CleanMPG

The all-new 5th gen achieves accolades due to its outstanding curb appeal plus excellent blend of performance and efficiency.

Wayne Gerdes – CleanMPG – Nov. 16, 2023


Los Angeles, CA – For the second time in the 23-year history of Prius in America, Toyota was notified it had achieved MotorTrend’s 2024 Car of the Year during this year’s Los Angeles International Auto Show. It was the groundbreaking 2nd gen that earned the same when it was released back in late 2003.

The Prius became the world’s first production hybrid car that combined an electric motor with a high-efficiency engine to lower owners’ emissions and cost of ownership with fewer stops at the pump to cover a given distance. The all-new 5th gen has proven itself worthy of the much-vaunted MotorTrend Car of the Year award...

Full Sized, 7-passenger SUV with unmatched on-road performance, charging speed, and the epitome of luxury. And one more thing…

Wayne Gerdes – CleanMPG – Nov. 16, 2023


Los Angeles CA -- When Lucid originally introduced the Air back in 2021, it was a hit in EV enthusiast circles with breathtaking performance and newfound luxury, all within the all-electric vehicle space. Winning the MotorTrend Car of the Year right out of the box did not hurt matters either. While production and sales never materialized to a level that the all-new luxury brand was almost predestined to obtain, the $83,900 - before an available $7,500 Lucid discount and $2,000 State tax credit for California residents, Air Pure and its more upscale variants continues to be an attractive...

If there was one automotive video you must watch this year, this is probably it.

Wayne Gerdes – CleanMPG – Nov. 10, 2023


Earlier this week, Ford introduced something completely unique to the automotive enthusiast world that caught me completely off guard. While I was enduring almost 1,000 hours of internal OEM drive testing this past summer, one of my favorite motor sports venues just so happened to include a last-minute entry with an all-electric powertrain that damn near blew the doors off of everything. That includes within its open class entry and darn near everyone entered in the entire event.

This years “Race to the Clouds,” the iconic Pikes Peak International Hillclimb, saw competitors take on the harrowing 12.5 miles of twisting mountain road without a guardrail in sight through menacingly-named corners like...

First up and running 400 KW DCFC ChargePoint system located at the company’s NA HQ in Georgia.

Wayne Gerdes – CleanMPG – Nov. 15, 2023


First Mercedes-Benz Charging Hub in North America located at Mercedes-Benz USA Headquarters in Sandy Springs, GA.

Powered by 100% clean energy using carbon neutral renewable energy sources.

It will also be open to drivers of all brands of EVs with focus on quality and a Mercedes-Benz brand experience. Can you say Mercedes-Benz centric advertising without advertising?

Earlier today, Mercedes-Benz announced the launch of their very first DCFC station while prepping for a transcontinental North American network. The first up and running Mercedes-Benz Charging Hub is located at the company’s NA HQ in Sandy Springs, Georgia. With the launch of the...

The LA Auto Show Preview is a general overview as we wait to hear about its efficiency improvements.

Wayne Gerdes – CleanMPG – Nov. 14, 2023


Building upon the already well received 8th gen Toyota Camry as the current bestselling sedan in the U.S., the all-new ninth generation promises more curb appeal, upgraded performance, and will only be available with possibly the best drivetrain in existence. That being the Camry’s 2.5L with the Hybrid drivetrain that has been upgraded with the all-new 5th gen Hybrid drivetrain.

Designed and manufactured in the U.S., the new Camry current best-selling sedan in the U.S., with more power, better looks, the latest convenience features, improved handling and the very latest Toyota safety systems.

Powering the Camry is...

Who would have thought “America’s Best Selling Sedan” would experience higher Hybrid sales than their non-hybrids just a few years ago?

Wayne Gerdes – CleanMPG – Nov. 3, 2023


Just over 11-months ago, the first all-new 2023 MY Accord’s began arriving at Honda dealerships nationwide. Prior to its public release, Honda stated they expect 50 percent of all Accord’s will be Hybrid powered. In October, 53% of Accord’s sold in the U.S. were in fact Hybrid powered. Including one Blue EX-L Hybrid I helped my daughter-in-law procure here in Nashville.

The new fourth-generation Honda two-motor hybrid system debuted in the all-new 2023 Accord and carry’s on in the 2024 MY Hybrid lineup.

2024 Honda Accord Overview

The all-new 11th-generation Accord is...

Could this be the ultimate electrified truck putting the Lightning, Silverado EV, Rivian, and Cybertruck in their place?

Wayne Gerdes – CleanMPG – Nov. 7, 2023


Ram released some very very very interesting news in the form of their upcoming RAM 1500 pickup truck lineup. Along with the fully electric REV EV, the all-new 2025 Ram 1500 PHEV-145 will be labeled the “Ramcharger” and its claim to fame is that it is not just a fully capable half-ton pickup truck but that it just so happens to have a 145-mile all-electric range. The debut highlighted its targeted range of up to 690 miles! See what happens when you have an all-electric daily driver but when it comes to a lengthy trip or a heavier workload – i.e. Towing up to 7-tons and a 1.3-Ton payload...

It is about Carbon Emissions Reduction!

Wayne Gerdes – CleanMPG – Nov. 9, 2023


Toyota’s “Beyond Zero” campaign has had little impact up to this point, but Toyota is once again making the message clear. Toyota once again wants its “Beyond Zero” moniker to move beyond the automotive industry’s focus on BEVs to a much broader perspective that encompasses Toyota’s more realistic – read more affordable and CO2 reducing portfolio of automobiles, while transitioning away from pure internal combustion engine transportation.

That includes the company’s broad array of HEVs, a few PHEVs, single FCEV, and its two BEVs. The Toyota and Lexus lineup can still meet many of its consumer wants with the limited battery resources available to it. Toyota stated it can reduce carbon emissions faster than BEVs alone while giving customers more...

This time, the Natchez Trace Parkway at peak fall foliage color change.

Wayne Gerdes – CleanMPG – Nov. 1, 2023


Over the past two decades, many long timers have seen me document in one form or another road trips across some of the most scenic roadways in America. Some of these include the following:

Highway 20, America’s longest “almost” contiguous road in America and in particular, the section between Bend and Newport, OR which provides 4 completely different micro-climates and amazing topography over less than 175-miles of travel.

The Beartooth Highway along WY/MT border is a stretch of U.S. Highway 212 between Red Lodge and Cooke...

20% more efficient and finally the HondaJet will have a competitive trans-continental range of over 2650 nautical miles!

Wayne Gerdes – CleanMPG – Nov. 16, 2023


Honda Aircraft revealed its "HondaJet Echelon" as the official name of its new light jet at 2023 National Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition (NBAA-BACE).

The new name signifies the company's vision for the next-generation business jet, elevating efficiency to new heights while also delivering premium comfort and convenience.

HondaJet Echelon Technology and Capabilities

The HondaJet Echelon, previously introduced as the HondaJet 2600 Concept in 2021, sets a new paradigm by offering a mid-sized jet experience in the light jet category. The aircraft is designed to be the world's first single-pilot light jet...

Toyota says a new dawn is coming. I’m in.

Wayne Gerdes – CleanMPG – Oct. 19 , 2023


This morning, Toyota released a teaser image of the all-new 2025 Toyota Camry. The all-new 9th gen 2025 should improve upon the current 8th gen, 2024 Camry Hybrid's LE trim at 51/53/52 mpg city/highway/combined and SE/XLE/XSE trims offering up a 44/47/46 mpg city/highway/combined rating. I am going to walk out on a limb and say 54 mpg for an LE and 48 to 50 mpg for the higher trims with larger wheels. Let us hope not too large.

Like the 5th gen Prius, expect the Hybrid to arrive with a vastly upgraded electric motors providing as much as 300 combined HP vs the current 8th gens 208 HP.

Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) 2.5+ will surely move to the even more refined TSS 3.0.

Outside...

Question is, where is Toyota, Ford, Nissan, and the VW Group?

Wayne Gerdes – CleanMPG – July 26, 2023


Seven major OEM automakers – GM, Stellantis, Hyundai/Kia, BMW, General Motors, Honda and Mercedes-Benz are poised to build an unprecedented new charging network joint venture that will significantly expand access to DCFCing in North America.

The joint venture will include the development of a new design of high-powered DC Fast Charging network with at least 30,000 chargers to make zero-emission driving even more attractive for millions of customers.

With the generational investments in public charging being implemented on the Federal and State level, the joint venture will leverage public and private funds to accelerate the installation of high-powered charging for customers. The new...

Not as fast as the record temperatures but still noteworthy with an estimated 16-million units expected to be sold before years end.

Wayne Gerdes – CleanMPG – July 10, 2023


GM 2023 US Vehicle First Half YTD (2023/2022) Sales Totals

GM Sales Totals - 1,295,186/1,095,247 up 18.3%


Model 2023 First Half YTD (2023/2022) Sales Highlights

• Silverado - 268,291/264,139, up 1.6%
• Sierra - 143,008/118,938, up 20.2%
• Equinox - 105,851/116,678, down 9.3%
• Malibu - 78,169/58,169, up 34.4%
  
• Bolt EV/EUV - 33,659/7,303, up 360.9%

...

When you cannot beat a competitor, you pay a price to join them.

Wayne Gerdes – CleanMPG – June 8, 2023


GM today announced it is collaborating with Tesla to integrate the Tesla North American Charging Standard (NACS) connector design into its EVs beginning in 2025. Additionally, GM EV owners will have access to charging at 12,000 Tesla Superchargers across North America.

The Tesla Supercharger Network will be open to GM EV drivers starting in 2024 and will initially require the use of an adapter. Beginning in 2025, the first GM EVs will be built with a NACS inlet for direct access to Tesla Superchargers without an adapter. In the future, GM will make adapters available for drivers of NACS-enabled vehicles to allow...

Many "cool" locales may have gone bust but we still have the memories.

Wayne Gerdes – CleanMPG – May 28, 2023


Santa Rosa, NM -- Although I accidentally deleted the 2011 Ford F-150 EcoBoost Challenge story from back in 2011, the photos are still posted in Media. In the early 50s prior to I-40s construction, the "Mother Road" was the only way through the former bustling town of Santa Rosa, NM. It, like hundreds of other small towns along "Route 66" was filled with top name gas stations, "No Tell" Motels, and roadside cafés marked by the classic pastel neon sign while serving the needs of travelers making their way west to California or back east after vacations and...