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WASHINGTON – Billed as a way for the government to put more fuel-efficient vehicles on highways, the popular $3 billion Cash for Clunkers program mostly involved swaps of old Ford or Chevrolet pickups for new ones that got only marginally better gas mileage, according to an analysis of new federal data by The Associated Press. The single most common swap — which occurred more than 8,200 times — involved Ford F150 pickup owners who took advantage of a government rebate to trade their old trucks for new Ford F150s

Conservation: The Chevy Volt is said to be able to get 230 miles per gallon. That's if it's continually plugged into a fragile and overburdened power grid. Where will you be when the lights go out? Since most U.S. electricity generation is not carbon-free, the Congressional Research Service agrees. The "widespread adoption of plug-in hybrid vehicles through 2030 may have only a small effect on, and might actually increase, carbon emissions," it observes. "If you are using coal-fired power plants and half the country's electricity comes from coal powered plants, are you just trading one greenhouse gas emitter for another?"...

Regulation: Ignoring the first rule of holes, a bankrupt state passing out IOUs welcomes an EPA waiver allowing it to further kill its economy. Too bad the state can't stop the air pollution imported from a growing China. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Tuesday granted California its long-standing request — denied by the Bush administration — for a waiver to allow it to impose even more stringent air pollution rules than currently required by the federal government.The way is now clear for implementation of a 2002 state law requiring new cars to increase their fuel economy 40% by 2016....

For those interested in such things. Freepers that have farm experience are aware of how efficient diesel tractors are. I put five gallons in mine and bush hog all summer. Here is a link to some guys that convert vehicles to tractor power and have gotten as much as 50mpg from a full size pickup! http://www.shadetreeconversions.com/

A radical twin-fuel engine from Ford, code-named “Bobcat,” that variably blends gasoline and ethanol on demand to realize diesel-like performance continues to make steady progress in its development, according to presentations made by the automaker to the Department of Energy and Society of Automotive Engineers in April. The presentations also provide a first look at the engine’s architecture and make some remarkable claims about “E85-optimized” engine efficiency versus size.

Two months ago I did what most environmentalists would consider unthinkable. I purchased my first 4X4 vehicle. Since I wasn't planning on using it as my primary vehicle, I wasn't willing to shell out the multiple thousands of dollars involved in purchasing new. The logical choice was to pick an early 1990's model which was still in good condition. I found one with electronic fuel injection, A/C, and power everything. Even though it's verging on its twenty year birthday, it is still a sharp looking vehicle in very good condition. So, imagine my surprise at the responses of my friends...

President Barack Obama will issue new vehicle emission standards and pair them with a broader goal of reducing pollution, marking the first time limits on greenhouse gases will be linked to federal standards for cars and trucks. The Wall Street Journal reported that the administration will raise fuel economy standards to 35 miles per gallon by 2016, four years earlier than federal law requires. Officials familiar with the administration's discussions say Obama will unveil the new standards on Tuesday. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because the official announcement had not been made. California, 13 other states and the...

Politicians want you to pay more when you drive. They just won't admit it."We must ensure that the fuel-efficient cars of tomorrow are built right here in the United States of America," President Barack Obama declared yesterday. He also signed an order directing the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to review the denial of California's request to set its automobile mileage standards higher than those adopted by the federal government. In 2007, Congress passed and President George Bush signed legislation aimed at increasing Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards to at least 35 miles per gallon (mpg) by 2020, up from...

The federal Environmental Protection Agency maintains a full laboratory where it will gladly test a miraculous fuel-saving device for $30,000. But so far, the biggest customer of the lab has been the Federal Trade Commission, which uses it to debunk false advertising claims. Such claims of astounding mileage gains have increased as gizmos promising gas savings — some newly hatched and others a fresh twist on old themes — have proliferated, draining the pockets of gullible drivers seeking relief from high gasoline prices. From clamp-on magnets to water sprays, from air spinners and vaporizers to fuel vibrators and gas tank...

< > Say you have the ability to trade in a 10 MPG SUV for a 20 MPG crossover, or a 25 MPG car for a 50 MPG hybrid. Which switch is better for the environment? As it turns out, the former, even though one might be tempted to say that the former only improves efficiency by 10 MPG while the latter improves it by 25. Assume a 100 mile trip. The SUV will consume 10 gallons versus 5 gallons for the crossover for a net savings of 5 gallons. The car will consume 4 gallongs versus 2 gallons for...

Sure you want to save gas, but there's a lot of bad advice on how to do it. Some of it makes no difference, and some of it can wind up costing you. With gasoline prices hitting record levels, it seems everyone has a tip on how to save fuel. Much of the advice is well-intentioned, but in the end, much of it won't lower your gas bill. Here's a look at a few misconceptions: #1. Fill Your Tank in the Morning You may have heard that it's best to fill your gas tank in the early morning while the...

When gas prices began to shoot up last summer, Millie Richardson became fed up with her minivan. So the Lawrenceville, N.J., mom traded in her Dodge Caravan for a $17,000 Nissan Versa, a subcompact that gets more than 30 miles per gallon. Richardson, 55, likes spending less at the pump, but she's most excited about how roomy her little car is. "My son is 6-foot-6, and he drove it," she marvels. "So it's small, but it's big—does that make sense?" What's even more appealing to Richardson, though, is a $2,500 car she's heard about that was introduced in India last...

WASHINGTON, (AP) -- After weeks of uncertainty, House Democrats have decided against a confrontation over automobile fuel economy when they take up energy legislation later this week.

Long-term, it seems certain that more of us will be driving small cars. The big question is whether manufacturers will build any of these vehicles in this country or whether plants in Korea, China, Eastern Europe and elsewhere will grab most of the business. The domestic manufacturers are already sourcing a large number of passenger cars from outside the U.S. Ford Motor (nyse: F) builds its Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln MKZ in a Mexican factory. Half of Ford's Focus output also comes from Mexico, while its Ford Crown Victoria and Mercury Grand Marquis come from a Canadian plant...

WASHINGTON - A plan to increase fuel efficiency standards to an average of 35 miles per gallon by 2020 won approval from a Senate panel Tuesday in a vote closely watched by automakers and environmental groups. The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee approved the measure, which would raise the nationwide fleet fuel economy average by about 40 percent from current levels of 25 mpg for cars and trucks. The bill, approved on a voice vote, would also increase standards by 4 percent a year from 2020 through 2030. "This is not a perfect bill, but I think we have...

For Immediate ReleaseFebruary 10, 2007 President's Radio Address       Audio      In Focus: Energy      THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. Last Saturday, I addressed the annual retreat of Democrats from the House of Representatives. I thanked the Members of the new majority for their service in Congress. And we discussed our responsibility to work together on a wide range of issues -- from fighting the global war on terror, to making health care more affordable, to balancing the Federal budget. One area with great potential for bipartisan cooperation is energy policy. The need for action is clear. Our Nation's reliance on oil...

Driving style has a big impact on fuel economy. Backing off can save big. NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) - You can get 35 percent better fuel mileage out of your current vehicle by using a device most drivers already have. That would be your right foot. Most drivers agonizing over the cost of gasoline fail to realize the enormous impact their driving style has on fuel consumption. During the last run-up in fuel prices, we wrote about Edmunds.com's tests of common fuel-saving driving tips. Some common tips, it turned out, had little or no effect on fuel economy. (Edmunds.com provides data...

Gas at $4 a gallon? You need to know which cars have the best -- and worst -- fuel economy ratings If you ever stopped and calculated how much money you spend in a year on various things, the figure would probably sound somewhat shocking, if not wildly extravagant. $2,000 on take-out? $20,000 on mortgage payments? $650 on dry cleaning? Such numbers are enough to make most people commune with their inner accountant and figure out a way to cut back. These amounts are amortized over the course of 12 months, so the bite is much less dramatic than it...

To provide consumers with more real-world fuel economy information when shopping for cars, SUVs, and pick-up trucks, EPA is proposing new methods to determine the city and highway mpg estimates that appear on the window stickers. The new methods will take effect for model year 2008 vehicles, which will generally be available for sale in fall of 2007. "With President Bush encouraging energy conservation, EPA is ensuring American motorists can be confident that the fuel economy estimates more closely reflect today's real world driving experiences," said EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson. "Consumers weigh a variety of factors when shopping for...

WASHINGTON - The manual version of the hybrid Honda Insight tops the latest government auto fuel economy list, with 60 miles per gallon in the city and 66 mpg on the highway. ADVERTISEMENT The competitor hybrid Toyota Prius was second with 60 mpg in the city and 51 on the highway, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy said Wednesday. Ford Motor Co., with its hybrid SUVs, was the only American carmaker to crack the top-10 list for 2006 vehicles. Honda, Toyota and Volkswagen make eight of the top 10 cars, mostly hybrid electric-gas or diesel-powered. Ford Escape...

...The leading current proposal, promoted by environmental groups and Congressional Democrats, would raise the standard to 40 mpg by 2010 from 27.5 mpg today. This might save gas, but we know for sure it will cost lives. That's because a primary way auto companies meet CAFE standards is to reduce the weight of their cars. Auto weight fell by about 500 pounds per vehicle after CAFE rules were introduced in 1975. Research has consistently confirmed that the lighter the vehicle the more dangerous it is in a crash because there is less survival space and less physical structure to absorb...

CAPITOL HILL (AP) - The chairman of the Senate Energy Committee says Hurricane Katrina was “a serious wake-up call” about America’s energy situation. Republican Senator Pete Domenici says he used to think fuel economy standards should be left to the marketplace. Now, he thinks they should be increased. Domenici tells C-Span the Gulf disaster and the skyrocketing gasoline costs it unleashed have made it clear more needs to be done to cut energy use. Repeated attempts to force automakers to make more efficient vehicles have failed because of strong bipartisan opposition in Congress. Domenici said those political barriers may be...

For decades, Americans have paid little attention to the fuel economy numbers on cars' window stickers -- or to whether their vehicles actually attained those mileage figures. But for hybrid car owners, impressive city and highway mileage numbers are often the primary selling point. When a hybrid's mileage falls short, the owner logically asks why the real-world figures don't match the ones listed by the Environmental Protection Agency. Consumer groups and transportation policy analysts often point to the EPA's test procedure as the cause. Critics say the test cycle, a simulated route of starts and stops to replicate city and...

A MELBOURNE invention that claims to slash vehicle petrol bills by up to 20 per cent and reduce harmful engine emissions will go on sale tomorrow. The Vaporate Fuel Saving System is the brainchild of Shaun Rigney, 44, of Doncaster. Vaporate, which will retail for a recommended $289 and must be fitted by a mechanic, will be distributed by Repco. Mr Rigney said it worked by enabling vehicles to use petrol that normally was spewed into the environment. He said most cars wasted between 15 per cent and 20 per cent of petrol because they failed to turn it into...

DAILY EXPRESS Hold Your Horsepower by Gregg Easterbrook Post date 01.17.05 The cheerleaders, I mean automotive press, have departed, and over the weekend the annual North American International Automotive Show was opened to the public. You can gawk here at the flashy cars on display; detailed reporting on the event can be found here at The Detroit News auto show site. The theme of this year's cars was more: more power, more gizmos, more weight, more cost, even more safety features. But at this point what we need from cars is less. Much of the buzz at the car show...

Achieving 1,194 Miles Per Gallon, Rose-Hulman's Supermileage Car Places Third in Society of Automotive Engineers' Fuel Economy Competition TERRE HAUTE, Ind., June 15 (AScribe Newswire) -- Engineering students at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology designed a fuel efficient one-person vehicle that achieved 1,194 miles per gallon of gasoline in the Society of Automotive Engineers' Supermileage Competition, conducted last weekend near Detroit. That performance placed third out of 24 teams in the collegiate division, a remarkable achievement for a first-year team in the competition, according to Tom Edelmayer, a technical specialist for Eaton Corporation's Engine Air Management Operations. Eaton hosted the annual...

<p>The Senate rejected a proposal to require a sharp increase in automobile fuel economy Tuesday after concerns were raised that it would lead to a loss of auto industry jobs and limit consumer's ability to buy larger cars and SUVs.</p>

WASHINGTON (AP) - Vehicle fuel economy has improved little since the mid-1980s, at least partly because of the continuing popularity of sport utility vehicles, the Environmental Protection Agency said in a report Friday. The average fuel economy for 2003 cars and trucks is 6 percent lower than in 1988, the EPA said. The average fuel economy of cars and light trucks peaked in 1987 and 1988, when it reached 22.1 miles per gallon. In 2003, the average fuel economy was 20.8 miles per gallon. The EPA examined fuel economy from 1975 to 2003, weighting the fuel economy for each vehicle...

Bush Approves SUV Fuel Economy Increase By H. JOSEF HEBERT, Associated Press Writer WASHINGTON (AP) - The Bush administration approved a modest increase Thursday in fuel economy for sport utility vehicles and small trucks, beginning with the 2005 model year, administration sources said. The change is the first since 1996, when Congress imposed a freeze on the federal fuel economy requirements on automakers. The Transportation Department will require fuel economy for SUVs, pickup trucks and minivans to increase by about 1.5 miles per gallon over three years beginning with the model 2005 vehicles that arrive in showrooms in late 2004,...

The Bush administration approved the first increase in fuel economy for SUVs and small trucks, beginning with the 2005 model year, since 1996. The new rules require the fuel efficiency of SUVs, pickup trucks and minvans to increase by about 1.5 miles per gallon over three years, up from the current fleet average of 20.7 miles per gallon. The federal Corporate Average Fuel Economy, or CAFE, for other passenger vehicles will stay at 27.5 miles per gallon. Industry spokesmen said the change was a "significant increase" and would be a "daunting challenge" for automakers, but some environmentalists said the change...

The Rev. Jim Ball has come up with a question he hopes will make millions of church-going Americans think twice before buying another SUV. It's: "What would Jesus drive?" Ball, a native of Baton Rouge, La., directs the Evangelical Environmental Network, a "biblically orthodox" nonprofit working with groups including the large relief organization World Vision International and the International Bible Society. The organization is launching a barrage of ads, mostly on Christian radio stations and cable television, urging consumers and automakers to start thinking of gas mileage as an ethical statement, noting that auto emissions are significantly contributing to climate...

WASHINGTON (AP) - Average fuel economy for the galaxy of shiny new 2003 model cars and passenger trucks headed for showrooms is 20.8 miles per gallon, about 6 percent below the high point set 15 years ago. It's a trend reflected in consumers like Russel Fyock, recently in the market for a compact or mid-sized car. "I buy a car for what I need it for and fuel is just a thing to go along with it," said Fyock, 64, of Falls Church, Va. "Compared to inflation, gas has remained pretty cheap since the 1950s." Among the highest achievers, the...