Japanese Automakers Pressured by Government to Green Up Fleets
Japan's new prime minister Yukio Hatoyama has a goal of reducing C02 emissions by 25% by 2020, and this includes regulations increasing the number of hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and electric vehicles manufactured in the country. The climate change issue is putting enormous pressure on carmakers worldwide to reduce emissions and improve fuel efficiency.
Wireless Vehicle Communication at Heart of US DOT IntelliDrive Program
US DOT launched the five-year IntelliDrive program to set up teams to build viable technology for smart, wirelessly connected vehicles. Safety and economic benefits could be realized with as little as 10% of vehicles equipped with the envisioned technology, but government mandates may be needed to get there.
Highway Road Trains Possible in Decade
Vehicles can be electronically tethered to a lead vehicle freeing drivers on highway stretches to do those things causing distracted and drowsy safety problems now. Using existing on-vehicle technology without infrastructure investment, the cars in the "road train" will save 20% of fuel and increase highway capacity.
Weak Dollar from Deficit Spending Driving Up Fuel Costs
The price of crude oil has more than doubled in the last year from $35 to $80 per barrel based mostly on a weakened US dollar overseas despite the global recession. Gasoline prices will rise again going into summer and could go back to $4/gal in 2010 if the economy heats up.
Concern That Scrapped Clunkers are Being Resold
There is concern that some of the 700,000 clunkers traded in under the CARS program may end up as used cars for sale, instead of being scrapped as the federal program intended. Carfax will help buyers protect themselves with a free check on used vehicles on their website.
