Stop-start systems are a virtually universal feature of hybrid electric vehicles all over the world. They are an integral part of hybrid powertrain strategies because they work well in increasing a car’s fuel efficiency in urban driving that often involves stop-and-go traffic, when a car is standing still and running at idle. Now stop-start features […]
It’s interesting to chart the growing sales of hybrids and other clean vehicles today. What’s really enlightening, though, is to understand how these vehicles are being used and what their implications are for our driving future. That’s where cutting-edge demonstration projects like Austin’s Pecan Street bring great value to urban and transportation planners, by providing […]
The future of electrified vehicles seems to be on two tracks – upscale performance sports cars and lower-cost city cars. Infiniti is one of several marques on the growing list of automakers apparently poised to develop the former, or at least explore the technology for high performance electric cars. Infiniti’s Emerge-E Concept features two synchronous DC […]
Clean cars and dirty fuels don’t mix. EPA and DOT will issue final standards to strengthen fuel efficiency and slash carbon pollution spewing from 2017-2025 vehicles. These standards pick up where the standards for 2012-2016 vehicles leave off, promising 13 years of continuous improvement in new vehicles. Automakers are churning out vehicles with better fuel […]
Momentum has been growing for biodiesel as a way to diversify transportation’s energy use and reduce emissions. The renewable fuel, which is made from agricultural byproducts and co-products such as soybean oil, is also a boon for American farmers and many Midwestern states. As an example, the nation’s leading biodiesel state – Iowa – has […]
Eaton Corporation, a company involved in electric vehicle charging, is now on a mission to develop a next-generation home refueling station for natural gas vehicles. The company is aiming to solve one of the vexing challenges for commercializing natural gas passenger vehicles for general consumers: affordable at-home natural gas refueling. Home refueling allows natural gas […]
VW is adding a natural gas version of its 2013 Golf to its offerings in Europe. The bi-fuel EcoFuel Golf has two CNG cylinders mounted beneath the floor providing a range of about 260 miles. A 13 gallon gasoline tank delivers an additional driving range of 540 miles, for a noteworthy total range of 800 […]
Patrick Racing aims to show how clean-burning natural gas can effectively compete amid conventionally and alternatively powered counterparts in American Le Mans Series (ALMS) racing. The team is working with the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA), sanctioning body for ALMS racing, to identify development and testing opportunities for natural gas fuel systems to power the […]
Fuel economy is driving sales of new cars. In an era of high fuel prices, consumers in increasing numbers are shopping mpg, and that’s good for automakers.
Leave it to Audi to continue making electric drive news at the track. The automaker’s R8 e-tron – an electrified version of the way-cool R8 supercar – has set a world record for electric production vehicles at Nürburgring’s Nordschleife loop, regarded by many as one of the most demanding test tracks in the world. Piloted […]
The Gasoline Regulations Act (H.R. 4471) should be known as the ‘Gutting Air Standard Protections Act’ – or ‘GASP Act’ – because it denies the public the right to breathe clean and healthy air. There is no question that this bill by Representatives Whitfield (KY) and Barrow (GA) and approved by the U.S. House of Representatives […]
The Toyota Avalon has always been aimed squarely at those who enjoy a large and comfortable car. It is Lexus quiet, Toyota reliable, large enough for Americans, and reasonably priced. While a good car, though, the Avalon’s environmental credentials have never been strong. That’s about to change with the all-new 2013 Avalon Hybrid coming to […]
Cloud computing and Google Prediction in future Fords will optimize your daily drive, plan your routes, and save energy in the process. How can it do this? Imagine this scenario: You get behind the wheel of a plug-in hybrid and turn the ignition key. A computerized voice asks, ‘Good morning, are you going to work?’ […]
The Lotus Evora 414E series hybrid that first saw the light of day at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show has now begun testing. This is a move important to proving the viability of its advanced powertrain and other high profile technologies in the Lotus portfolio. Based on the slippery-looking production Lotus Evora model, the Evora […]
Repurposing spent electric car batteries is a smart move that can keep them out of the waste stream and provide value to seemingly useless products. This line of thought is gaining believers because it addresses both environmental and economic challenges. One of the major hurdles holding back the widespread popularity of electric vehicles is their […]
Just-completed field trials have produced a steady stream of natural gas from ice-bound methane hydrates in Alaska. How important is this to the future outlook of commercial and light-duty natural gas vehicles? According to the Department of Energy, natural gas produced from methane hydrates may exceed the energy content of all other fossil fuels combined […]
When it comes to on-board fuel economy computers that help you achieve the best mpg, automakers aren’t the only ones in this game. There’s a healthy aftermarket for this as well. In fact, when testing vehicles, we often use an aftermarket gauge to more accurately monitor fuel economy. Our favorite is the ScanGauge II from […]
Clean diesel keeps marching forward, even as American consumers continue to warm slowly to the idea of moving beyond familiar gasoline-powered vehicles. The slow pace is unfortunate considering advanced diesel variants are inherently more fuel efficient than their gasoline counterparts and, might we add, often more fun to drive because of diesel’s copious low-end torque. How […]