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Apr 28, 2017

AUTONOMOUS TECHNOLOGY on TRUCKS * USA: Increases fuel economy

* DC - Autonomous truck study predicts major fuel savings

--- A new report by the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), the statistical and analytical agency within the US Department of Energy, has found that autonomous technology could deliver fuel economy increases as early as this year... According to the report, vehicles equipped for assisted-platooning technology could almost instantly result in fuel savings for the industry, with 4.5 per cent increases possible by 2030 and 13.9 per cent by 2040, and 18.6 per cent by 2050 “due to Level 1-3 technology alone”... The report noted, however, that it is also likely that as autonomous technology increased overall vehicle safety and reduced accidents, speed limits may increase to around 80 mph (ca. 130 km/h), which could reduce the predicted fuel economy numbers somewhat... The report also found that most insurance industry executives in the US currently do not believe autonomous technology will have an impact on their businesses in the short term... 
Washington, DC, USA - Prime Mover (Australia) - 27th, April 2017

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May 26, 2014

TRUCKMAKERS NEWS * USA: Best MPG trucks

* New York - 8 trucks with best-in-class MPG for 2014 

NY,USA -Wall St. Cheat Seat, by ERIC SCHAAL -MAY 25, 2014: -- To help with the effort, Fueleconomy.gov compiles stats on all the vehicles on U.S. roads in order to let drivers know which are offering the best gas mileage in each class. Even though cars get far better Best MPGmileage than larger vehicles, every dollar and bit of carbon counts. Here are the eight trucks with the best-in-class mpg for 2014... Note: The EPA classifies all SUVs, pickups, vans, wagons, and multi-purpose vehicles as trucks...

1. Toyota RAV4 EV (76 MPGe): Best Small SUV



2. Toyota Highlander Hybrid (28 mpg): Best Standard SUV



3. Ford Transit Connect Wagon (25 mpg): Best Special Purpose Vehicle



4. Mazda 5 (24 mpg): Best Minivan




5. Ram 1500 2WD (23 mpg): Best Standard Pickup




6. Toyota Tacoma (23 mpg): Best Small Pickup





7. Chevy Express 1500 (14 mpg): Best Passenger Van (tie)





8. GMC Savana 1500 (14 mpg) : Best Passenger Van (tie)

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Apr 17, 2013

* USA - FUEL ECONOMY - The average for light vehicles: 24.2 mpg

* Michigan - Record Fuel Economy for U.S. Light Vehicles in March

Southfield,MI,USA -Wards Auto, by John Sousanis -12 April 2013: -- The average fuel economy of light vehicles delivered in March climbed to a new high of 24.2 mpg (9.7 L/100 km) on the WardsAuto Fuel Economy Index, a 0.5% increase over year-ago and a 15.1% gain on the base rating established in fourth-quarter 2007... March was the third consecutive month in which the industry broke the previous Index record... The benchmark FEI score was achieved in the face of strong sales of vehicles in the less-efficient segments: pickups (16.7 mpg [14.1 L/100 km]), SUVs (17.6 mpg [13.4 L/100 km]) and Large CUVs (19.4 mpg [12.1 L/100 km])... However, Light Trucks collectively achieved a record 20.2 mpg (11.6 L/100 km) rating on the index, with the help of best-ever scores in three light-truck segments, including a 25.3 mpg (9.3 L/100 km) rating for Small CUVs... Cars scored 27.6 mpg (8.5 L/100 km) for the third straight month...

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Mar 21, 2013

* CHINA - IMPOSED STRINGENT FUEL ECONOMY

* China - Unveils tougher fuel economy standards 

Beijing,China -Reuters/AW -20 March 2013: -- China imposed long-debated stringent fuel economy standards on Wednesday, making life tougher for cash-strapped small domestic brands that are already struggling amid a slowdown of the world's biggest auto market... The rules, jointly issued by five government bodies including the National Development and Reform Commission, would improve passenger cars' average fuel consumption to 6.9 liters per 100 kilometers (34.4 mpg) by 2015 and further to 5.0 liters (47.7 mpg) by 2020... The latest data on passenger car fuel consumption in China was not immediately available. It stood at 7.8 liters per 100 kilometers (29.5 mpg) in 2009, said John Zeng, Asia Pacific director of consultancy LMC Automotive... The new rules come at a time when environmental complaints have sparked unrest and even riots in some parts of the country... Chinese Premier, Li Keqiang, pledged on Sunday that his government would show even greater resolve in tackling China's pollution crisis...

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Aug 10, 2012

TRUCKS FUEL ECONOMY * USA

* NY - Fuel economy surges as pickup purchase factor

(Photo: 2012 Dodge RAM 1500 hemi v8 -USA, Louisiana, Baton Rouge) 
New York,NY,USA -Fleet Owner, by Sean Kilcarr -Aug. 9, 2012: -- For time out of mind, “capability” – which incorporates metrics such as horsepower, torque, reliability, durability, and longevity – took the top slot on the list of attributes demanded by commercial users of pickup trucks... Now, however, fuel economy is becoming far more critical among such customers, report pickup OEMs – which is sparking all sorts of changes in this light truck segment... The new 2013 model Ram 1500 pickup, with Ram’s new TorqueFlite 8 eight-speed automatic transmission, the 2013 Ram 1500 offers a 20% improvement in fuel economy as well. Further, Ram’s optional 5.7-liter V-8 HEMI, equipped with what Ram calls “fuel saver technology” and variable-valve timing, cranks out 395 hp and 407 lb.-ft. of torque, yet offers 10% better fuel economy than the 2012 Ram V-8 powertrain it replaces... “Fuel economy has definitely crept up on everyone’s list,” added Joyce Mattman, director for GM commercial products and specialty vehicles. “And when a fleet downsizes, they also typically get a less expensive truck as well. That’s two wins – less cost and better fuel economy – if they can do it” ...

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Mar 8, 2012

FUEL ECONOMY * USA

* Illinois - Average New Car Fuel Economy Hits Record High

Ann Arbor,ILL,USA -Motor Trend, by Ben Timmins -February 14 2012: -- The University of Michigan has some good news if you’re a fan of fuel economy: cars sold in the U.S. in 2011 averaged 22.5 miles per gallon, the highest it’s ever been... Researchers from the UM Transportation Research Institute in Ann Arbor found that this number it’s weighted to reflect sales proportions, and second, it’s not the same as the Corporate Average Fuel Economy figure that’s used by the government. CAFE, you might remember, takes into account certain adjustments for larger vehicles and advanced technologies. This measure doesn’t...That it’s definitely a step in the right direction for cars sold here. U.S. average economy (by U of M’s measurement) has increased, on average, by about 0.5 mpg every year. This might sound like an insignificant change, but considering that Americans have bought about 12 million cars per year over the past few years, that 0.5 mpg translates to about 200 million fewer gallons of gas burned every year...

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Oct 13, 2011

* USA - Report Says Market-Wide Fuel Economy Is Up

(Getty Images: A study says new-car fuerl economy is improving) 
Santa Monica,CAL,USA -TWSJ/Driver's Seat, by Jonathan Welsh -October 11, 2011:  --  Car makers have been focusing more on fuel economy as a selling point of late, and the effect is showing up across the market in what people are actually buying, according to a new report...  Research and forecasting company TrueCar.com says a study of September auto sales indicates the average fuel economy of vehicles sold will increase to 22 miles per gallon for the month compared with 21.4 mpg in the year-earlier period and 21.7 mpg in August...

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Sep 9, 2011

FUEL ECONOMY * UK - Flywheel hybrid research vehicle delivers up to 22.4% fuel economy improvement in ARTEMIS cycles

(Image: FHSPV flywheel CVT system layout)

Green Car Congress -7 September 2011: -- A research vehicle fitted with a flywheel hybrid system including stop-start has demonstrated improvements in fuel economy of up to 22.4% in the new European ARTEMIS test cycles. Developed by a consortium of British companies as part of the Government-supported Flywheel Hybrid System for Premium Vehicles (FHSPV) program, the mechanically-driven flywheel system delivers up to 80 bhp (82 PS, 60 kW) of recovered energy from a self-contained hybrid module...  The FHSPV engineering development vehicle recovers energy via the rear differential through a continuously variable transmission (CVT) into a high-speed flywheel. When the driver reapplies the accelerator, the CVT smoothly transfers the energy back to the wheels...   Designed by Flybrid Systems, the flywheel is constructed from carbon composite and operates in a partial vacuum, allowing it to spin at up to 60,000 rpm... 


* UK - Survey pegs price as biggest EV hurdle

(Photo: EV on Smith CV Show)
London,EN,UK -Fleet Owner(USA) -Sep 8, 2011: -- A poll of 100 financial directors in charge of leasing vehicles for companies in the United Kingdom finds that cost remains the biggest barrier to entry for electric vehicles (EVs) in fleet operations...  According to the survey – conducted by Lex Autolease, which leases 300,000 vehicles to firms across the U.K. – four out of 10 financial directors would not pay a financial premium to introduce hybrid or full EVs to their fleets...  However, for just over a third (35%) of those polled, a price premium of up to 10% – compared to conventional fuels – wouldn’t be too much to swallow, noted Marcus Puddy, head of consultancy services at Lex Autolease...   Further findings reveal that 53% of the companies polled by Lex would invest in hybrids and EVs if they could match gasoline and diesel alternatives on a range of criteria, including running costs and convenience of use...

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Mar 16, 2011

ECODRIVING * Europe - It is possible to achieve fuel savings of 5-20% ...

... and maintain a lasting result of 4 to 7%

Brussels,Belgium -Truck & Busisness, by Hendrik Despiegelaere -17 March 2009: ...  While most manufacturers offer training for the general conduct and often also training specifically focused on driving economic, ecological and defensive, these courses are not all certified by the FPS Mobility and Transport as part of mandatory training 35 hours per block of 5 years, far from it...  Anyway, Mercedes-Benz, Renault Trucks, Scania and Volvo Trucks offers a complete module. Depending on the good behavior of the driver before driving training, it is possible to achieve fuel savings of 5-20% and maintain a lasting result of 4 to 7%. This is not negligible...   Emphasis is placed on the conduct proactive and effective use of current technology heavy weights. Today's engines are indeed effective over a very wide range, including low speed, which requires a specific driver behavior. The proper use of the automatic gearbox can also significantly reduce consumption...  If the Post Office (Belgium) can save in this way 5% of fuel in its fleet of light carriers, the total savings will amount to around 475,000 liters of diesel per year...  The international transport company Van De Poel of Herenthout already applying eco-driving since September 2006. The combination of intensive training with a precise monitoring of the consumption of drivers has reduced the consumption of 6%...  The company Slabbinck Chris of Zedelgem (Belgium) is one of those companies seeking a listing objective of drivers, "The results are clearly measurable and we have already seen fuel savings of 9% on average. We noted, moreover, a change in attitude among drivers. They now have a purpose and are extremely interested. Therefore we have now fixed the objective of reducing to 8% for July compared to Best Practice. Another result: the rotation of the drivers dropped dramatically, "says Chris Slabbinck...  It is not that large carriers can benefit from a course in eco-driving. As evidenced by the small transport company Libatra Dendermonde. With four tractors, Libatra is small but dynamic company. When the consumption of its heavy weight it seemed a little high, she took a course on eco-driving tips from the manufacturer. "With instructions, average consumption fell from 3.5 to 4.5 litres/100 km."


* UK - ISS unveils fuel saving device

Central Park,Lutterworth,Leicestershire,UK -HGV UK -March 18, 2011: -- With a reputation for helping local authorities save money as well as improve safety, Innovative Safety Systems Ltd (ISS) is expanding its portfolio of vehicle safety technology and reversing aid products with a tried and tested fuel saving device...  The module can be fitted to any vehicle and robust independent testing has proven that it can deliver a minimum of 8-9% fuel saving and in a number of cases this has gone up to 20%. As a result carbon emissions are also significantly reduced...  Return on investment is approximately 9 months and in the case of an RCV savings of approximately £2,000 per vehicle per year can be expected – up to £10k over a typical 5 year lifetime...  The module is designed to re-map the engine to work more efficiently according to its specific operating environment and load, and this re-mapping results in reduced fuel consumption. The device can be transferred from vehicle to vehicle, and can be fitted either as part of the vehicle purchase specification or retrospectively...  The ISS Fuel Saving Module is TUV approved and is available with up to two years engine and driveline warranty...

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Oct 1, 2010

FUEL ECONOMY * USA - EPA targets 62 mpg average for cars, light trucks

Washington,DC,USA -Fleet Owner -Oct 1, 2010: -- As had been expected, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Dept. of Transportation (DOT) proposed new fuel economy standards for cars and light trucks today. The proposal could boost fuel economy to as much as 62 mpg for vehicles by 2025... The proposals do not include fuel economy standards for heavy-duty trucks... EPA has proposed an increase between 3 and 6% for model-year 2025 cars and light trucks. That would put the average fuel economy between 47 and 62 mpg. In April, the Obama Administration completed new fuel regulations for passenger vehicles that will require a 30% decrease in carbon emissions and a 40% increase in auto fuel efficiency to 35 mpg between model years 2012 and 2016... According to the DOT, cars, SUVs, minivans, and pickup trucks are responsible for 57% of U.S. transportation petroleum use and almost 60% of all transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions... (Photo from wired: Los Angeles traffic)

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May 20, 2009

FUEL ECONOMY * USA - Obama Calling for a 42 MPG Fleet Average by 2016

Washington,DC,USA -Eco Geek, by Hank Green -18 May 2009: -- ... Now President Obama, finally, taking a stand and will be catching America up to the rest of the world by 2016. The current fleet fuel economy laws require companies to have an average of all their cars at a powerfully inefficient 27.5 MPG. Obama's regulations will bump that up to 42 MPG, something only three cars in America currently beat... Light trucks (read SUVs) will only be required to bump from 24 mpg to 27 mpg by the 2016 deadline. However, the rules would require a total fleet efficiency for cars and light trucks of 35.5 mpg. So if car companies started relying heavily on SUVs, the law would require greater light truck efficiency... The auto industry looks as if it is actually 100% behind this new fuel-saving, greenhouse gas-reducing plan... (Photo from autotips.plentycar: Fuel economy)


* Obama faces tough test with manufacturers - Michigan industry skeptical of president's plans, policies

Washington,DC,USA -The Detroit News, by Deb Price -May 20, 2009: -- Manufacturers in Michigan and throughout the United States are still not sure what an Obama presidency means for them and say that several tests of what was expected to be a rocky relationship lie ahead... So far, manufacturers have given Obama high grades for his handling of the economic crisis, but they're concerned about the president's support for the Employee Free Choice Act -- better known as "card check" -- which makes it easier for workers to form unions. Also of concern are the White House's proposed changes to tax rules on foreign earnings of U.S. companies and a carbon "cap and trade" policy to combat climate change... The stakes couldn't be higher for Michigan, which has lost more than 400,000 manufacturing jobs since 2000, mainly as a result of a failing auto industry... The White House has stepped in to prop up the automakers and suppliers, guaranteeing billions in loans to keep General Motors Corp. and Chrysler LLC afloat. But in exchange, the automakers shed jobs and dealerships. As a result, Chrysler has filed for bankruptcy and it's feared GM soon will do the same... (Photo by Tony Gutierrez / Associated Press . GM worker Lee Henderson, of Alvarado, Texas, assembles a vehicle at the automaker's plant in Arlington, Texas. The industry is closely watching the president's plans)


* USA - Clean energy bill means higher taxes, more power for EPA

Washington,DC,USA -Land Line Magazine, by David Tanner -May 19, 2009: -- Highway users say a federal bill aimed at curbing climate change would have tremendous consequences for taxpayers... U.S. Reps. Henry Waxman, D-CA, and Ed Markey, D-MA, say the legislation focuses on U.S. energy independence, job creation and pollution reduction... Critics of the bill are concerned about the introduction of a cap-and-trade tax system and increased power afforded to the Environmental Protection Agency. Critics are also concerned that highway users will be footing the bill for so-called “green” initiatives such as bike paths and mass transit programs... Waxman and Markey have said since January that legislation of this size and scope will mark the dawn of a clean energy age in America...

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Sep 21, 2008

Fuel Economy * USA - For 2008 may set 15-year high

US average fuel economy for 2008 model autos may be the best since 1993 as consumers buy fewer light trucks and manufacturers build more-efficient vehicles

Southfield,Mich,USA -Bloomberg News -September 20, 2008: -- ... The projected rate of 20.8 miles per gallon is 0.2 mpg better than in 2007, the Environmental Protection Agency said yesterday. The figures, intended to reflect real-world driving, differ from Corporate Average Fuel Economy rules automakers must meet... Light trucks' efficiency has improved 1.4 mpg since 2004, while cars have gained 1 mpg, the EPA said... Manufacturers are working to meet the so-called CAFE standards for their combined car-and-truck fleets of an average 35 mpg by 2020, with incremental increases leading to that level... Those rules, governed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, are less rigorous than those used by the EPA, according to a statement from the Union of Concerned Scientists. For the 2008 model year, the CAFE standards are 27.5 mpg for cars and 22.5 mpg for light trucks...

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Apr 30, 2008

Fuel Efficiency Requirements * USA - EPA hands in Calif. emissions documents

Washington,DC,USA -The Detroit News, by David Shepardson -April 30, 2008: -- The Environmental Protection Agency has turned over documents detailing contacts between the agency and the White House over its decision to deny California and 16 other states the right to set their own stringent emissions standards... Some of those documents detail contacts between White House and EPA press officials... Automakers say the waiver would cost billions and force them to stop selling most vehicles in those states. The California standards would set fuel efficiency requirements of 43.7 miles per gallon for passenger cars and 26.6 mpg for most light trucks...

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Apr 21, 2008

FUEL ECONOMY * USA - Proposed rules to be released

Washington,DC,USA -AP/USA Today -21 April 2008: -- The government on Tuesday plans to release a proposal to raise fuel efficiency standards for new cars and trucks, putting the nation's fleet on track to reach 35 miles per gallon by 2020... Transportation Department Secretary Mary Peters was making the Earth Day announcement in Washington, responding to a new energy law pushed by Congress last year and signed by President Bush... Congress sought tougher standards requiring the nation's fleet of new vehicles to increase its efficiency by 10 mpg from its current average of 25 mpg, or a 40% increase. The new law represented the first major changes to the auto mileage rules in three decades... The proposal will set fuel economy standards from 2011 to 2015 and are expected to be finalized before the end of the Bush administration. A Transportation spokesman declined comment on the plan...

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Nov 29, 2007

Fuel Economy * UK - £190m cost savings for fuel efficient hauliers

Operators' efforts to increase fuel efficiency have seen them make a total of £190m in cost savings, says the latest survey from Freight Best Practice (FBP)

London,UK -Road Transport -29 November 2007: -- Users of the Department for Transport-sponsored prog-ramme report average savings of £41,000 per company and £1,900 per vehicle, compared with £12,000 per company for non-users. Users of FBP attributed £83m of their savings to the scheme... Of more than 1,500 fleet operators surveyed, 54% have taken actions to improve fuel efficiency the most popular action being improving equipment and systems and developing driver skills. But just 32% converted to alternative fuels or used fuel management programmes. And while fuel efficiency measures are commendable, FBP urges more operators to get in on the act of measuring fuel consumption...

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Fuel economy * USA ... Deal is near !!!

Congress today may OK bill to make fleetwide average 35 mpg by 2020

Washington,DC,USA -The Detroit News (Detroit,MI), by David Shepardson -November 29, 2007: -- House and Senate negotiators had all but reached agreement late Wednesday on a compromise deal to hike fuel economy requirements to a fleetwide average of 35 miles per gallon by 2020... A final deal may be announced as early as today that would raise passenger car fuel efficiency standards for the first time since 1983 and hike overall efficiency by 40 percent over the current 25 mpg average... House and Senate negotiators have been trying to hammer out a compromise they hope can be supported by both houses of Congress, the White House and automakers... They include keeping separate fuel economy standards for cars and trucks and extending the credit automakers get for making flex-fuel vehicles that can run on gasoline or E85 ethanol. The credit had become a key sticking point in the negotiations... A lobbyist for one of Detroit's automakers said the deal is not perfect but will allow the companies to remain competitive...

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Jul 7, 2007

Regulation * USA - Feds lobby against fuel plan

House panel chairman says secret efforts to oppose Calif. emissions waiver suggest a 'hidden agenda.'

Washington,DC,USA -The Detroit News (Detroit,Mich), by David Shepardson -July 05, 2007: -- The U.S. Department of Transportation secretly lobbied dozens of members of Congress in recent weeks, urging them to join the Bush administration in opposing California's request to impose its own strict fuel efficiency regulations, according to a House investigative committee... The Environmental Protection Agency is considering a request from California to establish vehicle tailpipe emissions limits for greenhouse gases. Eleven other states want to adopt California's standards, which would require average fuel economy of 40 miles per gallon by 2016. The standards cannot take effect without a waiver from the EPA... The issue is as critical to the automakers as legislation moving through Congress that calls for raising Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards to 35 mpg by 2020... Joan Claybrook, director of Public Citizen, criticized the campaign. "How is the EPA going to make an independent decision if the Transportation Department is lobbying to oppose it?"...

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Jun 20, 2007

CAFE Kills, and Then... * USA - Some Six Reasons to Be Skeptical of Fuel Economy Standards

From: The Center for Individual Freedom

Washington,DC,USA -nationalcenter.org -June 19, 2007: -- "As always, this government folly will result in even higher gas and automobile prices, as well as decreased auto safety, for consumers... The more fundamental problem with the regulations, however, is that they simply don't work... The CAFE system was imposed in 1975 as a response to the oil embargo, but America today imports an even greater portion of foreign oil than it did then... On the other hand, these mandates will put American automakers at even greater competitive disadvantage, because Japanese and other foreign competitors will be better able to adapt to the new standards... As it is, the American Big Three are hemorrhaging losses, shuttering manufacturing plants and laying off thousands of American employees. What a deal -- more losses by the Big Three, more layoffs and higher gas and car prices... Unfortunately, ailing automakers and gas suppliers simply present too soft a boogeyman, and feel-good environmental platitudes too easy a justification. With the White House apparently surrendering, it is now up to American consumers and voters to resist this counterproductive policy before we suffer additional damage."

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