Ford F-150 Earns Motor Trend’s Truck of the Year Award

Ford's F-150 was named Motor Trend's Truck of the Year based on all-around performance. More than half of all F-150 buyers are choosing the V-6 engine with a turbo rather than a V-8. This is the 23rd year that Motor Trend has named a Truck of the Year, and Ford has been awarded the prestigious title four times.

 

DOE Grant to Study Medium-Duty PHEV Efficiency

The Argonne National Lab Center is working under a DOE grant provided to the Metropolitan Energy Center to study the efficiency of medium-duty plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. The project goal is to develop a method to measure fuel savings and reduced emissions of PHEVs, providing data to fleets. A key challenge for researchers is developing relevant tests for varying truck types and usage.

 

EV Public Charging Stations Outnumber Flex-Fuel Outlets

The number of flex-fuel vehicles is far greater than plug-ins on U.S. roads today, but public charging stations for the 16,500 electric cars outnumber outlets for alternative motor fuels by almost two to one. EV drivers can choose from 4,448 public charging stations, but only 2,468 stations are available to fill up the 7.6 million vehicles that can run on either E85 or traditional gasoline. Under a federal program, Ecotality received funds to install 14,000 more chargers in 18 metropolitan areas in six states and DC.

 

Ford Looks to New Vehicle Lines to Attract Fleets

With the demise of the Crown Victoria and Lincoln Town Car, Ford wants to steer customers to its new line of vehicles for taxi, limousine, and police fleets. The E-series vans will also be discontinued in 2013. Ford hopes to attract fleets with the new Transit commercial van, Interceptor police, and Lincoln MKT Town Car.

 

Quebec Drivers Support Winter Tire Law

Quebec drivers are required by law to fit passenger vehicles with four winter tires by Dec. 15 and keep them on until March 15, or risk fines of 200 to 300 Canadian dollars. A study by the Quebec Ministry of Transport says all winter accidents fell by 17 percent compared with the five winters preceding the enactment of the 2008 law. Accidents causing deaths or serious injuries fell by 36 percent. The specialized tires are mandatory for all passenger cars and taxis registered in the province, as well as rental cars from Quebec locations.