U.S. automakers are complaining about the federal government’s plan to raise the average fuel efficiency of vehicles. A L.A Time article quotes Reg Modlin, head of environmental and energy planning for Chrysler Group, who claims that the proposed new bill would require fuel efficiency improvements of 2% to 2.2% per year and that this would be a “significant challenge” from the 1.5% per year seen over the past two decades.

In early September, we reported on the government’s proposed “symbolic change” to the fuel efficiency standards and asked you to contact your representatives asking for real changes. Many of you did (thanks to those that copied us on your letters and mentioned us) as did countless others that read our article thanks to bloggers spreading the word. It is good to see the government responding to the pressure from voters and not listening to lobbyists on this topic, but this is only a first step.

Alabama’s growing technology base, skilled labor force, low cost of doing business, lucrative state and local incentives and friendly environment has drawn numerous automotive companies into the state. These same traits are now beginning to cause a tremendous expansion in Alabama’s aerospace and defense industries.
Northrop Grumman, known as a world leading defense company, currently [...]

The U.S. Government is making structural changes to the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) requirements, but it is only a symbolic move. The country needs a real catalyst to spark innovation in fuel efficiency technology.

For those unfamiliar with CAFE requirements, these rules govern the minimum average fuel standards that each automotive company must meet with the vehicles it creates. While the government has made minor adjustments to the requirements for each category of vehicles, these rules are far out of sync with the original intentions.

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The time has come for our politicians to drastically increase the CAFE requirements on new vehicles. The technology is available for at least a 10% to 20% increase in current standards. A significant increase in the standards would encourage the core parts of the industry to further increase funding in engine technologies and would offer a real opportunity for new technology firms.

To date, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, New York, and numerous cities (e.g. Chicago) have various bans on the use of cellphones. In effect this week, a new Colorado law bans teenager drivers from talking on cellphones while driving. This Colorado law only targets new drivers who must have an [...]

Research from the automobile industry and various technology companies have shown for years that holding and talking on a cell phone is no more distracting than other activities drivers participate in while driving. Yet, lawmakers still pushed the point of banning hand-held phone usage while driving as it “played” well in the media. [...]