Belt Tensioner Pulley (dorman #419-602) on 2040-parts.com

China to boost electric cars with 30% Government EV fleet

The BYD E6 EV (pictured) will benefit from China’s push on EVs The UK government has just announced its commitment to use electric cars for its own vehicles in an effort to boost the take-up of EVs, but China is going even further. China has ordered government officials to start buying electric cars (that means BEVs, plug-in hybrids and hydrogen fuel cell cars) in a big way, with instructions that 30 per cent of government cars must fall in to the ‘New Energy’ category by 2017, and an even higher percentage going forward. The aim is to cut pollution, and China expects to have 5 million New Energy cars on the road by 2020 and it is urging it government agencies and some city governments to start buying New Energy vehicles from Chinese makers like BYD and SDAIC, but also instructing them to build more charging stations and supporting infrastructure.

Toyota Auris Touring Sports: Paris 2012

Toyota has revealed the first estate version of the Auris – the 2013 Toyota Auris Touring Sports – at the Paris Motor Show. It’s a sensible move by Toyota to add an estate version to a car that competes in a segment where 25 per cent of all cars sold are estates, and the Auris Estate looks a decent offering. The Auris Touring Sports sits on the same 2600mm wheelbase as the Auris hatch, but it gets and extra 285mm longer thanks to the new shed on the back, a shed that offers what looks like a decent carrying capacity )although Toyota aren’t actually telling us how much ‘stuff’ the Auris estate can carry).

Ford F-150 EcoBoost rated at 16 mpg city, 22 mpg highway

The 2011 Ford F-150 EcoBoost is certified to get 16 mpg city and 22 mpg highway, Ford said on Friday. The F-150 EcoBoost is powered by a 3.5-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V6 engine. It produces 365 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque.