The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released its Tier 3 Vehicle Emission and Fuel Standard Program rules. The purpose of the program is to reduce impacts of motor vehicles on air quality and public health. In addition to lower the gasoline sulfur standard, the program is supposed to reduce both tailpipe and evaporative emissions from passenger cars, light-duty truck, medium-duty …
Driving Through the Blend Wall
We’ve heard a lot about how higher ethanol blends might affect the producers of the green fuel and the impacts to consumers on the other end. But what about the viewpoint of those who have to build the vehicles on which these higher blends would run? Representatives from General Motors and Mercedes-Benz were among the experts on a panel at …
Engine Experts Talk Ethanol
Specialists in the areas of auto, motorcycle and small engines presented their experience with ethanol fuels in the real world during the National Ethanol Conference. The panel was moderated by radio host and automotive expert Bobby Likis of Bobby Likis Car Clinic in Pensacola. “In 43 years, more than 200,000 cars have rolled through the doors of my automotive service …
Greenercars.org Releases Environmental Ratings
Greenercars.org has released its 17th annual 2014 Environmental Scores with the Smart ForTwo Electric Drive topping the list with the hightest-ever score of 59 out of 100. The vehicle will be rolled out nationally this year. The GreenerCars initiative is part of the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE). The next two “greenest” cars were the Toyota Prius C …
And the Experts Keep On A Comin
The 8th Annual Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit and Trade Show is just around the corner (January 28, 2014) and the list of experts keeps on a comin. The event’s host, the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA), has announced a new panel, “The Future Engine Technology Enhanced by Ethanol and Biodiesel” that will feature two experts on future engine designs and …
Chrysler & NextEnergy Explore Battery Power
Chrysler Group has partnered with NextEnergy, a Detroit-based non-profit energy-technology and business accelerator, to evaluate vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology using four all-electric minivans. If the EVs prove to be viable storehouses of electricity, they could provide energy savings by sending surplus power to the grid. “This program is indicative of our broad-based approach to powertrain development,” said Bob Lee, Chrysler Group …
MiEV Evolution II Races to Place
The 91st running of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (PPIHC) took place recently and the new MiEV Evolution II race car took second and third in class in the electric vehicle (EV) division. The EV was developed by Mitsubishi Motors North American and was driven by two-time Daka Rally winner Hiroshi Masuoka and six-time PPIHC motorcycle champion Greg Tracy. …
College Teams to Race with SunPower
Nine university teams will race in the 2013 Formula Sun Grand Prix (FSGP) with solar vehicles powered by SunPower’s Maxeon solar cells. Various FSGP race events will be held from June 24 – 29, 2013 and are open and free to the public. According to SunPower, the all-back contact solar cells collect and convert more sunlight into energy when compared …
My Hybrid Rocks!
I broke down a few weeks ago and bought a new car. After test driving and researching all the options out there, I landed on the new Ford C-Max Hybrid. The estimated miles per gallon is 47 both highway and in town and I was getting such great gas mileage that after the first two weeks I thought maybe the …
BMW Boasts Largest Hydrogen Fuel Cell Fleet
BMW Manufacturing has expanded its use of Plug Power hydrogen fuel cells at its Spartanburg, South facility to power all material handle trucks and forklifts. The company now has 272 units in its fleet, making it the largest such fleet in North America. In 2010, BMW installed a storage and distribution area for hydrogen supplied by Linde Industrial Gases near …