2013 Honda Fit EV Receives Highest Ever EPA Rating for Electric Cars at 118 MPGe

Good news for Honda as its 2013 Fit EV has scored a combined adjusted Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mile-per-gallon-equivalency rating of 118 MPGe, which the company says is the "highest fuel-efficiency rating ever given by the EPA".

But wait, doesn't the EV part of the new Fit's name stand for 'Electric Vehicle'? Yes, it does, so saying it has the "highest fuel-efficiency" is not entirely true. What Honda has achieved is to create a vehicle with a low consumption rating of 29 kilowatt hours (kWh) per 100 miles.

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CR Finds that Fuel Efficient Versions of Focus, Cruze and Civic May Not be Worth the Extra Cash

When is it worth paying extra money for a more fuel-efficient version of the same model? The answer to that question depends on the price of gas, how much more fuel-efficient is said car and how long it will take to recoup the added cost.

Consumer Reports (CR) set out to see if buyers would benefit in the long run by choosing the fuel-economy variants of the Ford Focus, Chevrolet Cruze and Honda Civic. While each of these models returns better mileage than their standard counterparts, they also cost between $500 and $800 more.

The following calculations were based on driving 12,000 miles (~19,300 kilometers) annually with an average gas price of $4 per gallon (€0.85/lt).

Starting with the Ford Focus, CR found that the $495 SFE (Super Fuel Economy) package, which adds flush hubcaps, a rear spoiler, and low rolling resistance tires, provides a 3-mpg improvement in overall and city fuel economy, to 31 and 21mpg, respectively.

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Toyota Introduces Production Version of RAV4 EV, Prices Start at $49,800

Toyota chose the second day of the 26th annual Electric Vehicle Symposium in Los Angeles to present the world premiere of the production RAV4 EV featuring a pure-electric driveline developed by Tesla Motors.

While based on the current RAV4, the Japanese automaker is commanding almost twice the price of the popular SUV's top trim-level (Limited: $25,530) for the electric model that will begin arriving in select showrooms this summer with an MSRP of $49,800 before any state and federal incentives.

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Toyota Introduces Production Version of RAV4 EV, Prices Start at $49,800

Toyota chose the second day of the 26th annual Electric Vehicle Symposium in Los Angeles to present the world premiere of the production RAV4 EV featuring a pure-electric driveline developed by Tesla Motors.

While based on the current RAV4, the Japanese automaker is commanding almost twice the price of the popular SUV's top trim-level (Limited: $25,530) for the electric model that will begin arriving in select showrooms this summer with an MSRP of $49,800 before any state and federal incentives.

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Obama’s EV Strategy and Energy Department Spending Questioned by House Panel

The Obama administration has put a lot of weight behind electric and alternative-fuel cars, offering tax incentives in order to increase their sales and reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

According to a DetNews report, the chairman of the House Science Committee’s panel on energy and environment, Andy Harris, has sent a letter to Energy Secretary Steven Chu requesting information about Obama’s proposal to spend more than US$1 billion in tax incentives and related infrastructure.

In his letter, Harris questions the proposed increase of tax incentives by US$2,500 for buyers of “clean” vehicles. He says that, according to GM, the average Chevrolet Volt owner has an annual income of US$170,000.

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GOP Budget Committee wants to Axe All “Green” Loan Programs and High-Speed Rail Funds

Five years ago, U.S. President at the time George W. Bush created the Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing Program. It was a legislation providing up to US$25 billion of low-cost government loans to automakers in order to restructure their facilities and develop fuel-efficient vehicles.

The same program continued under the Obama administration, which has made reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting the use of alternative energy sources one of its priorities.

However, after the bankruptcy of solar panel maker Solyndra, LLC which had received US$535 million in federal loans, the Energy Department has frozen all funding pending a review. This had a negative effect on upstart companies, such as Fisker Automotive, which relied heavily on these subsidies.

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Volvo CEO Criticizes EU’s Strategy on CO2 Emissions Reduction and Electric Cars

Stephan Jacoby, President and CEO of Volvo Cars, said today at an industry seminar in Brussels that the European Commission’s plan of reducing CO2 emissions and promoting electrification throughout Europe is mistaken.

Jacoby believes that a lack of a cohesive incentive strategy and over-optimistic targets set by the EU will not have the desired effects. He said that the high cost of hybrid and all-electric vehicles is currently preventing European car buyers from adopting them.

“Volvo Car Corporation urges the EU to coordinate incentives while supporting research and development”, said Jacoby, adding that if this does not happen, European carmakers will have to deal with the consequences.

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Obama Strikes Back Over Rising Fuel Prices, Accuses Republicans of "Liking Gas Guzzlers"

The election battle in the U.S. is heating up and the issue of increasing gas prices is at the agenda of both the Democrats and the Republicans.

One of the three candidates for the Republican Party presidential nomination, House Speaker Newt Gingrich, has called President Obama “President Algae” for his commitment to alternative sources of energy.

Obama, who has made efforts to reduce America’s dependence on oil by offering incentives for vehicles powered by alternative sources, responded to his opponents during his speech at students in Maryland, according to a DetNews report.

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Opel Ampera to Run at the 2012 Rally Monte Carlo

The Chevrolet Volt's European twin, the Opel Ampera, will be making its inaugural appearance at this year's edition of the international Rally Monte Carlo.

All in all, six Ampera sedans will participate in the “Alternative Energy” version of the rally, which starts in Annecy-le-Vieux, Clermont-Ferrand and Lugano on March 22 and finishes three days later in the capital of Monaco, Monte Carlo.

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U.S. Senators Criticize DOE of Mishandling “Green” Federal Loans

In 2007, the federal government created the Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing initiative to help automakers and suppliers develop alternative technologies.

According to DetNews, on Tuesday, March 13, during an Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing, many senators accused the Department of Energy (DOE) of mishandling the US$25 billion program.

They said that the DOE had not offered a new retooling program in a year and no new major loans in the past two years. Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski said that the department had made the program “virtually dormant”, while others, like Senator Rand Paul, went as far as saying that “we need to get out of this business” as the program makes no sense at all.

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Ford Focus EV Buyers in California get Access to HOV Lanes and up to US$10,000 in Tax Credits

A week after Ford revealed that it's all-electric Focus achieved a 105 MPGe combined EPA rating, the company announced that owners of the car in California can access the High Occupancy Vehicles (HOV) lanes. That, in itself, is another selling point for Ford. Read more »

iCar: New Study Finds that Gen Y Consumers want Hybrids with Tablets and Smartphone-Like Functions

Echo boomers, Generation Y, Generation Next: whatever you call them, people who were born in the beginning of the 1980’s are now an important demographic group for any company. And their preferences may change the type of cars we will drive in the future.

According to the annual survey conducted by the Deloitte consulting company, Generation Y consumers, who the company describes as those aged from 19 to 31, want their new cars to be hybrids laden with high-tech features.

"This could be the generation that leads us away from traditional gasoline-powered vehicles", comments Deloitte automotive consultant Craig Giffi who oversaw the study.

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Obama Proposes Higher Incentives for Alternative Fuel Car and Truck Buyers

The current U.S. administration is committed to reducing car and truck fuel consumption and emissions. It has already managed to make major manufacturers agree on its 54.5 mpg Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) 2025 target.

Yet President Barack Obama wants more American new car and truck buyers to opt for cleaner vehicles. Therefore, during his speech at the Daimler Trucks North America plant in North Carolina, he proposed increasing tax incentives for buyers of electric, natural gas and hydrogen-powered vehicles.

"We’ve got to continually develop new sources of energy", said Obama. "We’re not going to be able to just drill our way out", he added referring to the rising fuel prices which averaged US$3.76 on March 6, up from US$3.51 a year ago according to data provided by the American Automobile Association.

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CPT's LC Super Hybrid Volkswagen Passat to Debut at the Geneva Motor Show

Zero emission vehicles are as "green" as you can get, but fuel cells are still a long way from mass production and EVs' limited range and high prices are a deterrent for a large percentage of new car buyers. Hybrids, while more affordable, still command a higher price than regular models.

And here's where UK-based Controlled Power Technologies (CPT) and U.S. Advanced Lead-Acid Battery Consortium (ALABC) come into the picture.

The two companies have teamed up to develop the LC Super Hybrid, which is a new technology that promises to lower a gasoline engine’s consumption to levels comparable to a diesel, but at a much lower cost that a traditional hybrid.

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2012 Chevrolet Volt with Low Emissions Package Granted Access to California's HOV Lanes

In order to encourage carpooling and decrease traffic congestion, the State of California came up with the idea of creating the so-called High Occupancy Vehicle lanes or HOV for short, which could only be used by cars with two or more occupants.

Last July, however, the Golden State altered the regulations allowing single-passenger vehicles to use them as well, provided they were all-electric or powered by hydrogen fuel cells or natural gas.

Despite being a hybrid, the Volt was excluded from the list specifying the vehicles allowed to use the HOV lanes, which span more than 1,400 miles and reduce driving time by an average of 36 minutes each day, because of its emissions.

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Man Proves to Newt Gingrich that You Can Put a Gun Rack in a Chevy Volt

It's amazing how fast people react these days. While campaigning in Suwanee, Georgia, a couple of days ago, Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich attacked President Barack Obama on his plans to increase subsidies for alternative fuel-powered cars.

Gingrich started by making fun of the green car lobby. "How dare we go out and drive vehicles bigger than their bicycles!" said the former House Speaker before he aimed his guns on the Chevrolet Volt.

"You know the Volt is an interesting experimental car," said Gingrich. "The average family that buys it earns $170,000 a year. This is Obama's idea of populism. And in this new budget he wants to increase the amount given to every Volt buyer to $10,000. Which is an amount which a lot of people would by a decent second-hand car, but it wouldn't be an 'Obama' car."

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U.S. Government wants to Increase Clean Car Federal Tax Credits to $10,000

President Barack Obama is determined to make cars in the U.S. as clean as possible. After reaching an agreement with major manufacturers about the 54.5 mpg CAFE target set for 2025, he now plans to increase the federal income tax credit for alternative fuel-powered cars.

The proposal, which is included in the 2013 budget, raises the maximum credit by as much as US$2,500 for certain plug-in models. Currently, the maximum tax credit is US$7,500.

Under the provision, vehicles with a MSRP of US$45,000 and above would received up to US$7,500, while models below that price would be eligible for the full US$10,000 credit.

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Japan Opens New 1.6 Mile-Long “Dinosaur Bridge” to Reduce Tokyo’s Traffic Jams

Tokyo was one of the cities bidding for the 2016 Summer Olympics. It eventually lost to Rio de Janeiro, yet the infrastructure that was created in order to boost its chances of hosting the Games is proving worth the investment.

One such example is the four-lane, 1.6-mile (2.6 km) Tokyo Gate Bridge. Nicknamed "Dinosaur Bridge" due to its unusual shape, it will open this weekend to vehicles after a decade of construction.

According to Bloomberg News, the so-called Dino Bridge cost 113 billion yen (US$1.45 billion), but the Japanese government expects it to yield 19 billion yen (US$246 million) annually, carrying 32,000 vehicles each day between the capital and a man-made island where a new container terminal is being built.

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Study Shows that New U.S. Market Vehicle's Fuel Economy Improved by 14 Percent from 2008-2012MY

While President Obama’s initiative for a significant reduction in vehicles’ fuel consumption and CO2 emissions may sound very ambitious to some, a new study by the University of Michigan Transport Research Institute shows that car manufacturers have managed to improve their new cars’ fuel economy by 3 mpg in the last four years.

If this doesn’t sound a lot, then consider that according to the study, the average fuel economy of all 2012MY light vehicles available on the U.S. market is 21.5 mpg US (10.9lt/100km). That's a far cry from the 54.5 mpg US (4.3lt/100km) target set for 2025, but still an impressive 14 percent up or +3.0mpg from 2008MY’s average of 18.9 mpg US (12.5lt/100km).

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Non-U.S. Automakers Displeased After President Obama Snubs Them at Washington Auto Show

On Tuesday, January 31, U.S. President Barack Obama’s schedule included a visit to the 2012 Washington Auto Show. The White House informed automakers on a two days’ notice to bring their most fuel-efficient models to the show.

Naturally, they obliged. For example, Honda flew in the FCX Clarity from California, Kia brought the Optima hybrid and Mercedes-Benz a fuel-cell car. Carmakers also brought along their top brass to discuss green technologies with the President.

As Bloomberg reports, the problem is that Obama, who had half an hour in his disposal, ignored foreign manufacturers.

Instead, he spent most of his time with domestic brands, posing for the press with the Dodge Dart, the Chevrolet Malibu, the Ford C-MAX Energi, the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 and the Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1 (not pretty fuel efficient those two, by the way…).

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