Volvo has made a number of commitments to reducing improving the Earth. Sometimes that means donating profits to help clean up the ocean, while other times that means reducing its own carbon footprint. This story is one of those latter cases, as Volvo announces the installation of 15,000 solar panels at its SPA platform car factory in Ghent, Belgium. The Belgian factory … [Read more...] about Volvo’s Ghent Factory Gets a Solar Upgrade
Emissions
CNG Trucks are Hauling Without Emissions
Almost a half trillion dollars worth of goods are imported in the US through the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach every year. Almost all the containers that arrive at those ports are hauled relatively short distances to freight distribution facilities located inland by special purpose drayage trucks designed specifically for such short-haul work. At those freight terminals, … [Read more...] about CNG Trucks are Hauling Without Emissions
Piaggio Launches Alt-fuel Ape for India
They're small, cramped, loud, stinky, smoky, and weird. They've probably caused as much black lung as a Kentucky coal mine, too, if we're being honest. Nevertheless, my love for the Piaggio Ape trikes seems to grow stronger every day that I'm not allowed to buy one. It's hard to justify that kind of irrational love for something, but Piaggio is making it a little bit easier by … [Read more...] about Piaggio Launches Alt-fuel Ape for India
Mazda Denies Emissions Cheat Allegations
When news broke that Mazda might have been caught cheating on emissions tests, the press moved quickly to report it. I didn't, because I didn't believe Mazda had it in them. Today, Mazda released more details about the "suspect" tests and their testing methods that seems to effectively refute those cheating allegations recently leveled at Mazda (and, it should be said, … [Read more...] about Mazda Denies Emissions Cheat Allegations
Borg Uses Exhaust Heat to Improve Emissions, MPG
Exhaust gas re-circulation (EGR) is nothing new in automotive circles. Neither is the concept of trying to turn exhaust gas energy and heat into usable power. What is new, however, is using what would otherwise be waste heat to specifically heat up an engine at cold start-- and that's pretty exciting. "Until a cold engine reaches its optimal operating temperature, it is much … [Read more...] about Borg Uses Exhaust Heat to Improve Emissions, MPG
Mazda Skactiv-X Gets Gold at Edison Awards for Innovation
Mazda may be alone in their belief that the internal combustion engine has plenty of life left, but their Syactiv-X HCCI engine definitely seems like the real deal. To recap: Mazda believes their tech will both increase horsepower and improve fuel economy and vehicle emissions without the added weight and cost of a battery and charging system. It seems to work- well enough, … [Read more...] about Mazda Skactiv-X Gets Gold at Edison Awards for Innovation
California Executive Order Doubles Down on EV Mandate
Following the signing of a new executive order by California Governor Jerry Brown, the official target for all-electric vehicle sales in the state is now 5 million electric cars on California's roads by 2030. That target builds on the earlier target of 1.5 zero emissions vehicles by 2025 by quite a bit. The move demonstrates that Governor Brown’s previous comments about p … [Read more...] about California Executive Order Doubles Down on EV Mandate
EPA Rolls Back Harley Davidson Emissions Cheating Fines
We first wrote about the Trump Administration's multi-million dollar gift to Harley Davidson back in August, but the issue is back in the news again as 10 states have now officially objected to the penalty reduction against Harley. It seems like our own Steve Hanley also has a problem with Trump's plan to take it easy on the aging baby boomers behind the Milwaukee motorcycle … [Read more...] about EPA Rolls Back Harley Davidson Emissions Cheating Fines
Mazda SkyActive X Engine — More Power, Less Fuel, Lower Emissions
Mazda has always been the outlier in the auto industry when it comes to internal combustion engines. It built its reputation on the quirky Wankel rotary engine that NSU never could get right. Mazda's amazing rotary was half the size and half the weight of a conventional piston engine, which made it the ideal choice for Mazda's first sports car, the iconic RX-7. The one … [Read more...] about Mazda SkyActive X Engine — More Power, Less Fuel, Lower Emissions
Australia to Build Electric Highway Along Great Barrier Reef
Last week, the Australian government has revealed plans to build a new, 1800 kilometer-long electric highway on coastal roads running along the Great Barrier Reef. featuring free EV charging stations. The project is an effort to promote EVs in Australia as countries like Britain and France move to completely ban the sales of diesel and gas-only vehicles by 2040. "This project … [Read more...] about Australia to Build Electric Highway Along Great Barrier Reef