Obama pushes tougher fuel standards for US cars

This will promote advanced vehicle technology, such as plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and all electric vehicles, Obama said. Obama called for the adoption of first-ever greenhouse-gas pollution limits and fuel-efficiency standards for heavy trucks, starting in 2014. He also ordered his Transportation Department and environmental agency to develop new standards for cars and small trucks starting in 2017.

Obama last year reached a landmark agreement with carmakers to raise efficiency in the model years 2012-2016. Those new standards were finalized last month and will raise fuel economy in the US from a current 11.6 kilometres per litre (27.3 mpg - 8.6 l/100 km) to an average 15.1 kilometres per litre by 2016 (35.5 mpg - 6.6 l/100 km).

Trucks consume more than 2 million barrels of oil a day, according to the White House, and average only 6.1 miles per gallon. They also are responsible for 20% of the transportation industry’s greenhouse gas emissions.

Obama said his directive not only will reduce pollution, but it also “will bring down costs for transporting goods, serving businesses and consumers alike.”

The president also called for higher fuel-efficiency standards for cars and light trucks beginning in 2017, beyond the higher standards issued a month ago for 2012 through 2016 models.

Giving these directives now will help the auto industry, truckers, and consumers because it provides certainty as to where fuel-efficiency standards are going, according to the White House. This will promote advanced vehicle technology, such as plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and all electric vehicles, Obama said.

“This sends a clear message to our innovators, entrepreneurs, and auto manufacturers that this country is committed to leading the way through 2016 and beyond,” said EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson.

The president also directed the Department of Energy to provide increased support for deployment on electric vehicles and other advanced vehicle technologies.

Automakers, who worked with the Obama administration to develop the higher fuel standards for 2012 through 2016 also collaborated on the administration’s latest step.

"The federal government is looking 15 years down the road and uniting all the diverse stakeholders to work towards the same national goal," said Dave McCurdy, president and CEO of the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers. "By starting this process, we are clearing a single path to 2025. We’ve come a long way policy wise in a short time. A year ago, automakers faced a regulatory maze resulting from multiple sets of inconsistent fuel economy and greenhouse gas standards."

McCurdy’s view was echoed by the Association of International Automobile Manufacturers, whose members account for 40% of all cars and light trucks sold in the U.S.

“Today’s commitment creates a path to greater future progress,” said Michael Stanton, the association’s president and CEO. The lead time provided automakers will enable them “to design and build the type of advanced technology vehicles needed while continuing to provide consumers with a full range of vehicle choices,” he said.

That lead time is important not only for auto manufacturers, but the energy industry and consumers as well, McCurdy said.

“Energy providers need time to expand availability of low-carbon fuels and their infrastructure,” he said. "And introducing new technologies and fuels to consumers takes time to get up to speed. So we need to start now."

The trucking industry also supports higher fuel-efficiency standards. The American Trucking Association is more concerned about the climate-change bill introduced by Senator John Kerry, Democrat of Massachusetts, and Senator Joe Lieberman, Independent of Connecticut, which they said would increase the cost of gasoline and diesel fuel by forcing refiners to purchase billions of dollars in carbon allowances.

"I'm proposing we start developing right now a new and higher standard to take effect beginning 2017 so that we can make more and more progress in the years to come," Obama said in a speech from the White House Rose Garden.

Barack Obama Delivers Remarks On Vehicle Fuel Efficiency

Through the directive I'm signing, we're also going to work with public and private sectors to develop the advanced infrastructure that will be necessary for plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles, and we're going to continue to work to diversify our fuel mix, including biofuels, natural gas and other cleaner sources of energy.

I believe that it's possible in the next 20 years for vehicles to use half the fuel and produce half the pollution that they do today. But that's only going to happen if we are willing to do what's necessary for the sake of our economy, our security and our environment.

Today's announcement is an essential part of our energy strategy, but it's not a substitute for other necessary steps to ensure our leadership in a new clean energy economy.

I'm heartened by the good work that's been done by Senator Kerry and Lieberman on a comprehensive energy and climate bill to reduce our dependence on foreign oil, to prevent the worse consequences of climate change, and foster the millions of new jobs that are possible if we rise to this challenge.

And this follows the passage of comprehensive legislation through the House last June.

So as I've said before, I intend to work with members of both parties to pass a bill this year. In the meantime, I'm going to take every sensible and responsible action that I can use -- that I can using my authority as president to move our country in the right direction. That's what we've done today. That's what we're going to continue to do in the days, weeks and months ahead.

Source: The White House, May 23rd, 2010

Better driving through electricity

Some day in the future, car owners will use their phones to talk to their cars as they quietly charge in the garage.

People will call ahead to set the thermostat to 75 degrees on a freezing day. The car will send a text message if someone forgot to plug it in. It will move, silent, as the driver shifts gears without a mechanical gearshift in an interior made from recycled water bottles.

The future is now.

Well, soon, anyway. In December, Nissan will begin delivering its fully electric LEAF, starting at $25,280 (including tax savings) and offering the possibility of those features. Chevrolet, Ford and other auto makers plan to roll out electric vehicles this year, with still others following in the next two to three years.

"Electric cars are coming if we're ready or not," said Al Lara, a spokesman for Northeast Utilities, a member of a group of utility companies called the Regional Electric Vehicle Initiative seeking to prepare the market and infrastructure for the transition. "It's all part of creating a sustainable solution for ourselves."

REVI and the Governor's Electric Vehicles Infrastructure Council hosted a forum at the Legislative Office Building Friday to discuss the arrival of the new vehicles in the state, what people can expect and what might need to be done to support them.

"It's the future," said Gov. M. Jodi Rell after test driving a Toyota plug-in hybrid. "If you plan for the future, you'll already be there."

Speakers at the forum stressed that much of the infrastructure already exists. According to Megan Pomeroy of United Illuminating, about 80% of electric vehicle owners will charge them at home overnight, more than 60% of home garages have a 120-volt plug within 25 feet, and about 85% of homes have some 240-volt service because of central air conditioning or an electric clothes dryer.

Vehicles using 120-volt outlets can fully charge a lithium ion battery in about eight hours. A 240-volt outlet can cut charging time to six or three hours. The Nissan LEAF will offer both options, plus a way to charge with a direct current outlet reaching 80% of a battery's capacity in about 26 minutes.

The Chevrolet Volt, an electric car launching in November with a range-extending gas engine, can travel 40 miles (64 km) on its battery under ideal conditions. The LEAF and the BMW ActiveE, due next year, can cruise 100 miles (160 km) on a full charge.

Source: Republican American, by Rick Harrison, May 22nd, 2010

U.S. doubles the federal hybrid fleet

President Obama announced today that the Federal Government will lead by example in replacing older cars in the federal fleet with fuel efficient hybrids and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, reducing US dependence on foreign oil as well as cutting carbon dioxide and other pollution.

The U.S. General Services Administration will double the federal hybrid fleet this year and has committed to purchasing approximately 100 plug-in hybrid vehicles in 2011.

These steps are part of a broad effort to implement the Executive Order signed by President Obama in October which calls on agencies to cut the federal government's fleet petroleum use by 30% by 2020, among other goals.

"President Obama has called on the Federal Government to lead by example in sustainability and our efforts to build a clean energy economy. By doubling the hybrids in the Federal fleet, agencies are answering that call by reducing petroleum consumption and increasing fuel efficiency," said Nancy Sutley, Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality.

"These types of clean energy investments will help create new private-sector jobs, drive long-term savings, build market capacity, and foster innovation in clean energy industries."

Using existing funds, GSA will replace 5,603 of the least fuel efficient cars and trucks in the Federal fleet with fuel efficient hybrids, doubling the number of hybrids in the federal fleet without increasing the total number of vehicles.

The resulting improvement in fleet fuel efficiency will reduce petroleum consumption by the equivalent of an estimated 7.7 million gallons of gas, or 385,000 barrels of oil.

"By doubling the hybrid fleet and committing to purchasing plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, GSA is leveraging our position as the government's centralized supplier to invest in emerging clean energy technologies, increase the government fleet's fuel economy, and decrease the cost of government operations," said Martha N. Johnson, Administrator of General Services.

"GSA is committed to delivering solutions that help agencies deliver on the President's call to increase sustainability and energy security." The Department of Energy is helping lead the way on this initiative by replacing 753 vehicles with hybrids this year. This brings the total number of hybrid vehicles at the Department to 888, even as the Department begins to reduce the overall size of its vehicle fleet.

"The Department of Energy is committed to expanding the use of hybrids even as we reduce our fleet overall, saving gasoline and money for taxpayers," said Secretary Chu.

Source: Energy Portal, May 2nd, 2010