It’s been six months since Volkswagen admitted to modifying their diesel vehicles to pass emissions tests, but few details have emerged about how the problem will be corrected. A recent interim agreement between Federal authorities and Volkswagen could have the German automobile manufacturer buying back or repairing over 500,000 cars, but the details on how this will be done are still vague. Meanwhile, consumers have been left with unanswered questions. The problem does not pose a safety risk to drivers and vehicles will still pass inspection, but some owners living in California and states that enforce tough emissions rules, question whether the problem will affect their vehicle registration renewal. Continue reading
Tag Archives: Environmental Protection Agency
Tougher EPA Rules Remove Sulfur From Gasoline
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will be unveiling new regulations on Monday, that will force oil refineries to remove sulfur from all gasoline sold in the United States. The new rule will require oil refiners to install new equipment to remove the sulfur and will force automobile manufacturers to install new, cleaner burning engine technology. EPA officials say that removing the smog forming pollutant will reduce the rates of diseases associated with those pollutants and will only slightly raise the price of gasoline and cars. They estimate that the new regulation will raise the cost of gasoline by about two-thirds of 1 cent per gallon and add approximately $75 to the sticker price of cars. Continue reading
Overstated Auto Fuel Economy Ratings
Disputes regarding overstated fuel economy and driving range on fuel efficient and electric vehicles have consumer watchdogs disputing the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) tests. Consumers have always questioned the ratings posted on window stickers Continue reading
Auto Fuel Economy Ratings To Be Monitored More Closely
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is warning automobile manufacturers that they will begin monitoring fuel economy ratings more closely after complaints of overstated mileage claims. An investigation last November into inaccurate vehicle mileages Continue reading
Hyundai Drivers Reimbursed For Lemon Gas Mileage
South Korean car maker, Hyundai, will be reimbursing 900,000 vehicle owners for inaccurate mileage estimates on certain Hyundai and Kia vehicles sold in the last two years. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) began an investigation and discovered the discrepancy after consumer complaints Continue reading
New Fuel Economy Window Stickers
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Transportation (DOT) unveiled their new fuel economy window stickers on Wednesday, saying that the new stickers will show the most changes in thirty years. The new labels will allow consumers to compare conventional cars, hybrids and all electric vehicles, giving information on greenhouse gas ratings, emissions, smog ratings, and fuel costs. The new stickers are scheduled to appear on the new 2013 models, but automakers have the option to start using them on on 2012 models as well.
Federal regulators had originally considered using a letter grading system from A to D, comparing fuel economy and air pollution to those of the entire fleet of new cars, but automakers objected, saying that the stickers were too simplistic and potentially misleading to automobile consumer’s. The government instead decided to go with a much busier label with more information and a sliding scale comparing vehicles across classes. According to transportation secretary, Ray LaHood, “These labels will provide consumers with up-front information about a vehicle’s fuel costs and savings so that they can make informed decisions when purchasing a new car.”
The label will also include a Quick Response Code (QR Code) that can be scanned by a smart phone to get information on cost estimates based on a consumer’s driving habits and the price of gasoline and electricity of their area. This information will also be accessible to vehicle shoppers online.
