#fuel-efficiency

#fuel-efficiency

On Wednesday, president Trump announced plans to drastically lower fuel efficiency standards for new cars and pick-up trucks, the New York Times reports, claiming the move will save over $100 billion over the next five years and lower the average price tag of new vehicles by $1,000. But both symbolically and in actual effect, the move would be firmly putting Biden era environmental policy in the rear view mirror, ditching regulations and consumer incentives to encourage the adoption of electric vehicles.

They were horrible, Trump said at the White House. What [the standards] were doing to the cost and actually making the car much worse. But these policies forced automakers to build cars using expensive technologies that drove up costs and prices and made the car much worse. The Biden-issued standards, ABC News reported, mandated an increase in fuel efficiency each year between 2027 and 2031, which would have brought the average vehicle up to 50.4 miles per gallon.

Motorcycles have long held a unique place in American culture, blending transportation, recreation, and a sense of freedom. Their popularity surged after World War II, when returning veterans adapted military bikes for day-to-day riding. Motorcycle clubs and cross-country touring became iconic parts of American culture. Over the decades, motorcycles became symbols of rebellion and individuality. They were further popularized by films like Easy Rider and associated with cool brands like Harley-Davidson.

Honda is developing a next-generation hybrid system for its full-sized SUVs tailored specifically for the North American market, the automaker said on Wednesday. It's also introducing a new mid-size hybrid platform, which will bring a raft of structural and powertrain improvements over its current crop of hybrids. The Japanese automaker announced its new plans at the Honda Automotive Technology Workshop in Tokyo.

US-based startup Otto Aerospace is behind the Jetsons-like plane, called the Phantom 3500. It features a teardrop-shaped fuselage that significantly reduces fuel consumption and increases range, as well as screens in place of traditional windows. Its first flight is scheduled for 2027, with delivery expected in 2030. There is one caveat: this is an all-new, clean-sheet aircraft type that has yet to be built and certified. The question of whether it delivers on time remains uncertain, as new concepts often take longer than initially planned.

A futuristic £14.5million plane with TV screens instead of windows has been unveiled. The jet, called Phantom 3500, will use technology on the outside of the plane to provide immersive views. The creators, Otto Aerospace, plan to launch the aircraft in 2027. It also features an ultra-smooth exterior, which enhances the laminar flow of the plane - significantly reducing drag and increasing fuel efficiency and performance.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid gives the brand's smallest utility vehicle what it's long needed: better gas mileage. It's a compact all-wheel-drive crossover hatchback that incorporates all of Subaru's traditional off-road chops, with the added benefit of somewhat better fuel efficiency. It's rated at 36 mpg combined versus the 29 mpg EPA combined number for the conventional Crosstrek, with either 2.0- or 2.5-liter engine. (The butch Crosstrek Wilderness trim comes in at 27 mpg combined.)

"The new Volkswagen Tiguan stands apart by purposefully refining its design to cater better to American consumer needs, focusing on interior volume and efficiency."