BY DAVID GREENE, OPINION CONTRIBUTOR – 01/11/17 07:40 PM EST

Strong miles per gallon (mpg) rules save Americans money across all income levels, but they save working families and middle-class Americans the most.

Since 1975, fuel economy improvements have saved over 1.5 trillion gallons of gasoline — about 5,000 gallons for every American.

Now, some groups see an opportunity in a new incoming administration to weaken or eliminate those standards.

If President-elect Trump truly cares about the nation beyond its wealthy elites, ...

Question of the Month: How is fuel economy determined and reported for alternative fuel vehicles?

Answer: Last month we learned about how the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) determines and reports conventional light-duty vehicle fuel economy ratings. While alternative fuel vehicle (AFV) fuel economy testing is largely similar to that of conventional fuels, the EPA makes some adjustments to account for different vehicle technology and fuel energy content. By tailoring AFV fuel economy testing and reporting, the EPA is able to ...

This course presents an introduction to operating vehicles using compressed natural gas (CNG). Students are required to gain an understanding of CNG, regulations, component and line fabrications, driver education requirements, and diagnostic testing com­ponents. Students will apply basic competencies to grasp in-depth workings of CNG vehicles.
The course also combines classroom instruction and theory with the opportunity to apply concepts through hands-on activities with the TFC’s active ...

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on 1/24/2017 the award of more than $7.7 million to replace or retrofit 401 older diesel school buses. Four Virginia localities received funds, including the transition to propane buses in Roanoke County Virginia. The funds are going to 88 school bus fleets in 27 states, each of which will receive rebates through EPA’s Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) funding. The ...

Virginia Clean Cities is pleased announce to the extension of the first EV Group Buy Program in Virginia for the 2016 Nissan LEAF. This limited time offer leverages the power of a group of consumers to negotiate a discounted price from a car dealer.

We invite you to join us in participating in this EV Group Buy Program. This is community-wide program designed to make it easier and more affordable for residents to purchase an electric vehicle.

What is a Group ...

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced $15 million, subject to appropriations, to support community-based projects to accelerate the adoption of advanced and alternative fuel vehicles and demonstrate energy-efficient mobility systems, including connected and autonomous vehicles, as well as new transportation system models.

The DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy seeks highly leveraged “Alternative Fuel Vehicle Community Partner Projects” that will significantly accelerate the use of light-, medium-, and heavy-duty vehicles that operate on fuels such as biodiesel, ...

The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Fuel Cell Technology Office recently released a report showing that the average fuel economy of fuel cell electric buses from three fleets is approximately 6 miles per diesel gallon equivalent (DGE), 1.4 times higher than conventional diesel buses (approximately 4.2 miles per DGE) from one fleet and up to 1.9 times higher than compressed natural gas (CNG) buses (approximately 3.3 miles per DGE) in another fleet.

According to the DOE, this finding demonstrates ...

Chevrolet and GMC have announced that they are partnering with Power Solutions International Inc. (PSI) to introduce heavy-duty pickups and full-size vans powered by 6.0-liter, V8 compressed natural gas (CNG)- and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)-capable engines starting in the first quarter of 2017.

Chevrolet will also offer CNG and LPG versions of its new Low Cab Forward commercial truck.

This announcement follows the selection of PSI as General Motors Fleet’s preferred upfitter for CNG and LPG trucks, as Wood Dale, ...

Question of the Month: How are conventional light-duty vehicle fuel economy ratings determined and reported?

Answer: It’s important to understand the who, what, when, where, and why (and how!) of fuel economy testing and labeling. In particular, you may be interested in the recent changes described below (see “When” section).

“Who” is tested?
Most light-duty vehicles must be tested for fuel economy. Exceptions include motorcycles, pickup trucks and cargo vans with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) above 8,500 lbs., ...