Oct 2009 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Back in May, the Obama Administration raised the national CAFE standard to 35.5 mpg (for cars and trucks) by 2016. The higher standard would build from the 27.3 mpg 2011 standard and go up five percent each year until 2016. Today, the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Transportation issued a joint statement proposing just how the two agencies will work together to reach the higher standard required for model year 2012-2016 vehicles.

The 35.5 mpg number from the CAFE regulations can be reached, the DOT and EPA say, if all MY 2016 vehicles have "an estimated combined average emission level of 250 grams of carbon dioxide per mile" (to compare, that would be 155 g/km using the European g/km measurement) and that target is met by improving fuel economy. We can't help but think that a focus on CO2 instead of mpg is needed in light of new claims that cars can get 230 mpg.

The two agencies say that the new standard will save 1.8 billion barrels of oil, reduce greenhouse gases by 950 metric tons and save "the average car buyer" over $3,000 in fuel costs. The main point, though, is that everyone involved has agreed to combine the CAFE standards and EPA's greenhouse gas emissions standards into one, making it clear what automakers have to do to sell cars in any state in the Union.

Considering the long fight that the Auto Alliance had with California and other states that wanted to adopt more stringent rules than the Bush-era EPA was willing to declare, the EPA and DOT's proposal appeals to Alliance president Dave McCurdy. "Final rules are essential to providing manufacturers with the certainty and lead time necessary to plan for the future and cost effectively add new technology," he said. "We look forward to working constructively with the Obama administration to provide comments and begin meeting our shared goals of increasing fuel economy, enhancing energy security, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions through this single national program." Press releases are after the jump, as is information on how to comment on the EPA and DOT's proposed rule over the next 60 days.

[Source: EPA/DOT, Auto Alliance]

Continue reading EPA and DOT announce new fuel economy, greenhouse gas plan: CO2 emissions take center stage over MPG

EPA and DOT announce new fuel economy, greenhouse gas plan: CO2 emissions take center stage over MPG originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Sep 2009 15:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cafedave mccurdyDaveMccurdydotepafalsegrams per mileGramsPerMilempgnhtsanhtsa cafe rulesNhtsaCafeRulesTue, 15 Sep 2009 15:22:00 EST<![CDATA[C/D drills down to find out what goes into EPA fuel economy ratings]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/31/c-d-drills-down-to-find-out-what-goes-into-epa-fuel-economy-rati/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/31/c-d-drills-down-to-find-out-what-goes-into-epa-fuel-economy-rati/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/31/c-d-drills-down-to-find-out-what-goes-into-epa-fuel-economy-rati/#commentsFiled under: ,


2010 Toyota Prius - Click above for high-res image gallery

Ever wonder what actually goes into determining the rated fuel economy of a new car or truck? Anyone with a vehicle that's failed to live up to its EPA estimated figures would surely fit into that camp - especially if the car or truck were purchased in large part to its high mileage rating - and you can add our names to that list as well. As it turns out, the process is every bit as as complicated as we'd expect.

Car and Driver recently hung out at the EPA's testing facility near the Motor City, and some highly intriguing bits of information were gleaned. For instance, C/D says that just 15 percent of new cars get tested by the EPA each year for fuel efficiency, and the rest get their ratings from testing performed by the manufacturer using the government agency's guidelines. It's reportedly rare that the EPA's figures vary greatly from the numbers provided by the manufacturer, but if they do, discussions and negotiations ensue.

There are a total of five tests performed to measure expected fuel efficiency, some dating all the way back to the late Seventies. More recent protocols are a bit more complex and require specialized facilities that can cost up to $10 million dollars by EPA estimates. There's plenty more to the story, so click here to read the full four-page report. Hat tip to Julio!


Gallery: 2010 Toyota Prius


[Source: Car and Driver]

C/D drills down to find out what goes into EPA fuel economy ratings originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 31 Aug 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>environmental protection agencyEnvironmentalProtectionAgencyepaepa fuel economyepa fuel mileageEpaFuelEconomyEpaFuelMileagefuel economyfuel economy standardsfuel mileagefuel mileage testFuelEconomyFuelEconomyStandardsFuelMileageFuelMileageTestgreenMon, 31 Aug 2009 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Bill Ford, AdAge chide GM over 230 MPG Chevrolet Volt MPG projection]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/20/chevy-volts-230-mpg-rating-ad-campaign-comes-under-fire-from-b/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/20/chevy-volts-230-mpg-rating-ad-campaign-comes-under-fire-from-b/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/20/chevy-volts-230-mpg-rating-ad-campaign-comes-under-fire-from-b/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



The Chevrolet Volt's 230 mpg number continues to be questioned. The latest to criticize is Bill Ford, who takes issue not only with the General Motors-approved 230 figure, but also Nissan's claim that its Leaf EV will get 367 mpg. The real culprit here, Ford said, is the EPA's methodology, which he argues is meaningless. "This question devolves into madness," Ford reportedly told Green Car Advisor:
"The government will have to come up with a meaningful number for customers - a user-friendly label. And I think they will. I can't dispute that number, but I'm not sure it's relevant to the customer either."
Ford also said that since his company doesn't "have any particular expertise in batteries," they'll probably buy the batteries from established manufacturers for their own electrified cars.

Speaking of relevance, Advertising Age, the publication that was first to guess that the whole 230 teaser campaign was a GM plot, has determined that the stunt was a bad idea. The big problems it sees with the campaign are that it often gave people the wrong idea (that 230 would be the U.S.'s new a standard voltage for outlets) and didn't give people enough breadcrumbs to follow to the Volt. It created more questions than answers, until the big reveal last week. In any case, the whole thing was targeted at a younger, hipper audience, but are these the people who have $40,000+ to buy a Volt?


Gallery: 2011 Chevy Volt


[Sources: Green Car Advisor, Advertising Age]

Bill Ford, AdAge chide GM over 230 MPG Chevrolet Volt MPG projection originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 20 Aug 2009 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>230230 miles per gallon230 mpg230 mpg volt230MilesPerGallon230Mpg230MpgVoltbill fordbill ford gmbill ford jr.BillFordBillFordGmBillFordJr.epaepa mpgEpaMpgfalsegmleaf mpgLeafMpgmpgnissan leafnissan leaf electricnissan leaf evNissanLeafNissanLeafElectricNissanLeafEvThu, 20 Aug 2009 15:58:00 EST<![CDATA[EPA backs away from GM claim of 230 mpg for Volt]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/11/epa-backs-away-from-gm-claim-of-230-mpg-for-volt/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/11/epa-backs-away-from-gm-claim-of-230-mpg-for-volt/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/11/epa-backs-away-from-gm-claim-of-230-mpg-for-volt/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

2011 Chevy Volt - Click above for high-res image gallery

Apparently, we're not the only ones trying to figure out the exact methodology that was used to determine the supposed 230 mile per gallon city rating claimed by General Motors for the upcoming Chevy Volt. In response to a query from the boys at Green Car Advisor, the EPA issued the following statement:
EPA has not tested a Chevy Volt and therefore cannot confirm the fuel economy values claimed by GM. EPA does applaud GM's commitment to designing and building the car of the future - an American-made car that will save families money, significantly reduce our dependence on foreign oil and create good-paying American jobs. We're proud to see American companies and American workers leading the world in the clean energy innovations that will shape the 21st century economy.
Although it deserves noting that GM CEO Fritz Henderson didn't exactly say the 230 mpg rating was an official figure from the EPA, it sure is being bandied about as if it were gospel in the huge marketing campaign launched ahead of today's announcement.

When contacted for comment, GM told AutoblogGreen that the EPA is not backing away from the 230 numbers and that it's unlikely that the EPA will come out with a much lower number when they actually get to run a Volt through the official cycle. Further, GM believes that coming out with the 230 rating at this point in time is one way to change people's perception of what kind of car the Volt is.

Gallery: 2011 Chevy Volt


[Source: EPA via Green Car Advisor]

EPA backs away from GM claim of 230 mpg for Volt originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 11 Aug 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011 chevrolet volt2011 chevy volt2011 chevy volt mileage2011ChevroletVolt2011ChevyVolt2011ChevyVoltMileage230 miles per gallon230 mpg230MilesPerGallon230Mpgautobloggreenchevy voltchevy volt mileageChevyVoltChevyVoltMileageepaepa mileageepa mpgepa volt mileageEpaMileageEpaMpgEpaVoltMileagegmgm 230Gm230volt fuel mileagevolt mileageVoltFuelMileageVoltMileageTue, 11 Aug 2009 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[How did GM arrive at 230 mpg for the 2011 Chevrolet Volt?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/11/chevy-volt-gets-230-mpg-but-how/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/11/chevy-volt-gets-230-mpg-but-how/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/11/chevy-volt-gets-230-mpg-but-how/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Neither General Motors nor the EPA are making declarative statements about how, exactly, the 2011 Chevy Volt will achieve it's much-touted 230 mpg rating that was announced today. GM's most clear statement (available in full after the break) says that some consumers "may be able to be in pure electric mode on a daily basis without having to use any gas" and that "key to high-mileage performance is for a Volt driver to plug into the electric grid at least once each day."

Without access to the actual method that the EPA is tentatively going to apply to plug-in vehicles (we have requests for clarification out to the EPA), all that GM's Dave Darovitz would tell us is that the number is "based on city cycles and we're not really talking in detail yet." Instead, the press release says that:
Under the new methodology being developed, EPA weights plug-in electric vehicles as traveling more city miles than highway miles on only electricity. The EPA methodology uses kilowatt hours per 100 miles traveled to define the electrical efficiency of plug-ins. Applying EPA's methodology, GM expects the Volt to consume as little as 25 kilowatt hours per 100 miles in city driving. At the U.S. average cost of electricity (approximately 11 cents per kWh), a typical Volt driver would pay about $2.75 for electricity to travel 100 miles, or less than 3 cents per mile.
Frank Weber, vehicle chief engineer for the Volt, told AutoblogGreen that the EPA's method takes into account the two extremes: People who plug in every chance they get and therefore barely ever need gasoline and people who never plug in (if you're buying a Volt and never plug it in, we'd like to offer you a bridge or two. Call us). By figuring out what the average driver will do with the Volt, the EPA has declared that 230 mpg is reasonable. Weber said, "The number is in the ballpark, it is not unrealistic. The moment you are driving shorter trips, or you go on longer trips and look at your average fuel economy, this number is achievable."

Keep in mind, that 230 mpg number is only valid in city driving, though GM claims that the Volt's combined mpg rating will still be in the triple-digit range. Though the EPA has yet to finalize its methodology, we have come across a calculation that makes sense. According to a commenter on TTAC.com, the EPA would first drive a PHEV with a full charge until it reaches a charge-sustaining mode, after which it completes a normal cycle of 11 miles. The Volt, therefore, would presumably go 40 miles before activating charge-sustaining mode, and then travel another 11 miles for a total of 51 miles. Thus, GM can claim the Volt will achieve 230 mpg based on 51 miles of driving during which only .22 gallons of fuel would be used. Likewise, if we know the Volt would use .22 gallons of fuel while traveling 11 miles in charge-sustaining mode, we can calculate that it would achieve 50 mpg while traveling with the generator on.

However, as you can read in this detailed PDF from NREL, there is much more to think about in calculating the fuel economy of a PHEV than simply how far it can go on a single charge and then what its "regular" mpg rating is. We'll just have to wait until the EPA finalizes its methodology for testing these types of vehicles before we can say for certain how GM arrived at the magic number of 230 mpg.

[Source: GM, NREL]

Continue reading How did GM arrive at 230 mpg for the 2011 Chevrolet Volt?

How did GM arrive at 230 mpg for the 2011 Chevrolet Volt? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 11 Aug 2009 12:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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In case you missed it this morning, General Motors CEO Fritz Henderson made some big news just one month after the "new" GM emerged from bankruptcy protection.

First of all, Henderson announced that the GM FastLane blog would now be used to solicit feedback on new designs directly from customers. Over the next two years, GM will be launching 25 new models in its four remaining "core" brands (Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick and GMC).

After the webcast ends, we'll going over to the design dome for a preview of the new large XTS and small ATS models from Cadillac. The latter will slot in below the CTS and be aimed directly at the BMW 3-series with rear- and all-wheel drive. The XTS is expected to be based on a stretched Epsilon II platform.

The biggest bombshell is Henderson's announcement that the "230" marketing campaign floating around for the past week is related to the 2011 Chevrolet Volt. The EPA has released a new methodology for determining a draft fuel economy standard for extended-range EVs like the Volt, and under this new procedure, the Volt will have a composite urban fuel economy rating of 230 mpg! On the electric side, the Volt will consume 25 kW-hours per 100 miles. That makes the Volt the first car ever to get a triple digit fuel economy rating.

According to Frank Weber, vehicle chief engineer for the Volt, the number is based on combined electric only driving and charge sustaining mode with the engine running. He declined to get specific about the proportions, but did say that the urban cycle would be predominantly EV only. The EPA has been studying real world vehicle usage and is developing the formulas to try and provide a representative number of what most customers could expect to achieve. In addition to the composite number, the new EPA stickers will likely also get numbers for mileage in charge sustaining mode and electric efficiency in EV mode.

Stay tuned for more news from this morning's event as it happens.


Gallery: 2011 Chevy Volt


[Source: General Motors]

GM announces... 2011 Chevrolet Volt will get 230 mpg city! originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 11 Aug 2009 08:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It seems the folks working the late shift at the EPA made a few changes to their published numbers just before the federal Car Allowance Rebate System - CARS (a.k.a. "Cash-for-Clunkers") program went into effect last week. The sweetening $3,500 and $4,500 incentives are available to consumers who trade-in 1984 or newer vehicles with a combined fuel economy average of 18 miles-per-gallon, or less in exchange for more fuel efficient transportation (22 mpg or better in the combined cycle).

Owners of certain 1993 Toyota Camry V6 wagons, 1992 Saab 900S hatchbacks (a turbo is shown), and 1988 Toyota 4Runner 2.4-liter models voiced their complains to Edmunds.com, frustrated that their eligible EPA 18 mpg combined ratings had been bumped to ineligible EPA 19 mpg combined ratings as the agency "refreshed" some of its numbers at the last minute. While few of us would complain about a free 5 percent gain in gas mileage, when it unexpectedly robs vehicle owners upwards of $4,500 on a federal incentive program, well, we'd be a bit miffed too, especially as there has been no official announcement as to why the changes have taken place.

[Source: Edmunds.com]

REPORT: EPA performs 11th-hour refresh that makes some cars ineligible for Cash for Clunkers originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 28 Jul 2009 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CARSCash for ClunkersCashForClunkersChanged numbersChangedNumbersEPAfuel economy figuresFuelEconomyFiguresrevised fuel economyRevisedFuelEconomyTue, 28 Jul 2009 11:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Dead Diesels: Six automakers reportedly kill plans for oil burners]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/01/dead-diesels-six-automakers-kill-plans-for-oil-burners/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/01/dead-diesels-six-automakers-kill-plans-for-oil-burners/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/01/dead-diesels-six-automakers-kill-plans-for-oil-burners/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,



Diesel's near-term prospects in America took a huge hit with the revelation that nine diesel-powered 2010 models are on hold. Ford, General Motors, Chrysler, Toyota, Honda, and Nissan have put the kibosh on rolling out more oil burners due to cost and perception issues.

Toyota's obviously on a hybrid run and doesn't want to expel the effort or expense of investing in diesel for the American market -- and having to overcome America's dirty diesel perceptions. The others, as mass market manufacturers, simply need more justification for the cost and complexity of oilburners in order to make the case for consumers to spend more.

Additionally, diesel's benefits are weighted differently according to EPA or CAFE standards. The EPA mileage numbers present diesels well, but CAFE's differing fuel mileage equation makes gas-hybrids look better than diesels, and CAFE is something all automakers are looking at. However, you'll notice that German brands aren't mentioned -- their price premium and European diesel volumes make a worthwhile case for diesels, so those diesel Jetta Sportwagons won't be going away any time soon.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

Dead Diesels: Six automakers reportedly kill plans for oil burners originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The saga of California's greenhouse gas waiver has come to an end with the EPA deciding that the state can indeed enforce its own GHG emissions standards for new motor vehicles. This means that, at least between now (with current model year vehicles) and when the 2012 MY vehicles arrive, California and the 13 states (and D.C.) that have adopted its rules will use the stricter emission standards to regulate vehicles. In the EPA's statement on the decision, it says it used "the law and science as its guide," in order to "tackle air pollution and protect human health." EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson says:

This decision puts the law and science first. After review of the scientific findings, and another comprehensive round of public engagement, I have decided this is the appropriate course under the law. This waiver is consistent with the Clean Air Act as it's been used for the last 40 years. [...] More importantly, this decision reinforces the historic agreement on nationwide emissions standards developed by a broad coalition of industry, government and environmental stakeholders earlier this year.

Here's a short history of the waiver story: CARB asked for the waiver in December of 2005. The EPA announced in December of 2007 that it would deny the waiver (after then Vice President Dick Cheney met with automakers). The day after Barack Obama was inaugurated, CARB asked the EPA to reconsider the denial, a request that the new President supported. When strong national CAFE standards were announced in May, the EPA's waiver lost a bit of its punch, but it still wanted the waiver to bridge the gap between now and when the CAFE rules go into effect with 2012 vehicles. Today, the EPA said "okay." Come to think of it, this saga probably isn't as final as this decision might imply. Check out the official press release after the jump.

[Source: EPA | Image: David McNew/Getty]

Continue reading EPA reverses decision, approves California's greenhouse gas emissions waiver

EPA reverses decision, approves California's greenhouse gas emissions waiver originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Jun 2009 12:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingC02california epacalifornia epa waivercalifornia waiverCaliforniaEpaCaliforniaEpaWaiverCaliforniaWaiverCARBemissionsepagreenhouse gasgreenhouse gasesGreenhouseGasGreenhouseGaseslisa jacksonLisaJacksonpresident obamaPresidentObamawaiverTue, 30 Jun 2009 12:57:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: New CAFE standard has 'loopholes big enough to drive an SUV through']]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/22/edmunds-finds-new-cafe-standards-has-loopholes-big-enough-to-dr/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/22/edmunds-finds-new-cafe-standards-has-loopholes-big-enough-to-dr/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/22/edmunds-finds-new-cafe-standards-has-loopholes-big-enough-to-dr/#commentsFiled under: ,



There are miles per gallon... and then there are miles per gallon. How do you tell the difference? One is labeled "CAFE mpg" and the other is labeled "EPA mpg." What's the difference? Well, Edmunds is taking pains to illuminate the large discrepancy that exists between the two figures: the issue, as initially laid out by Edmunds' John O'Dell in 2007, is that CAFE and EPA mileage numbers were initially based on the same formula in 1975. When consumers complained that the number didn't correspond to real-world gas mileage, the EPA determination formula was changed - twice - yet the CAFE formula wasn't.

The change meant that when a customer bought a car that listed 26 combined mpg (EPA) on the window sticker, the CAFE mpg rating for that car remained at around 35 mpg. And if you've been paying attention to the myriad CAFE stories over the past year, you'll know that the government is tweaking CAFE numbers, not EPA numbers. The NHTSA oversees CAFE numbers, the EPA keeps track of "vehicle fuel efficiency."

But the gap between the two sets of computations means, according to Edmunds:
"a vehicle that scores an EPA combined rating of 29 miles per gallon actually contributes 39 MPG to its manufacturer's CAFE average. There are 29 car models and 36 truck models that already achieve the new standard, and about a third of the cars and half of the trucks are produced by a domestic automaker."
Ultimately, it means that the formerly punitive mpg numbers that the government mandated can now be considered for what they really are: Meh. You can read Edmunds' full press release after the jump.

[Source: Edmunds]

Continue reading REPORT: New CAFE standard has 'loopholes big enough to drive an SUV through'

REPORT: New CAFE standard has 'loopholes big enough to drive an SUV through' originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 22 May 2009 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cafecorporate average fuel economyCorporateAverageFuelEconomyedmundsepagovernmentgreenmiles per gallonMilesPerGallonmpgnhtsaobamaFri, 22 May 2009 10:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Obama trying to give biofuels a bump]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/06/obama-trying-to-give-biofuels-a-bump/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/06/obama-trying-to-give-biofuels-a-bump/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/06/obama-trying-to-give-biofuels-a-bump/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



Currently, the United States isn't producing enough biofuels to satisfy the requirements set out by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, and President Obama's administration is planning to do something about it. On Tuesday, Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced a new $786.5 million program to speed development and commercialization of biofuels in America.

Of the $786.5 million fund, which will be drawn from President Obama's American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, $480 million will be used to build pilot- and demonstration-scale biofuel refineries, $176.5 million will be used to build commercial biofuel refineries and $130 million will fund various biofuel research programs.

Further, a new Biofuels Interagency Working Group was formed on Tuesday to promote biofuel use in America and reduce the country's dependence on foreign oil. The panel consists of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson and Energy Secretary Steven Chu.

President Obama also announced that the U.S. EPA would launch a new study on the effect corn-based ethanol has on overall greenhouse gas emissions. Currently, almost 100% of all ethanol used in the United States is derived from corn, which is a significantly less desirable way to create ethanol than new cellulosic technologies.

[Source: Detroit News, DOE | Image Source: John Moore/Getty]

Continue reading Obama trying to give biofuels a bump

Obama trying to give biofuels a bump originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 06 May 2009 19:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biofuelbiofuel policyBiofuelPolicybiofuelsdepartment of energyDepartmentOfEnergyenvironmental protection agencyEnvironmentalProtectionAgencyepagreenobama administrationObamaAdministrationpresident obamaPresidentObamaWed, 06 May 2009 19:59:00 EST<![CDATA[2010 Chevy Equinox expected to hit 32 mpg highway]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/04/2010-chevy-equinox-expected-to-hit-32-mph-highway/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/04/2010-chevy-equinox-expected-to-hit-32-mph-highway/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/04/2010-chevy-equinox-expected-to-hit-32-mph-highway/#commentsFiled under: ,


2010 Chevy Equinox - Click above for a high-res image gallery

When General Motors rolled out the new 2010 Chevy Equinox in January, they announced the new EcoTec 2.4-liter four-cylinder version equipped with direct injection was expected to get 30 mpg on EPA highway cycle. Since then, the powertrain engineers have continued to tweak the calibrations to eek out every last mile from every gallon of gas. The EPA is still finishing up its evaluation of the Equinox but Chevy spokesman Brian Goebel sent out a note this morning that the latest internal tests at GM are showing the Equinox hitting 32 mpg on the highway cycle. In the city, the Equinox is expected to achieve a rating of 22 mpg. Those numbers easily top competitors like the Honda CR-V at 20/27 mpg and the Toyota Rav4 at 22/28 mpg. The Equinox should be in dealer showrooms in June.


Gallery: 2010 Chevrolet Equinox

2010 Chevy Equinox expected to hit 32 mpg highway originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 04 May 2009 14:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 chevy equinox2010 chevy equinox mileage2010ChevyEquinox2010ChevyEquinoxMileagechevy equinoxChevyEquinoxepafuel economyFuelEconomyMon, 04 May 2009 14:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Could gravel roads cause lung cancer? North Dakota scientists think it might...]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/15/could-gravel-roads-cause-lung-cancer-north-dakota-scientists-th/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/15/could-gravel-roads-cause-lung-cancer-north-dakota-scientists-th/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/15/could-gravel-roads-cause-lung-cancer-north-dakota-scientists-th/#commentsFiled under: , ,

According to the Associated Press, certain gravel roads in western North Dakota use erionite, a mineral that is mined in the Killdeer mountains. Erionite forms wool-like fribrous masses among rock formations and has properties similar to asbestos. Scientists suspect that, like asbestos, erionite collects in the lungs in those fibrous masses, a factor that could lead to lung cancer in people who have long-term exposure to it.

North Dakota health officials are looking for 50 volunteers to submit to chest X-rays and CT scans in order to find out if there is a cancer risk, but so far they can't secure enough volunteers. The AP report quotes one resident as saying: "Maybe we'd rather not know we have cancer." A state representative, on the other hand, said she grew up playing in a gravel pit and thinks the risk is being overstated. Volunteers who do sign up will be paid $100 for their time.

[Source: The Associated Press via WSBTV | Photo: Pastor Rick]

Could gravel roads cause lung cancer? North Dakota scientists think it might... originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 15 Apr 2009 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cancerenvironmental protection agencyEnvironmentalProtectionAgencyepaerionitegovernmentgravelhealthnorth dakotaNorthDakotasafetyWed, 15 Apr 2009 08:29:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: EPA declares greenhouse gases a public danger, may be preamble to new emissions laws ]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/25/report-epa-declares-greenhouse-gases-a-public-danger-may-be-pr/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/25/report-epa-declares-greenhouse-gases-a-public-danger-may-be-pr/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/25/report-epa-declares-greenhouse-gases-a-public-danger-may-be-pr/#commentsFiled under: ,



According to the Detroit News, the Environmental Protection Agency has taken a likely step towards stricter emissions standards, as it has asked the White House Office of Management and Budget to declare greenhouse gas a public danger. California, along with several other states, is looking to enact tough new CO2 laws that will drastically limit the emissions of new cars and trucks. Automakers are against the idea, as they argue that the technology isn't currently available in large scale to meet the proposed targets, let alone while the industry is cash poor. The Obama administration wants Congress to take swift action to regulate CO2 emissions, a move that could cost automakers ranging from Ford and GM to Honda and Toyota billions of dollars.

U.S. Chamber of Commerce Vice President William Kovacs says the California plan "could damage automakers." Kovacs points out that GM and Chrysler are already receiving federal loans to stay afloat, the sunshine state wants to "put more holes" into the sinking ships. If California does win the right to demand stricter CO2 standards, it will be interesting to see if the regulations involve pollutants outside the auto industry. In 2006, cars, trucks, and big rigs only account for 24% of our nation's greenhouse pollution and 4% of the world's overall.

[Source: Detroit News | Image: David McNew/Getty]

REPORT: EPA declares greenhouse gases a public danger, may be preamble to new emissions laws originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 25 Mar 2009 10:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>emissionsenvironmental protection agencyEnvironmentalProtectionAgencyepaGreenhouse gasgreenhouse gasesgreenhouse gassesGreenhouseGasGreenhouseGasesGreenhouseGassesWed, 25 Mar 2009 10:27:00 EST<![CDATA[Obama faces immediate challenges with Detroit]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/23/obama-faces-immediate-challenges-with-detroit-3/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/23/obama-faces-immediate-challenges-with-detroit-3/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/23/obama-faces-immediate-challenges-with-detroit-3/#commentsFiled under:

To be fair, the new president faces a lot of immediate challenges. But when it comes to the auto industry, the biggest four challenges could be the bridge loans, fuel economy mandates, the EPA vs The California 14, and the board of czars that will oversee the fortunes of GM and Chrysler. The similarity between these challenges and others on the domestic and global agenda: he doesn't have a lot of time to get them right.

It was clear that the $17.4 billion granted to GM and Chrysler was just the beginning of a process needing a well thought out and long term endgame. Part of that endgame involved the two automakers coming up with viability plans, which are due on February 17. Then Congress and the president will need to decide, based on those plans, whether the car companies should receive more money.

Should the carmakers get more money, the necessary car czar position is looking like a body-of-car-oligarchs instead, which sounds like a more reasonable idea. One name that has popped up to head the group is Steven Rattner, a former NYT reporter turned private equity fund founder. What hasn't been explained yet is how this board of overseers is meant to work with the car companies.

On the issue of fuel economy, some of Obama's campaign pledges might cause additional consternation. He had said he wanted to double the CAFE standard in 18 years, which would mean a 50 mpg average by 2027. He has backed off of that to the more generic "I want to raise fuel economy standards." His other campaign trail pledge was to review the EPA not granting California and 13 other states a waiver to set their own emission standards. His EPA designee has said one of her first priorities will be to review that decision, and she sounds like she intends to overturn if she can. If that happens, as the Obama administration lifts up the industry with one hand, the industry will probably feel itself being choked by the other hand.

[Source: Detroit News]

Obama faces immediate challenges with Detroit originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Jan 2009 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auto industryAutoIndustrybarack obamaBarackObamabridge loansBridgeLoanscaliforniacar czarcarbCarCzaremissionsenvironmentepagovernmentlegalobamaFri, 23 Jan 2009 15:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Bush declines to enact higher fuel-economy standards]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/09/bush-declines-to-enact-higher-fuel-economy-standards/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/09/bush-declines-to-enact-higher-fuel-economy-standards/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/09/bush-declines-to-enact-higher-fuel-economy-standards/#commentsFiled under: ,



Fuel efficiency. It's an issue that has seemingly fallen onto America's the back-burner for a variety of reasons, not the least of which are declining fuel prices and economy along with the auto industry's financial plight. Still, few would argue that the issue of cutting down on petroleum use is any less important today than it was six months ago, so the decision (or, really, the lack thereof) of the Bush Administration to leave future fuel economy standards on the table for President-Elect Barack Obama and his future staff is ruffling a few feathers.

Even the automakers themselves would like to see a new set of rules decided upon so that they can accurately plan for the future. Without the passing of Bush's bill, questions remain as to whether states - especially California - will have the right to impose their own regulations above the national requirements. Oh, and there's also the issue of where the money to develop these fuel efficient technologies will come from. See the official statement from the US Department of Transportation after the break.

[Source: Detroit Free Press, Photo by Ron Sachs-Pool/Getty]

Continue reading Bush declines to enact higher fuel-economy standards

Bush declines to enact higher fuel-economy standards originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 09 Jan 2009 07:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bush administrationBushAdministrationcafeepaepa regulationsEpaRegulationsfuel economyfuel efficiencyFuelEconomyFuelEfficiencyobamaobama administrationObamaAdministrationFri, 09 Jan 2009 07:59:00 EST