Obama administration says vehicle fleet becoming more fuel efficient

September 15th, 2009 Administration to unveil new fuel economy rulesWASHINGTON — The Obama administration on Tuesday unveiled its plan to require better gas mileage for cars and trucks and tougher rules on vehicle greenhouse gas emissions. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson released the proposed regulations at the White House, the follow-up to President Barack Obama's announcement in May that the government regulations would link emissions and fuel economy standards.

August 28th, 2009 US DOE gives nearly $300M for alt. fuel projectsSEAL BEACH, Calif.

August 27th, 2009 Auto parts suppliers ask Obama for more helpWASHINGTON — An auto parts industry association is asking President Barack Obama to consider new ways to help the industry, which is facing a spike in bankruptcies due to the woes of U.S. automakers. In a letter to the White House Wednesday, the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association wrote that there was "insufficient capital" available for parts suppliers to rehire workers and acquire raw materials for a possible increase in vehicle production later this year.

August 20th, 2009 AP Source: Cash for Clunkers to end on MondayWASHINGTON — The Obama administration plans to end the popular $3 billion Cash for Clunkers program on Monday, giving car shoppers a few more days to take advantage of big government incentives. The Transportation Department said Thursday the government will wind down the program on Monday at 8 p.m.

July 29th, 2009 Congress pushing to restore hydrogen fundingWASHINGTON — Congress moved to restore funding for hydrogen research prized by the auto industry despite questions from the Obama administration over the time it will take to build a fleet of vehicles and a network of fueling stations. The Senate provided $190 million to fund hydrogen research programs as part of an energy spending measure passed Wednesday, more than double the amount sought by the Obama administration.

June 25th, 2009 WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama has signed into law a measure keeping the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan from running out of money. The $106 billion spending bill also includes money to fight swine flu and a "cash for clunkers" program encouraging drivers to switch to more fuel-efficient cars.

June 23rd, 2009 WASHINGTON - The US threw its support behind greener vehicles and electric cars Tuesday, approving $8 billion in loans to carmakers Ford Motor, Nissan and Tesla Motors. The loans are the first to be granted from a $25-billion fund for more fuel-efficient technologies that was approved by Congress in 2006.

June 22nd, 2009 Judge strikes down NYC's green-cab incentiveNEW YORK — A federal judge has blocked New York City's latest attempt to force taxicab owners to buy fuel-efficient hybrids. Judge Paul Crotty ruled Monday that new rules meant to encourage cab owners to only buy the hybrids were pre-empted by federal laws.

June 12th, 2009 NorthWestern adds hybrid bucket truckBUTTE, Mont. — NorthWestern Energy has added a hybrid bucket truck to a growing list of fuel-efficient vehicles in the utility company's fleet.

June 11th, 2009 DOE releases money for vehicle efficiency researchWASHINGTON — The Energy Department says its making $240 million available for research into more fuel-efficient large trucks and passengers vehicles. It also is providing about $11 million for nine projects looking into capturing carbon dioxide from coal plants and $49 million for two dozen solar technology projects.

June 9th, 2009 House approves 'cash for clunkers' planWASHINGTON — The House has approved the "cash for clunkers" bill to boost lagging auto sales. The bill would allow consumers to turn in their gas-guzzling cars and trucks for a $4,500 voucher for more fuel-efficient vehicles.

June 9th, 2009 Congress to consider 'cash for clunkers' planWASHINGTON — Consumers could receive rebates of up to $4,500 for turning in their gas-guzzling cars and trucks for more fuel-efficient vehicles under a House proposal. President Barack Obama has urged Congress to approve consumer incentives for new car purchases as part of the government's efforts to reorganize General Motors Corp.

May 13th, 2009 'Cash for clunkers' bill hits speed bumpWASHINGTON — Legislation that would give car buyers a government voucher up to $4,500 when they trade in gas guzzlers hit a speed bump in the Senate amid concerns that a compromise between the White House and House Democrats doesn't go far enough to protect the environment. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., who authored the "cash for clunkers" bill in the Senate, said Wednesday that she can't support the compromise announced last week after House Democrats met with President Barack Obama on global warming.

April 22nd, 2009 White House cars fuel-efficient but not waterproofWASHINGTON — Quickie quiz? What do the Obama White House and the Washington Nationals baseball team have in common? They're both snakebitten by rain delays. The Nationals suffered rain delays on both Monday and Tuesday nights, and the White House unwittingly shared in the pain of rain Wednesday morning.

April 20th, 2009 SEATTLE - US aircraft manufacturer Boeing Company Monday said it has delivered a 737-800 aircraft to Air India, the 25th of the total 68 planes ordered by the Indian flagship carrier. 'We continue to work closely with Air India on its fleet restructuring based upon the airline's high utilisation of our airplanes,' Boeing India president Dinesh Keskar said.