tool name

close
tool goes here

Ford in talks with EPA over hybrid fuel testing

Ford is talking to the government about the fuel economy of its hybrid cars after a report suggested they’re falling short of targets.

Published: Dec. 15, 2012 at 8:18 a.m. PST
0 comments

Ford is talking to the government about the fuel economy of its hybrid cars after a report suggested they’re falling short of targets.

Consumer Reports said last week that Ford’s new C-Max hybrid didn’t meet its published fuel economy of 47 miles per gallon in the magazine’s testing. Other hybrids – including the Ford Fusion and Toyota Prius V – have also fallen short in the magazine’s tests.

Ford says it followed the Environmental Protection Agency’s guidelines when it set its fuel economy. Global vehicle development chief Raj Nair says Ford is talking to the EPA to see if the agency needs to change the way it tests hybrids.

A message seeking comment was left with the EPA.

JOIN THE DISCUSSION | Register here

We welcome comments. Please keep them civil, short and to the point. ALL CAPS, spam, obscene, profane, abusive and off topic comments will be deleted. Repeat offenders will be blocked. Thanks for taking part — and abiding by these simple rules. A thorough explanation of rules of conduct can be found in our Terms of Service. If you have any questions, including why your comment may not be showing immediately after you submit it, be sure to visit the commenting FAQ.

CONTESTS

Similar stories

  • Electric car options expand to meet new standards, satisfy consumers

    Tough new government standards for fuel economy mean manufacturers must find ways to boost mileage while offering plenty of affordable full-size sedans and small SUVs. So, carmakers need to produce lighter vehicles without compromising safety. They need to tweak internal-combustion engines without losing the power that drivers love. And they have to persuade more consumers to switch to electrified vehicles.

  • Othello Pik-A-Pop fined $20,427

    The owners of an Othello gas station have agreed to pay $20,427 to settle Environmental Protection Agency allegations that monitoring was not done on underground fuel tanks.

    Pik-A-Pop at 1235 S. First St. is owned by Suk and Hye Rang Yi, who did not admit allegations.

    Washington state law requires that underground storage tanks be monitored at least every 30 days to detect releases.

  • Whatcom Transportation Authority's new hybrid buses hit the road

    The Whatcom Transportation Authority put eight new hybrid diesel-electric buses into service on Monday, Feb. 4.

    Although the price tag on each bus was higher - $594,000 for a 2012 hybrid, compared to $394,000 for a comparable 2012 diesel - the hybrids run cleaner, are more fuel efficient and cost less to maintain, according to WTA.

    The new buses, recognizable by their distinct green and blue exterior design, are 40 percent more fuel efficient than the 18-year-old diesel buses they replace, a WTA statement said.

  • EPA administrator Lisa Jackson to resign

    Lisa Jackson, administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, announced Thursday that she is resigning.

  • New EPA leader sure to draw fire as environmental fights intensify

    As Obama prepares to choose a new leader for the EPA for his second term, any unanimity on environmental issues is long gone on Capitol Hill, where the agency has become a favorite whipping boy for those who fear it has too much power. Whoever gets the job will face criticism from the right as going too far in pushing job-killing regulations, and criticism from the left as not doing enough to crack down on polluters.