EPA wants to limit the studies behind environmental regulations

EPA Acting Administrator Andrew WheelerIn a move ostensibly aimed at increasing regulatory transparency, the EPA has proposed new rules that would require extensive disclosure of the data gathered in the research behind public health regulation—including confidential health records. While improving transparency sounds reasonable at face value, this is actually a calculated move...

Tesla picks Berlin for European Gigafactory

Tesla CEO Elon Musk introducing Model YTesla CEO Elon Musk confirmed Tuesday night that the company would be building its so-called “Gigafactory 4” in Berlin, Germany. Musk had already been in Germany to accept a Golden Steering Wheel, an award made by Auto-Bild group publisher Axel Springer, for the Tesla Model 3. "Everyone knows that German engineering is outstanding and...

2020 Volvo plug-in hybrids: Bigger battery boosts EPA range, mpg

2020 Volvo XC90Volvo earlier this year announced that it was adding a little more spark to its plug-in hybrid systems in its XC60 and XC90 T8 plug-in hybrids: by boosting their electric range. Both models step up to an 11.6-kwh battery pack, from the previous 10.4 kwh pack (and 9.2 kwh just a couple of years prior). With recently released EPA ratings, that...

Green group nudges Ford to put some “eco” in its Ecosport

2019 Ford EcosportOne watchdog group argues that Ford isn't doing enough to make its smallest vehicle for the U.S., the Ecosport, as "eco" as it could be—and that holds true whether the name nods to efficient or economical. The Union of Concerned Scientists is trying to light a fire under Ford, calling out its Ecosport for being a little light on that first...