Trump fuel-economy proposal writes off rising global temperatures

Smokestacks pollution air qualityIt's not that the Trump administration doesn't believe in climate change. It just doesn't want to do anything about it. In a 500-page draft environmental impact statement concerning the EPA's and NHTSA's joint proposal to roll back fuel-economy and emissions regulations, the NHTSA reports that it expects global temperatures to rise by 7 degrees...

Elio Motors to buy engines, abandons building its own

Paul Elio with 5 successive prototype EliosElio Motors, which has been struggling since 2009 to build its own ultra-cheap, small, fuel-efficient, three-wheeled car, announced Thursday that it will source an engine from a major automaker. Previously, the company planned to build its own 3-cylinder engine with up to 55 horsepower for its projected 84-mpg three-wheeler. The company did not...

2019 Honda Insight review update: Putting the Civic on notice

2019 Honda InsightThat sound you hear isn’t the 2019 Honda Insight’s hybrid powertrain whirring along. It’s the undertaker coming for the vaunted Honda Civic nameplate. The 2019 Insight isn’t just a better hybrid, it’s a better compact car. I spent a week moseying around in an Insight Touring, a well-equipped $29,000 compact sedan with...

How to save gas on Labor Day trips

Overloaded Subaru Legacy with stuff on roofLabor Day is one of the biggest travel weekends for all year, as Americans close out the summer and enjoy a last excursion before heading back to school. That makes it one of the biggest weekends for gas sales too, though nobody wants to spend more than they need to on fuel. If you're making a trip longer than you can comfortably take your...

Final deadline for VW TDI diesel settlement

Volkswagen turbodiesels await their fate near Pikes Peak International Raceway in Colorado SpringsTwo more days. That's all the time owners of 2.0-liter diesel VWs have to file claims to receive a large financial settlement and to have their cars repaired to meet emissions standards. TDI owners have had plenty of notice to file paperwork to receive a financial settlement to replace or fix their cars, yet the latest report from the class action...

Americans still want better fuel economy, survey says

2017 Ford Focus Electric window sticker showing 115-mile range ratingJust as the Trump administration moves to roll back fuel economy standards, a new survey shows that Americans are dissatisfied with the fuel economy their cars already get. The American Customer Satisfaction Index survey for cars was released Tuesday, and among the 10 attributes the survey studied, fuel economy ranked last among factors Americans'...

Explainer: What is WLTP and why should you care?

Mazda6 undergoing real-world emissions testing in Europe [Credit: LSDSL - Wikipedia]Starting next month, Europe will implement the first phase of new fuel economy and emissions standards that were intended to take effect worldwide. Automakers are required to release initial ratings based on lab tests using the Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) on Sept. 1, followed next year by the results of new real-world...

2019 Chevy Cruze’s upcoming CVT rated at 33 mpg combined

2019 Chevrolet CruzeFuel economy estimates posted to the EPA's website for the redesigned 2019 Chevrolet Cruze show some changes—plus a big surprise. The latest ratings reveal that the EPA has certified a gas-fueled Cruze with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) that boosts city fuel economy estimates by 2 mpg compared with the 6-speed...

Mazda CX-5 diesel gets 28-mpg EPA city rating

2018 Mazda CX-5The Mazda CX-5 diesel took one step closer to production by receiving an EPA rating. Jalopnik made the find and reported the ratings on Wednesday. With front-wheel drive, the CX-5 diesel is rated at 28 mpg city, 31 highway, 29 combined. With all-wheel drive those numbers each drop by 1 mpg for ratings of 27 city, 30 highway, and 28 overall. The...

EPA could base emissions, mpg rollback on tired safety argument

TrafficIn the latest draft of new fuel economy and emissions standards obtained by the Associated Press, the Trump administration argues that reducing mileage standards will improve safety. It's an argument that dates back to the beginning of fuel economy standards in the 1970s, and one that ignores technological improvements made along the way. Under...

2019 Mercedes-Benz A-Class sedan sets wind-cheating record

2019 Mercedes-Benz A-Class aerodynamic testingEfficiency comes in many automotive forms: electric powertrains, continuously variable transmissions, smaller-displacement engines. More aerodynamic designs help efficiency, too. With the 2019 A-Class, Mercedes-Benz says it's raised the aerodynamic bar. Mercedes-Benz claims that the new 2019 A-Class sedan has the lowest aerodynamic drag of any...

What level is appropriate for fuel economy standards: Twitter poll results

Obama CAFE standards benefits for 2025We didn't know last week when California and 16 other states might file a lawsuit against the EPA over President Trump's decision to roll back emissions rules, but it seemed pretty clear that it would happen soon. Our Twitter-poll subject for last week still managed to address the topic directly from the viewpoint of our readers: We noted that the...

California and 16 states sue EPA over emissions rules

Smog over Los Angeles, courtesy Flickr user steven-bussCalifornia, along with 16 other states and the District of Columbia, have formally launched a long-anticipated lawsuit against EPA over its proposed rollback of emissions rules for 2022 through 2025, according to a new report in the Washington Post. The suit was filed last month in the D.C federal appeals court in response to EPA Administrator...