Jalopnik
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i feel gassy
Ballyhoed New CAFE Standards Riddled With Hummer-Sized Loopholes
When Obama unveiled new fuel standards we decried the end of fun cars and pointed out how far most automakers are from meeting new-for-2016 fuel standards. It turns out, thanks to Hummer-sized loopholes like your car's air-conditioning, automakers should be able to meet them with little fear. More » -
i feel gassy
2010 Toyota Camry Fuel Economy Increased To 33 MPG, Matches Chevy Malibu
The newly-revealed 2010 Toyota Camry's fuel economy officially increased to 33 MPG, matching the previous high-mileage champs, the Chevy Malibu, Saturn Aura and Pontiac G6. Well, that was a fun race, wasn't it? [Kicking Tires]
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By Ray WertComment by Timtoolman, now with power tools!: Wasn't it just a couple of years back that some of the imports were over-rating their gas mileage? This is... 10 Responses | Other threads
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2010 ford fusion
Ford Fusion New Mid-Size Fuel Economy Champ, Bests Toyota, Honda
The I4-equipped 2010 Ford Fusion is now the most fuel-efficient mid-size sedan in America with fuel economy of 34 MPG highway and 23 MPG city, besting the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord. More »
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By Ray WertComment by six: Isn't the Fusion technically Japanese (Mazda)? 10 Responses | Other threads
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Highest Fuel Economy Cars For 2009
New EPA Fuel Economy Guide Reveals Ten Most Fuel Efficient Vehicles For 2009
The Environmental Protection Agency just released their 2009 EPA Fuel Economy Guide and we've pored through the hot-off-the-presses data to pull out this list of the ten most fuel efficient cars for sale in the US next year. Not surprisingly, the Toyota Prius once again tops the list with a combined 48 mpg city/45 mpg highway performance. Though hybrids take four of the top five spots, the Volkswagen Jetta/Jetta SportWagen Diesels cracked the top ten with a 30/41 mpg rating. Also showing up in the lineup for the first time is the new Chevy Cobalt XFE with a fuel economy rating of 25/37 mpg. The rest of the list and the top performers in each category below. More » -
industry news
California Denied Bid For Stricter Emissions, Schwarzenegger Will Be Back
What do you get for the auto industry that just sucked up a new fuel economy bill? A book? Maybe some nice chocolates? If you're President Bush why not deny California's bid to impose stricter auto emissions, thereby discouraging other states from doing the same? As we mentioned in our guide to emissions laws, states have to apply for waivers if they want laws different from the federal statutes. Automakers are pleased as punch regarding the decision, while the Californian Gov and environmentalists are a little peeved (and ready to sue). Full press release from the Governator below the jump. More »
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Comment by Galaxie500: Voting? Like that matters here. The govenor has done a complete flip since elected, no suprise there. Even though there... more » | Other threads
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news
Governator and California Sue EPA Over Car Emissions
Things are about to get exciting if you love hot, government-on-government litigious action. The State of California today sued the Environmental Protection Agency in order to get permission to impose stricter auto emissions standards. This all goes back to a law passed in California two years ago that would require 2009 models to meet higher guidelines, which has yet to get an enforcement waiver from the EPA. If they're denied, Governor Schwarzenegger told reporters "We sue again, and sue again and sue again until we get it," thus setting himself up for countless "I'll be back" jokes. We can't imagine any reason the Bush administration would want to stall this law... Full press release from the Governator's Office below the jump. More »
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Comment by joeknowssuperbowls: California and SIXTEEN OTHER STATES! Has anyone on this site ever been to Los Angeles in the summer? California has... more » | Other threads
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industry news
Screw CAFE, California Wants 43.7 MPG: Automakers to Appeal States-Rights Ruling
As if automakers already didn't need blood-pressure meds from the gub'ment's proposed CAFE changes, the industry's now preparing to make another run at state exhaust regulations. The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers is appealing a district-court ruling this past September that upholds states' ability to regulate exhaust emissions. Automakers had argued that federal law pre-empted state rules, which they say are overly strict. California, for example, recently upped the ante with a required 30 percent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by 2016 — with a phase-in starting in 2009. Automakers say the new regs are too much too soon, noting that to hit California's top mark, their cars must average 43.7 mpg. As they say in Pall Mall, "That's not bloody likely." More » -
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consumer watch
EPA Who? Some Toyota Dealers Sticking With Outdated Prius Mileage Figures
With the EPA's new test methods for calculating fuel-economy estimates in effect for model-year 2008, some new models will get updated numbers on their stickers. For instance, the EPA's figures for the Toyota Prius have dropped from 60 city/51 highway miles per gallon to 48/45. With less marketing value to be gained from the arguably more realistic numbers, some dealerships have decided they'd do the righteous thing, and just stick with the original numbers. A survey of 200 Toyota dealers by CNW Marketing Research shows 33% of dealers still tout the 2008 model year Prius as a 60-mpg machine. And who's blowing the whistle on such dealers of compromised scruples? Other Toyota dealers who are playing by the rules. It's been reported that some of the noncomplying dealers have placed ads featuring with the old numbers on radio and TV rather than in newspapers, where there would be a paper trail of their violations. Hello? YouTube? [GM Inside News] -
news
EPA: You Can Trust The 2008 Mileage Estimates, Really!
We've all known for a long time that EPA fuel economy estimates should be taken with a grain of salt. Well, actually, with a bucket of salt, as the testing was done to simulate a very patient 85-year-old behind the wheel, on a road lined with by-the-book traffic cops (for example, the hardest acceleration used was the equivalent of zero to 60 in 18 seconds). Now the EPA says they'll be revising their tests (which had remained unchanged since 1984) using higher speeds, air conditioning, and colder outside temperatures. Hybrid vehicles will take the biggest estimated-mileage hit, no doubt diluting the sense of smug superiority held by their owners. [New York Times]
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Comment by stu-rock: @skierpage: AGrogan's right. There are a lot of smug Prius drivers in the real world. A sensible car buyer would... more » | Other threads
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i feel gassy
Ann Arbor EPA lab comes up with 93 gadgets that don't help save gas. [Detroit News]
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i feel gassy
A Major Monday Meijer Dilemma: Fill Up For Cheap Or Help Out The Environment
With the mercury rising into the 90's, today's the first ozone action day of the year in Southeast Michigan. Coincidentally it's happening just as prices are beginning to rise, which according to AAA's Michigan office, the average price for a gallon of regular rose by a penny — to hit $3.04 today. Which is why the Detroit News is cluing us in on an interesting AM dilemma. Bargain box store Meijer making the move upward this afternoon as well according to text alerts sent to consumers in the area that they'll be pumping up the price at 1:30 PM at a local area store. Seems like you'd expect a flood of locals to hit the station during lunch break. But the wrinkle is because today's an ozone action day, you're urged not to fill up your tank until after 1:30 PM. Thus the dilemma: ignoring for a moment how dick it was for Meijer to pop up prices on an ozone action day — do you fill up on the cheap this morning before the price change, or do you wait until after the EPA says it's best for the area to fill up, but feel a lighter pocketbook because of it? Talk amongst yourself below and let us know what you'll do. More »
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By Ray WertComment by hairykrishna: Well, according to my quick calculations, petrol's at $7.28 per US gallon here in the rainy old UK. Fill up... more » | Other threads
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news
Pole-Smoking! Supreme Court Takes EPA To Task Over Failure To Regulate Tailpipe Emissions
This one's just breaking and we haven't read the entire decision yet from the Supreme Court, but here's the basics — cribbed from our friends at CNBC:"The court had three questions before it. Do states have the right to sue the EPA to challenge its decision? Does the Clean Air Act give EPA the authority to regulate tailpipe emissions of greenhouse gases? Does EPA have the discretion not to regulate those emissions?"
The answers to the three questions popped out today in magic eight-ball-like fashion:1.) Yes.
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news
Mileage Will Vary: EPA Changes Rules On Fuel Economy To Reflect Reality
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the final changes in rules on fuel economy first proposed last January after mileage tests were last updated in 1985, and as most consumers know, don't at all reflect reality. Whether you're driving a Prius or an Explorer, the mileage on dealer stickers provide nothing more than an overly optimistic view of driving reality. Although no word yet on the specific changes, which will include a redesigned label for the Monroney sticker, the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers (NAMBLA) says its new website www.mileagewillvary.com willgrudginglyprovidespindetails on the changes. More »
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By Ray WertComment by corradokid: Diesels do exist here, non-truck diesels are being sold in the US: VW, Mercedes, Jeep, and Chrysler(?) for now, some... more » | Other threads
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alternative energy
Government to Test Hydraulic Hybrid in Garbage Truck
The hydraulic hybrid-drive system the EPA may or may not have stolen appropriated from a guy named Car Man (or thereabouts) is ready for more real-world tests, the Wall Street Journal reports. The govs that be are planning to roll out their hydraulic system in a Peterbilt garbage truck, to be marketed by a Cleveland company starting next year. The truck uses a hybrid combination of diesel engine and hydraulic pump that saves braking energy as pressure, which it releases as force. UPS has been testing a similar system on two of its gajillion trucks since June. More » -
jalopnik emissions
Jalopnik Emissions: Hari-Kari Edition
• Police in Japan find two dead, one in critical condition in apparent group suicide attempt in car. No word yet on whether the car was a Daihatsu Charade or a Subarau Justy [Pravda]
• Man jailed for allegedly shooting at a car on Indiana highway. No word yet on whether the car was a Daihatsu Charade or a Subaru Justy. [WKYT]
• Marketing idea of the week: Smack your company logo on the family Ford Escape. [eBay via Gridskipper]
• Chrysler announces a voluntary recall of 268,800 vehicles from 2005-2006 to replace the...windshield wiper blade. We'll give $10 for the first person to send in a video of them going in to have the wiper replaced. Bonus $5 if you can fake a horror story of almost losing your life due to the wiper blade on camera in front of the technician. [Detroit News]
• Commercial truck prices rising due to new EPA regulations. Five consumers care. [Detroit News]
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news
Mercury in Switches Big Prob, Says EPA
We love mercury. It's all shiny and weird and molten and heavy. Back in 7th grade, we had a container full of it in science class. Then some girl dropped it and they had to call in a Haz-Mat crew to clean the place up. And now the Feds are working with automakers, recyclers and the steel industry to remove the mercury content from junked cars before they're sent to the crusher. According to the EPA, dead autos contribute 11 tons of quicksilver to the environment every year. More »
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Comment by ecmuller: Ford should make a commitment to remove all mercury as soon as possible more » | Other threads
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news
Feds Lift Mandatory Oxygenate Standard
Methyl tertiary butyl ether and California used to be tight like Walter and The Dude. But then MTBE got all overzealous and screwed up the mission by polluting the groundwater. So Cali partnered up with ethanol, but you know, things with ethanol weren't really working, either, as it actually increased air pollution in some ways. So finally, after a bunch of pestering, the Feds tossed off an "Okay kids, have it your way," and let go of a Clean Air Act mandate to force states into using oxygenates in congested metro area. Plus, y'know, we may even save a buck or two per tank. More » -
ads/promotions
GM's 30 mpg Claim: A Closer Look at the Numbers
Ray from DetroitWonk refers to a piece in The Detroit News that takes GM to task for playing a numbers game with its recently touted "19 models that get 30 mpg or higher" marketing message. Sure, the claim is factually correct, but is GM's implied dominance in the mileage game accurate? Look closer, bids DN writer Ann Job, and you'll find the number only reflects about 30% of GM's vast product line. Toyota and Honda, with their relatively narrower range of products, could claim 55% and 60% such mileage, respectively. Of course every marketer stretches the truth in its ads, but in GM's case, shell-game messaging comes off as blind desperation to reverse what execs feel is misperception of its brands among consumers. There has got to be a better way. More »
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Comment by DetroitWonk: Agreed. They need cars that excite people. Cars that make people want to buy them. They don't... more » | Other threads
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news
Institutional Memory Lapse: Jalopnik on Hydraulic Hybrids
Last spring, as like eight of you may remember, Spinelli handed over the reins to me for a couple of weeks as he trotted off for fun and frolic in the boot-shaped land of his ancestors. I ran across a story on the Inertial Storage Transmission, invented by a Portland, OR man by the name of Vincent Carman back in the '70s. Quick recap: Carman claimed the government was trying to bury his work, while the Postal Service apparently at one time wanted to use it in fleet applications. But wait there's more! The intrigue gets more intriguing after the jump... More »
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Comment by DannyBoy: More importantly, his name is CarMan. How cool is that? more » | Other threads
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alternative energy
Environmental Protection Agency Develops Hybrid System
Call it a kind of automotive Manhattan project, or just Big Govt helping private industry. According to the Detroit News, the US Environmental Protection Agency has developed a hybrid system that could give the country's automakers a market boost against Japanese rivals. The technology uses hydraulics to recapture energy lost via braking as pressure, which is released during acceleration (kind of like those air rockets you once broke Mr. Einhart's window with). The agency says a hydraulic hybrid-drive system could improve fuel economy by 55 percent, and may be less costly than its gas-electric counterparts. Of course, your mileage may vary. More »
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Comment by Davey G.: Rishi: I found it by googling "hydraulic hybrid" on an advanced site search. more » | Other threads
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news
EPA Report Shows Higher Fuel Economy than 2004, Lower Since 1987
OK, we'll lead with the good news: According to the Environmental Protection Agency, US automakers' vehicles scored a 1% fuel economy gain over 2004, averaging 21 mpg for the 2005 model year, compared to 20.8 mpg last year. The bad news? It'd have to be the 5% decrease since carmakers' most fuel-efficient model year, 1987, when the average US model got 22.1 mpg. EPA officials say the increase in light-truck sales, in the form of SUVs, is the root cause (ya think?), though average mileage hasn't been below 20.6 mpg since 1997. The results leave plenty of room for environmentalists to lament their lost ground, and for free-market petrolheads to flaunt environmentalists' relative lack of lost ground. More » -
news
Why Is the EPA Delaying a Report on Vehicle Fuel Economy?
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is being criticized for holding back a report that indicates a significant drop in the fuel efficency of US automakers' vehicles, just as Congress prepares a final vote on an energy bill that's taken six years to get to the floor. The agency had scheduled the report for publication yesterday, but delayed its release — not before sending one off to the New York Times. (Note to the EPA's communications department: Nice one!) More »
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