DOE Funds EV Everywhere Grand Challenge

Joanna Schroeder

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced more than $55 million for 31 new projects to accelerate research and development of critical vehicle technologies that will improve fuel efficiency and reduce costs. These new projects are aimed at meeting the goals and objectives of the President’s EV Everywhere Grand Challenge, as well as improvements in other vehicle technologies such …

Alternative Vehicles, Car Makers, Electric Vehicles

Volkswagen Focuses on Ultra-Low-Carbon Mobility

Joanna Schroeder

Volkswagen of America, Inc. is continuing to roll out plans for its holistic approach to e-mobility. Beginning with the launch of the zero-tailpipe emissions 2015 e-Golf model later this year, Volkswagen will invest in carbon reduction projects to offset emissions created from e-Golf production, distribution and up to approximately 36,000 miles of driving. Volkswagen also named SunPower as the official …

Alternative energy, Alternative Vehicles, Car Makers, Carbon, Solar

Audi Moves to Improve EV Owner Experience

Joanna Schroeder

Audi of America has announced the launch of a new program: Audi energy. The program is designed to improve the electric vehicle ownership experience as well as reduce the carbon footprint that comes with vehicle production, distribution and driving. Ultimately, the program will produce a new plug in hybrid vehicle – the Audi A3 Sportback e-tron – estimated to be …

Alternative energy, Alternative Vehicles, automotive, Electric Vehicles, Solar

Plug-In Electric Vehicles Talk in the Cloud

Joanna Schroeder

Plug-In electric vehicles (EV) will soon be “talking in the cloud” as Ford Motor Company collaborates with seven of the world’s largest automakers and 15 utility companies to develop technologies for EVs to talk to the utilities via the cloud. According to Ford, this would help manage energy use and improve the efficiency of the power grid. The pilot program …

Alternative Vehicles, automotive, Electric Vehicles, Energy, Utilities

Steller Solar Offers Project LiveWire Experience

Joanna Schroeder

Harley-Davidson has unveiled its first all electric motorcycle and are giving consumers a chance to experience this new ride through its Project LiveWire Experience. The first event will take place in San Diego July 24, 2014-July 26, 2014 hosted by Stellar Solar and San Diego Harley-Davidson. Project LiveWire will be at the Morena Boulevard location with the main event taking …

Alternative Vehicles, Electric Vehicles, Renewable Energy, Solar

City of Columbus Dedicates CNG Station

Joanna Schroeder

Columbus, Ohio is now home to its second compressed natural gas (CNG) station. The station was made possible in part from funds provided by Clean Fuels Ohio (CFO). CFO provides technical support for transportation professionals, advocates for sustainable transportation energy policies and serves as a resource clearinghouse for fleets, policy makers and the public. “We have been so fortunate to …

Alternative energy, Alternative Vehicles, Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), Electric Vehicles

Utilities Promote EV Use, Charging

Joanna Schroeder

According to a new benchmark study by Northeast Group, electric utilities are beginning to do their part to enable EV growth by offering new tariff and rate structures tailored specifically for EV owners. For the past three year, EV sales have nearly doubled every year in the U.S. There are currently 25 utilities across 14 states offering EV tariffs, including …

Alternative Vehicles, Electric Vehicles, Utilities

Georgia State Fleet Looking to Ramp Up With Ethanol

Joanna Schroeder

The Georgia Alternative Fuel Road Rally has ended after two weeks of crisscrossing the state to promote alternative fuels. According to the FlexFuel Awareness Campaign, the success of the rally could increase the use of ethanol in FFVs. Todd Sneller, administrator of the Nebraska Ethanol Board and a board member of the FlexFuel Awareness Campaign, spoke with government officials and …

Alternative Vehicles, biofuels, E85, Ethanol, Flex Fuel Vehicles

Wisconsin Students Go to School with Propane

Joanna Schroeder

Lamers Bus Lines and Badger Bus are increasing their use of propane autogas. Lamars Bus Lines has recently added 41 new Blue Bird Propane Vision school buses expanding its propane fleet to 59 buses. The buses will transport students in Milwaukee Public Schools and feature Blue Bird’s extended range 100-gallone fuel tank. Each bus will travel nearly 9,000 miles each …

Alternative Vehicles, Propane

FFV’s, Ethanol Featured During FlexFuel Campaign

Joanna Schroeder

The second week of the Georgia Alternative Fuel Road Rally is underway as part of the FlexFuel Awareness Campaign, and one message of focus delivered by the ethanol and agriculture industries was that of the benefits of high level ethanol blends and flex fuel vehicles (FFvs). FFVs and ethanol blends are an option for private and government fleets, according to …

Alternative Vehicles, biofuels, E85, Education, Ethanol, Flex Fuel Vehicles