Autoblog

CARB chairman chides automakers for petition against EV mandates

Zach Bowman — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 08:30:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Government/Legal, Electric

Automakers aren't happy about a California mandate that requires manufacturers to sell 1.4 million electric, plug-in hybrid and fuel cell vehicles by 2025. As such, the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers and the Association of Global Automakers have filed a petition with the Environmental Protection Agency to block the state's mandate. Mary Nichols, chairman of the California Air Resources Board, chided car companies for "shooting yourselves in the foot," while speaking at the SAE International World Congress. Nichols also asked, "Rather than rehashing the same, tired legal battles of our past, why not work together to collectively support and develop this market?"

Of course, as Bloomberg points out, automakers can only comply with the plan if buyers want to bring home zero-emission models in high volumes. So far, that hasn't happened. "It serves no one, not the state economy or consumers or automakers, to have these vehicles sit unsold on dealer lots," said Gloria Bergquist, a spokesperson with the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers.

CARB chairman chides automakers for petition against EV mandates originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 22 Apr 2013 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Audi RS5 Convertible headed to U.S.

Zach Bowman — Sun, 03 Jun 2012 12:03:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Etc., Europe, Government/Legal, Audi, Luxury

It looks as if Audi plans to bring the menacing RS5 Cabriolet to the U.S., according to Car and Driver. The 450-horsepower convertible showed up in an application for certification with the California Air Resources Board. Those filings are necessary to demonstrate that any new model sold in California adheres to the state's emission standards - a must for any vehicle that goes on sale in the States. While it's worth noting that automakers routinely certify models that may never show up on the U.S. market, that the dropehead RS5 is going through the approval process means the high-power convertible is one step closer to showing up in U.S. showrooms.

Audi has already confirmed the RS5 Coupe for the American market. Like the hardtop, the RS5 Cabriolet delivers 450 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque to the pavement via a dual-clutch transmission and quattro all-wheel drive. Sounds like a party.

Audi RS5 Convertible headed to U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 03 Jun 2012 12:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Ford Focus Electric qualifies for California HOV lane access, extra $2,500 off

Sebastian Blanco — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 16:30:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Hatchback, Ford, Electric

Following in the footsteps of the Chevrolet Volt and the Honda Civic Natural Gas, the 105-MPGe 2012 Ford Focus Electric has been granted HOV lane access in California by the California Air Resources Board (CARB). CARB not only gave the upcoming all-electric vehicle the ability to let people drive alone in the High Occupancy Vehicle lane but also qualified it for an incentive that affords buyers an extra $2,500 off through the state's Clean Vehicle Rebate Program (CVRP).

With an official range of 76 miles, the Focus EV is what Ford calls the "most fuel-efficient five-passenger car" in the States. As it has in other marketing material, today's press release announcing the HOV designation, Ford is touting ways its car beats the Nissan Leaf (hey, it "only" gets 73 official miles, remember?), as you can read after the jump. For more on the controversial HOV lane situation in California, check out this article from AutoblogGreen contributor Chelsea Sexton.

Continue reading Ford Focus Electric qualifies for California HOV lane access, extra $2,500 off

Ford Focus Electric qualifies for California HOV lane access, extra $2,500 off originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 12 Mar 2012 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

California breaks rank again, demands over 15% of cars sold be non-polluting by 2025

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 19:29:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Government/Legal, Electric

Less than a year after everyone with any sort of say in the matter seemed to agree that 54.5 miles per gallon by the year 2025 was a properly attainable goal, the California Air Resources Board has decided to change things up a bit.

In addition to CAFE requirements of a 54.5-mpg fleet average (using the government's formula, not what you see on window stickers), at least 15.4 percent of all cars sold by any major automaker doing business in California will have to be either fully electric, a plug-in hybrid or be powered by a hydrogen fuel cell by 2025. There are questions about the "over-compliance" section of the bill, which we'll be investigating further.

According to Mary Nichols, chair of the California Air Resources Board, 15.4 percent is "actually a relatively modest goal, but that's all that we're mandating." Most automakers are on board, says Nichols. "Probably the most heartening aspect of this whole rulemaking was the level of cooperation that we received from the industry... Overall, the degree of support for the package was just extraordinary."

Even if automakers are on board, though, there's still a question of who will actually buy the vehicles. While everyone wants better fuel efficiency, not everyone is willing to pay for it, counters the California New Car Dealers Association, estimating that the plan would add about $3,200 to the average price of a new car or truck. Perhaps to help dissuade such fears, Nichols added that "direct incentives to people who buy these cars (like) rebates and credits" are also in the works.

At least 10 more states are likely to follow California's lead, reports Automotive News. That would put the total number of advanced green vehicles (either with a plug or powered by hydrogen) at around three million total units by 2025, 1.4 million of which would be in California.

California breaks rank again, demands over 15% of cars sold be non-polluting by 2025 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Jan 2012 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

CARB's latest ZEV revision could add 1.4m more green cars, create a big loophole

Sebastian Blanco — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Government/Legal, Electric

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) is holding meetings that could put the hammer down on getting more zero-emission vehicles (ZEV) on the road - or so it seems at first glance.

CARB, which always looks far down the road, is discussing how it will change the ZEV program that concerns model year 2018 vehicles and beyond. The proposal (PDF, but watch out: it's 670 pages that are not searchable!) could force automakers to add half a million pure electric or fuel cell vehicles and another 900,000 plug-in hybrids by 2025, writes The New York Times. Overall, CARB's proposal would increase the market segment of advanced clean cars from four percent in 2025 to 15 percent in the future. CARB is also asking for more hydrogen stations to be built.

That may all sound good, but there's another side to the story, one that's a big loophole. Plug In America is calling on its members to oppose a portion of the proposal that could actually reduce the number of ZEVs on the roads in the future. Comparatively, anyway. In a letter to the DOE and EPA, CARB Chair Mary Nichols wrote:

California commits to propose that its revised ZEV program for the 2018-2021 MYs include a provision providing that over-compliance with the federal GHG standards in the prior model year may be used to reduce in part a manufacturer's ZEV obligation in the next model year.

The details are that, for every two grams per mile of GHG overcompliance, an automaker could "cut the number of pure electric-drive vehicles [it has to offer] by as much as 50% over 2018 to 2021," writes Plug In America, which also calls it a "sweetheart deal" and "a bad deal for California and for the United States." PIA writes that Honda, Hyundai and Toyota lobbied for this overcompliance language. We'll keep following this one.

CARB's latest ZEV revision could add 1.4m more green cars, create a big loophole originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

California lawmakers push for 1.4M zero-emissions vehicles on the road

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 11:01:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Technology, Electric

TheDetroitBureau.com reports that the California Air Resources Board (CARB) is out to change the zero-emissions-vehicle (ZEV) game again, this time revising its desired numbers for vehicle sales and prodding industry to make alternative fuels more available. From 2018 to 2025, CARB wants ZEVs to number 1.4 million sales every year. According to its numbers, by 2025, that would result in a decrease of 52 million metric tons of emissions.

But what good is a car that runs on hydrogen without convenient places to refuel? The Cleans Fuels Outlet part of its plan "would require oil companies to install hydrogen refueling stations." That part of the plan sounds like it will be rather expensive for someone, but according to CARB, somehow it won't be the consumer: CARB says residents will save $22 billion on fuel costs, 21,000 jobs will be created because of the move to different fuels, and a car buyer in 2025 would save $4,000 over the life of the car even with the extra cost of the tech.

What's more, in 2017, CARB - in conjunction with the Environmental Protection Agency - has released an emissions-level limit of 166 g/km for cars sold in the state. That would represent another 34 percent drop from the emissions levels targeted in 2016.

California lawmakers push for 1.4M zero-emissions vehicles on the road originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Dec 2011 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Ford Transit Connect Electric to qualify for $15,000 rebate in California

Autoblog Staff — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 09:28:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Minivan/Van, Government/Legal, Ford, Electric

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) is set to add an additional category to its Hybrid Incentive Voucher Program (HVIP) that awards buyers of zero-emissions light-duty commercial vehicles, including the Ford Transit Connect Electric, a discount of up to $15,000 on their green vehicle purchase.

Starting in November, light-duty zero-emissions commercial vehicles with a GVWR between 5,001 and 8,500 pounds will be eligible for vouchers of up to $15,000 in California. This discount will reportedly be available to all fleets, public or private, that register the zero-emissions vehicles in the state of California. This $15,000 discount, coupled with the federal government's $7,500 tax credit, means that some buyers of the Transit Connect Electric will get a whopping $22,500 off the vehicle's $57,400 price tag.

Vouchers for the light-duty zero-emissions category are valued at $15,000 for a fleet's first vehicle ordered, with $12,000 off all purchases thereafter for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2011. Proposed vouchers for Fiscal Year 2012 dip to $12,000 for the first three vehicles, $10,000 for the next 27 purchased, $8,000 for vehicles 31-65 and $6,000 for vehicles 66-100.

Ford Transit Connect Electric to qualify for $15,000 rebate in California originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 20 Oct 2011 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

How California's laws are holding up the Ford Mustang Boss 302's TracKey [w/video]

Jeff Glucker — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 17:59:00 EST

Filed under: Videos, Ford

Ford promised its Mustang Boss 302 customers that their car was perfect for both the street and the track, and that the dual nature of the sports coupe could be personified with the TracKey. Pop that lovely little device into your ignition and your Boss 302 takes on a different attitude. Hundreds of parameters are changed to work in concert as the car takes on a more track-focused mindset. The TracKey has Boss 302 owners salivating at the prospect of owning sporty daily driver and track star, which occupies a singular spot in their garage.

There's a bit of a problem, however, and it seem that Mustang owners have California to blame.

Ford is butting heads with the California Air Resources Board (CARB), and the stalemate has left Boss 302 owners without their TracKeys. The folks at CARB know that the TracKey alters the emissions leaving the tailpipes of the Boss 302, and they have a problem with that. Until these issues are sorted out, Ford won't be able to deliver any TracKeys to Boss 302 owners.

As you can imagine, that has the car owners a bit peeved. One owner in particular has decided to vent his frustrations in a manner befitting our Internet-adled brains. Turning to the surprisingly popular Hitler video meme, he has applied his thoughts to the video antics of Adolf.

Click past the jump to watch the clip (note: NSFW language). Also, be sure to click through our gallery of the Ford Mustang Boss 302, while you pretend what it would be like if CARB turned a blind eye to the TracKey issues.

Continue reading How California's laws are holding up the Ford Mustang Boss 302's TracKey [w/video]

How California's laws are holding up the Ford Mustang Boss 302's TracKey [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Sep 2011 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

CARB gives Chevy Volt ULEV II status, misses SULEV II by a hair

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 19:29:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Government/Legal, Chevrolet, Electric

The California Air Resources Board has given a green rating to the 2011 Chevrolet Volt, the grade atop the page being ULEV (Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle). That's below the SULEV and PZEV ratings of cars you might not expect to beat the Volt, such as the four-cylinder Honda Accord and Volkswagen Golf GTI 2.0T and Jetta TDI. Also on the list as being cleaner than the Volt are the Toyota Prius, Honda Insight and Honda CR-Z. Click past the break for some interesting comparative charts.

The issue is that CARB performs its testing with the engine running - it has no electric-power-only test. When the Volt's engine runs, it emits 1.3 g/km, which puts it 0.3 grams beyond the allowance for a SULEV vehicle. What's more, since it can't get the PZEV (Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle) rating of the Prius and Leaf, it can't get carpool lane stickers in California. One of the biggest boons of buying a green car, at least in California, is the extra time you get to enjoy your life because you can use the carpool lane and don't need to haul around Frank and Bob from sales in order to to it.

Will any of this affect the Volt's reception? In most places, wherever a sticker can't get you in the VIP line, probably not. And it doesn't affect what the Volt can do. This is really a reflection of the Volt paying the price for an outdated testing regime and an engine connected to the wheels in a three-mile-per-hour speed band. But in the green space where everyone is counting every feather in every cap, we imagine General Motors is ruing having missed out on this particular one. Perhaps the tagline "More car than electric" is here proved a little too true...

Gallery: 2011 Chevrolet Volt

[Source: Inside Line]

Continue reading CARB gives Chevy Volt ULEV II status, misses SULEV II by a hair

CARB gives Chevy Volt ULEV II status, misses SULEV II by a hair originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 28 Oct 2010 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Lotus Engineering gets $2m from California for lightweight vehicle study

Autoblog Staff — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 10:31:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Lotus

Lotus Elise aluminum chassis

Since the earliest days of Lotus, founder Colin Chapman lived by the philosophy of "Simplicate and add lightness." Over the last 60 years, that has manifested in cars from the Seven and Elan to the Elise and Evora. We can look for more of the same from the company, now that the California Air Resources Board has awarded Lotus Engineering a $2 million grant to conduct a study into future lightweight vehicles.

The new study is a follow-up to an earlier program that saw Lotus build a prototype vehicle capable of being built in volumes of 50,000 units a year. The mass of this earlier vehicle was slashed by 38 percent while the cost was only increased by 3 percent. More importantly, fuel consumption of the lightweight vehicle would be reduced by 23 percent. Unlike many lightweight concepts constructed from carbon fiber, the Lotus-designed vehicle was built mainly from more conventional materials like aluminum, magnesium and high-strength steels.

The goal of the new program, due to be completed by April 2011 and led by the Lotus Engineering office in Ann Arbor, MI, will be to demonstrate that the lightweight vehicle can meet all U.S. crash standards. If anyone can do it, we think Lotus has a shot.

[Source: Lotus]

Continue reading Lotus Engineering gets $2m from California for lightweight vehicle study

Lotus Engineering gets $2m from California for lightweight vehicle study originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Sep 2010 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Honda's fix for prematurely dying Civic hybrid batteries hurting fuel economy, performance?

Sam Abuelsamid — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Technology, Honda

2008 Honda Civic Hybrid - Click above for high-res image gallery

Until the past year or so, the Civic Hybrid had been by far the best selling gas-electric model introduced by Honda. However, the second-generation model introduced in 2006 has not been entirely problem-free. There have been several lawsuits against Honda claiming that the Civic doesn't meet its advertised mileage claims. While those sort of claims are often dubious given their dependency on factors like driving style, climate and terrain, premature battery failures are not.

According to the Los Angeles Times, it appears that 2006-2008 Civic Hybrid models are suffering an abnormally high rate of battery failure at relatively low miles. The nickel-metal-hydride batteries are evidently prematurely losing their ability to hold a charge - particularly in hot weather areas like Arizona and when used in a lot of stop-and-go traffic. The Civic Hybrid has a dual compressor air-conditioning system with an engine driven primary compressor and a smaller electric compressor to keep the system going when the engine is shut during a stop. Using the air conditioning will cause the battery to go through more charge cycles, eventually wearing it down. Read on after the jump for more on why the battery might be failing and how Honda is attempting to address it.

Update: Honda spokesman Chuck Schifsky let us know that the software updated for the 2006-8 Civics is based on the changes that were introduced for the refreshed 2009 models. The 2009 models apparently also got an updated battery but obviously that change isn't going into the older cars. The original 2006-8 models would spend a lot of time during hot weather use with the A/C on which apparently caused the charge cycling rate to increase wearing down the battery.

Update 2: Honda confirmed that the battery pack did change from 2008 to 2009 but its not clear exactly what was updated.

Gallery: ABG Garage: 2008 Honda Civic Hybrid

[Source: Los Angeles Times]

Continue reading Honda's fix for prematurely dying Civic hybrid batteries hurting fuel economy, performance?

Honda's fix for prematurely dying Civic hybrid batteries hurting fuel economy, performance? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 Aug 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Report: Obama kicks off drive to enact tough fuel economy standards through 2025

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 24 May 2010 08:58:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal

A year ago, the White House led the effort to get automakers' Corporate Average Fuel Economy to 35.5 miles per gallon by 2016. Although the number was eventually pegged at 34.1 mpg, it will actually be slightly lower because of other non-automotive credits that will be applied. One might have thought automakers would still be grousing the work that needs to be done, but in fact they encouraged the federal government to go further, and so it has: the White House began working this week on setting CAFE standards through 2025.

The reason for this? The Golden State. Just after last year's 2016 CAFE numbers were announced, California said it would work on "a much more stringent standard" for 2017 and afterward. Automakers urged the feds to head the California Air Resources Board off at the pass in order to stay ahead of state initiatives, thereby quashing the chance that different laws would hit the books.

The EPA and DOT have just gotten to work on crafting new standards, so it will probably be another year before new numbers come out. For you folks with large-capacity, high-horsepower engines, you might want to take this chance to rev 'em if ya got 'em.

[Source: Detroit Free Press | Image: AFP/Getty]

Report: Obama kicks off drive to enact tough fuel economy standards through 2025 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 24 May 2010 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Report: California scraps 'Cool Cars' legislation, automakers, law enforcement cheer

Eric Loveday — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 13:26:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal

California's controversial "cool cars" guidelines have been laid to rest. According to a report from The Detroit News, the ill supported legislation is no more and automakers can rejoice. The pressure was too much for the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to handle any longer, and automakers, law enforcement officials and crime victim advocates are likely to celebrate their victory.

If you're unclear about what we're speaking about, California's "Cool Cars" legislation was to be adopted into law in May. The rules aimed to reduce heat within a vehicle and thus lower greenhouse gas emissions. The plan included guidelines to reduce the sun's energy from penetrating a vehicle by 45 percent by 2014 and 60 percent by 2016. The method for achieving this goal included factory installed glazing (window tint) on each and every vehicle sold in California.

Many objections arose. Patrol officers were concerned for their safety, stating that the tint would restrict their view into a vehicle. Sheriff offices argued that the tint could affect cell phone signal quality and thus prevent drivers from contacting emergency services such as 911. Automakers complained that the added costs to tint vehicles would be significant. Complaints poured in from out of state law enforcement and politicians alike.

Of course, "Cool Cars" may be dead, but a CARB spokesman has gone on record stating that the organization will pursue other methods to reduce air conditioning emissions and to provide "cooler" cars in the future. Hat tip to John!

[Source: Detroit News]

Report: California scraps 'Cool Cars' legislation, automakers, law enforcement cheer originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 26 Mar 2010 13:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Report: California to amend 'Cool Cars' legislation over... criminal activity?

Frank Filipponio — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 18:30:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal

Is CARB backing down on its so-called "cool cars" regulation? On May 7, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) will have to turn in its final draft of the controversial regulations, which calls for automakers to build cars and trucks with windows that prevent 45% of the sun's energy from entering a vehicle by 2014 and 60% by 2016. Vehicle manufacturers have argued that it will be expensive to meet the requirements, and other groups are complaining for their own reasons. Heck, there was initially concern that off-roaders might lose their beloved Jeep Wrangler altogether. Thank goodness they came to their senses.

While several different groups have significant concerns about the proposal, it looks like CARB might finally be listening to one group in particular - law enforcement. It seems that California's sheriffs, police chiefs and crime victim groups are calling for the plan to be amended... and CARB is actually listening.

According to The Detroit News, The California Police Chiefs Association, California State Sheriffs Association, Crime Victims United of California and other groups are concerned that the required window glazing needed to meet the new regulations will seriously degrade cell phone signals, as well as those from ankle monitoring bracelets. We wouldn't want to lose track of felons now, would we? The other big concern is that 911 calls might not get through if the window treatment prohibits a strong signal.

That seems to be sending CARB back to the drawing board, with suggestions coming that the plan will be revised before the May 7 deadline. As a refresher, the idea behind the "cool cars" regulation is to save gas and reduce emissions. Cooler cars reduce their air con use, and with California's overflowing freeways, that could mean a significant drop. In fact, CARB is predicting that the regulations will save 700,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide by 2020 - the equivalent of parking 140,000 cars a year.

[Source: The Detroit News]

Report: California to amend 'Cool Cars' legislation over... criminal activity? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 09 Mar 2010 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

REPORT: Jeep Wrangler safe from CARB "Cool Cars" proposal

Jonathon Ramsey — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 14:33:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Chrysler, Jeep

Remember California's "Cool Cars" regulation? Coming into force in 2012, the rule requires manufacturers to install windows that prevent 45% of the sun's energy from entering a vehicle by 2014, and 60% by 2016. It's the law that no one thinks is cool at all. In a minor victory against The Golden State's increasingly severe environmental regulations (and we live there and love it, but still...), the soft-top Jeep Wrangler has reportedly been given an exemption.

Specifically, any flexible plastic window is exempt. Said a CARB representative, "If the plastic windows are rigid, they must comply with the same standards as glass windows, beginning with the 2012 model year." If not for the flexible-window exemption, Chrysler wouldn't have been allowed to sell the Wrangler in California with the soft top because its plastic windows would have been non-compliant. Chrysler's Global Electric Motorcars (GEM) were also threatened, but are now safe from the regulation as well.

As for the other issue -- radio wave interference that degrades GPS and other signals -- CARB said it hasn't found any such problems in its testing. But who knows, now that the Jeep gets a pass, carmakers might just put flexible windows in every car sold in CA ... and how cool would that be?

[Source: The Detroit News]

REPORT: Jeep Wrangler safe from CARB "Cool Cars" proposal originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 25 Oct 2009 14:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

CA "cool car" regs to kill Jeep Wrangler, interfere with phones, garage openers, ankle bracelets?

Michael Harley — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 11:31:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Technology, Chrysler, Jeep

2009 Jeep Wrangler - Click above for high-res image gallery

New "Cool Cars" regulations adopted by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) could put an end to the Jeep Wrangler soft-top sales in the Golden State thanks to standards so stringent that the popular 4x4 won't be able to meet them. According to The Detroit News, CARB's latest controversial initiative requires automakers to build cars and trucks with windows which prevent 45% of the sun's energy from entering a vehicle by 2014, and 60% by 2016. To meet these provisions, vehicle manufacturers will have to utilize advanced window glazing containing microscopic specs of reflective metal oxide.

Coating vehicle glass with a metallic layer wreaks havoc on any vehicle electronic device relying on a clear "view" of the world outside. Garmin, a leading manufacturer of GPS devices, says satellite reception through coated glass will be degraded. In addition, cell phones, wireless laptop devices, garage door openers, and even ankle bracelets for parolees "may be adversely affected by the metallic reflective standard" as they all rely on signals passing cleanly through automotive glass.

For what it's worth, Honda tried utilizing the same technology in Japan two decades ago, yet dropped it due to problems with radio wave devices. We are assured that the Jeep soft-top won't have those problems simply because the technology cannot be applied to flexible plastic windows. Without an exemption for that model, Chrysler will only be allowed to sell hardtop Wrangler vehicles in California.

Gallery: Review: 2009 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon 4x4

[Source: The Detroit News]

CA "cool car" regs to kill Jeep Wrangler, interfere with phones, garage openers, ankle bracelets? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 12 Oct 2009 11:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

REPORT: Will it blend? Not if CARB has anything to say about it

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 08:27:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Government/Legal

Will it blend? If the answer is no - as was the case with the boron steel used to create the latest Ford Fiesta - perhaps all that's needed is a more powerful blender (insert appropriate Tim Allen-esque grunting sounds here) complete with handlebars and a twist-grip throttle? Enter the Party Blender, which uses a gas-powered engine in lieu of a standard wimpy plug-in electric motor.

Unless you live in California, that is. Earlier this month, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) fined On the Edge Marketing from Orange County and CSK Auto Inc. from Phoenix, Arizona a whopping $240,000 for selling the blenders in the Far-Left State. Says CARB chairperson Mary D. Nichols:

Gasoline-powered blenders may be this year's tailgate sensation, but drinkers should not be polluting our air while having a good time.

So, let's get this straight... gas-powered blenders are A-OK, just so long as they aren't powered by two-stroke engines from China that aren't approved for sale in California? Does this sound strange to anybody else?

[Source: LA Times]

REPORT: Will it blend? Not if CARB has anything to say about it originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 Sep 2009 08:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

REPORT: Half of California gas stations could face closure for failing to install costly new nozzles

Sam Abuelsamid — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 14:20:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Green, Technology, Earnings/Financials

According to the Los Angeles Daily News, California gas station operators have known since 2000 that they would have to install new nozzles on their gas pumps by tomorrow's deadline. And yet at least 2,000 of the 3,900 stations in the Southern California region and 60 percent of stations statewide have failed to do exactly that. The California Air Resources Board ruled nine years ago that gas pumps would have to be equipped with enhanced vapor recovery nozzles that capture and recirculate the gasoline vapors that inevitably escape while pumping gas.

Unfortunately, the narrow margins of gas retailing and high cost of the nozzles has made stations owners reluctant to spend the money. The equipment costs roughly $11,000 per pump.

Starting April 1, stations that haven't upgraded will start to face fines that will be ramped up toward the end of this year. Stations that haven't made the changes by the end of 2009 face closure.

[Source: Los Angeles Daily News | Image: Justin Sullivan/Getty]

REPORT: Half of California gas stations could face closure for failing to install costly new nozzles originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 31 Mar 2009 14:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

FOLLOW UP: CARB says "Just kidding about banning black paint..."

Jonathon Ramsey — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 14:02:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Green

To be completely fair, the California Air Resources Board never intended to ban black paint -- or any color of paint, for that matter. When devising ways to implement the Cool Cars Initiative, CARB couldn't find any dark paints that passed the 20% solar reflectivity test, which others took to mean that CARB would be banning them. Not so, says a CARB spokesman: "We are by no means interested in banning or restricting car colors." For now, CARB is sticking with the reflective glass portion of the initiative, which would add a reflective clear coat to windows and $31-$50 to the price of a new car, and is taking public comments on the proposed new rules. Thanks for the tip, Jason

[Source: LA Times]

FOLLOW UP: CARB says "Just kidding about banning black paint..." originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 29 Mar 2009 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

California to reduce carbon emissions by... banning black cars?!

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 14:58:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Green

In a move that will likely get California's consumers in a huff, impending legislation may soon restrict the paint color options for Golden State residents looking for their next new vehicle. The specific colors that are currently on the chopping block are all dark hues, with the worst offender seemingly the most innocuous color you could think of: Black. What could California possibly have against these colors, you ask? Apparently, the California Air Resources Board figures that the climate control systems of dark colored cars need to work harder than their lighter siblings - especially after sitting in the sun for a few hours. Anyone living in a hot, sunny climate will tell you that this assumption is accurate, of course. In fact, legislation already exists for buildings that has proven successful at reducing the energy consumption of skyscrapers.

So, what's the crux of the problem... can't paint suppliers just come up with new, less heat-absorbent dark paints? According to Ward's, suppliers have reportedly been testing their pigments and processes to see if it's possible to meet CARB's proposed mandate of 20% solar reflectivity by 2016 with a phase-in period starting in 2012, and things aren't looking good. Apparently, when the proper pigments and chemicals are added to black paint, the resulting color is currently being referred to as "mud-puddle brown." That doesn't sound very attractive, now does it? Windshields, backlights and sunroofs are also slated to get reflective coatings starting in 2012.

When we first heard of this issue, an internal debate immediately began as to whether this might be an elaborate early April Fool's joke, but it isn't. Read through CARB's complete Cool Cars Standards and Test Procedures here (PDF link) for more. Thanks for the tip, Joaquin!

[Source: CARB (PDF link); Wards | Photo: 7mary3]

California to reduce carbon emissions by... banning black cars?! originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 25 Mar 2009 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments