 
July 27, 2010 - UPS: BIG BROWN TO GET GREENER?: In an effort that should fit well with planned federal fuel economy regulations for commercial trucks, UPS Inc. has said it aims to improve the fuel efficiency of its fleet by 20 percent between 2000 and 2020. It seems like a rather lofty goal but the company has already increased fuel efficiency by 10 percent between 2000 and 2009 through use of improved vehicle technology, effective maintenance, fuel conservation, routing technology, and operation initiatives such as minimizing idling. That increase in fuel efficiency since 2000 decreased UPS fuel consumption by 3.2 million gallons. Let's hope other big delivery companies take up the gauntlet they have thrown down ... Although not all fuel economy winners, a few of the 2011 vehicles highlighted in a top 10 list are real fuel sippers. The Chevy Cruze Eco is a good bet, getting 40mpg highway. Also coming in at 40mpg highway, the Ford Fiesta has enjoyed a lot of buzz. The Hyundai Sonata gets 35 MPG highway, which is impressive for a midsize car. The 2011 VW Jetta is getting some updates and will still be available in a powerful yet MPG-friendly clean diesel. And of course, the electric Chevy Volt and Nissan Leaf make the list, at the very tip top of the MPG chart. If you are in the market for a new car and want to go green, check out this list ...
|
July 21, 2010 - DEBUNKING THE BIG-IS-BACK CAR MYTH: Are Americans forgetting the $4 gas we saw just two short years ago and returning to bigger, gas-guzzling vehicles? If you read some of the stories out there, you'd certainly think so. That is what the carmakers perpetuating this idea are depending on since they prefer the higher profit margins of the big, gas-guzzlers. But what these stories - and the carmakers - aren't focusing on is the fact that the changes to some of these "trucks" have them now being built on much lighter and more fuel-efficient car frames powered with smaller, more fuel-efficient engines -- such as the new, 30-percent more efficient Ford Explorer. (Kudos to Ford on the advances - but let's not pretend this is one of the old SUV dinosaurs!) In addition, automakers have aggressively been adding MPG-saving materials and engine adjustments to these vehicles. So if Americans purchase what look to be large vehicles but get much-improved MPG, who cares? To say that the old Detroit mentality is back is both wrong and, arguably, dangerous ... It looks like some new clean diesel development may be a victim of market forces, for now. Honda has pushed back plans to produce clean diesel engines and will focus primarily on hybrid and electric vehicles since diesel prices are now at or higher than gas prices ... Want to test your fuel economy knowledge? Check out a quiz from the Kansas City Star. If you do well, you may not need these but those who are rusty on their MPG know-how may want to check out this list of resources on how to tweak your driving habits to get the best fuel economy and what maintenance is most important to keep your engine getting its top MPG, especially if you're driving to a vacation destination this summer and are looking to save at the pump ...
|
|
Automakers need to understand that Americans want the most
fuel-efficient possible cars using the best available technology. Here is
where you can get involved to make that happen ...
more>> |
 |
40 miles per gallon is not a dream. The technology exists today! You could be driving a vehicle that would save you money, make America safer and cut down on pollution ...
more>> |
|
Pam Solo, the president of the nonprofit and nonpartisan Civil Society Institute, which created the 40mpg.org campaign, welcomes you! ...
more>> |
|
 |
|
If you already are doing 40 mpg or better, we
want to hear your story...
|
 |
|
Save
money ... use less gasoline from Middle Eastern oil ... cut tailpipe fumes ... NOW!
