Wheels Blog: Fuel Economy: Small Decline in 2011 and a Probable Climb in 2012, E.P.A. Says
The E.P.A. fuel economy and emissions numbers for 2012 are preliminary, and based on sales estimates provided to the agency by automakers.
Obama Proposes $2-Billion Fund For Alternative Fuel Vehicles, No Mention Of Hydrogen
“The only way to break this cycle of spiking gas prices — the only way to break that cycle for good — is to shift our cars entirely, our cars and trucks, off oil,”
So said President Obama during a speech in Illinois, where he outlined a plan to provide $200 million a year for 10 years to a fund that would promote the development of alternative fuel vehicles. The funds would be provided by royalties from oil drilling on the Out Continental Shelf.
One notable omission from his remarks was the abs…
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Survey: Car shoppers want better fuel economy, here’s why
Two thirds of car buyers expect their next model to provide much or somewhat better fuel economy, based on the latest survey by the Consumer Reports National Research Center. And it turns out fuel prices aren’t the only key motivator.
Around one quarter (28 percent) of those interviewed said they don’t expect fuel economy will change when moving from their current vehicle to their next one, while just 5 percent expect somewhat worse or much worse fuel economy. Considering most consumers are looking at …
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Ford Reportedly in Talks with EPA About Hybrid Fuel Economy Test Procedures
Hyundai and Kia made very public headlines earlier this year when the two brands were forced to cut the EPA ratings on most of their model lines, after EPA review of the cars’ economy showed they were falling well short of their window-sticker fuel economy figures. The issue is being closely watched by almost all [...]
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Why do Ford’s new hybrids ace the EPA fuel economy tests?
When real-world fuel economy doesn’t match EPA estimates, the difference may lie in the cars’ design. Ford’s new C-Max and Fusion hybrids fall far short of their “47 city/47 highway/47 combined mpg,” according to a growing number of reports.
Consumer Reports’ road tests yielded similar results. For example, we clocked a much lower, but still outstanding, 41 mpg for the Fusion and 38 mpg for the C-Max in our highway tests. That difference in mpg may be linked to the way the Ford hybrids work.
Ford’s…
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Fuel figures: How are they figured out?
It's not the way you probably think it's done. There's no driving, except on a dyno in a lab, and the tests don't really match the way people actually drive (at least in Canada; the U.S. tries a bit harder). Find out more in my Sympatico Autos story by clicking here.
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Fuel economy gains reach record levels, cut greenhouse emissions
If Americans are buying more fuel-efficient cars, is it making any difference? The latest study by the University of Michigan cites benefits far greater than the fuel economy improvements would indicate.
According to the University’s Eco Driving Index, the average fuel economy for the latest new cars bought by Americans has risen to 24.1 mpg as of October, compared with 22.3 mpg for all of model year 2011, and 23.5 mpg so far for the rest of 2012.
Compared with 2007, the average fuel quantity Americ…
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New Fleet Focused Bi-Fuel trucks expand GM’s Alt Fuel Expertise
Joyce Mattman | Director, Commercial Product and Specialty Vehicles, GM Fleet and Commercial Operations
In any business, success hinges on putting customers first, and this couldn’t be more true at GM Fleet & Commercial. We strive to do this each day by focusing on three simple principles: providing customers with great products, innovative business solutions and exceptional customer service.
My team is focused on new and innovative products to ensure that we meet customer needs. We’ve made some …
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EPA finds Hyundai exaggerated fuel economy claims, refunds coming to customers
Hyundai and Kia today announced that the companies are revising their fuel economy estimates downward after the EPA spot-checked several models and found that the results did not live up to Hyundai’s and Kia’s claims.
The affected Hyundai models include the 2012 and ’13 Accent, Elantra, Sonata Hybrid, Azera, Tucson, and Veloster, and the 2012 Genesis sedan and 2013 Genesis coupe, and Santa Fe Sport. From Kia, this correction includes 2012 and ’13 Rio, Sorento, Soul, and Sportage.
The fuel economy fi…
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Innovative Use of Magnesium By GM Means Big Fuel Economy Gains for Customers
On the heels of announcing an industry-first welding technology for aluminum, GM Research and Development is revealing a patented new process for adding magnesium sheet metal to vehicles. The use of magnesium, which weighs 33 percent less than aluminum, 60 percent less than titanium, and 75 percent less than steel, will help customers save money at the gas pump.
Until now, automakers have struggled to make reliably strong and non-corroding magnesium sheet metal panels using traditional panel forming meth…