Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[South Korea firms up fuel economy regs following Hyundai/Kia debacle]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/30/south-korea-firms-up-fuel-economy-regs-following-hyundai-kia-deb/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/30/south-korea-firms-up-fuel-economy-regs-following-hyundai-kia-deb/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/30/south-korea-firms-up-fuel-economy-regs-following-hyundai-kia-deb/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

2012 Kia Soul Eco - profile view

According to a report from Reuters, South Korea's government has drafted strict new rules for automakers to follow when calculating fuel economy. The legislation comes after a major snafu by Hyundai and Kia that resulted in the automakers lowering the estimated fuel mileage of many popular models - some by several miles per gallon, including the Soul subcompact above - and compensating owners in the US and Canada for the reduction.

The new fuel economy rules were announced by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy in South Korea and will see average mileage ratings drop by roughly three to five percent, according to the report. In addition, manufacturers found guilty of overstating mileage figures will be liable for fines of up to $900,000.

These sweeping new regulations will go into effect in the second half of 2013 and, while they won't have any effect on EPA estimates for Hyundai and Kia vehicles in the United States, they are expected to result in new ratings for the two automakers in their home market of South Korea, where they enjoy a whopping 70-percent market share.

South Korea firms up fuel economy regs following Hyundai/Kia debacle originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Apr 2013 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>calculating fuel economyfuel economyfuel mileagehyundaikiakorean autoskorean governmentministry of tradesouth koreaTue, 30 Apr 2013 16:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20553285/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/30/south-korea-firms-up-fuel-economy-regs-following-hyundai-kia-deb/20553285/article-detail.xml 20553285 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/2012-kia-soul-base-eco_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/2012-kia-soul-base-eco.jpg <![CDATA[Volvo testing F1-style KERS system, cites 25% fuel economy bump [w/video]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/29/volvo-testing-f1-style-kers-system-cites-25-fuel-economy-bump/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/29/volvo-testing-f1-style-kers-system-cites-25-fuel-economy-bump/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/29/volvo-testing-f1-style-kers-system-cites-25-fuel-economy-bump/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Volvo has been experimenting with flywheel propulsion systems since the eighties, but only recently has technology caught up with the possibility of real-world applications. In 2011, the Swedish carmaker was granted 6.57 million Swedish kronor (about $1M US) by the Swedish Energy Agency to work on a kinetic energy recovery system with Swedish bearing company SKF. Before it began trials, Volvo expected the fuel savings to be as high as 20 percent. After trials conducted last year on public roads the results were even better, Volvo finding that a KERS-equipped four-cylinder turbo performs like a six-cylinder turbo but gets up to 25-percent better fuel economy. It calls KERS "a light, cheap and very eco-efficient solution."

The test vehicle was an S60, its ICE driving the front wheels while the KERS - weighing six kilograms, measuring about 20 centimeters across and using a carbon fiber flywheel - was attached to the rear axle. Under braking, the four-cylinder engine is shut off and the KERS gathers rotational energy, spinning at up to 60,000 revolutions per minute. The stored energy is then used to get the car going again or to assist at cruising speeds. It's the same kind of vacuum-sealed flywheel design used by Audi in its R18 etron quattro, but with the opposite arrangement - in the Audi the diesel V6 drives the rear wheels, the KERS drives the front wheels.

Like the units in Formula One, it provides an additional 80 horsepower. When working with the four-cylinder ICE, the S60 with KERS can do the 0-62 mph dash in 5.5 seconds, a full 1.1 seconds faster than the S60 with the 3.0-liter T6 engine and all-wheel drive.

As we expect with hybrids, the greatest fuel savings came in urban environments with a lot of braking, Volvo suggesting that the combustion engine could be shut down "about half the time" on the New European Driving Cycle. A press release below has more details, along with a video Volvo released in 2011 to show how its system works.

Continue reading Volvo testing F1-style KERS system, cites 25% fuel economy bump [w/video]

Volvo testing F1-style KERS system, cites 25% fuel economy bump [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 29 Apr 2013 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fuel economyhybridkerskinetic energy recovery systemstudyvolvo s60Mon, 29 Apr 2013 09:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20549444/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/29/volvo-testing-f1-style-kers-system-cites-25-fuel-economy-bump/20549444/article-detail.xml 20549444 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/volvo-kers-cf-flywheel_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/volvo-kers-cf-flywheel.jpg <![CDATA[US truck fleets turning towards CNG, LPG]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/21/us-truck-fleets-turning-towards-cng-lpg/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/21/us-truck-fleets-turning-towards-cng-lpg/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/21/us-truck-fleets-turning-towards-cng-lpg/#commentsFiled under: , ,

International Transtar big rig with trailer - front three-quarter view

Fleets can save well over $150,000 in fuel costs over the six-year life of a truck.

The electric vehicle market is turning into a financial nightmare for many of the automakers and suppliers that invested in the technology. Hybrids only comprise three percent of total new car sales, despite there being over 40 different models. And fuel cells are still more science lab experiment than mass-production reality.

But in a different part of the market, the green revolution looks a lot more promising. Commercial truck fleets in the United States are now keenly interested in converting their trucks to nun on natural gas or propane.

Thanks to the precipitous drop in prices for compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquid propane (LPG), fleets can save a fortune by switching over to these fuels. OEMs such as Freightliner and Thomas Built Bus have jumped into the market. International now offers the Transtar Class 8 semi (above) that runs on CNG. A cost calculator on the truck maker's website shows that a fleet can save well over $150,000 in fuel costs over the six-year life of a truck. For fleets that run their per-mile operating costs to the penny, this is a financial windfall.

Continue reading US truck fleets turning towards CNG, LPG

US truck fleets turning towards CNG, LPG originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 Mar 2013 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alternative fuelsautogascngcommercial truckdieselfrackingfreightlinerfuel economygasinternationallpgthomas built bustruckingtrucking fleetThu, 21 Mar 2013 18:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20510232/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/21/us-truck-fleets-turning-towards-cng-lpg/20510232/article-detail.xml 20510232 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/international-transtar-lpg_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/international-transtar-lpg.jpg <![CDATA[Fuel economy gains of more efficient cars undone by increased travel, decreased occupancy]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/09/fuel-economy-gains-of-more-efficient-cars-undone-by-increased-tr/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/09/fuel-economy-gains-of-more-efficient-cars-undone-by-increased-tr/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/09/fuel-economy-gains-of-more-efficient-cars-undone-by-increased-tr/#commentsFiled under:

traffic

The good news is that the average fuel fuel economy of the entire US light-duty fleet improved by 40 percent over the past four decades (increasing from 13 miles per gallon to 21.6 mpg). The bad news is that Americans drive more, and with fewer passengers in each vehicle, undercutting the impact of the fuel economy gains.

That's the official conclusion of a study just released by the Sustainable Worldwide Transportation at University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI). Without getting too technical, the researchers found that the "occupant fuel economy" (a figure that takes mpg and vehicle occupancy into account) dropped as vehicle loads decreased by 27 percent (from 1.9 to 1.38 persons, on average) over the years. Combine the additional distance driven, up a whopping 155 percent, and that average fuel economy improvement of 40 percent drops to an occupant fuel economy gain of just 17 percent.

So what does this all mean? Saving fuel on a grand scale is more than just bumping fuel economy on the cars in the showroom. Consumers will need to drive more efficient vehicles, but they also must drive less and learn how to carpool. Easier said than done.

Fuel economy gains of more efficient cars undone by increased travel, decreased occupancy originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 09 Mar 2013 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fuel economyfuel economy studygreen car congressoccupant fuel economyuniversity of michiganuniversity of michigan transportation research instituteSat, 09 Mar 2013 10:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20493154/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/09/fuel-economy-gains-of-more-efficient-cars-undone-by-increased-tr/20493154/article-detail.xml 20493154 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/traffic_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/traffic.jpg <![CDATA[EPA says it will more closely monitor fuel economy claims from automakers]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/15/epa-says-it-will-more-closely-monitor-fuel-economy-claims-from-a/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/15/epa-says-it-will-more-closely-monitor-fuel-economy-claims-from-a/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/15/epa-says-it-will-more-closely-monitor-fuel-economy-claims-from-a/#commentsFiled under: , ,



The unintended acceleration brouhaha at Toyota led to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration tightening the vise on recall procedures. Likewise, the fuel economy kerfuffle that blew up with Hyundai and Kia's admission of overstated fuel mileage claims could lead to the Environmental Protection Agency policing automaker assertions by performing more audits.

At least, that's what a senior engineer with the government agency said while in Michigan giving a talk, according to a report in Automotive News. What that actually means, however, is still in question. Just ten to 15 percent of new vehicles - something like 150 to 200 cars per year - are rested by the EPA to verify automaker numbers. The EPA's own tests include a "fudge factor" to adjust lab mileage for real-world mileage, and the agency still relies on automakers to submit data for tests that it doesn't have the facilities to perform. How much more auditing can the EPA really expect to do, or perhaps a more relevant question would be how much more accurate could the EPA's audits become?

The price of gasoline, the psychological importance of 40 miles per gallon to a frugal car buyer, an automaker wanting to further justify the price premium of a hybrid, all of these things contribute to fuel economy numbers that insist on creeping upward. Perhaps the senior engineer encapsulated the whole situation best when he said, "Everybody wants a label that tells you exactly what you're going to get, but obviously that's not possible. A good general rule of thumb is that real-world fuel economy is about 20 percent lower than the lab numbers." If the lesson isn't exactly 'buyer beware,' it's at least 'buyer be wary.'

EPA says it will more closely monitor fuel economy claims from automakers originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 15 Feb 2013 17:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>environmental protection agencyepafuel economyhyundaikiaFri, 15 Feb 2013 17:16:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20461542/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/02/15/epa-says-it-will-more-closely-monitor-fuel-economy-claims-from-a/20461542/article-detail.xml 20461542 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/epaaudits_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/epaaudits.jpg <![CDATA[Hyundai, <i>Los Angeles Times</i> and <i>Consumer Reports</i> in fuel economy skirmish?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/07/hyundai-los-angeles-times-and-consumer-reports-in/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/07/hyundai-los-angeles-times-and-consumer-reports-in/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/07/hyundai-los-angeles-times-and-consumer-reports-in/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Hyundai chart showing Consumer Reports vs. EPA fuel economy data

On Wednesday, Consumer Reports issued a story taking umbrage with the auto industry's move toward smaller, turbocharged engines, noting its own testing revealed that many such powerplants fail to deliver their promised fuel economy numbers. The story covered a variety of domestic and foreign automakers, with Ford and Chevrolet featuring prominently in the discussion. Hyundai was also mentioned for its Sonata Turbo, but the Korean automaker's family sedan came within one observed mile per gallon of its EPA ratings in CR's test, and its normally aspirated 2.4-liter counterpart actually beat its combined EPA ratings, 27 mpg to 26.

Good news for Hyundai, right? The automaker was so pleased with its report card that it sent out a small statement to a handful of news outlets including Autoblog, reading in part:

"We at Hyundai believe that Consumer Reports real-world average fuel economy testing results and EPA combined fuel economy results should correlate, and in fact do correlate nicely for some brands. Among all brands, Hyundai does particularly well in this correlation, with no high-volume brand having a better correlation between EPA combined and Consumer Reports real-world fuel economy."

Garden-variety PR stuff to this point, but here's where the issue gets more complicated...

Continue reading Hyundai, Los Angeles Times and Consumer Reports in fuel economy skirmish?

Hyundai, Los Angeles Times and Consumer Reports in fuel economy skirmish? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 07 Feb 2013 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>consumer reportsepafuel economyfuel economy ratingshyundaihyundai consumer reportshyundai epahyundai fuel economyhyundai mpghyundaiconsumerreportshyundaiepahyundaifueleconomyhyundaimpglos angeles timesmpgThu, 07 Feb 2013 15:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20451506/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/02/07/hyundai-los-angeles-times-and-consumer-reports-in/20451506/article-detail.xml 20451506 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/hyundai-cr-mpg-chart-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/hyundai-cr-mpg-chart-628.jpg <![CDATA[<em>Consumer Reports</em> criticizes small turbo engines for misleading performance, fuel economy claims [w/video]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/05/consumer-reports-criticizes-small-turbo-engines-for-mis/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/05/consumer-reports-criticizes-small-turbo-engines-for-mis/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/05/consumer-reports-criticizes-small-turbo-engines-for-mis/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Ford Ecoboost Engine Cover

Consumer Reports has taken aim at at small-displacement, forced-induction engines, saying the powerplants don't manage to deliver on automaker fuel economy claims. Manufacturers have long held that smaller, turbocharged engines pack all power of their larger displacement cousins with significantly better fuel economy, but the research organization says that despite scoring high EPA economy numbers, the engines are no better than conventional drivetrains in both categories. Jake Fisher, director of automotive testing for Consumer Reports, says the forced induction options "are often slower and less fuel efficient than larger four and six-cylinder engines."

Specifically, CR calls out the new Ford Fusion equipped with the automaker's Ecoboost 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine. The institute's researchers found the engine, which is a $795 option over the base 2.5-liter four-cylinder, fails to match competitors in acceleration and served up 25 miles per gallon in testing, putting the sedan dead last among other midsize options.

The Chevrolet Cruze, Hyundai Sonata Turbo and Ford Escape 2.0T all got dinged for the same troubles, though Consumer Reports has found the turbo 2.0-liter four-cylinder in the BMW 328i does deliver on its promises. You can check out the full press release below. You can also read the full study on the Consumer Reports site, or scroll down for a short video recap.

Continue reading Consumer Reports criticizes small turbo engines for misleading performance, fuel economy claims [w/video]

Consumer Reports criticizes small turbo engines for misleading performance, fuel economy claims [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Feb 2013 10:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 bmw 3 series2013 chevrolet cruze2013 ford escape2013 ford fusion2013 hyundai sonata3 series328ibmwchevroletchevrolet cruzeconsumer reportscruzeecoboostescapefordford escapeford fusionfuel economyfusionhyundaihyundai sonatasonataturboTue, 05 Feb 2013 10:13:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20448871/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/02/05/consumer-reports-criticizes-small-turbo-engines-for-mis/20448871/article-detail.xml 20448871 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/ford-ecoboost-emblem-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/ford-ecoboost-emblem-628.jpg <![CDATA[Hyundai and Kia set aside $412 million for false mileage claims]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/25/hyundai-and-kia-set-aside-412-million-for-false-mileage-claims/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/25/hyundai-and-kia-set-aside-412-million-for-false-mileage-claims/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/25/hyundai-and-kia-set-aside-412-million-for-false-mileage-claims/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



We still don't know how the whole fuel economy ratings debacle is going to play out for Hyundai and Kia, but both automakers are preparing to make good on their promises to reimburse vehicle owners for lower-than-promised mileage figures. According to Automotive News, Hyundai and Kia have set aside a combined total of $412 million ($225 million for Hyundai and $187 million for Kia) as compensation, which will be sent out on a case-by-case basis via debit cards depending on the vehicle and the mileage driven.

Announced back in November, the exaggerated miles per gallon claims affect around 900,000 Kia and Hyundai products produced for the 2011 through 2013 model years sold in the US and Canada. This whole deal has had plenty of action ranging from suspected whistleblowing from a rival US automaker and even insider trading, but it has probably been most frustrating for vehicle owners who, in most cases, saw their vehicles' city and highway ratings drop between one and three digits.

Hyundai and Kia set aside $412 million for false mileage claims originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 Jan 2013 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fuel economyhyundaihyundai fuel economykiakia fuel economympgFri, 25 Jan 2013 13:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20438914/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/01/25/hyundai-and-kia-set-aside-412-million-for-false-mileage-claims/20438914/article-detail.xml 20438914 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/hyundai-kia-logos_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/hyundai-kia-logos.jpg <![CDATA[GM claims it's first to sell million 30+ mpg vehicles]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/04/gm-claims-its-first-to-sell-million-30-mpg-vehicles/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/04/gm-claims-its-first-to-sell-million-30-mpg-vehicles/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/04/gm-claims-its-first-to-sell-million-30-mpg-vehicles/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



As we continue to put together all the data for the year-end edition of By The Numbers, General Motors has announced that it sold more than a million vehicles in the US last year that achieved at least 30 miles per gallon on the highway. More impressively, GM managed this feat using multiple strategies including small vehicle size, turbocharged engines and hybrid or plug-in technologies across four brands (Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC) accounting for 13 separate models. This number will grow even more in 2013 thanks to cars like the all-electric Spark, the diesel Cruze, the range-extended Cadillac ELR and the Buick Encore compact CUV.

GM's small car sales were up 39 percent last year helping to attain this million-sales mark for 30-mpg models, and almost 40 percent of all GM sales consisted of cars with fuel-efficient I4 engines. In regards to more advanced means of improving fuel economy, GM says that it plans on having 500,000 vehicles with "some form of electrification" on the road by 2017.

Scroll down for the full list of GM's million 30+ mpg cars as well as an informative press release.

Continue reading GM claims it's first to sell million 30+ mpg vehicles

GM claims it's first to sell million 30+ mpg vehicles originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 04 Jan 2013 11:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>30 mpg carsatscbuickcadillacCamarochevroletcruzeequinoxfuel economyfuel effiicent carsgeneral motorsgmcimplantLaCrossemaliburegalsparkterrainveranovoltFri, 04 Jan 2013 11:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20415896/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/01/04/gm-claims-its-first-to-sell-million-30-mpg-vehicles/20415896/article-detail.xml 20415896 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/09/2013-chevrolet-volt-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/09/2013-chevrolet-volt-628.jpg <![CDATA[Autoblog Podcast #313]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/18/autoblog-podcast-313/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/18/autoblog-podcast-313/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/18/autoblog-podcast-313/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Infiniti model names, new GM trucks, Ford work vans, Hyundai ratted out on economy, Ward's 10 Best Engines autoblog podcast logo

Episode #313 of the Autoblog Podcast is here, and this week, Dan Roth, Zach Bowman and Jeff Ross talk about Infiniti's confusing model name re-jiggering, the 2014 General Motors pickups, Ford's new Transit line of vans, reports that a domestic automaker ratted on Hyundai/Kia about fuel economy ratings, and Ward's 2012 list of 10 Best Engines. For those of you who hung with us live on our UStream channel, thanks for taking the time. Keep reading for our Q&A module for you to scroll through and follow along, too. Thanks for listening!

Autoblog Podcast #313:



Topics:

In the Autoblog Garage:
2013 Toyota Prius C
2013 Subaru Legacy
2013 Dodge Durango R/T

Hosts: Dan Roth, Zach Bowman, Jeff Ross


Runtime: 01:18:25

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Continue reading Autoblog Podcast #313

Autoblog Podcast #313 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 18 Dec 2012 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>10 Best2014 chevrolet silverado2014 general motors pickup2014 gm pickup2014 gmc sierraautoblog podcastautoblog podcast 313dodgedodge durangodurangoepafeaturedfuel economyhyundaihyundai fuel economyinfinitiinfiniti qinfiniti qxkiakia fuel economylegacypickupspodcastpodcast 313prius csubarusubaru legacytoyotatoyota prius cwardswards autowards auto 10 best enginesTue, 18 Dec 2012 17:29:00 ESTAutoblog Podcast #313Autoblog01:18:25 http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20406381/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/12/18/autoblog-podcast-313/20406381/article-detail.xml 20406381 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/06/podcastlivev2stamp_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/06/podcastlivev2stamp.jpg <![CDATA[GM says Chevy Volt owners have logged over 100-million electric miles]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/06/gm-says-chevy-volt-owners-have-logged-over-100-million-electric/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/06/gm-says-chevy-volt-owners-have-logged-over-100-million-electric/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/06/gm-says-chevy-volt-owners-have-logged-over-100-million-electric/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



It's only been two years since the Chevrolet Volt first when on sale, but Chevrolet is saying that owners of the car have driven a collective 100 million all-electric miles in this short period of time. Like any other alternatively powered car, owners are finding ways to maximize efficiency, and Chevrolet states that Volt owners are traveling under electric power more than 65 percent of the time leading to a savings in gasoline expenses to the tune of $1,370 per year.

In terms of gasoline, Volt owners are spending $1,370 less per year, but on the bigger scale, this represents a total savings of five million gallons of gas. With regular charges, Chevy says that the Volt can drive almost 900 miles on average before needing more gasoline, and one driver, Andrew Byrne of Los Angeles, said that he was able to drive 1,900 miles between fill-ups.

Scroll down for Chevy's press release.

Continue reading GM says Chevy Volt owners have logged over 100-million electric miles

GM says Chevy Volt owners have logged over 100-million electric miles originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 06 Dec 2012 18:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chevroletchevyfuel economyvoltThu, 06 Dec 2012 18:43:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20395290/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/12/06/gm-says-chevy-volt-owners-have-logged-over-100-million-electric/20395290/article-detail.xml 20395290 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/chevrolet-volt-infographic_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/chevrolet-volt-infographic.jpg <![CDATA[<i>Consumer Reports</i> calls out Ford for false Fusion, C-Max hybrid fuel economy claims]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/06/consumer-reports-calls-out-ford-for-false-fusion-c-max-h/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/06/consumer-reports-calls-out-ford-for-false-fusion-c-max-h/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/06/consumer-reports-calls-out-ford-for-false-fusion-c-max-h/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



Consumer Reports is calling out Ford, saying the new C-Max and Fusion hybrids don't get anywhere near the 47 miles per gallon the automaker claims.

Several automakers have faced backlash after consumers discovered their cars don't quite hit the lofty fuel economy figures promised by the companies, and Ford may be the newest casualty of all this pesky fact-checking by critics and watchdogs.

The magazine drove the cars 2,000 miles and consistently got around 39 mpg for the Fusion and 37 mpg for the C-Max. Jake Fisher, director of auto testing for Consumer Reports, said this is the largest discrepancy between what automakers MPG claims and the actual real-world driving results.

"It's not to say these are bad cars at all; they still get excellent fuel economy," Fisher said. "But we've been doing this for a long time, and we've never seen such a difference between the EPA estimates and our numbers."

Ford said its figures were certified by the EPA, but the EPA only tests about 10 to 15 percent of the cars on the road. Ford said some early reports from customers showed the cars getting even better fuel economy than 47 mpg.

"This reinforces the fact that driving styles, driving conditions, and other factors can cause mileage to vary," said Wes Sherwood, a spokesman for Ford. For customers who want to optimize their fuel economy, the cars come with different driving coach software to help drivers get better fuel economy, he said.

Scroll down to watch the video report from Consumer Reports.

Continue reading Consumer Reports calls out Ford for false Fusion, C-Max hybrid fuel economy claims

Consumer Reports calls out Ford for false Fusion, C-Max hybrid fuel economy claims originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 06 Dec 2012 16:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 ford c-max hybrid2013 ford fusion hybridc-maxc-max hybridcmaxconsumer reportsfordfuel economyfusionfusion hybridmpgvideoThu, 06 Dec 2012 16:27:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20396331/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/12/06/consumer-reports-calls-out-ford-for-false-fusion-c-max-h/20396331/article-detail.xml 20396331 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/crvideo_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/crvideo.jpg <![CDATA[Senator calling for answers from Hyundai and Kia over MPG debacle]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/30/senate-calling-for-answers-from-hyundai-and-kia-over-mpg-debacle/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/30/senate-calling-for-answers-from-hyundai-and-kia-over-mpg-debacle/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/30/senate-calling-for-answers-from-hyundai-and-kia-over-mpg-debacle/#commentsFiled under: , ,

2012 Kia Rio sedan - front three-quarter view, white

Hyundai and Kia have already gone public with plans to make good on the inflated fuel economy claims scandal that has rocked both companies in recent weeks. But one US senator, Jay Rockefeller (D-WV), is skeptical that the general public will see much good from the proposal, and he's looking for answers.

To recap: Hyundai/Kia have agreed to compensate owners of 900,000 affected vehicles for real versus previously claimed fuel mileage (as well as adding in a one- fifteen-percent premium), by way of pre-loaded debit cards. It has been speculated that this payout could crest $100 million by the time the Korean automakers are done writing checks.

Said Rockefeller to The Detroit News, "While I believe this is a positive step, I am concerned that many affected customers may not learn about the program or may find it burdensome to participate in the program." Rockefeller would reportedly like to see a monitoring system for the paybacks more clearly defined, with the goal being as many wronged car buyers as possible getting the recompense that they're due.

For its part, the EPA is continuing its probe into the matter, and the government agency could yet pursue civil penalties against the automakers.

Senator calling for answers from Hyundai and Kia over MPG debacle originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Nov 2012 14:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fuel economyhyundaijay rockefellerkiampgmpg scandalrious senateFri, 30 Nov 2012 14:16:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20391799/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/11/30/senate-calling-for-answers-from-hyundai-and-kia-over-mpg-debacle/20391799/article-detail.xml 20391799 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/kia-rio-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/kia-rio-628.jpg <![CDATA[Krafcik: 90% of Hyundai owners satisfied with fuel economy reimbursement program]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/29/krafcik-90-of-hyundai-owners-satisfied-with-reimbursement-prog/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/29/krafcik-90-of-hyundai-owners-satisfied-with-reimbursement-prog/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/29/krafcik-90-of-hyundai-owners-satisfied-with-reimbursement-prog/#commentsFiled under: ,



Hyundai (and sister company Kia) found itself in a bit of hot water recently over false fuel economy estimates on the window stickers of its cars. To remedy this, the automakers will be compensating some 900,000 owners based on their vehicles' odometer readings, and the companies will add an additional 15 percent over the dollar value. In simple terms, this means that for someone who has driven 15,000 miles, a 1-mpg fuel economy reduction would result in a reimbursement of $88.

As part of its Los Angeles Auto Show press conference, Hyundai Motor America CEO John Krafcik updated us on the progress of its reimbursement program, stating that about 90 percent of owners are happy with the process.

"I can tell you that 90 percent of those people who have visited our dealerships for verification of their odometer reading are really satisfied with the reimbursement program."

"Our Hyundai dealers are focused on doing a great job of explaining the reimbursement program to those owners, and they are pulling out all the stops to delight them. It's difficult to put a number on satisfaction for programs like this one, but right now I can tell you that 90 percent of those people who have visited our dealerships for verification of their odometer reading are really satisfied with the reimbursement program. That's a great result. In fact, it's a higher level of satisfaction we've seen compared to any other dealers service campaign we've done."

The Hyundai Accent, Elantra and Veloster will see their highway fuel economy numbers drop from 40 miles per gallon to either 37 or 38 mpg highway.

"This whole episode has obviously been a really difficult one for all of us at Hyundai," Krafcik stated. "We've had a goal of being a fuel efficiency leader in this industry, and while this situation seems to work against that cause, I'm telling you, it's actually strengthening the collective resolve we all have to do a great job here."

Hyundai has long apologized for this situation, citing "human errors" and "honest mistakes" being made during in-house fuel economy testing. "We're treating this like the serious matter it is," said Krafcik, "and we're treating each customer like we would want to be treated. We're owning this issue, we're letting folks know we care, and we're making it right for them - again, for as long as they own their cars."

Krafcik: 90% of Hyundai owners satisfied with fuel economy reimbursement program originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 29 Nov 2012 13:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 la auto showaccentelantrafuel economyhyundaijohn krafcikkialala auto showvelosterThu, 29 Nov 2012 13:40:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20391108/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/11/29/krafcik-90-of-hyundai-owners-satisfied-with-reimbursement-prog/20391108/article-detail.xml 20391108 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/gyi0062992234_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/gyi0062992234.jpg <![CDATA[Will Hyundai's MPG malfunction give ground to Honda?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/19/will-hyundais-mpg-malfunction-give-ground-to-honda/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/19/will-hyundais-mpg-malfunction-give-ground-to-honda/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/19/will-hyundais-mpg-malfunction-give-ground-to-honda/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Hyundai sign with shadowy figure

One man's loss is another man's gain. The same notion can be applied to the automotive marketplace, where bad press for one brand presents an opportune time to capitalize for another. A new Bloomberg puts forth a potential automotive example of this - fallout stemming from the recent Hyundai and Kia fuel economy debacle. The Korean automakers were recently marred for incorrectly calculating their fuel economy data, resulting in the downward adjustment of the fuel economy figures for many of their most popular models.

While this represents a setback for Kia and Hyundai, brands like Toyota and Honda are looking to gain ground on the two Korean marques, which have been catching up to Japan's volume automakers thanks to their radically improved lineups.

In 2010, Hyundai began touting its lineup as the most fuel-efficient in America. This stirred emotions at Honda, a brand that had been the nation's top performer in fuel economy for 33 years. With this recent adjustment by Hyundai, Honda is evidently hoping to wear the fuel efficiency crown once again.

According to the report, the Korean automakers' errors came in the EPA's "coastdown" test, in which a test car is driven to 80 mph, put in neutral and "coasted" to 9 mph. Hyundai admits this part of the test was not performed correctly. According to Sung Hwan Cho, president of Hyundai's US technical center, "These were just honest procedure errors in a very complex testing process."

Adding to Honda's opportunity is the recently previewed 2013 Honda Civic, set to go on sale the same day it is revealed at this month's LA Motor Show. The 2012 model came in for harsh criticism from the automotive press, though the model's sales proved largely unaffected by the controversy. Industry analysts suggest that Honda's new (and presumably improved) 2013 Civic should put the automaker in prime position to reclaim both consumer mindshare and the industry's MPG crown.

Will Hyundai's MPG malfunction give ground to Honda? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Nov 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 honda civiccivicepafuel economyhondahyundaikiampgMon, 19 Nov 2012 15:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20381768/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/11/19/will-hyundais-mpg-malfunction-give-ground-to-honda/20381768/article-detail.xml 20381768 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/hyundai-sign-with-shadowy-figure_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/hyundai-sign-with-shadowy-figure.jpg <![CDATA[Will fallout from Hyundai and Kia's MPG issues hurt resale values?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/06/will-fallout-from-hyundai-and-kias-mpg-issues-hurt-resale-value/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/06/will-fallout-from-hyundai-and-kias-mpg-issues-hurt-resale-value/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/06/will-fallout-from-hyundai-and-kias-mpg-issues-hurt-resale-value/#commentsFiled under: , ,

2013 Kia Soul - front three-quarter view

First came Hyundai's and Kia's corporate admission of guilt about overstating fuel economy numbers, then the recompense, then the lawsuits. Now begins the process of gnawing on every one of the consequences. In case you've only just returned from the International Space Station, Hyundai and Kia have admitted that about a third of the cars they have sold over the past three years have advertised inflated EPA fuel mileage numbers. For instance, the highway mpg number for the 2013 Hyundai Accent isn't 40 mpg anymore, it's either 37 or 38 miles per gallon. The combined mpg for the Kia Soul can take a four mpg hit depending on the trim level.

A piece in USA Today questions how the revelation will affect resale values for the Korean automakers, and the majority of opinions seems to be "not much." An analyst at Kelley Blue Book suggests there could be a short-term penalty, but that the impact might be mostly emotional, and industry watchers at the Institute for Crisis Management and ALG believe that Americans move on pretty quickly and the "absolute dollar" impact will be minimal.

When Consumer Reports compared advertised highway mileage to actual mileage it received, it found discrepancies from 11 mpg more (for the Volkswagen Passat TDI) to one mpg less (for the Hyundai Elantra, coincidentally), and Hyundai and Kia each had three vehicles that were spot on, including the Sonata Hybrid that achieved the company's advertised 40 mpg. Paradoxically, as consumers focus even more on EPA ratings and the government agency's testing protocols have been revised in an attempt to improve accuracy, people seem to be putting even more stock in the phrase "your mileage may vary." So too might your resale values, but it probably won't be because of this latest boondoggle.

Will fallout from Hyundai and Kia's MPG issues hurt resale values? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Nov 2012 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>epafuel economyhyundaihyundai fuel economykiakia fuel economymileageresale valueresidual valueTue, 06 Nov 2012 19:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20372285/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/11/06/will-fallout-from-hyundai-and-kias-mpg-issues-hurt-resale-value/20372285/article-detail.xml 20372285 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/kiasoulresale_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/kiasoulresale.jpg <![CDATA[2013 Honda Accord priced from $21,680*, rated at 27/36 MPG]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/10/2013-honda-accord-priced-from-21-680-rated-at-27-36-mpg/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/10/2013-honda-accord-priced-from-21-680-rated-at-27-36-mpg/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/10/2013-honda-accord-priced-from-21-680-rated-at-27-36-mpg/#commentsFiled under: , ,



For those in the market for a new family sedan (or coupe), Honda has announced pricing and detailed fuel economy numbers for the 2013 Accord range. Base MSRP for the 2013 Honda Accord LX sedan is set at $21,680, while the Coupe carries a base MSRP of $23,350 (*)not including $790 for destination. This represents a price increase of less than $300 for the sedan and $200 for the coupe versus the outgoing model.

Accord LX sedan models with Honda's new continuously variable transmission start at $22,480, the upmarket EX will set you back $24,605, and the Accord EX-L with navigation rings in at $29,995. These models are all equipped with a 2.4-liter inline-four making 185 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque. Six-speed manual-equipped models achieve 24 miles per gallon city and 34 mpg highway while vehicles with the CVT put up 27/36 mpg city/highway.

Opting for a Sport model will get you a 189-horsepower version of that same inline-four, and doing so will set you back $23,390 for a six-speed manual model, which returns the same fuel economy numbers as the non-Sport 6MT models. A Sport model with a CVT achieves 26 city and 35 highway mpg with a base MSRP of $24,190.

Anyone seeking the 278-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 will have to shell out $30,070 for an EX-L V6 sedan, while a the range-topping Accord Touring V6 starts at $33,430. These models are equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission and deliver 21/34 mpg city/highway.

The Accord Coupe EX-L V6 starts at $30,350, and can be had with a six-speed manual, which drops fuel economy to 18/28 mpg city/highway (six-speed automatic models achieve 21/32 mpg). No pricing or fuel economy numbers have been announced for the Accord Plug-In Hybrid.

The sedan will hit dealers on Wednesday, September 19, while the Coupe will arrive Monday, October 15. Click below to check out the press release for complete pricing and fuel economy information.

Continue reading 2013 Honda Accord priced from $21,680*, rated at 27/36 MPG

2013 Honda Accord priced from $21,680*, rated at 27/36 MPG originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 Sep 2012 10:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 honda accord2013 honda accord coupeaccordaccord coupefuel economyhondapricingMon, 10 Sep 2012 10:44:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20319699/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/09/10/2013-honda-accord-priced-from-21-680-rated-at-27-36-mpg/20319699/article-detail.xml 20319699 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/09/2013-honda-accord-ex-l-sedan628opt_thumbnail.jpeg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/09/2013-honda-accord-ex-l-sedan628opt.jpeg <![CDATA[2013 Ford Fusion rated at 25/37 MPG, Hybrid gets 47 MPG]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/07/2013-ford-fusion-rated-at-25-37-mpg-hybrid-gets-47-mpg/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/07/2013-ford-fusion-rated-at-25-37-mpg-hybrid-gets-47-mpg/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/07/2013-ford-fusion-rated-at-25-37-mpg-hybrid-gets-47-mpg/#commentsFiled under: , ,



The EPA posted fuel economy numbers for the 2013 Ford Fusion in front-wheel-drive, all-wheel-drive and hybrid flavors, but they were quickly removed from certain parts of the FuelEconomy.gov website. Car and Driver snagged the numbers before they disappeared, however, and it makes for fine reading.

It's a toss-up nowadays as to whether an automatic or manual will get the ultimate economy, but the best numbers among the conventional Fusion powertrains are the 25 city / 37 highway miles per gallon returned by the six-speed-manual-equipped FWD Fusion with the 179-horsepower 1.6-liter EcoBoost motor. Numbers for the six-speed automatic are right behind, at 23 city / 36 highway.

Dropping nine horsepower and a turbocharger will get you price but not efficiency gains, with the 170-hp naturally-aspirated 2.5-liter four doing 22 city / 34 hwy. In the other direction, that's one small mpg away from the 22 hwy / 33 city to be had by the 237-hp 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder. Add all-wheel drive to the equation and pay a 2-mpg penalty, with the 237-hp motor doing 22 city / 31 hwy when turning all four wheels.

Of course the hybrid Fusion killed it, getting 47 city and 47 hwy. That is only bested by the 2012 Toyota Prius C and Prius, ties the 2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid and beats the 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid. Among its competitors, the Fusion is in the mosh pit with the 2012 Toyota Camry's 25 city / 35 hwy, the Honda Accord's 27 city / 37 hwy and the Chevrolet Malibu's 22 city / 34 hwy, with just the sedan-surfing Nissan Altima jumping out at 27 city / 38 hwy.

2013 Ford Fusion rated at 25/37 MPG, Hybrid gets 47 MPG originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 07 Sep 2012 10:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 ford fusionaccordaltimacamryepafordfuel economyfusionfusion fuel efficiencyfusion mpghondampgnissantoyotaFri, 07 Sep 2012 10:14:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20315075/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/09/07/2013-ford-fusion-rated-at-25-37-mpg-hybrid-gets-47-mpg/20315075/article-detail.xml 20315075 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/09/04-2013-ford-fusion-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/09/04-2013-ford-fusion-opt.jpg <![CDATA[2013 Honda Accord hits 36 MPG highway]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/05/2013-honda-accord-hits-36-mpg-highway/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/05/2013-honda-accord-hits-36-mpg-highway/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/05/2013-honda-accord-hits-36-mpg-highway/#commentsFiled under: ,

2013 Honda Accord

Honda has released official Environmental Protection Agency ratings for the 2013 Accord. Base models come equipped with a direct-injection 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with 185 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque. When mated with a new six-speed manual gearbox, the sedan returns 24 miles per gallon city, 34 mpg highway and 28 mpg combined.

Engineers have also developed a new continuously variable transmission for peak fuel economy. When paired with the CVT, the four-cylinder yields 27 mpg city, 36 mpg highway and 30 mpg combined. Those numbers mark an increase of four mpg city and two mpg highway over the old automatic, but land the Accord behind the 38 mpg of the 2013 Nissan Altima.

While the new direct-injection system and transmissions account for a large portion of that increase, tricks like an electric power steering system and reworked aerodynamics also help. Sport trim bumps power up to 189 hp and 182 lb-ft of torque with no significant fuel economy penalty. Buyers who step into the 278 horsepower 3.5-liter V6 with its 252 lb-ft of torque can look forward to 21 mpg city and 34 mpg highway. That's an increase of one and four mpg, respectively, which helps push the six-cylinder to 25 mpg combined.

2013 Honda Accord hits 36 MPG highway originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 05 Sep 2012 06:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 honda accordaccordfuel economyhondaWed, 05 Sep 2012 06:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20316041/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/09/05/2013-honda-accord-hits-36-mpg-highway/20316041/article-detail.xml 20316041 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/09/2013-honda-accord-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/09/2013-honda-accord-628.jpg <![CDATA[New CAFE rules officially finalized; 54.5 mpg is like making gas $1/gallon cheaper]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/29/new-cafe-rules-officially-finalized-54-5-mpg-is-like-making-gas/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/29/new-cafe-rules-officially-finalized-54-5-mpg-is-like-making-gas/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/29/new-cafe-rules-officially-finalized-54-5-mpg-is-like-making-gas/#commentsFiled under:

Sixties Ford model being refueled

Increasing the Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards for model year 2017-2025 cars to 54.5 miles per gallon was first proposed in July 2011. Since then, there has been a lot of back and forth, a lot of positive and negative responses, and, lately, a delay for unknown reasons. Since the CAFE rules were not changed between the mid-1980s and when President Obama came into office and rules for 2012-2016 model year vehicles were put in place in 2010, it's not a huge surprise this update took so long. That's all over now.

Department of Transportation secretary Ray LaHood and Environmental Protection Agency administrator Lisa Jackson announced the official finalization of new federal fuel efficiency standards in a Tuesday conference call. Some headline numbers from the call:
  • The reduced fuel use will save American families over $1.7 trillion dollars in fuel costs.
  • Vehicles on American roads will use two million barrels of oil less per day by 2025, "as much as half of the oil we import from OPEC each day."
  • More efficient cars will be more expensive, but LaHood said that the buyers can expect average fuel savings of $8,000 per vehicle (over the life of the vehicle) for a 2025 model year car compared to a similar vehicle from 2010, using today's prices. That's equivalent to gas being a dollar a gallon cheaper.
  • You like lower emissions? The new standards will "reduc[e] emissions by 6 billion metric tons over the life of the program - more than the total amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the United States in 2010."
We've heard a lot of those numbers before, but there were some items in the press release (not addressed on the call) that caught our eye. Specifically:

The program also includes targeted incentives to encourage early adoption and introduction into the marketplace of advanced technologies to dramatically improve vehicle performance, including:
Incentives for electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, and fuel cells vehicles;
Incentives for hybrid technologies for large pickups and for other technologies that achieve high fuel economy levels on large pickups;
Incentives for natural gas vehicles;
Credits for technologies with potential to achieve real-world greenhouse gas reductions and fuel economy improvements that are not captured by the standards test procedures.

We don't know how these incentives stack (or don't) with current incentives or if they're just the ones already in place, but we've put in a call to the EPA to find out. We'll let you know when we hear back. A sample of early responses to the official rules - all positive, so far - is available below.

Continue reading New CAFE rules officially finalized; 54.5 mpg is like making gas $1/gallon cheaper

New CAFE rules officially finalized; 54.5 mpg is like making gas $1/gallon cheaper originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Aug 2012 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cafecafe standardscorporate average fuel economyepafuel economylisa jacksonmiles per gallonmpgobamaray lahoodWed, 29 Aug 2012 13:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20311901/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/08/29/new-cafe-rules-officially-finalized-54-5-mpg-is-like-making-gas/20311901/article-detail.xml 20311901 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/08/refueling-old-ford_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/08/refueling-old-ford.jpg -1 2