Posted April 19, 2012 by Roland Hwang in Moving Beyond Oil, Solving Global Warming, U.S. Law and Policy
As gas prices are once again soaring, the oil industry and its allies are renewing their calls for more drilling, more pipelines and continued taxpayers subsidies. The reality is that greatly increased domestic drilling has failed to lower gasoline prices...continued→
Posted April 4, 2012 by Roland Hwang in Moving Beyond Oil, Solving Global Warming, U.S. Law and Policy
When it comes to consumer demand for fuel-efficient cars, there is no denying the sales data and the automakers' own words. The bottom line, according to Mark Fields, president of Ford, is that “people want vehicles that get better fuel...continued→
Posted March 29, 2012 by Roland Hwang in Moving Beyond Oil, Solving Global Warming, U.S. Law and Policy
For the last several months, the right wing has been mercilessly assaulting the viability of electric cars and government loans for clean energy. It is now becoming clearer that turning clean cars into a political punching bag is backfiring. The collateral...continued→
Posted March 13, 2012 by Roland Hwang in Moving Beyond Oil, Solving Global Warming, U.S. Law and Policy
With gasoline prices already exceeding $4 gallon in some parts of the country, American drivers need more than ever choices to relieve their pain at the pump. One of these most promising solutions is the electric car which has the...continued→
Posted January 30, 2012 by Roland Hwang in Moving Beyond Oil, Solving Global Warming, U.S. Law and Policy
Tomorrow, the President is scheduled to visit the DC auto show and see firsthand the fuel efficiency technologies that are a key reason for the Detroit automakers remarkable rebound. As I said in a previous blog responding to last week’s State...continued→
Posted January 25, 2012 by Roland Hwang in Moving Beyond Oil, Solving Global Warming, U.S. Law and Policy
Top safety regulators at the National Highway Traffic Safety Transportation Administration (“NHTSA”) have closed the books on the Chevy Volt safety investigation. NHSTA concluded last Friday that it does not believe the Volt and other electric vehicles “pose a greater...continued→
Posted January 24, 2012 by Roland Hwang in Moving Beyond Oil, Solving Global Warming, U.S. Law and Policy
In his State of the Union speech, President Obama touted the remarkable turnaround of the auto industry. Critical to this turnaround was the original clean car agreement the administration brokered in 2009. That agreement helped lay the foundations for the industry’s...continued→
Posted January 21, 2012 by Roland Hwang
After last week’s public hearings on the 54.5 mpg proposal, it’s clear that National Auto Dealers Association (NADA) is isolated in its opposition. Even long time opponents of fuel efficiency standards, like Congressman Dingell, UAW, and GM, all are now firmly...continued→
Posted January 20, 2012 by Roland Hwang in Moving Beyond Oil, Solving Global Warming, U.S. Law and Policy
The 2012 season for major American auto shows is in full swing, with the Detroit venue running through this weekend, and Washington D.C. starting next week. Already, we are seeing the year’s auto theme emerging: higher fuel efficiency doesn’t mean...continued→
Posted January 9, 2012 by Roland Hwang in Moving Beyond Oil, Solving Global Warming, U.S. Law and Policy
Unlike the recent years, this year’s Detroit Auto Show is full of optimism. As i discuss in my op-ed in today's Detroit Free Press and in my speech today in Detroit at the annual Automotive News Congress, the environmental community is...continued→
Posted November 23, 2011 by Roland Hwang in Moving Beyond Oil, Solving Global Warming, U.S. Law and Policy
Last week’s release of the official regulatory proposal for stronger standards provoked a “Nixon goes to China” moment for Detroit car companies. After decades of fighting fuel-efficiency standards and denying consumers want more MPG, GM and Ford both embraced the...continued→
Posted November 22, 2011 by Roland Hwang in Moving Beyond Oil, Solving Global Warming
It’s not surprising when one of the more reactionary media pundits criticizes electric cars or pans efforts to raise the fuel efficiency of America’s cars and trucks. But when National Public Radio gets the story wrong on the 54.5-mpg target set for 2025, it’s time to...continued→
Posted November 16, 2011 by Roland Hwang in Living Sustainably, Moving Beyond Oil, Solving Global Warming, U.S. Law and Policy
Today, the Obama Administration released its official regulatory proposal to strengthen standards to deliver 54.5 mpg by 2025. What should drivers expect their cars to look like in 2025? It may come as surprise to many, but according to the...continued→
Posted November 15, 2011 by Roland Hwang in Moving Beyond Oil, Solving Global Warming, U.S. Law and Policy
[This blog amended on 11/16 10 am pdt to update the number of House member signers from 108 yesterday to 111 today.] This week, perhaps as early as tomorrow, the Obama administration is expected to release the official regulatory proposal to...continued→
Posted October 20, 2011 by Roland Hwang in Moving Beyond Oil, Solving Global Warming, U.S. Law and Policy
Today’s auto dealers have come a long way from their past, less than flattering image. Unfortunately, National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA)—the organization that supposedly represents the interests of dealers—is actively working to roll back the car dealer persona and block the supply of fuel-efficient...continued→
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