Image used with permission by copyright holderVolkswagen’s dishonesty regarding its emissions may have a more positive effect on the environment than you might expect. This week, the German carmaker agreed to commit more than $200 million to a fund with the primary purpose to cut diesel pollution. This is part of Volkswagen’s settlement regarding its 80,000 3.0-liter diesel vehicles that exceeded U.S. emissions limits. An official announcement of the hefty investment is expected to come on Monday, and comes in addition to the $2.7 billion the company agreed to pay as reparations for the emissions of another half-million 2.0-liter diesel vehicles.
Though the VW emissions scandal is now more than a year old, its repercussions have continued and a complete settlement has yet to be reached. As Reuters reports, negotiations involving the car maker, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, and lawyers for VW owners have been ongoing for weeks. That said, U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer, who oversaw the latest hearing regarding the car company, noted that the parties had made “substantial progress,” and that he was “optimistic that there will be a resolution.”
Recommended Videos
Should the $200 million deal come to fruition tomorrow, Volkswagen will have agreed to spend up to $16.7 billion in the name of resolving cheating accusations. But even this is just the tip of the iceberg. Reuters notes that the German manufacturer still has to deal with billions more in fines as part of a different settlement involving the Justice Department regarding an ongoing criminal investigation, as well as a civil suit that alleges VW violated the Clean Air Act.
Since late 2015, Volkswagen has been banned from selling any U.S. diesel vehicles, and it has yet to be determined whether sales will resume. But given the enormous amounts of money the company is pouring into righting its wrongs, the planet may well benefit.
Mercedes-Benz G580 first drive: old-school off-roader goes electric
American car buyers mostly know Mercedes-Benz as a luxury brand. But for decades, the automaker has also produced the tough, rugged G-Class (also known as the Geländewagen or G-Wagen), an SUV not afraid to get its leather upholstery muddy. And now, this iconic Mercedes is going electric.
The 2025 Mercedes-Benz G580 with EQ Technology — the final name of the SUV previously known as the EQG — isn’t the first electric off-roader. The Rivian R1S and R1T and GMC Hummer EV have proven that electric powertrains and off-roading are a great combination. But the electric G-Wagen is different because it’s based on an internal-combustion model — and a very traditional one at that.
Honda believes hydrogen semi trucks will make the case for fuel cells
Honda remains committed to hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles, but the market for those vehicles remains limited. So Honda is looking at other uses for fuel cells -- including commercial trucks.
To show how that could work, Honda converted a semi truck to fuel-cell power, replacing its diesel engine with three fuel-cell modules. Together, the three modules produce a combined 321 horsepower, and can propel the truck to a top speed of 70 mph. There's enough onboard hydrogen storage capacity for a 400-mile range with a full load, Honda claims.
Mercedes-Benz G580 vs Rivian R2: Is the much cheaper Rivian actually better?
Mercedes-Benz has finally taken the wraps off of the new "Mercedes-Benz G580 with EQ Technology." Yeah, it's a mouthful, but it's basically a new electric G-Wagon. It looks a lot like the G-Wagon you know and love, but with an electric powertrain and a battery. It's not the only electric SUV out there, however, and there are some great ones -- like the Rivian R2.
Both the Mercedes G580 and the Rivian R2 have a lot going for them, but they also approach the electric SUV slightly differently. Is one better than the other? I put the two head-to-head to find out.
Design
The approach that the two vehicles take to design is quite different -- and you might like one better than the other.
