40 mpg every once in a while 40 mpg in perfect conditions, often with technology most don’t want There is a great crop of small cars out there these days. My two favorites are the Hyundai Elantra and the Chevy Cruze, yet I can’t stand the deceptive marketing behind these two cars…

The Abqaiq oil refinery, once attacked by al Qaeda Plug-ins or bust is a very poor energy policy I’ve been in the alternative energy game for almost 10 years, and I’ve always believed electrification was the future. I still do, although I’m not as certain whether that electrification will be driven by batteries, fuel cells or both. Actually, I’m pretty certain it will be both. Unfortunately, 10 years…

Every gas-guzzler sold today will be on the road for another 10 – 20 years The energy conversation is as dishonest as was the debt ceiling debate Will America be energy independent in 2025 thanks to new CAFE regulations? Heck no. Not even close. Even if automakers built nothing but pure battery-powered electric cars beginning…

Will CAFE make today's cars coveted classic cars into the future? Or will commuters choose other options and hold onto older vehicles longer? Even when gas prices blow past $4.00 per gallon and many hybrid cars actually become wise long term investments, most consumers still don’t buy hybrids…

Will hybrids become the base powertrain of larger sedans? Will large Americans have to buy hybrid sedans or pickups? Back in May I came across the article, Are Americans Too Big To Drive Small ? Then, I found the article comical, but not particularly compelling. However, now that new CAFE regulations are primed to increase passenger car fuel economy while protecting pickup trucks and SUVs through 2020, I’…

Is the future battery-powered powertrains, or just compact cars? Why does 54.4 mpg mean something more like 37 mpg? At the most recent LA Auto Show, Hyundia North American CEO John Krafcik essentially mocked the hype around plug-in vehicles at the show while debuting the Hyundai Elantra — the kind of car Krafcik claimed was the future of the auto industry. According to…

But as government regulations for higher fuel economy standards take center stage and demand for oil skyrockets, it looks like electric cars have the opportunity to take a foothold in the market. …

New CAFE requirements are better than nothing, but full of loopholes The good, the bad, and the ugly Here’s the good news. CAFE standards are increasing and will push automakers to further embrace new technologies, such as hybrid and plug-in powertrains. For instance, by 2025 passenger cars will have…

Time to build more pickup ups! Could lead to an increase in pickup truck production and sales Well, new CAFE requirements are threatening to once again turn into a major boondoggle. According to the DetroitNews , the Big 3 are set to agree to 54.5 mpg by 2025, which really means about 40 mpg according to the EPA and often even less in…

Chinese Hard Sell in Buying Green Cars . July 25, 2011. auto industry, Car Buying, electric car, emission control, fuel economy, government regulations . Easier said than done describes the challenge of persuading Chinese car buyers to go …

Those old guzzlers are still guzzling Will America ever walk the walk? There was a time when I was young and optimistic and believed that events like 9/11 would compel Americans and American companies to embrace US foreign oil independence. America! I was naive. Still, it’s funny and amusing to wonder, what if we had? What if, for instance, instead of launching a new…

Change pickup trucks, change America's energy paradigm. When perception is more important than reality 56.2 mpg. Scaaaaaaarrrryyyyy, right? At least to automakers, that’s why they and their Congressional cronies in Michigan are already balking. But 56.2 mpg is not really that scary, especially since 56.2 mpg actually means something more like 41 mpg, a …