Mazda Demio 1999 Left Clearance Lamp [1411100] on 2040-parts.com

CAFE standard set at 54.5 mpg by 2025

The final version of the new corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standard was released today and, as expected, automakers will need to attain a fleet average of 54.5 mpg by 2025. The rules include electric and hybrid vehicles and—as of today—natural gas vehicles. The Environmental Protection Agency and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration proposed the rules in November, after reaching an agreement with automakers last July.

Le Mans 2010: a picture gallery by Alex Tapley

Last month I returned from my second consecutive Nurburgring 24hr race, so I was excited to be getting my first taste of Le Mans last weekend. Two very similar concepts, yet the endurance races at the Ring and Le Mans differ hugely, and both excite for very different reasons. I just hope they stay that way. Here are some of my favourite pictures from the weekend: 1.

Ford C-Max Energi plug-in hybrid gets 108 MPGe

Ford Motor Company announced that its C-Max Energi plug-in hybrid achieves an EPA-certified 108 miles-per-gallon-equivalent (MPGe) city and 100 MPGe combined. The rating makes the C-Max Energi the most efficient plug-in hybrid by MPG-e according to the listings on the Environmental Protection Agency Web site. The only vehicles to rank higher were the all-electric 2012 Mitsubishi i-MiEV with a combined MPGe of 112, and the 2012 Ford Focus EV with 110 MPGe.