After Pittsburgh police noticed a Hummer (yep, a Hummer... what else?) sitting conspicuously close to a five-hundred gallon tank of gas at a golf course, the vehicle suddenly took off. Considering that the top speed of a Hummer is right around one-hundred miles per hour, we can safely say that the driver was giving it all he had in an attempt to get away. The high-speed chase ended as the Hummer smashed into a tree and rolled several times in a nearby parking lot. The eighteen-year-old-driver sustained leg injuries which required a hospital stay and will face charges after being deemed healthy.

Sixty-eight gallons of gasoline were said to be found missing from the tank by the golf course superintendent. To recap: this story is further proof that:

1. Hummers are very expensive to fill up.
2. Gas thefts are on the rise in the face of record-high fuel prices.

[Source: WPXI News]

Fourth of July equals fireworks, parades and, if the Brazilian sugarcane growers - represented by UNICA, the Brazilian Sugarcane Industry Association - get their way, a reduced or eliminated ethanol import tariff. UNICA is calling on the U.S. Congress to eliminate the 54-cent tariff on each imported gallon of ethanol. Doing so, they argue, would reduce the cost of using cars for U.S. drivers as UNICA's "Are We There Yet?" campaign will try to prove. After all, UNICA says, the ethanol tariff is a relic from 1980 and was never meant to be permanent anyway.

UNICA's website, which features the oh-so-subtle graphic seen above, doesn't highlight how badly American ethanol producers would be hurt by letting Brazilian ethanol flow more cheaply in U.S. pumps. Still, if cheaper gas is the result, then I'm sure not many drivers will really care where their fuel comes from (see also *cough* Wal-Mart *cough* China). Read more after the jump.

[Source: UNICA]

During a press conference in Lansing, Michigan on Wednesday, Governor Jennifer Granholm suggested that the state should consider lowering speed limit from the current 70mph. Granholm was speaking during the launch of a new state web site designed to help Michigan residents save money. The site includes a calculator that lets users determine how much money they could save by car pooling as well as a service to help match up commuters to share rides. Granholm didn't give any indication of what she thought the speed limit ought to be. It seems increasingly likely that states will start lowering speed limits in the coming months if fuel prices don't subside. On the personal side, Granholm indicated that she and her husband are both driving hybrids and she is riding a bike to the office two days a week.

[Source: Detroit News]

A counter-terrorist exercise known as "Taishan 2008," took place yesterday in Jinan, Shandong Province, China. Among other things, the forces used Segways for transportation. As we've reported in the past, the Segway has become an increasingly popular way to travel now that gas prices have risen to record high levels in the United States. We've even seem some police forces using the urban runabouts and capturing criminals with them. Still, nothing we've seen in the past made us believe that somewhere in the world, the Segway scooter is being used by gun toting, armor wearing tactical defense teams. Seriously, is the Segway really the best choice for this type of operation?

Perhaps the T3 Mobile Defender would be a bit more appropriate. That machine has been specifically designed for police units and appears a bit more battle ready. Perhaps the advanced targeting system hooked to a non-lethal air gun would prove useful. Or maybe the S.W.A.T. team hopes to stun their opponents with disbelief to win the day.

[Sources: Engadget, Gizmodo]

Though BMW was the first automaker to contact the Bush Administration with concerns about the latest CAFE rules, it didn't take long for more to speak up. As represented by the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, the Detroit 3, Toyota, Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz and others have banded together to proclaim the demands too harsh. Especially considering the current state of automotive affairs, the Alliance alleges that it will be too costly to either meet the goals set out in the latest CAFE standards or face the fines for not meeting them. It is certainly true that most automakers are finding it tough to sell vehicles in these days of turbulent fuel prices and a damaged economy in the U.S.

Eighty-percent of the auto market in the states is represented by the Auto Alliances members, so the issues presented by the groups are sure to be taken seriously. With other groups, including Transportation Secretary Mary Peters, wanting to actually increase the CAFE requirements even further, the auto manufacturers seem to have their work cut out for them.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]

While sales in other countries have mostly fallen in recent months, French car dealers are happy right now. With an overall first half of the year increase of 4.5 percent, small and mini cars have led the way with a 15 percent jump in France. Small cars now comprise nearly half of all new car sales and French brands Renault and Peugeot/Citroen have grabbed 60 percent of that segment. The new French tax schemes add extra fees to vehicles that emit more CO₂ while buyers of cleaner cars actually get money back. Buyers of cars that emit less than 130g/km of CO₂ are eligible for rebates ranging from 200 Euros to 5,000 Euros for low or zero emissions vehicles. Cars that emit from 160g/km to 250g/km of CO₂ face taxes of 200-2,600 Euros.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. req'd]

The deadline for automakers to comment on the latest CAFE standard proposal is today, and at least one manufacturer has decided to speak up. BMW is calling the fuel efficiency standards it would be required to meet 'unattainable.' As you may be aware, the latest proposal takes into account the overall footprint of the vehicle, and manufacturers which sell large vehicles won't be required to meet the same goals as those which produce smaller vehicles. While that's great for manufacturers with truck-heavy lineups, automakers like BMW are in for a world of hurt as they tend to produce smaller, sportier machines. For this reason, BMW would be required to average 37.3 miles per gallon for its cars, quite a bit higher than the 35.7 mpg industry average. The Bavarian's trucks would need to achieve 31.7 mpg, compared to an industry average of 28.6 mpg.

While it may seem a bit unfair (or maybe not) that BMW should be required to hit higher numbers than some other manufacturers, it should be pointed out that BMW currently offers no engines with fewer than six cylinders and is on a bit of a crossover binge as of late. What's more, the marque has proven rather adept at squeezing high power outputs from relatively small displacement, so we'd stop a bit short of suggesting that the numbers being asked of it are unattainable.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]

No one could ever accuse Shai Agassi, the man behind electric-car infrastructure company Project Better Place, of not being ambitious. He has been all over the planet making deals with major car makers and various countries. His American discussions have been somewhat more modest though with a city here, and an island-state there. No longer.

Speaking to the House of Representatives Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming (we have one of those?), Agassi said, "For the price of two months worth of oil, some $100 billion, we can put in place the infrastructure needed to power the nation's cars and end this oil dependence," Ambitious, no? He then threw in the "American jobs" angle with, "Of that $100 billion, moreover, some $80 billion will go into jobs that, by their nature, can only be performed in the US - the construction of the infrastructure itself."

In the mood for throwing out big numbers and lofty goals, the man-on-a-mission even pitched renewable sources to power the nations automotive fleet saying, "For the price of one year's worth of oil, some $500 billion, we can go even farther - creating fully renewable electrical generation sufficient to power all of the nation's vehicles. In so doing, we will again create jobs that can only be performed in this country, and we will give a much broader stimulus to the renewables energy market." No word on what kind of impression was made on the politicians but we hope it got some hamster wheels turning. Check out the video after the break to gain your own impression of Agassi's vision.

[Source: Globes]

The negotiations regarding proposed European Union CO₂ emissions regulations are ongoing, it seems. Even after German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Nicholas Sarkozy agreed to push the starting date from the year 2012 to the year 2015, Fiat's CEO, Sergio Marchionne is still unhappy.

The latest issue that Fiat has with the proposals is related to the sliding-scale that automakers would be subjected to. Companies which make larger vehicles would not be required to meet the same regulations as those which produce smaller, more efficient vehicles. Marchionne says that Fiat will hit the proposed 130 gram per kilometer mark that has been thrown about, but would be unable to chop another eight grams from its cars, as the latest proposals would require. If those standards went into effect, Fiat would be charged penalties despite offering the lowest carbon emissions of all automakers in the European Union, which does seem a bit backwards. Still, the company is already hitting that standard, so some reduction may not be too much to ask. As always, we expect these protracted negotiations to continue on well into the future.

[Source: Automotive News Europe - sub. req'd]

With the cost of fuels and the environmental toll of traditional carbon-based sources of electricity generation quickly climbing, solar power in America has become so popular that the government has placed a moratorium on the building of any such projects on Western public land. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), has decided to initiate a programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) in conjunction with the Department of Energy (DOE) to assess the "environmental, social, and economic impacts" that solar installations could have on some of the 119 million acres that it manages in six Western states. While the PEIS is being conducted, no new applications for solar plants will be accepted and the 125 applications already received - which could generate up to 70 billion watts or enough power for 20 million homes - will be the object of their scrutiny. All this effort is being undertaken to, ahem, "increase domestic energy production and ensure greater energy security." According to the New York Times, the PEIS could take two years.

Those folks hoping that the electricity they feed into their Chevy Volts and Apteras in the coming years would be supplied by increasingly carbon-free energy sources may take heart that their voices have not been left out of this process. Comments from the public are encouraged at the Solar Energy Development Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (Solar Energy Development PEIS) website. Of course, we also appreciate your comments as well.

[Source: New York Times]

Considering all of the press that has been inked (or typed) regarding both John McCain's and Barrack Obama's various plans for the ailing automotive industry in America, you may think that the two hopeful presidential candidates would be in tune with the plight of the average driver who fills his or her tank. Or not. It seems that Republican John McCain is not aware of how much a gallon of gas costs. In fact, he says, "I don't recall, and frankly, I don't see how it matters." We have no intention of pushing any sort of political agenda, and this writer in particular is not attempting to back either politician with this writing, but the question begs to be asked: how in the world could somebody living in the United States not know how much gas costs today? Every time the news is turned on or the internet is fired up, citizens are bombarded with constant reminders that gas has crested the $4 a gallon mark. It must take a really busy man to be completely unaware of the price of gasoline these days.

Update: McCain apparently knew the price of gas when he gave a speech on June 18. See here.

[Source: Auto Observer]

Considering that the legacy left behind by American car companies has little to do with being clean, there seems to be an increased sense of urgency by some U.S. states to replace the older fleet of vehicles with newer, and therefore cleaner, vehicles. The states with the two largest vehicle fleets, Texas and California, have both implemented new programs which offer cash-based incentives to owners of older vehicles which fail current emissions testing. In Texas, up to $3,500 is offered towards a vehicle three-years old or newer, though income restrictions do apply. In California, there is no maximum income number, though the far-left state is a bit less generous, offering $1,500 towards the purchase of a replacement vehicle.

Canada is also getting in on the act with a program slated to begin on January 1 of next year. In a move close to our hearts, the incentive is applicable to new vehicles, new bicycles or even bus passes. Sadly, the value is a rather low $300. Way to go Canada; perhaps upping the ante a bit would make the program a bit more meaningful.

[Source: The Detroit News]

U.S. Presidential hopeful John McCain says he opposes the notion that individual states should be able to set their own carbon dioxide emissions regulations. Still, it sounds as if automakers could be in for a shocker if the Republican were to be elected, as he says, "My goal would be to see a federal standard that every state could embrace. I think we can achieve a status where that would go away." So, it sounds as if the target for CO₂ emissions could be set even lower than currently planned. McCain likely mimics the thoughts of the Detroit 3 as he says, "It's going to be hard, it's going to be long and it's going to be tough."

McCain appears to see the future of the American auto market as one made up of small, fuel efficient cars. His latest stop was at GM's Lordstown, Ohio assembly plant where the Chevrolet Cobalt and Pontiac G5 are built, a plant McCain sees as key to GM's successes. Still, the major players in the industry will be on their own, as McCain has no intention to offer any sort of bailout to any of the Detroit 3.

[Source: The Detroit News]

You will probably know already that some European countries tax cars based on CO₂ emissions and we have discussed a few examples. While this can be a bit difficult to understand, thanks to our reader Karl-Uwe, we found a complete list of what these taxes are and how they work.

However, first of all, we have to learn which taxes and/or duties are applied to cars:

• Registration fees: They are paid at time of purchase. These are often called "Registration" or "Immatriculation" Tax (as Value Added Tax is Sales Tax) .
  
• Road tax: It's also called VED (Vehicle Excise Duty) in the UK. They're the cost for the right to use cars on public roads. Also called "circulation."
  
• Other indirect tax breaks are in income tax revenue calculations, tax incentives and cashback offers from each government. They're often called "bonus/malus" systems.
  

Of course, there are other sources of income regarding cars, such as tolls, congestion charges, parking fees, and all taxes on fuels, which we aren't considering at this time. Follow us after the jump and you will see what all these taxes look like in fourteen European countries.

[Source: ACEA]

Is your car more than 15 years old? If so, and you're in Spain, you might be in luck. The Spanish Government thinks that such a vehicle is a very polluting machine and is eager to help you purchasing a cleaner car. The plan is called VIVE (Vehículo Innovador - Vehículo Ecológico or Innvative Vehicle - Ecological Vehicle). To be eligible, your new car shouldn't cost more than €20,000 and should not emit more than 120 g/km of CO₂, or 140 g/km if it includes special security features. The government's financial aid is a zero percent interest loan for the first €5,000 of the final price of the car. However, the plan is limited to 120,000 cars in two years, and should never exceed €1,200 million in total. Through this plan, the Government expects to reduce Spain's carbon emissions by 200,000 metric tons and reduce the accident rates (some of the highest in Europe).

[Source: El País]