Green Transportation: Greening Your Fleet
Source: World Trade Magazine
"While the effects of the recession have pushed many in the trucking industry to rein in spending on all but the essentials, it’s a testament to the financial viability of the growing ‘green’ movement that while virtually every frill has been left on the side of the road, green has survived.
It comes down to one thing: there’s an undeniable return on investment.
There was a time when sustainability was a “check-box on an RFI,” says Jim Butts, senior vice president, C. H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc., a leading global 3PL. “Customers only wanted to know if we had a program in place..."
White House Budget Proposal Gives Ax to Fossil Fuel Tax Breaks, Some Interior Programs
Source: The Wall Street Journal
"President Obama will roll out a sweeping federal budget proposal today that would eliminate subsidies for fossil fuels, invest more money in clean energy projects and cut funding for 120 federal programs, including some at the Interior Department.The fiscal 2011 budget blueprint also includes a placeholder for revenue from a cap-and-trade climate bill -- recognizing efforts in Congress to advance the legislation without assuming any of its funds would go into the general treasury...."
Solar-powered hydrogen kit good for 10,000 miles driving a year
Source: ETA
"Honda has unveiled a solar-powered hydrogen station for use by drivers at home, which can produce enough fuel to power its FCX Clarity fuel cell car for 25 miles of driving each day.
Hydrogen can be used as a fuel for electric cars thereby doing away with the need for a battery – these so-called fuel cell vehicles can travel longer distances than electric vehicles that need to be re-charged directly from a mains supply. For example, the Nissan FCV (Fuel Cell Vehicle) can drive up to 500km without refilling...." Washington Auto Show: Green Technology Officially Mainstream
Source: U.S News
"Yesterday I had the opportunity to attend the annual Washington Auto Show, where I scoured the showroom floor looking for green technology in the current and upcoming lineup of cars for the 2010/11 model year. While the auto show here in D.C. is not known to be the first place automakers unveil their new designs in the U.S. (that honor is usually reserved for the Detroit and L.A. Auto shows), there was nonetheless a very strong showing in alternative fuel and hybrid-electric models...."
President Obama Announces 3 Steps to Boost Biofuels
Source: Environmental Expert
"President Barack Obama announced on February 3 three actions that the federal government is taking to boost U.S. biofuels production. The measures include: the final rule from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to implement the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) of 36 billion gallons by 2022; a proposed rule from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for its Biomass Crop Assistance Program, which provides financing to increase the production of biomass for bioenergy (see separate article); and the release of Growing America's Fuel, the first report from the president's Biofuels Interagency Working Group. The report lays out a strategy to advance the development and commercialization of a sustainable biofuels industry. .."
Biodiesel Tax Credit Needs Immediate Attention
Source: Fleet Owner
"With the coming of the New Year came the passing of the biodiesel tax credit. What’s the big deal, you say? Well, companies, not to mention farmers and biodiesel producers, are taking a bit hit right now with the expiration of the $1/gallon credit.According to NAFA Fleet Management Association, the expiration of the credit has resulted in biodiesel costing more than petroleum-based diesel fuel. While that doesn’t sound like a big issue, it is if you’re fleet that runs on biodiesel. Your cost of fuel just rose 20% or more. That kind of price increase will only drive cost-conscious fleets away from the fuel..."
EPA Rules Confirm Ethanol’s Environmental Advantages
Source: Domestic Fuel
"he ethanol and agriculture industry have a few things to celebrate today, one of which is EPA’s acknowledgment that ethanol, including corn-based ethanol, has greenhouse gas emission advantages over conventional gasoline. Today, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced its new released regulations for the implementation of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS2) which in part outlines the country’s move to 36 billion gallons of biofuels by 2022 while reducing GHG emissions in the fuel..."
Bacteria May Affordably Turn Plants into Diesel by 2012
Source: WorldWatch Institu
"Bacteria that convert plants into diesel could become a widely available method for creating alternative fuels at commercial prices within the next two years.
U.S. researchers announced progress last week in converting sugars directly into biodiesel by modifying the Escherichia coli bacterium (E. coli). Their biodiesel, a fossil fuel alternative, can be transported in diesel pipelines and burned in standard diesel engines, releasing far fewer greenhouse gases than conventional diesel. ..." New 2011 GM Duramax Diesel Engine Certified for B20 Biodiesel Fuel
Source: PickUpTrucks.com
"GM's new 6.6-liter "LML" Duramax V-8 turbodiesel for its 2011 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra Heavy Duty pickups will be capable of burning B20 biodiesel fuel, according to a GM press release issued early Monday. .."
Final RFS Rule Carves Out Role for Biomethane
Source: NGV America
"On Wednesday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized changes to the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) Program. This program requires that an increasingly larger amount of renewable fuel is mixed with gasoline and diesel fuel used for transportation. Alternatively, suppliers of those gasoline and diesel fuel can purchase renewable fuel credits from producers of such fuels. The Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) of 2007 amended the program to increase the number of renewable gallons that must be used to 36 billion gallons by 2022. EISA also established greenhouse gas emission reduction requirements for renewable fuels. EPA’s rule issued this week incorporates the necessary changes resulting from passage of EISA..."
To Support Growing CNG Fleet, Yellow Cab Chicago Building 2 Fueling Stations
Source: Environmental Leader
"Yellow Cab Chicago will add 100 new compressed natural gas (CNG) taxis, and is building an infrastructure to support them, reports the Chicago Tribune.
In the future, the cab company expects to add more CNG taxi, according to a press release.
The company, which operates the Yellow, Checker, American United and Blue Diamond bag lines, has about 3,000 taxis in service in the Chicago area..."
City of Burbank Solid Refuse Fleet is 100% CNG-fuelled
Source: NGV Global
"Southern California’s City of Burbank now has a 100-percent CNG-fueled solid refuse fleet, with the addition of a solid waste rear-loader collection truck completing the transition. Reported in Government Fleet, the move to CNG required a significant capital investment, while benefits include lower fuel and maintenance costs and reduced emissions...."
Grand Junction City Approves New CNG Truck Purchases
Source: Government-Fleet.com
"GRAND JUNCTION, CO - The City of Grand Junction, Colo., will replace four refuse trucks currently in the City fleet with four compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles, the city council announced at a recent city council meeting...."
Navistar Pursues Natural Gas for MaxxForce 13 Engines
Source: Green Car Congress
"
WARRENVILLE, Ill., Feb 09, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Navistar, Inc.has signed a concept development agreement with Clean Air Power Ltd. (AIM: CAP) to develop Navistar's MaxxForce(R) 13 big bore engine to run on natural gas and clean diesel fuel for the North American market...."
Alliance AutoGas Unveils Public AutoGas Fueling Station in Conjunction With Propane Road Show
Source: PR Newswire
"ASHEVILLE, N.C., Jan. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Alliance AutoGas, the national propane vehicle conversion and fueling network, will debut their newest public AutoGas fueling station in Asheville next week, in partnership with certified conversion center partner, German Motor Werks.
In conjunction with the propane vehicle fueling station's grand opening, the Land of Sky Clean Vehicles Coalition will be hosting a Propane Road Show and lunch event followed by a tour of the new Alliance fueling station.."
Ford Unveils New Transit Connect Electric and Taxi Version
Source: New York Times
"Ford unveiled an electric version of its Transit Connect work van ahead of the Chicago Auto Show, which opens to the press on Wednesday.
The 2011 Transit Connect Electric, which is expected to appear in fleets later this year, will offer a range of 80 miles per charge and a top speed of 75 miles per hour. The van is equipped with a 28 kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack that recharges with a 240-volt outlet in six to eight hours. The Transit Connect Electric is also 120 volt compatible (though charge time is likely to be considerably longer). Ford says the battery pack should last the life of the vehicle..."
GM Invests $246 million in Electric Motors and Components in Baltimore
Source: Environmental Expert
"General Motors Corporation (GM) announced on January 26 that it will invest about $246 million in its facilities in Baltimore, Maryland, for manufacturing electric motors and electric drives. This includes construction of a high-volume electric drive production facility at the Baltimore Transmission plant, which will produce electric motors for GM's rear-wheel-drive hybrid technology starting in 2013. The factory will be the first electric motor manufacturing facility in the United States to be operated by a major automaker. In August, DOE selected GM for a $105 million grant from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for the construction of U.S. manufacturing capabilities to produce electric motors and related electric drive components..."
Coda Says Plug-In Vehicle Tax Rebate Would Triple Customer Demand
Source: Auto Blog Green
"Know the difference between a tax rebate and a tax credit? They may seem like the same thing – paying fewer taxes – but there's a big difference. A credit is something you get back when you file your taxes and a rebate, in this case an instant cash rebate, is money you'd get back when you buy the item. A new electric car, for example.
Coda Automotive's Kara Saltness has written a post describing how a shift in the law from a credit to a rebate would get more electric cars into people's driveways. There is, of course, a big federal tax credit – worth up to $7,500 – for plug-in vehicles, but that isn't as good as an instant cash rebate. Coda has done consumer insights research and analysis to prove that an instant cash rebate paid to the dealer (and buyer) at the time of sale "would nearly triple demand for all electric cars in 2010-2011," Saltness says..."
A Boost for Light-Duty Electric Trucks
Source: CNET
"Smith Electric Vehicles and Proton Power Systems have signed a memorandum of understanding to develop long-range electric service trucks.
The partnership will allow Smith Electric to install Proton Power's fuel cell range extenders into its light-duty range of electric vans and trucks. The change is estimated to increase a Smith Electric truck's average range between charges from its current 160 km (100 miles) to up to 300 km (186 miles) with the fuel cell extender..."
Perspective: Toyota Prius Recall Is Only a Bump in the Road in the Move Toward Electrification
Source: Green Car Congress
"Perspective by Oliver Hazimeh, Director of the North American Automotive Practice and the Global e-Mobility Practice, PRTM
[Management consultancy PRTM was a contributor to the “Electrification Roadmap” released in November 2009 by the Electrification Coalition. Earlier post.]
The recall of Toyota’s Prius is causing some observers to question whether the prospects for the entire hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) and electric vehicle (EV) markets are fundamentally hurt.
We don’t believe so. While a recall presents a short-term bump in the road regarding consumer perception of HEVs and EVs, there is no question that longer term, the fundamental drivers for increased powertrain electrification are alive and well..."
Volkswagen's 2.0L TDI Clean Diesel Engine Named a 'Ward's 10 Best Engine' for 2010
Source: Fleet Financials
"HERNDON, VA - As fuel economy and emissions gain even greater awareness among today's new car shoppers, Volkswagen of America, Inc. is honored to have its 2.0L four-cylinder TDI Clean Diesel engine selected by Ward's Automotive Group as one of the "10 Best Engines" for 2010. Presented at a special ceremony during last month's North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the 16th-annual list represents the only awards program in North America to recognize engine excellence..." Detroit Diesel Engines Certified as Compliant with EPA 2010 Emissions Standard
Source: Pure Green Cars
"Detroit Diesel's entire family of engines made has been certified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the U.S. as being in compliance with the EPA 2010 emissions standard, which took effect at the start of this year.This certification cleared the way for the market launch of the Detroit Diesel Corporation (DDC) engines with SCR (selective catalytic reduction) technology - after years of research and 28 million miles of successful testing. The engines of DDC, a Daimler Company, are intended for use in heavy-duty trucks..."
   
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please visit our Web site at www.cleanfuelsohio.org.
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