Dispel the disinformation! Ford tells you exactly how much CO2 and fuel that EVs can save
Research shows electric vehicles are better for the environment. Not only do they emit fewer CO2 emissions, but you also don’t have to worry about falling victim to volatile gas prices. Ford shows us just how much you can save by driving electric vehicles compared to an equivalent gas car.
Expand Expanding CloseFrom EV school buses to tractors, US seeks zero-emission heavy-duty transport by 2040
The US has just joined the global drive to achieve 100% zero-emission truck and bus sales by 2040. By signing the nonbinding memorandum of understanding (MOU), the US establishes a clear path for heavy- and medium-duty vehicles, from EV school buses to tractors, to generate zero emissions.
Expand Expanding CloseHow Record EV and clean energy deployment are working to reduce CO2 emissions
Signs are surfacing that the rollout of electric vehicles and renewable energy sources is working as designed. According to a new report from the International Energy Agency (IEA), record EV and clean energy deployment are contributing to a significant reduction in CO2 emissions in 2022.
Expand Expanding CloseRhode Island sets fastest timeline of any US state to reach 100% renewable electricity [update]
Rhode Island has passed a law requiring all of the state’s electricity to be offset by renewable energy by 2033 – the fastest timeline of any state in the US.
Expand Expanding CloseBentley makes impressive cuts to CO2 emissions at ‘Dream Factory’ in Crewe
British automaker Bentley has shared new data outlining its progress toward becoming carbon neutral throughout its entire global supply chain. The automaker’s “Dream Factory” headquarters in Crewe, England is already carbon neutral, but Bentley’s latest numbers show how much of a decrease it has made in its overall environmental impact the past year alone.
Expand Expanding CloseLight-duty EVs have 64% lower life-cycle emissions than ICE vehicles – Ford study
Ford Motor Company and University of Michigan researchers explored what light-duty vehicle electrification means for the decarbonization of the transportation industry in a study that was published online on March 1 in the journal Environmental Research Letters.
Expand Expanding CloseValais, Switzerland pulls plug on hybrid incentives, should the rest of the world follow?
Citing a report which found hybrid cars offered negligible emissions and fuel consumption advantages when tested on Switzerland’s Alpine roads, one Swiss region has decided to “pull the plug” on subsidies – even calling the claims of hybrids’ environmental advantages a “con.”
Expand Expanding CloseCourt orders Royal Dutch Shell to cut emissions in historic first
A court in the Netherlands today ordered Royal Dutch Shell to cut its carbon emissions by 45% by 2030 from 2019 levels. Previous to the ruling, Shell’s emissions reduction target was 20% by 2030.
It’s the first time activists have taken a major energy company to court to get it to overhaul its climate strategy, and they were successful.
Expand Expanding CloseLawmakers unveil $25 billion legislation to convert US school buses to electric
This week, Democratic lawmakers introduced legislation that would invest $25 billion to convert the entire US fleet of ICE school buses to electric vehicles. The bill would authorize federal grant money over the course of 10 years, and 40% of the funds would be specifically devoted to replacing school buses operating in mostly nonwhite, poorer communities.
Expand Expanding CloseLibertarian group sues Trump for not rolling back emissions standards even more
The libertarian Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI) believes that Donald Trump didn’t go far enough to slash clean car standards. So it filed the first of many lawsuits to challenge the Trump administration’s rollback of Obama-era fuel efficiency rules.
European carmakers take sides on delaying CO2 targets due to coronavirus
There is a schism forming between European automakers. The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) last week asked to delay the EU’s CO2 targets. On one side, you have German carmakers, who are ACEA members but have invested in electric vehicles. The German carmakers don’t want the delay. However, Fiat-Chrysler CEO Mike Manley and now president of ACEA, represents those who oppose strict emission rules. Manley signed the letter pleading to the European Commission to relax the CO2 targets.
UK zero-emission and clean-air zones suspended due to COVID-19 outbreak
Transport for London (TFL) this week suspended charges for its Ultra Low Emission Zone. London Mayor Sadiq Khan asked TFL to make these changes to allow key workers, including the National Health Service staff and those delivering medicine and groceries, to get around “as easily as possible.”
Vehicle emissions dramatically drop in March, but what happens when driving returns?
Inrix, the location-data company, reports that the volume of traffic in the US is down 30% in March. Late last week, it fell by 50% in San Francisco, the first region to shelter in place. Across California, and in New York and Michigan, traffic had the largest statewide drops at about 37%. As a result, vehicle emissions also fell. Sadly, this is likely to provide only short-term relief in auto-related emissions.
Electric-car production and sales in Europe to surpass US, with China in sight
The center of gravity in the EV world is shifting to Europe. A report released last week from McKinsey, the consulting firm, pegs Germany to become the world market leader for electric cars by 2021, with more than 1.7 million electric vehicles produced.
Report: At current rate of EV deployment, automakers not expected to meet EU CO2 targets
The world’s biggest gains in EV sales this year are expected in Europe. That’s because automakers face hefty fines if they don’t meet fleet-average CO2 emissions that increased in 2020 and continue a steep rise in the coming years. A new report from PA Consulting, a global consulting firm, shows that Europe’s 13 top auto manufacturers will face more than €14.5 billion in fines. Electric-car sales are increasing but not fast enough.
NYC pays big bounties for reporting idling engines; D.C. makes it easy with 311 app
Laws against idling vehicle engines have been around for decades. However, enforcement has generally been lax or nonexistent. But now New York City and the District of Columbia are changing that by enlisting residents in the battle against vehicle emissions. NYC even has a generous bounty program where you can make thousands of dollars in your spare time.
UN’s 2019 Emissions Gap Report to G20: Act urgently or the results will be ‘devastating’
The United Nations (UN) released its 10th annual Emissions Gap Report 2019 today. The report presents the latest data on the expected gap in 2030 for the Paris Agreement’s 1.5C and 2C temperature targets.
For the first time, it looks at how large annual cuts need to be from 2020 to 2030 in order to meet the Paris goals. And that includes the electrification of transport.
Florida’s auto emissions have skyrocketed since 1990
Transportation is the largest source of CO2 emissions, and the majority of that pollution comes from city and suburb driving. The New York Times created an interactive map that shows the amount of emissions from cars and trucks have risen since 1990. Florida’s auto-emissions rates in its metropolitan areas did not fare well, to put it mildly.
Climate Crisis Weekly: Trump no-show at G7 climate change meeting, Amazon forest fires, Great Barrier Reef in a ‘very poor’ state
- Donald Trump skips the G7 climate change meeting in France.
- More repercussions — both good and bad — from the Amazon forest fires.
- Thousands of fires are also burning in central Africa, but it’s not quite the same as the Amazon.
- Climate activists will fly drones at London Heathrow to pressure the UK government to reduce emissions.
- The Great Barrier Reef is rated as being in a ‘very poor’ state in a new report.
- And more…
US energy-related CO2 emissions expected to fall this year, almost solely due to a drop in coal use
After an increase in 2018, energy-related CO2 emissions in the US are expected to decrease this year, and a drop in coal consumption is far and away the biggest reason for the change.
EU CO2 emissions ‘significantly decreased’ in 2018
The European Union’s statistical office estimates CO2 emissions in EU countries “significantly decreased” in 2018 compared to 2017.
UK urged to aim for net zero emissions by 2050 after declaring ‘climate emergency’
The UK’s Committee on Climate Change has released its anticipated report, and it’s recommending a new goal — net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
EPA head Wheeler says Obama favored EVs over ICE, US can’t get to 30% EVs by 2025 so why try?
EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler believes a huge surge in electric vehicle purchases was “the only way” for automakers to comply with fuel economy standards set by the Obama administration, according to a recent interview.
Shell invests in natural climate solutions, new EV chargers for emissions reduction plan
Royal Dutch Shell is continuing its recent climate-forward push as the company announced plans to invest in natural climate solutions and reforestation programs, along with a group of new renewable energy-powered EV chargers in the Netherlands.