U.S. government climate scientists restricted, sidelined, limited

The White House, Washington, D.C.  [Creative Commons license by dcjohn]Months into Donald Trump's presidency, it is clear the administration has worked diligently to downplay the role of science in setting policy on energy. Some moves to diminish scientists' roles have been more evident than others, but a new report details what has gone on behind the scenes. In summary, scientists have been restricted, sidelined...

Mercedes, Porsche to join Audi, BMW, Jaguar, Renault in Formula E racing

2016/2017 Formula E Hong Kong ePrixThe changing of the guards in motor racing is underway: both Porsche and Mercedes-Benz have announced they will join the FIA Formula E electric-car racing series in 2019. To make that possible, both German teams will end their tenures in respected motorsport; Porsche will end its World Endurance Championship LMP1 program, while Mercedes plans to...

Modifications to oldest, dirtiest VW, Audi TDI diesels approved by EPA

Volkswagen TDI 'clean diesel' television ad screencapVW Group of North America now owns hundreds of thousands of Volkswagen and Audi TDI diesel vehicles it has bought back from owners under the terms of various diesel emission scandal settlements. Yesterday, it got some very good news: the EPA has approved a modification that will it allow it to resell the oldest and dirtiest of those vehicles...

Bollinger B1 all-electric utility truck revealed

Bollinger B1It's square-edged, with flat body panels, large knobbly tires, and a simple interior that can easily be hosed out when dirty. The Bollinger B1 electric utility truck revealed tonight at the Classic Car Club on New York City's Hudson River was designed out in the country, where trucks have to be functional above all else. And functional it is, with...

Propaganda video claiming ‘dirty electric cars’ debunked

Tesla Model S at Supercharger site in Ventura, CA, with just one slot open  [photo: David Noland]For years, electric-car skeptics raised concerns about what was cleverly dubbed "The Coal Tailpipe": the idea that plug-in vehicles produced just as many harmful emissions as gasoline cars, but in a different place. That's not remotely true for carbon dioxide, as multiple studies over the years have shown, though it is in limited cases for a small...

Chinese maker BYD plans U.S. expansion into other electric industrial vehicles

BYD Qin EV300It's been several years since Chinese electric-car maker BYD retreated from plans to sell cars in the United States, but now it may be ready to get more serious about the market. BYD has found success in building and selling electric buses for public transportation agencies, but it has not yet launched a vehicle for private consumers. The company...