How China’s horrific air quality magically turns cleaner: cotton

Beijing smogChina is known for having some of the most polluted air in the world. But officials in one Chinese city found a way to at least make that air appear cleaner, for awhile. Like many Chinese cities, Xi'an, the provincial capital of Shaanxi, in the northern part of the country, has air-monitoring equipment. DON'T MISS: Coal in China: huge problem for...

Are you driving a car, a crossover, an SUV, or a truck? Do you care?

2017 Honda CR-VAre you driving a car or a truck? The answer may be harder to determine than you think. U.S. safety and emissions regulations generally split cars and trucks into two categories, but the line between those two vehicle types has become blurred in recent years. That's thanks to the car-based crossover utility vehicle, which now represents one of the...

Global oil demand could peak by 2020, says Shell

Oil field (Image: Flickr user johnny choura, used under CC license)The rise of electric cars has led many analysts to make predictions about the future of the oil industry. ExxonMobil and OPEC have both made statements indicating confidence that the majority of vehicles on the world's roads will continue to be powered by fossil fuels for the next few decades. But Shell recently made a prediction that is a bit...

Faraday Future backer Le Eco is running out of cash, CEO admits

LeEco LeSee concept, 2016 Beijing Auto ShowFaraday Future plans to put an electric car into production within two years at a brand-new factory with a stated price tag of $1 billion. So far, this ambitious plan has had the backing of Chinese billionaire Jia Yueting, and his LeEco tech empire. But now LeEco may be running out of cash. DON'T MISS: Faraday Future imperils electric-car factory...

Coal in China: huge problem for clean power, climate efforts

Coal, by Flicker user oatsy40 (Used Under CC License)Over the past few years, China has made impressive strides in renewable-energy investment. The promotion of renewable energy will only become more important as China works to meet its commitments under the recently-ratified Paris climate agreement. But the country's reliance on coal for electricity generation still poses a huge problem for these...

Tesla to charge new buyers for Supercharging after Jan 1

Tesla Model S at Supercharger site in Ventura, CA, with just one slot open  [photo: David Noland]A major perk for Tesla Model S and Model X owners has been free access to the carmaker's network of Supercharger DC fast-charging stations. But after January 1, new Tesla buyers won't get that free access. Tesla will charge anyone who buys one of its cars after that point for use of Supercharger stations, a move it says is meant to emphasize use...

Could an EU switch to on-road emission tests allow more pollution?

2016 Renault Clio RSThe Volkswagen diesel scandal convinced European regulators to switch from laboratory emissions testing to tests that involve actual, on-road driving. This could prevent automakers from deploying "defeat device" software like the kind used by VW on laboratory tests, as well as produce results that more closely align with what consumers can expect...

Toyota to offer electric car in 2020 as fuel-cell sales struggle

2012 Toyota Prius Plug-In HybridToyota has been a confirmed naysayer on long-range battery-electric cars for two decades. Instead, hydrogen fuel cells have been its zero-emission technology of choice. In that context, a new report suggesting Toyota will start building significant numbers of battery-electric cars is quite stunning indeed. DON'T MISS: Now Toyota can make electric...