Recent Comments:
Charging a Tesla roadster from household outlet could take 30 hours! {Autoblog Green}
Jul 6th 2008 9:53PM Not an electrician - but most homes have 240v 40amp or 50 amp lines (AC and Electric dryers). However, very few homes will have room for an additional 240v/40amp line. Most homes have 200 or 250 amp service and are very close to their limit with their current wiring. Probably will require most people to have a new line run from the electric company / a new circuit box, and new wiring to their garages. Probably a couple thousand dollars.
Ford's capless filling system could be a problem as fuel thefts rise {Autoblog Green}
Jul 6th 2008 8:44PM Its very difficult to siphone gas from a new vehicle since most now have a check valve in the neck of the fuel filler to prevent gas from running out in case of a roll over. I hope the writer actual tried and determined it was possible before dissing Ford for coming out with a better idea -
GM to bring 40mpg "mini-car" to the US {Green Daily}
Jul 5th 2008 1:51PM Prius gets 48/45 mpg and costs 75% more.
Now we know why the automakers weren't screaming over the CAFE rules {Autoblog Green}
Apr 28th 2008 10:06PM psarhjinian,
no - jacking up a car does not change its footprint - therefore it does not change the cafe requirements. This system isn't perfect - but the old system was flawed also.
A company that specialized in small cars had to make no improvements at all. As a matter a fact - they were encouraged to make large trucks because the had "extra cafe" credits that they could use.
IIHS warns Canada against merging bumper standards with U.S. {Autoblog}
Apr 26th 2008 1:49PM The US used to have higher standards (5mph) but they were reduced years ago to 2.5mph. The issue is that its easier and cheaper to protect the passengers in the car if there is a larger "crumple zone". You need the car (and bumper) to deform so it reduces the energy impact on the passengers.
Now - obviously there are many ways around this problems. But the easiest and cheapest is to make the bumper deform to absorb the energy. Another plus is its safer for pedestians who get hit with the car. Downside - its more expensive to repair the car - which is why the insurance industry hates it
REPORT: Workers in Oshawa, Ontario threaten strike against GM {Autoblog}
Jan 25th 2008 8:09PM yes - the cafe steps up each year (probably about 4% per year) but its not totally defined yet
New website helps Canadians import cars from U.S. for less {Autoblog}
Oct 27th 2007 9:09PM I think they need to adjust the prices faster - but for everyone in Canada - remember that 5 - 8 years ago you were regularly paying 15 - 20% less than we were in the US for the identical car. (I worked for a company that purchased the cars in canada and moved them to the US for use because they were so much cheaper). Auto companies dont want to lower prices because it hurts resale values (and makes the previous customers very angry).
