fuel economy

19 Stories

EPA Says New Fuel-Economy Rule Is a 'Giant Step Forward'

Biden sets ambitious new standards

(Newser) - In a major step to fight climate change, the Biden administration is raising vehicle mileage standards to significantly reduce emissions of planet-warming greenhouse gases. A final rule being issued Monday would raise mileage standards starting in the 2023 model year, reaching a projected industry-wide target of 40 miles per gallon...

Proposal to Gut Obama's Signature Autos Move Is Here
Trump's Looming Fight
With California Has Arrived
the rundown
Aug 2, 2018 11:39 AM CDT

Trump's Looming Fight With California Has Arrived

Administration revealed its proposal to roll back Obama rules on fuel standards

(Newser) - News broke in late March that the EPA was preparing to announce plans to weaken landmark fuel-efficiency goals put in place by the Obama administration, and that day has come to pass. The Trump administration on Thursday formally released its proposal , a joint effort with the EPA and Transportation...

Your Roof Rack Is Killing Your Fuel Economy

Having one could make your gas bill go up by 25%: researchers

(Newser) - You could argue that having a roof rack on your car makes it easier to stay fit: Throw a bike or skis on top, head over to the park or slopes, and burn off some calories on the trails. You could also say it makes your car less efficient—and...

You Don't Need to Warm Up Your Car in Winter

And it's costing us $5.9B per year

(Newser) - Warming up the car before hitting the road is a pervasive winter ritual, but it's a pointless exercise for most modern vehicles, the Washington Post reports. What's more, a 2009 study found that idling of all types accounts for 1.6% of the country's greenhouse gas emissions—...

New Rules for Autos: 54.5 MPG by 2025

EPA finalizes stricter standards for cars and trucks

(Newser) - The Obama administration today finalized a major upgrade to America's fuel economy standards that will force new cars and trucks to average 54.5 miles a gallon by 2025. The final rules rolled out today are essentially the same ones proposed last year , the Detroit News reports, but they...

New US Fuel Standards: 54.5 MPG by 2025

Obama hails new goal with automakers

(Newser) - Announcing new fuel-efficiency standards, President Obama hailed his administration’s deal with automakers as “the single most important step we’ve ever taken as a nation to reduce our dependence on foreign oil.” With mileage standards almost doubling, Americans will save some $8,000 per vehicle on fuel,...

Toyota Rolls Out Plug-In Prius
 Toyota Rolls Out Plug-In Prius 
Dec 14, 2009 9:52 AM CST

Toyota Rolls Out Plug-In Prius

Available for corporate/gov't lease today; on sale in 2011

(Newser) - Toyota will begin leasing the plug-in version of its Prius hybrid to large government and business clients today, and plans to sell tens of thousands across the globe when it starts retail sales in 2011. The new vehicle, which charges from a regular household electrical outlet, can run about 14....

Toyota Plans Cheaper, More Fuel-Efficient Hybrid

(Newser) - Toyota plans to keep its lead in the environmentally friendly vehicle market with a new car to be released in 2011, Bloomberg reports. The vehicle, to be based on the company's Vitz compact, will be around 5% more fuel-efficient than its Prius and will sell for around $15,600, according...

Raise Gas Tax, But Reduce Payroll Tax
Raise Gas Tax, But Reduce Payroll Tax
OPINION
Jan 9, 2009 4:53 PM CST

Raise Gas Tax, But Reduce Payroll Tax

Drivers don't lose, government doesn't gain: Krauthammer

(Newser) - Raising the tax on gasoline makes sense for all kinds for reasons, writes Charles Krauthammer in the Weekly Standard, but it amounts to political suicide. His solution? Jack up the gas tax by $1 but reduce the payroll tax by $14 a week. Consumers don't lose money, and the government...

Canadian Airline Loses Life Vests to Save Fuel

Move saves 55 lbs. per flight for carrier that stays near shore

(Newser) - An Air Canada regional airline is removing life vests from its fleet to reduce weight and increase fuel economy, the AP reports. Citing Canada’s regulations, which do not require life vests on flights that stay within 50 miles of shore, Jazz advises passengers to use their seat cushions as...

Arab Investors Interested in GM's Hummer Brand

As US sales slide, GM looks overseas to unload gas-guzzler unit

(Newser) - There may soon be more Hummers heading to the Persian Gulf, this time as two Gulf Arab investors signal interest in buying GM's troubled brand of SUV—modeled on the military vehicle. Analysts have expected the gas-guzzler to be tough to unload, but low fuel prices, economic prosperity, and Hummer’...

What's Hot? Some Guzzlers Among the Sippers

Sales of hulking vehicles held up by rich, families

(Newser) - Soaring gas prices have predictably driven sales of gas-sipping vehicles such as Honda’s Fit and Toyota’s Scion xB, which have seen increases of 64% and 59% respectively, reports the Wall Street Journal. But guzzlers such as Toyota's Sequoia and Tundra are also selling surprisingly well (29% and 8....

Lawmakers Give Up Guzzlers—Grudgingly

Energy bill amendment forces House reps to ditch taxpayer-funded gas-guzzlers

(Newser) - Last year's energy bill requiring House members to drive eco-friendly vehicles—if taxpayers are footing the bill—has some reps turning green at the thought of giving up their gas guzzlers, reports the Los Angeles Times. "I guarantee you my district is not upset that I'm driving a Chevy...

Cars Must Get 35.7mpg by 2015
Cars Must
Get 35.7mpg
by 2015
Apr 22, 2008 9:03 PM CDT

Cars Must Get 35.7mpg by 2015

Feds toughen fuel standards by 25%

(Newser) - Cars will have to get 35.7 miles per gallon by 2015, and trucks will have to get 28.6 under new standards issued by the federal government today. That means a combined average of 31.6mpg, an increase of 25% from current standards, CNN reports. The feds require automakers...

Calif. Clears Hurdle on Emissions Law

In blow to automakers, judge rules state can set standards on greenhouse gases

(Newser) - California is one step closer to being able to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles after a federal judge today rejected the auto industry’s challenge to a state law, the Los Angeles Times reports. The state still needs a waiver from the Environmental Protection Agency to implement its standards,...

Court Orders Stricter Fuel Economy Rules

It throws out US standards for SUVs and minivans

(Newser) - Environmentalist groups rejoiced today after a federal appeals court struck down upcoming fuel-economy standards for some SUVs, minivans, and small trucks, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. The court ruled that regulators refused to treat carbon dioxide emissions as a serious threat to global warming and ordered the government to review...

Toyota: Not Easy Seeming Green
Toyota: Not Easy Seeming Green
Nov 15, 2007 3:31 AM CST

Toyota: Not Easy Seeming Green

Green activists turn against Toyota over opposition to fuel economy laws

(Newser) - Toyota set a new green standard ten years ago with its ahead-of-its-time Prius hybrid and projects an image of environmental responsibility. But now the green community is using Toyota for target practice, Newsweek reports. The Japanese carzilla is generating fury with its new low 14 mpg Tundra and Sequoia models,...

OPEC Surprises Market With Boost in Oil

Lends hand to world economy dragged by US credit-market crisis

(Newser) - OPEC surprised traders today by boosting oil production for the first time in a year, Bloomberg reports. Concerns over the U.S. market crisis dragging down the world economy inspired the spike of 500,000 barrels a day. The US reportedly prodded Saudi Arabia to overcome the opposition of other...

Detroit Resists MPG Rules
Detroit Resists MPG Rules
Jun 7, 2007 5:10 AM CDT

Detroit Resists MPG Rules

Face-off in Washington over tougher fuel economies

(Newser) - The Big Three car makers are trying to put the breaks on Congressional plans to toughen fuel economy standards to an average of 35 mpg over the next 15 years. The Wall Street Journal predicts a political struggle that will test how much clout Ford, Chrysler and GM still have...

19 Stories
Most Read on Newser