Autoblog

Hyundai plant one of 100 factories shutting down in wake of Beijing pollution scare

Zach Bowman — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 14:01:00 EST

Filed under: China, Government/Legal, Plants/Manufacturing, Safety, Hyundai

Many factories and chemical plants have suspended production in Beijing in an attempt to curb dangerous pollution, according to the South China Morning Post. The air pollution is some of the worst the city has seen in years, with harmful PM2.5 particle rates hovering between 200 and 400 micrograms per cubic meter. That number is down from as high as 886 on Sunday. For contrast, the US Environmental Protection Agency regulations say PM2.5 concentration at any location be no higher than 65 micrograms per cubic meter, with average maximums not to exceed 15 micrograms per cubic meter.

China blames the pollution on vehicle emissions, industrial production and an increase in domestic coal use to heat homes during cold weather. A total of 48 work sites, including construction zones, metal refineries and chemical plants have suspended production, and 41 factories have cut back production as well. That includes Hyundai Motor Beijing, which suspended production on Sunday.

Even so, the area's children's hospitals are receiving up to 10,000 patients per day with respiratory ailments. The city's government says it is in the midst of an eight-year plan to curb pollution and that levels have dropped between 30 and 70 percent over the past 14 years thanks to its actions.

Hyundai plant one of 100 factories shutting down in wake of Beijing pollution scare originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 Jan 2013 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Artists create amazing "reverse graffiti" car art using pollution and a power washer

Jeff Glucker — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Videos, Design/Style

Marc Cameron and Paul "Moose" Curtis, are an artistic twosome that are exceedingly skilled at turning dirt, grime and muck into art. In fact, the pair have teamed up to create our favorite kind of art - the sort that features automobiles as the subject. Starting with a spot on a dirt-covered wall in Munich, Moose and Cameron remove the buildup of gunk in various layers leaving behind their desired image.

It's called "reverse graffiti" or "grime writing," and rather than covering a wall in paint, Cameron and Moose actually clean a portion of the area they're working on. Some stencils, a few helping hands and a high-pressure power washer are the tools at work, and the resulting image not only illustrates how polluted public surfaces can be, it's also wonderful spin on a form of art that's typically frowned up.

Click past the jump to watch a reverse graffiti Tesla Roadster come to life, a project Cameron and Curtis coordinated with German's SZ-Magazin. Also, click through the gallery to get a closer look at some more of Marc and Paul's work, including the Renault Twizy. If you are interested in learning more about Marc's unique work, feel free to email him - Cameron @ Cameron2210.com or check out his website using the link below.

Continue reading Artists create amazing "reverse graffiti" car art using pollution and a power washer

Artists create amazing "reverse graffiti" car art using pollution and a power washer originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Sep 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: EPA draws up strict new smog regulations

Chris Shunk — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 17:33:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Safety

The Environmental Protection Agency has asked the U.S. government to enact strict new smog regulations for ground-level ozone that the agency says negatively effects the health of millions of Americans. The request to cut ground-level ozone levels to .006 to .007 parts per million comes less than two years after the Bush administration set standards of .0075 particles of pollutants per one million.

That doesn't sound like a very big change, but the New York Times reports that the agency quotes the price tag of such a change at between $19 billion and $100 billion per year by 2020. Oil manufacturers, manufacturing and utility companies are the main source of air pollution and they will have to spend heavily to meet the proposed regulation.

Much of the costs associated with making powerplants and manufacturing facilities cleaner will fall directly on the shoulders of consumers, though a great deal of that money could possibly be recouped by cheaper health care. The EPA estimates that we would save between $13 billion and $100 billion per year in health care costs if our air were cleaner. Even more important are the estimated 12,000 lives that will be spared each year from heart and lung disease if big industry emits fewer pollutants.

Agency Administrator Lisa P. Jackson underscored the negative impact of smog to our health, adding that ground-level ozone "dirties our air, clouds our cities and drives up our health care costs across the country." National Association of Clean Air Agencies executive director S. William Becker adds that local governments have been asking for tougher standards "for 30 years," and that cleaner air "will ensure that public health is protected with an adequate margin of safety."

Not surprisingly, the oil lobby isn't all that happy with the EPA's request. The American Petroleum Institute calls the proposal costly and likely ineffective, classifying it as an "obvious politicization of the air quality standard setting process that could mean unnecessary energy cost increases, job losses and less domestic oil and natural gas development and energy security."

[Source: New York Times | Image: Ethan Miller/Getty]

Report: EPA draws up strict new smog regulations originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 07 Jan 2010 17:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: GM gets out from under its polluted sites scot-free

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 19:01:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Plants/Manufacturing, GM

Among those clamoring for attention and payouts from Motors Liquidation Co., the company that assumed General Motors' unwanted assets after its Chapter 11 filing, are the environmental and economic redevelopment departments of state governments. According to reports, when GM exited bankruptcy, its polluted factory and land sites were consumed by the Motor Liquidation, allowing the automaker to avoid the responsibility of cleaning up its mess, and state leaders fear there won't be any money to clean the locations.

Before bankruptcy, GM estimated it had $1.9 billion in environmental issues and litigation liabilites. Motors Liquidation Co., though, has only about $1.2 billion to manage the entire wind-down of its affairs -- and as one might expect, attorneys handling the matter are expected to get a huge chunk of that. The figure to clean up sites in places like Buick City (pictured, before the buildings were demolished), Michigan and Massena, New York has been pegged at $530 million. However, the way it's looking, there won't be anywhere near that much money to get the job done.

The affected areas are afraid they will have to pay for the clean ups or simply let the land go unused. The problem with that: those local governments don't have the money. And they can't expect a developer to spend millions to clean up an old mess. If not Motors Liquidation or GM, civic representatives want the government to foot the bill since the current administration orchestrated the deal. No one knows how it will -- or won't -- be resolved, but the EPA has said that it's in touch with states and Motors Liquidation to "identify any environmental cleanup requirements that existed at the time of bankruptcy."

[Source: Freep | Photo Credit: Plan59]

REPORT: GM gets out from under its polluted sites scot-free originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 07 Aug 2009 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Riders on the Storm: Does car exhaust contribute to lightning strikes?

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 15:58:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Green, Technology

You can add another life-killing phenomenon to the list of deadly byproducts attributable to cars: increased lightning strikes. Researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem found that in the southeastern U.S. from 1998-2008, there was 25% more lightning during the work week than on the weekend.

This follows from research by NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center that found rainfall in that same area of the country rose during the week. The suspected culprit is automobile pollution, which is causing more storms during the week and increasing the severity of storms. That pollution, and the humid air in the southeast, makes for more clouds to rise and create more conditions for lightning strikes. It's just another step closer to the apocalypse, and we don't doubt that they'll soon be telling us cars cause cancer. Oh, wait... Thanks for the tip, Corey!

[Source: Scientific American via The College Driver]

Riders on the Storm: Does car exhaust contribute to lightning strikes? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Jan 2009 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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No car repairs or painting in Beijing until after Olympics

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 18:35:00 EST

Filed under: China, Etc., Government/Legal, Green, Safety

The city of Beijing has drawn widely-publicized controversy due to its poor air-quality leading up to the 2008 Summer Olympic games. In fact, the air pollution is at least two to three times higher than levels deemed safe by the World Health Organization at this very moment. To ease the minds of the competing athletes, the city of Beijing is taking steps to improve the situation and has promised clean air for the games. Officials in Beijing have already cut the number of vehicles driving in the city in half by alternating what vehicles are allowed to drive each day and have asked more people to ride bikes. Now, they've banned car repairs and spray painting until after the games are over. We are all for the athletes rights to breathe clean air, but we also have to wonder about the economic cost associated with cutting out all automotive repairs and painting.

[Source: Motor Authority]

No car repairs or painting in Beijing until after Olympics originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 Apr 2008 18:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford exec: Drive greener or else!

Chris Tutor — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 08:09:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, SUV, Green, Ford

In an interview with Whatcar?, Ford's global product development boss Richard Parry-Jones said car buyers need to embrace greener cars if global warming is to be overcome. In fact, Parry-Jones goes on to say it's the role of the consumer, not car manufacturers, to save the planet from polluting automobiles. Government incentives for eco-conscious car shoppers, not punishment of manufacturers, is the way to go, he said.

This environmentalist push is brought to you by a company producing at least 40 Ford-branded models rated at less than 20 mpg city by the EPA. Only eight 2007 Fords get more than 30 mpg on the highway. Though to Ford's credit, Parry-Jones says 66% of his company's future R&D budget is devoted to increasing fuel-economy and reducing emissions. We've reported in the past, however, that not all agree with Ford's green push.

[Source: Whatcar?]

Ford exec: Drive greener or else! originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 30 Oct 2006 08:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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German government calls out the PT Cruiser for tailpipe emissions

Eric Bryant — Wed, 10 May 2006 15:38:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Government/Legal, Green, Technology, Crossover, Chrysler

DaimlerChrysler is on the receiving end of some flack from Germany's own Federal Emissions Agency, which is accusing the automaker of inadequate pollution controls on the European-market Chrysler PT Cruiser.

The debate centers on the function of the PT's catalytic converter at high rates of speed. According to the agency, heavy acceleration above 72 MPH (and any acceleration in a PT at that speed probably counts as "heavy") results in excessive carbon monoxide emissions. A spokesperson for Chrysler claimed that such a scenario was not part of the emissions certification process, but the environmental agency rejects this claim and states that the pollution limits apply to any part of the drive cycle. It would seem that the agency is ignoring the fundamentals of engine management; heavy acceleration calls for fuel enrichment to avoid engine damage, and that will cause CO emissions given a sufficiently long application of wide-open throttle.

[Source: Reuters]

German government calls out the PT Cruiser for tailpipe emissions originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 May 2006 15:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Biodiesel plant caught polluting

Joel Arellano — Fri, 21 Apr 2006 15:23:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Government/Legal, Green

The Seattle Times reports that the Washington State Department of Ecology has sent a warning to a biodiesel-crushing plant in the state that it is releasing methanol, a toxic vapor, without a permit. Further investigation has shown spilled vegetable and biodiesel oil on the premise, as well. The landlord has ordered a halt on all biodiesel production.

The investigation comes at a bad time for biodiesel supporters. Plans such as building ten biodiesel plants in other parts of the state are threatened as the State Department and biodiesel companies such as Air-Energy, which had invested in such plants, clash over issues from lack of permits to proper waste management.

[Source: Seattle Times]

Biodiesel plant caught polluting originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 21 Apr 2006 15:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fox News commentator: Ford's 'Green strategy' a mistake

Joel Arellano — Mon, 27 Mar 2006 07:24:00 EST

Filed under: Trends, SUV, Green, Ford, Earnings/Financials

On Fox News, Steven Milloy writes about the backlash suffered by Ford CEO Bill Ford, Jr. at the hands of various environmental groups. The organisations have expressed their displeasure by pointing out that the Blue Oval still produces too much pollution from its manufacturing ("more heat-trapping pollution into our skies each year than the entire country of Mexico"); continues to produce gas-guzzling SUVs; and argues that the automaker opposes proposed California legislation requiring reduction of carbon dioxide emissions by 2016. The ridicule climaxes adjacent to the pictured ad in the New York Times.

However, Milloy takes issue with the criticism, pointing to what he considers the fallacies of the groups' talking points. But he reserves the bulk of his ire for Ford himself, who he believes is too 'occupied' trying to appeal to the environmental groups, even when such overtures threaten the company's bottom line. For example, Milloy points out that according to the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, complying with the California law may reduce CO emissions by a 'minuscule' amount while raising vehicle costs by thousands of dollars.

Specific details can be found at the link. When you come back, fire off in Comments.

[Source: Fox News.com]

Fox News commentator: Ford's 'Green strategy' a mistake originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Mar 2006 07:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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London questions hybrid's environmental friendliness

Joel Arellano — Mon, 20 Mar 2006 16:30:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Europe, Government/Legal, Green

U.K. Channel 4 reports that Ken Livingston, the mayor of London, England, is questioning the exemption status of the Lexus RX400h SUV. Owners of the hybrid do not pay the normal eight pound ($14 USD) daily "congestion charge" levied on London drivers by the city.

The reason for this reexamination? The RX400h uses more fuel and releases more carbon dioxide in its non-electric mode than many non-hybrid vehicles according to the article. Also, Jenny Jones, an adviser to Livingstone, states, "...Its size means it causes more congestion and it also poses a danger to pedestrians and cyclists because of the high, unforgiving bonnet."

[Source: The Times via Channel 4]

London questions hybrid's environmental friendliness originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 20 Mar 2006 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Government emissions study a blow to automakers

Stuart Waterman — Sat, 18 Mar 2006 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Green

The U.S. National Research Council released its much-anticipated study of emissions standards Thursday, and its recommendations are a major disappointment to automakers. The NRC study backed the rights of individual states to set their own tough vehicle pollution standards independently of the federal Environmental Protection Agency, following the lead of California.

California implemented pollution regulation before the federal government, and has been granted the authority to continue setting its own standards. Other states can choose between federal standards and California's tougher rules.

The NRC found California's approach to be both scientifically valid, and necessary because of persistent pollution problems in some parts of the state. California in 2004 approved the world's most stringent rules to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and automakers have been lobbying hard to restrict their adoption by other states.

Government emissions study a blow to automakers originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 18 Mar 2006 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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