Autoblog

Gas pumps found to be germiest things we touch

Jeff Sabatini — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 18:01:00 EST

Filed under: Safety

We think Nissan has found its new spokesman for the all-electric Leaf. A microbiologist at the University of Arizona known as "Dr. Germ" says he's identified gas pumps as the biggest biohazard in modern society.

According to The Los Angeles Times, the doctor's research results show 71 percent of gas pump handles are "'highly contaminated' with the kinds of germs most associated with a high risk of illness." Other highly-contaminated items we encounter on an everyday basis include public mailboxes, ATM machines and escalators.

Now, before you run off and buy an electric car to avoid germ-covered gas pumps, know this: The study also found 40 percent of parking meters to be similarly infested. Maybe you should just keep a can of disinfectant wipes in the car. It'd be cheaper, at least.

Gas pumps found to be germiest things we touch originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 29 Oct 2011 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Maine gas stations ignoring penalties, shorting customers fuel to make more money

Jeff Sabatini — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 13:31:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Government/Legal

Think you're paying too much at the pump? Perhaps you are - but not as much as those gassing up in Maine. No, the Pine Tree State doesn't have the highest gas prices in the land (that would still be Hawaii), but it does have a problem with out-of-spec gas pumps. According to state inspection officials, several stations have been found with multiple pumps delivering less fuel than customers are paying for, some of them so inaccurate that the agriculture department has had to order them immediately shut down.

Worse yet, the state lacks the resources to determine whether gas stations owners are purposefully shorting customers or these problems are just random occurrences. While officials say one out-of-spec pump that's not delivering enough fuel might be balanced by one that's flowing more freely than it should, recent inspections have discovered pumps operating up to seven times outside the allowable margin of error. Yet the state can't readily analyze the data it collects during inspections because of outdated computer systems - and a staff of only nine inspectors.

Maine politicians are understandably upset about the issue, but in these times of widespread deficits and budget slashing, it remains to be seen whether they will do anything about it. Of course, Maine is probably not unique in having an overworked weights and measures staff, so we wonder whether we might notice this issue popping up in other places around the country?

Maine gas stations ignoring penalties, shorting customers fuel to make more money originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Oct 2011 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Mercedes-Benz focusing on escaping dreaded gas guzzler tax

Autoblog Staff — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Government/Legal, Mercedes-Benz, Luxury

2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG - Click above for high-res image gallery

For the 2012 model year, Mercedes-Benz will have at least two fewer vehicles on the "gas-guzzler" tax list published by the U.S. Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency. This will continue a positive trend for the company. Iin 2011, 12 M-B models are subject to the dreaded gas-guzzler tax, one less than in 2010 and 10 fewer than in 2006.

Instituted back in 1978, the gas-guzzler tax is applied at the point of purchase against vehicles with "exceptionally low fuel economy." The one-time fee ranges from $1,200 to $7,700.

In addition to eliminating vehicles from the list, M-B says five 2011 models - S600, S65 AMG, CL600, CL63 AMG and CL65 AMG - are subject to reduced taxes compared to the prior year's amount. Vehicles expected to escape the dreaded gas guzzler tax for 2012 include the CLS550 and CLS63 AMG. Both are completely redesigned for the new year and have improved fuel economy ratings.

Mercedes-Benz focusing on escaping dreaded gas guzzler tax originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Jun 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Are gas prices changing home buying habits?

Jeff Glucker — Wed, 25 May 2011 18:41:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Earnings/Financials

Rising gas prices have an affect over many aspects of our lives. Besides increasing the cost of operating automobiles, more expensive fuel leads to an increase in the cost of shipped goods, food and airline tickets. Can gas prices also create changing attitudes amongst home shoppers?

Coldwell Bankers Real Estate recently conducted a survey of real estate professionals, and it found that 75 percent reported clients reevaluating where they search for homes. Home shoppers are looking to reduce commuting distance in order to reduce fuel consumption. The survey found that 77 percent of real estate professionals saw an increase in the number of folks looking for home offices and 68 percent of that pool believe the surge is attributable to rising fuel costs.

The folks at Nielsen have a different take on the matter, however, and believe U.S. consumers have adjusted to a new "spending reality." Folks are adjusting their spending habits to conserve where possible, but Nielsen doesn't believe it's on the level of the 2008 economic freakout.

So now we're going to turn to you, dear Autoblog reader. If you're in the market for a house, have rising gas prices shaped your search in any way? Sound off in Comments.

Are gas prices changing home buying habits? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 25 May 2011 18:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Computer glitch causes gas station to sell 8,000 gallons at $1.10

Autoblog Staff — Tue, 17 May 2011 13:29:00 EST

When residents of Wilmington - a neighborhood of Los Angeles, California - got word that a local Valero fueling station was selling gas for the bargain price of $1.10 per gallon, almost immediately, vehicles lined up 'round the corner. This wasn't one of those promo deals on fuel, though. It was a computer glitch that lead to the station dispensing some 8,000 gallons of gas at just $1.10 each.

According to KCAL 9, it took hours for the on-duty gas station attendant to notice the glitch (didn't the line-up of cars give it away?). In the meantime, police arrived on the scene to direct traffic around the overcrowded station.

When station owner Kenny Nguyen got wind of his unintended act of kindness, he immediately shut down all of the pumps. All told, Nguyen estimates that he lost nearly $21,000 due to the glitch. Ouch.

Computer glitch causes gas station to sell 8,000 gallons at $1.10 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 17 May 2011 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

It's Official: National average gas price hits $4

Autoblog Staff — Fri, 13 May 2011 09:30:00 EST

Filed under: Earnings/Financials

The national average price of gasoline has hit exactly $4 a gallon, approximately a dime below its all-time high. According to a Lundberg Survey of fueling stations released on Sunday, pump prices rose 12 cents over the past two weeks. On July 7, 2008, the national average price of gas soared to $4.114 a gallon, a record-setting high, according to data from the U.S. Department of Energy.

If you're hunting for bargain gas, and willing to drive to get it, then Tucson, AZ offers you the lowest average price among cities surveyed at just $3.62 a gallon. Meanwhile, drivers in Chicago suffered the most, having to dish out an average of $4.50 for a single gallon of the go-juice.

The U.S. Department of Energy will release its weekly survey of diesel and gasoline prices on Monday afternoon. Who's willing to bet that prices will have come down by then?

It's Official: National average gas price hits $4 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 13 May 2011 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Infographic: Gas is still cheap

Chris Shunk — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 19:01:00 EST

Filed under: Etc.

See? Gas really is cheaper than you think... Click above to enlarge

Nationwide, motorists are shelling out an average of $3.55 per gallon of petrol. That's a lot more cash than you were paying last year at this time, but - stop us if you've heard this one before - an interesting graphic from Good shows that gas is a real bargain compared to other liquids we consume every day.

For example, a gallon of freshly brewed coffee from Starbucks will set you back $32. Move up from coffee to Guinness and you're looking at doubling your tally to $64 for every 128 ounces consumed. We know you won't be shocked that Dom Perignon is $755 per gallon, but did you know that nail polish is $1,015 for the same portion size? If you want a consumable with comparable per-gallon pricing, you'll have to pick up some Coca-Cola, which retails for $3.84 per gallon.

Okay, so you probably don't feel any better about gas prices (we sure don't), but you click on the image above to see how other items you use every day compare to the price of a gallon of gas.

[Source: Good via Kicking Tires]

Continue reading Infographic: Gas is still cheap

Infographic: Gas is still cheap originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 Mar 2011 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

SEMA 2010: Ford showcases Explorers customized for a variety of lifestyles

Jeff Glucker — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, SEMA Show, SUV, Crossover, Ford

Custom 2011 Ford Explorers at SEMA - Click above for high-res image gallery

Ford is quite eager to show off the versatility of its all-new 2011 Explorer, so naturally, the automaker has decided to bring a trio of tuned examples to Las Vegas for the 2010 SEMA show. The Blue Oval handed out keys to Funkmaster Flex and Team Baurtwell, Galpin Auto Sports and CGS Performance Products, with each group providing a unique take on the Ford's new crossover.

Funkmaster Flex and his Team Baurtwell crew approached the Explorer with the idea of making it into an urban utility vehicle. Besides the obvious exterior and interior upgrades, Funkmaster Flex has packed this example with a complete Sony Xplod audio setup - a real treat for serious audiophiles.

Galpin Auto Sports designed its Explorer as a full-on luxury crossover. A leather-trimmed headliner has a central section of suede running the length of the ceiling, and that dual-texture styling is replicated in the seats. For second row passengers, an iPad pops out of the console, able to operate in either portrait or landscape mode while docked.

CGS Performance Products takes the luxury idea to a different level by adding in several touches that would be attractive to people with active lifestyles. 22-inch wheels might not be ready for all sorts of off-roading, but the carbon fiber mountain bikes attached to the roof can surely handle all sorts of outdoorsy tasks.

For the full details about each new Explorer, hop the jump and taking a gander at the press release, and peruse through our gallery of high-res images, below.

Gallery: SEMA 2010: Custom 2011 Ford Explorers

Photos copyright (C)2010 Drew Phillips / AOL

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading SEMA 2010: Ford showcases Explorers customized for a variety of lifestyles

SEMA 2010: Ford showcases Explorers customized for a variety of lifestyles originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 Nov 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Ford unhinges rest of its Explorer-filled, SEMA-bound toybox

Jeff Glucker — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 18:58:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, SEMA Show, Ford, Design/Style

Galpin Auto Sports Explorer - Click above for high-res image gallery of Ford customs to debut at SEMA

SEMA 2010 is just around the corner and Ford has supplied a number of vehicles to various aftermarket tuning companies ahead of the festivities. The 2011 Ford Explorer is just one of the vehicles receiving the tuner treatment, but it's getting a lot of attention. Ford has supplied three of them to different companies, to create three different styles: Urban, Luxury and Adventure.

The Urban style was handled by Funkmaster Flex and the Team Baurtwell shop. The crew from GAS, or Galpin Auto Sports, turned its Explorer into a high-end machine for Luxury. CGS Motorsports handled Adventure and added lifestyle touches to the 'ute while still providing an upscale, custom feel.

Other vehicles wearing a Blue Oval at SEMA include;

2011 Lincoln MKX by ID Agency
2011 Ford Taurus SHO by Rick Bottom Designs
2011 Ford Taurus SHO by H&R Springs
2011 Ford Edge by K-Daddy Kustomz
2011 Ford Fusion Sport by Steeda Autosports

You can view each vehicle in the gallery below, and a full press release is available after the jump.

Gallery: Ford's lineup for SEMA 2010

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Ford unhinges rest of its Explorer-filled, SEMA-bound toybox

Ford unhinges rest of its Explorer-filled, SEMA-bound toybox originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 Oct 2010 18:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Taxes drive gas prices to over $7 a gallon in UK, mass boycott coming soon

Eric Loveday — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 07:59:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Government/Legal, UK

Through the power of Facebook, up to a half a million drivers in the UK are expected to boycott gas next month shortly before the nation heads to the polls for a general election in which Prime Minister (PM) Gordon Brown is fighting stiff competition for the win.

Many Brits are upset with recent gas tax increases that were supported and passed by PM Brown. Protesters hope that the mass demonstration will be the nail in the coffin for his chances of winning. Gas prices have soared in Britain, reaching U.S. $1.87 a liter (about $7.06 a gallon) last week. The numbers are a significant increase from a year ago when gas was only $5.55 a gallon. Further upsetting residents, the government pockets a whopping $4.42 from each gallon sold, yet still insists that more taxes are needed. Another government-mandated tax increase is scheduled for this fall followed by one more next winter and, frankly, many people are fed up.

On May 1st, protesters will go into action by blocking entry into local gas stations. As boycott organizer Jo Slater said, "We need to take action, the only way we'll see petrol prices fall is if we hit someone in the pocket." Additional protests are scheduled across the nation with support from the trucking industry and farmers.

Here in the states, we constantly hear complaints of gas prices that are astronomical. Sure, $2.80 might seem like a lot to us, but it's like a slap in the face compared to the UK's knock-out blow. Ouch. Our thanks go to Andy for this one!

[Source: NewsoftheWorld | Image: BradleyPJohnson - C.C. 2.0]

Taxes drive gas prices to over $7 a gallon in UK, mass boycott coming soon originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 21 Apr 2010 07:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Tricked-Out Treat! Galpin Auto Sports builds Halloween-themed hearse

Drew Phillips — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 19:56:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Etc.

Galpin Auto Sports Halloween-themed Hearse - Click above for high-res image gallery

We generally don't think of a hearse as a great platform for customizing, but then again, we've never known Galpin Auto Sports to shy away from messing with anything on four wheels. That's why we weren't surprised to see this specially-built conveyance of corpses constructed by the Southern California customizer. The hearse features a Halloween theme including dozens of hand-painted skulls on the front and side, as well as a spiderweb grille. It's not all spooky, though, and Galpin has made the interior an inviting place to be, with a working barbeque, chilled cooler, and a flatscreen TV all in the coffin. Not a bad place to spend your last few hours above ground!

Gallery: Galpin Auto Sports Halloween-themed Hearse

[Source: Galpin Auto Sports]

Tricked-Out Treat! Galpin Auto Sports builds Halloween-themed hearse originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 31 Oct 2009 19:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

New Hyundai Assurance provision locks gas at $1.49/gal for one year [w/VIDEO]

Chris Shunk — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 11:28:00 EST

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Hyundai

Hyundai Assurance Gas Lock ads - Click above to watch the videos after the jump

Hyundai is piling on additional incentives to boost its Assurance program as the industry heads into the dog days of summer. The newest promotion, Gas Lock, fixes the price of regular unleaded at $1.49 per gallon for the next year. The program runs July 1 through August 31, and eligible vehicles include the Accent, Sonata, Tiburon, Elantra, Elantra Touring, Entourage, Azera, Santa Fe, Tucson and Veracruz. Customers choosing to utilize Gas Lock will forgo $1,000 in available rebates, making the incentive a gamble that gas prices will remain high.

Hyundai Assurance struck at cord with the American public when it offered payment protection in the event of job loss. Now Hyundai is looking to give consumers increased peace of mind over of the volatility of gas prices, which have swung from under $2 a gallon a few months ago to nearly $3 at the beginning of summer.

John Krafcik, CEO and president of Hyundai Motor America, says the company's research shows that "nearly 40% of potential new car buyers are staying out of the market specifically due to uncertainty around future gas prices."

You may remember that last year, Chrysler tried a similar promotion, offering the opportunity to lock in gas at $2.99 per gallon when a gallon of petrol was at an all-time high of about $4.50. The move didn't appear to be very successful for the Pentastar, as most opted to instead take the upfront cash on the hood. Hit the jump to pour over the particulars of Hyundai's Gas Lock promotion, watch the two commercials, and let us know in the comments section if you feel customers would be better off taking the $1,000 or one year of $1.49 gasoline.

[Source: Hyundai | Image: Justin Sullivan/Getty]

Continue reading New Hyundai Assurance provision locks gas at $1.49/gal for one year [w/VIDEO]

New Hyundai Assurance provision locks gas at $1.49/gal for one year [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Jun 2009 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

REPORT: CAFE fuel economy standards to rise 8% by 2011

Chris Paukert — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 10:29:00 EST

Filed under: Trends, Government/Legal, Green

The nation's Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards will swell to 27.3 miles-per-gallon by 2011. That's the word coming out of Washington, where the U.S. Department of Transportation is expected to bump the fleet fuel economy standards for the first time in more than a quarter-century.

The 27.3 mpg figure represents an 8% increase over the current 2010 requirement of 25.3. In specific, cars will need to average 30.2 mpg and light trucks will need to hit 24.1 mpg.

The truck figure is expected to be a tough one for automakers to meet within that timetable (most of the vehicles for 2011 are already well along in development - if not on dealer lots already). However, automakers are actually operating ahead of the 2010 requirements, achieving 2007 model year averages of 31.3 mpg for cars and 23.1 mpg for trucks, so there is some hope that the figures are workable.

Further, General Motors and Chrysler may have some additional federal funds to help them get there - the Obama administration is hinting that it will release more federal aid to the troubled automakers. The two companies have already received $17.4 billion in loans and are seeking a further $21.6 billion to stave off bankruptcy.

This is a separate issue from the decision that President Obama's administration is mulling over whether it should allow California (and the 13 other states that follow its policies) to mandate a 30 percent drop in tailpipe emissions by 2016, essentially a backdoor mandate of 34.5 mpg by 2015.

Federal estimates say the new CAFE figures will save 887 million gallons of fuel and 8.3 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions.

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

REPORT: CAFE fuel economy standards to rise 8% by 2011 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Mar 2009 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Interactive map reveals our global oil useage by barrel, money

Jonathon Ramsey — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 10:02:00 EST

Filed under: Etc.

The Rocky Mountain Institute has created a nifty interactive map that shows you where the U.S. gets its oil from, along with how much - and who - the U.S. pays for its oil. Based on the thickness of the lines, you can see just how much black stuff is coming from where. The map goes as far back as 1973, the year of the first oil crisis, and is accompanied by a graph charting usage and dollars since then. As you'll notice in the pic above, we give a whole lot of money to Saudi Arabia, as well as our Canuck friends up north.

Additionally, RMI has included information on oil production in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and the Outer Continental Shelf (in the Gulf) There are some interesting factoids to be found: ANWR drilling wouldn't start until 7-12 years after it's opened up, and peak production - up to 1.9 million barrels-per-day - isn't expected to commence until 20-30 years after that. Thus, drilling in the OCS probably won''t have any impact on fuel prices until 2030. Follow the link to check it out for yourself. Hat tip to reader Rick!

[Source: Technology Review]

Interactive map reveals our global oil useage by barrel, money originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 10 Jan 2009 10:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

SEMA 2008: Galpin Accord Concept is loud outside and in

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 11:58:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Concept Cars, Motorsports, SEMA Show, Tuners, Coupe, Honda

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Galpin Accord Concept

The Galpin Accord Concept is actually pretty tasteful for a Galpin Auto Sports vehicle, and even if the bright blue paint job doesn't get you more attention on the street than you can handle, the two tunnel-sized exhausts out back will do the trick. The carbon fiber roof and plinth for a rear wing will also get you all kinds of cred in certain parts of town. And while information is scarce, the Stoptech brakes up front will help you come back from the edge when the car's actual limits are exceeded. We don't what's hiding under that carbon fiber hood, but we'll take it on faith that the intercooler up front isn't just for show and that something turbo'd lies within. And then, because apparently racers can't hear the stereo when they're hard on the gas, the back seat has been replaced with a speaker array. You just can't be the fastest man on the planet without tunes, now can you? Ah, SEMA... Check it out the gallery of high-res photos below.

Gallery: SEMA 2008: Galpin Honda Accord Racer

SEMA 2008: Galpin Accord Concept is loud outside and in originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 06 Nov 2008 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Galpin Auto Sports unveils radical Scythe concept car

Drew Phillips — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 15:02:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, SEMA Show

Click above for a high resolution image of the Scythe Concept

Remember the mysterious Mustang-based "Project B" concept car that we spied at Galpin Auto Sports last month? The completed version was unveiled this past weekend during a celebrity-packed party at the shop's Southern California facility. We were spot-on with the specs of the car, including the twin-supercharged 5.0L V8 that is pushing out a claimed 1005 horsepower and the massive 16.5-inch Wilwood disc brakes. The Scythe also features unique composite body panels, a wrap-around pillarless glass cockpit, reverse opening vertical doors, and a voice-controlled computer that can offer up weather, traffic, sports, and more through a 3G network connection. Full details on the car can be found in the press release after the jump, and we'll be sure to bring you more photos when we see the car at SEMA in just a few weeks.

[Source: Galpin Auto Sports]

Continue reading Galpin Auto Sports unveils radical Scythe concept car

Galpin Auto Sports unveils radical Scythe concept car originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 22 Oct 2008 15:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Could U.S. become net exporter of gasoline?

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 17:32:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Etc., Green

A number of factors are conspiring to create a situation that recently would have been unthinkable: the United States as a supplier of gasoline to world markets. According to Booz & Company, those factors are the rise of biofuels in the West, the introduction of plug-in electric and other alternative fuel vehicles, and the growth of the really cheap car, like the Tata Nano.

The United States imports oil to feed its gasoline habit, but the U.S. has refining capacity that developing nations cannot match. The U.S. is also lowering its reliance on traditional gasoline due to the price, states' mandates on switching to biofuels, and the dawn of mass market alternative fuel vehicles. This adds up to the United States importing oil, and then selling it to nations like India and China to feed their larger appetites for gasoline.

In the middle of all of this are the refineries, who made predictions for today's business plans two decades ago. Sure, no one is crying for them -- they need extra pages to include the zeros on their profit statements -- but they have to start figuring out who's going to need which products and how they are going to deliver them. And, by refining company standards, they need to do it quickly, which is a method of operation they aren't well versed in.

[Source: Green Car Congress via Kicking Tires; Photo CC 2.0 - National Archives]

Could U.S. become net exporter of gasoline? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 28 Aug 2008 17:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Prius schmius -- try an Austin-Healey Sprite and 36 mpg

Jonathon Ramsey — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 18:04:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Etc., Lifestyle

Of course your wallet hurts every time you have to fill the car up. Nevertheless, in these trying times we must always remember the words of Fernando Lamas: it is better to look good than to feel good. Cars That Matter has put together a list of classic automobiles that get anywhere from 21 to 48 mpg, which means you can look good while you save money.

The heaviest drinker is the Datsun 240Z, just cracking into the twenties. But plenty of cars hover around the 30 mpg mark, like the Lotus Europa, Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider, and Fiat X1/9. If you want to crack the big four-oh, you've still got choices: BMW Isetta and Honda S800. And the Crosley Hotshot will get you a miserly 48 mpg.

All right, so there are some niggling issues of practicality -- almost all the cars have only two chairs -- unsuitability for winter, plus many of them are mechanical horrors. As such, we must always remember the words of dear old dad: there are no free lunches. But there are choices, and that has to count for something...

[Source: Cars That Matter, Photo by Liftarn | Creative Commons 2.0]

Prius schmius -- try an Austin-Healey Sprite and 36 mpg originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 10 Aug 2008 18:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Maybe you should think in gallons-per-mile instead of MPG

Jonathon Ramsey — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 16:02:00 EST

Filed under: Etc.

U.S. university boffins have hypothesized that you'll get a better idea of how much you spend on gas if you start thinking in gallons per mile. With U.S. gas prices headed for the upper atmosphere, people are paying more attention to fuel efficiency numbers. Europeans already express their fuel usage in liters/100 km, which makes sense seeing that they've been paying $5 a gallon for much longer than we have.

The key is that going from 10- to 20-MPG yields higher savings -- which means less money spent on fuel -- than going from 25- to 50-MPG. The former swap yields $25 dollars in savings over 100 miles, the latter yields just $10 in savings. However, if you know that one car uses 5.5 gallons per 100 miles, and another uses 3.5 gallons per 100 miles... then you immediately know which one will cost you less at the pump.

Of course, this all depends on what kind of car you're starting with in the first place. Researcher Richard Larrick said, "We were trying to decide whether to get rid of a minivan and go for a station wagon versus getting rid of a sedan and going for a really high-mileage hybrid car. We realized in the end we were better off trading in the minivan and only gaining 10 miles per gallon then we would be trying to swap out the sedan for a highly efficient car." Thanks for the tip, Stephen!

[Source: Reuters]

Maybe you should think in gallons-per-mile instead of MPG originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 21 Jun 2008 16:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

G8 nations ask for more oil, pledge to use less

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 18:30:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Government/Legal, Green

It's a complex issue, this business of oil. With stock markets and unemployment numbers taking their lumps, civilian unrest at oil and food prices, and politicians weighing in with all manner of cures and pronouncements, the Group of Eight nations got together to try and figure something out. The result: they want oil producing companies to produce more oil while they work on creating oil-independent fuel sources.

It's the equivalent of Wimpy saying to Popeye, "For a hamburger today I will gladly pay you on Tuesday." The G8 nations, including the U.S., want more of the black stuff to see them through this rough spot. In the mean time, all countries but Germany pledged to begin exploring nuclear power and building reactors, and examining technology like carbon capture and storage. Think of carbon storage as a sealed, underground landfill for coal plant emissions. If they can get it to work -- and find the space -- they can use more coal without creating more emissions.

An OPEC representative said there would be no decision on any production change until it convenes its next meeting in Vienna on September 9. In the mean time, the retail price of oil has passed $4 nationwide in the U.S. for the first time ever, and you can probably expect to pay more for gas as each week of summer passes.

[Source: Detroit Free Press]

G8 nations ask for more oil, pledge to use less originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 09 Jun 2008 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments