Is ethanol-free gasoline heading for the end of the road?

Non-ethanol gasoline pumpThe U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is struggling with Congress and various corporate interests over the amount of ethanol that will be blended into the U.S. fuel supply. The Renewable Fuel Standard in place since 2007 calls for specific volumes of ethanol, but critics have tried to cap that amount while the EPA has tried to maintain or...

Audi e-tron vs Jaguar I-Pace vs Mercedes EQ: electric luxury SUVs compared

Mercedes-Benz Generation EQ concept, 2016 Paris auto showAfter sales of 150,000 or more electric luxury cars from Tesla Motors over four years, the first major wave of long-range electric cars from established luxury automakers is now on the way. So far, it seems the first of these vehicles will not be sedans that compete with the Tesla Model S, but crossovers apparently targeting the Silicon Valley...

Carmakers howl about CAFE rules, but regularly beat them; why?

Gas pumpThis week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said it would maintain current Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards for 2022 to 2025. The decision was praised by environmental groups, but likely won't receive as warm a reception from the industry. CAFE standards are up for a midterm review, and auto-industry lobbyists spent...

Mayors of 4 capital cities to ban all diesel vehicles by 2025

Eiffel Tower in Paris, France (photo by Rijin, via Wikimedia Commons)Even before the Volkswagen diesel scandal, diesel passenger cars were never popular in the U.S. But in other parts of the world—especially Europe—diesels have been the de facto choice of many buyers for decades. Increasing concern over air pollution and the VW scandal are beginning to change that, though. DON'T MISS: Paris weekday ban...

VW plans to build electric cars somewhere in N America after 2020

Volkswagen I.D. electric car concept, 2016 Paris auto showAs it works toward moving past its diesel-emissions scandal, the Volkswagen Group is making ambitious plans for electric cars. By 2025, the company hopes to be selling 1 million electric cars per year, and it has said it will launch 30 different electric models across multiple brands in the coming years. Now VW says some of those cars may be built...

2018 Ford Fiesta minicar unveiled in Europe; U.S. plans unclear

2018 Ford Fiesta (European spec)Subcompact cars aren't getting much attention from buyers in the U.S. these days, but they remain a hot commodity in other markets. So while a redesigned 2018 Ford Fiesta debuted in Europe earlier this week, Ford appears to be taking its time on plans for a U.S. launch. The current generation is sold here, but Ford did not discuss U.S...

Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda to run electric-car division

Akio ToyodaIt's now abundantly clear that Toyota is changing course when it comes to zero-emission vehicles. After years of promoting hydrogen fuel cells while shunning and disparaging battery-electric cars, the company now plans to introduce a mass-market electric car by 2020. The fact that Toyota is reportedly only now assembling the team to develop that...

Nikola One hydrogen range-extended electric truck to be unveiled tonight

Nikola One electric semi truckThe Nikola Motor Company is another vehicle manufacturer named after Nikola Tesla, but unlike a certain automaker in Silicon Valley, it plans to concentrate on electrified commercial vehicles. In May, Nikola (pronounced NEEK-oh-la) announced plans for a range-extended electric Class 8 commercial semi truck, and it will be shown to people outside...