NHTSA is changing the requirements for 2011 crash-test star ratings to make them more stringent and consumer friendly. New criteria include a side pole crash and recognition of high-tech crash avoidance features like electronic stability control.
Full-size passenger wagons, cargo vans and pickups showed gains in wholesale prices, despite the overall softening of the used car market. Beggs: dealers are still looking for inventory in a very limited market. Click here to see Ricky Beggs' assessment on video.
The Environmental Protection Agency is allowing a 15% blend of ethanol into gasoline for 2007 model year and newer vehicles. The decision has been criticized by the Renewable Fuels Association for limiting the fuel to newer vehicles, and Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers says the ruling should have waited to ensure the higher blend of ethanol won't corrode engines.
ECOtality received federal funding to get 15,000 charging stations set up around the country and is developing a 480-volt EV charger called Blink capable of recharging a car in 15 to 28 minutes. What they're doing is interesting enough to get Best Buy, BP, and Arco to bring charging stations to their facilities.
Consumers planning to buy a new Chevrolet Volt or Nissan Leaf electric vehicle may need to make significant upgrades at home to shorten charging time. Using regular household 110-volt outlet, it will require 16 to 20 hours to recharge the Leaf and 8 hours for the Volt. Consumers can install 220-volt charging stations at an average cost of $2,000.