EVs Are Way, Way More Energy-Efficient Than ICE-Powered Vehicles

Aircraft fabricator Hawley Bowlus completed construction of the first Bowlus travel trailer in 1934 for the purpose of transporting flight crews to isolated takeoff locations. It's touted as the first aluminum riveted travel trailer in the world, even pre-dating Wally Byam's Airstream. Now the trailer is back with a tasteful modern update.Bowlus reports that "over half of the original Bowlus' built in the 1930s are still around today, often held in private collections." The lightweight 1,100-pound Bowlus was revolutionary for its time, attracting celebrity and media attention. In 2011, a 1935 Bowlus Road Chief sold at an auction in Scottsdale for $187,000. Fast-forward 90 years, and the Bowlus brand continues.The company currently sells three models: Terra Firma, Endless Highways Performance Edition, and Endless Highways Edition. They start—repeat, start—at $265,000, $240,000, and $215,000, respectively. Let's just say, if you're strapped for cash—or anything short of ridiculously, lavishly, richly well-off with a suitcase full of bands—the bespoke Bowlus may not be for you. But we can still dream, right?The trailers have avoided a fundamental technological overhaul for decades, but Bowlus has announced a few interior, exterior, and technology updates for its 2022-model-year luxury travel trailers. The kitchen has been redesigned with soft-close drawers, an improved air conditioning system, a "60-Second Hitch" towing connection assistance system, an integrated Bluetooth Smart Brake, and updated 13-diode LED taillights to clean up the look.In all of our travels around the United States, we've encountered a smorgasbord of travel trailers, massive toy haulers, million-dollar RVs, high-end off-grid teardrop trailers, and overland camper vans at campgrounds, on the road, and off-grid. But we've never, ever encountered a Bowlus. But when we do someday come upon one, at least now we know how to differentiate a 2022 model. Now that's a morsel of knowledge that'll surely impress new campfire friends.

In September 2021 we covered a new "green gasoline" concept from Nacero, that involves constructing gasoline hydrocarbons by assembling smaller methane molecules from natural gas. Then in February 2022 the company inked a 20-year deal with NextEra to supply wind power to Nacero's Penwell factory in a bid to halve the lifecycle carbon footprint of its gasoline with the potential to take that number to zero. In so doing, the company claimed that the four million drivers burning Nacero gasoline will deliver the equivalent carbon savings of swapping 11 million ICE vehicles for EVs(!). We politely asked to see their math.NORCO, LA - AUGUST 21: A gas flare from the Shell Chemical LP petroleum refinery illuminates the sky on August 21, 2019 in Norco, Louisiana. Located about 10 miles up the Mississippi River from New Orleans, the plant agreed to install $10 million in pollution monitoring and control equipment in 2018 to settle allegations that flares used to burn off emissions were operating in violation of federal law (the Clean Air Act). Many of the coastal parishes in Louisiana have a long and ongoing history in oil and gas production, which is often at odds with concerns of environmentalists. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)55-Percent CO2 Savings from the Production ProcessNacero's 93,000-barrels-per-day Penwell facility will earn a lifecycle (Scope 1-3) CO2 equivalent footprint* of 25 million metric tons per year. That's a 55-percent reduction from the 56 million tons that a typical crude-oil plant would be assigned for producing an equivalent amount. This is mostly because refining gasoline by cutting down super long and complex hydrocarbons from crude results in all sorts of other heavier, dirtier byproducts that you simply don't get when assembling gasoline from smaller methane molecules.*Scope 1 figures in direct emissions from sources owned by Penwell; Scope 2 is indirect emissions from purchased electricity, steam, heat, and cooling; and Scope 3 covers all other emissions associated with a company's activities (emissions from the use of the product, its transportation, waste generation and disposal, etc. ).8 Million Metric Tons Not IncludedOf that 25 million MT figure, 8 million are assigned to activities like natural gas extraction and fuel hauling, which are the responsibility of other companies who can claim credit for the carbon reduction they bring about, so to be conservative, Nacero's calculations do NOT include these savings. This avoids the potential for double counting them.Zeroing Out the Last 17 Million Metric TonsNacero uses four pathways to offset most of the remaining 17 million metric tons:Pre-combustion carbon capture and sequestration (1.4 million metric tons of Scope 1 emissions). This is accomplished using an absorber tower with a hot potassium carbonate solution that collects the CO2 that concentrates at the point where natural gas is converted to syngas on its way to becoming gasoline. Post-combustion carbon capture sequestration (1.5 million metric tons of Scope 1 emissions) A chemical solvent scrubs CO2 from flue gas generated by heater stacks employed throughout the facility, using existing, commercially proven technologies. The captured CO2 gets compressed and piped to a nearby oil field for use enhancing oil recovery, which sequesters the CO2 underground. Use of 100 percent renewable power (0.9 million metric tons of Scope 2 emissions) Here's where the recently inked NextEra deal for wind energy comes in. Use of renewable natural gas (11.8 million metric tons of Scope 3 emissions). The major sources of renewable natural gas today are landfills, animal manure, and solid waste extracted during wastewater treatment—all sources of waste that are continuously produced by present-day activities. Arriving at that 11 Million EVs Number…So to recap, there's 31 million metric tons of CO2 savings right off the bat from the refining process, plus at least 15.6 million metric tons from the four steps listed above. That's 46.6 million metric tons. The US Department of Energy assigns a typical gasoline vehicle a well-to-wheels pounds of CO2 Equivalent rating of 11,435 pounds, while an EV charged at the national-average electric grid's carbon equivalence gets a rating of 3,932 pounds. Using that math, switching just under 13.7 million gas cars to pure EVs across the country would save an equivalent amount of CO2. Nacero rounded down considerably to make its 11 million EVs claim conservative.When and How Much?Construction on the Penwell facility is just getting underway with a target of partially opening in 2025, making gasoline that warrants that 55-percent improvement over gasoline from crude. While the company has started arranging contracts for renewable methane, it's expected to take 10 years to source enough to fully eliminate that last 21 percent improvement. And a per-gallon cost is yet to be set for the gasoline but it's likely to be tiered. Nacero Blue gas is expected to be priced competitively with crude-based gasoline (the natural gas feedstock is way cheaper than crude), while Nacero Green will cost more to account for the added expense of sourcing renewable natural gas. Note that the gasoline may not actually be constructed of this gas, Nacero will simply contract to have an equivalent quantity of renewable natural gas injected into the national grid. 

alfa-romeo stelvio Full OverviewProsPunchy engineStrong, beautiful designFun to drive ConsSmall infotainment screenToned-down cabinTight interiorEverything sounds better in Italian, and the badge applied to the 2022 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Veloce is no exception. "Veloce" means "quick" in English, but can you imagine a vehicle called, say, the Ford Quick or the Chevy Fast? Yeah, no. Yet in Italian, the same word sounds sexy. But best of all, the Stelvio Veloce is indeed fast, sporty, and spirited.The Veloce trim came on board for the 2022 model year, replacing the Ti Sport trim. It's the highest available model with the standard turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder, which happens to be the most powerful base engine in the luxury compact SUV segment.Veloce but Not Molto VeloceWith 280 hp and 306 lb-ft of torque, there's no doubt the Stelvio has guts. Step on the throttle, and the response is immediate, and full torque is on tap from just 2,000 rpm. That's among the ingredients that make the Stelvio one of the sportiest SUVs, as is the eight-speed automatic transmission that likes to hold gears when Dynamic mode is active. Even the default Natural mode is a delight, though; the transmission is relatively snappy, and the perfectly linear steering delivers a wealth of feedback. In all modes, it's possible the Stelvio might ride a little too stiffly for some, but excellent damping takes the edges off the harshest impacts, and we enjoy having a better feel for the road.Unfortunately, there's a bit of un-veloce here: Despite that muscular turbo-four, at 5.9 seconds, the Stelvio Veloce is a little bit slower than some other compact luxury SUVs to 60 mph. The time is good overall, but in our testing it trails slightly behind the 2022 Porsche Macan (5.6 seconds), 2021 Audi Q5 (5.7 seconds), and even the last Stelvio we tested—a 2018 Ti Sport (5.4 seconds). But it's ahead of the 2022 Genesis GV70 2.5T (6.0 seconds), 2021 Acura RDXand 2022 BMW X3 xDrive 30i (6.4 seconds each).But the numbers aren't the full story. Combine its responsive powertrain with its capable, composed, and confidence-inspiring chassis, and the Stelvio Veloce is, in fact, perfectly veloce. Wherever you're driving it, the Stelvio behaves more like a lifted hot hatchback, feeling quick off the line and allowing drivers to attack back roads with a zeal that makes miles disappear faster than they might in a number of more appliance-like competitors. "I like that the steering is friction free and that the rim is thin," road test editor Chris Walton said. "This allows you to steer with your fingertips and not your palms."Overall, the experience behind that wheel is engaging, and the Stevlio's personality and captivating experience are what distinguish it from the rest of the segment—and make it the target of discerning drivers who need an SUV.Gorgeous Exterior, Subpar InteriorDespite being four years old, the 2022 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Veloce remains one of the best-looking SUVs in the segment. Like its Giulia sedan stablemate, the Stelvio has aged well and continues to look sharp even when newer models have entered the market. Unfortunately, that's not the case inside. Although there isn't anything wrong with the cabin, its plain layout lacks the attention to detail and sophistication of other SUVs in the segment.The 8.8-inch touchscreen is quite small for today's standards, and although we like its functionality and placement in the center console, the infotainment system feels antiquated and lacks updated graphics. There is no wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, and it's a bit hard to explore or find what you need given the limited menu buttons.The rest of the cabin lacks the plushness we've seen in other SUVs, as well. There's nothing that will grab the attention of anyone getting into a Stelvio for the first time. The ergonomics are perfectly fine, with everything within reach of the driver, and there are hard buttons for the A/C and a volume knob, but designers missed an opportunity to make the interior more elegant and premium. In addition, interior space is a bit tight for those in the rear seats, with a big drivetrain hump that will make middle-seat passengers uncomfortable.If Alfa was aiming for a simplistic, driver-focused cabin that wouldn't draw attention from the sensational driving experience, then we suppose the layout, design, and technology make sense. But when compared against other compact luxury SUVs, the Stelvio stands out for lacking content important to buyers these days. Ventilated seats, for example, aren't an option on the Veloce, and some safety technologies standard in other SUVs (like lane keep assist) are part of a $1,495 package here. Given the excellence permeating the segment from the likes of, say, Genesis, Alfa would do well to up its game.Although lane keep assist is an option, the Veloce adds several driver assist features that were previously optional. Adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning, automatic high-beams, and front and rear parking sensors are now standard. Navigation, wireless charging, and heated front and rear seats are also included on all trims.Should You Buy a 2022 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Veloce?If you're looking for a sporty experience, an attractive design, and a cabin that delivers the basics, then the answer is assolutamente sì. But if you'd rather drive an SUV that focuses on comfort and interior amenities, there are better options.The 2022 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Veloce we tested checked out at $60,665, on the expensive side of the ledger. Compare that with the $64,670 of our long-term 2022 Genesis GV70 Sport Prestige with the optional 3.5-liter turbo V-6 engine, and the Stelvio suddenly feels short on value. The GV70 does a better job delivering a plush cabin with lots of attention to detail and premium materials, and it still feels sporty without sacrificing ride comfort.And yet, for a model that's only received light updates since it came out in 2018, the Stelvio is aging gracefully. It falls short in many objective areas, but every opportunity to drive it is another opportunity for fun, and that's high on our list of priorities. If it's high on yours, too, you'll likely think the Stelvio is simply spettacolare.Looks good! More details?2022 Alfa Romeo Stelvio (Veloce) Q4 Specifications BASE PRICE $53,895 PRICE AS TESTED $60,665 VEHICLE LAYOUT Front-engine, AWD, 5-pass, 4-door SUV ENGINE 2.0L Turbo direct-injected SOHC 16-valve I-4 POWER (SAE NET) 280 hp @ 5,200 rpm TORQUE (SAE NET) 306 lb-ft @ 2,000 rpm TRANSMISSION 8-speed automatic CURB WEIGHT (F/R DIST) 4,023 lb (50/50%) WHEELBASE 110.9 in LENGTH x WIDTH x HEIGHT 184.6 x 74.9 x 66.0 in 0-60 MPH 5.9 sec QUARTER MILE 14.5 sec @ 94.6 mph BRAKING, 60-0 MPH 123 ft LATERAL ACCELERATION 0.83 g (avg) MT FIGURE EIGHT 27.1 sec @ 0.63 g (avg) EPA CITY/HWY/COMB FUEL ECON 22/28/24 mpg EPA RANGE, COMB 406 miles ON SALE Now Show All