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MIT study finds fuel economy standards are 6-14 times less cost effective than fuel tax for reducing gasoline use

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In a study published in the journal Energy Economics , MIT researchers have found that a fuel economy standard is at least six to fourteen times less cost effective than a fuel tax when targeting an identical reduction in cumulative gasoline use (20% by 2050). —Karplus et al.

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XL Hybrids to display retrofitted hybrid Chevrolet 2500 Cargo Van at MIT Energy Conference

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a company that has developed a low-cost hybrid electric powertrain designed specifically for class 1-3 commercial fleet use ( earlier post ), will display a Chevrolet Express 2500 cargo van fitted with the company’s hybrid technology at the 2012 Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Energy Conference Energy Showcase on 16 March.

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MITEI releases report on 3-year study of future mobility; technological innovation, policies, and behavioral changes all needed; “car pride” an issue

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Armstrong, a professor of chemical engineering at MIT. The study team of MIT faculty, researchers, and students focused on five main. areas of inquiry: The potential impact of climate change policies on global fleet composition, fuel consumption, fuel prices, and economic output. —MITEI Director Robert C.

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Researchers from MIT and GM propose a tool for better estimating secondary mass savings potential; maximizing vehicle mass savings for greater fuel economy

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More accurately estimating SMS can maximize mass savings, thereby increasing fuel economy. Researchers from MIT and GM have developed a tool for estimating secondary mass savings potential early in the vehicle design process. On average, that mass savings translates into a 10% savings in fuel economy. Credit: ACS, Alonso et al.

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MIT study finds significant economic and environmental benefits from designing US LDVs to use higher octane gasoline (98 RON)

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In a companion study to an SAE paper presented in April ( earlier post ), researchers at MIT have quantified the net economic and CO 2 emissions benefit that could be obtained by utilizing 98 RON gasoline in light-duty vehicles, based on reasonable assumptions for possible refinery changes and the evolution of the LDV fleet.

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Study finds CO2 emissions trading more effective path to automotive CO2 reduction in Europe than tailpipe standards

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Switching from the automotive standards to the trading scheme could save as much as €63 billion, says the study’s lead author Sergey Paltsev, deputy director at MIT’s Joint Program on the Science and Policy of Global Change and senior research scientist at the MIT Energy Initiative. —Paltsev et al.

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MIT Report Outlines System-Oriented Coordinated Polices for Reduction in Light-Duty Vehicle Petroleum Use and Emissions

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A new MIT report outlines a system-oriented set of coordinated policies to help the light-duty vehicle sector reduce petroleum-based consumption and its accompanying global warming emissions. We emphasize that this policy portfolio is not a substitute for an economy-wide carbon management policy (such as a carbon tax or cap-and-trade system).

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