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Study finds São Paulo switch from ethanol to gasoline dropped local ozone levels by 20%, increased CO and nitric oxide concentrations

Green Car Congress

A study by a pair of researchers at Northwestern University found that when fuel prices drove residents of São Paulo, Brazil, to switch from ethanol to gasoline in their flexible-fuel vehicles, local ozone levels dropped 20%. Ozone levels are relatively high in São Paulo, with hourly concentrations above 75 and 125 µg m ?3

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FCA recalls 850,000+ gasoline vehicles due to problem with catalytic converters

Green Car Congress

Fiat-Chrysler of America (FCA) will recall more than 850,000 gasoline-powered passenger cars and SUVs due to a problem with their catalytic converters. The recall was announced after an investigation by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 2011-2012 MY Dodge Caliber (PM FWD CVT).

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CARB staff proposing amendments to Fill Pipes specs for gasoline-fueled cars

Green Car Congress

The staff of the California Air Resources Board (CARB) is proposing amendments to the Fill Pipes Specifications to help ensure new motor vehicle fill pipes continue to be compatible and to form a good seal with Phase II recovery nozzles that are certified for use at California gasoline stations, thereby reducing overpressure.

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Texas study finds PHEV use could increase ozone at night, decrease ozone during the day

Green Car Congress

A study by researchers at the University of Texas found that in general, use of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) can lead to an increase in ozone during nighttime hours (due to decreased scavenging from both vehicles and EGU stacks) and a decrease in ozone during daytime hours.

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São Paulo study finds concentration of ultrafine particulates rose by 1/3 in switch from ethanol to gasoline

Green Car Congress

In the first, they found that when fuel prices drove residents of São Paulo, Brazil, to mostly switch from ethanol to gasoline in their flexible-fuel vehicles, local ozone levels dropped 20%. Officials, Geiger said, will need to weigh the increase in ozone against the decrease in nanoparticles when ethanol is used.

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UK researchers report that alcohols in windshield washer fluid are major unreported source of VOCs emissions from cars, including EVs

Green Car Congress

There are widespread policy assumptions that the phase-out of gasoline and diesel internal combustion engines will over time lead to much reduced emissions of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) from road transport and related fuels. Resources Samuel J. Cliff et al. the products used for “car care,” such as windshield washer fluid.

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NOAA, partners find about 98% decline in VOCs concentrations in LA Basin over last 50 years despite 3x increase in use of gasoline and diesel

Green Car Congress

In California’s Los Angeles Basin, levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) pollutants have decreased by about 98% since the 1960s, even as area residents now burn approximately three times as much gasoline and diesel fuel. This indicates that the main VOC source in the LA basin is likely gasoline vehicle emission. Warneke, C.,