A French carmaker is introducing a truly unique vehicle to the North American market… one that runs on air! This story posted on The Future of Things web site says Zero Pollution Motors is planning on soon debuting it’s six-seater Air Car CityCat to America: Developed by Formula One race car engineer Guy Negre, the Air Car is equipped with …
BMW Planning of Hydrogen Future
While some car makers might be betting the future for fuels will be a mix of several different sources, one major European carmaker seems to be happy to put all of its eggs in one basket. SFGate.com reports BMW told attendees of the Technology, Entertainment, Design (TED) Conference today in Monterey, California that it is going all in with hydrogen: …
Work Trucks Work Out Alternatives
Alternative fuels and hybrid automobiles are being featured at this year’s Work Truck Show. The Show is sponsored by the National Truck Equipment Association. Work trucks — those vocational vehicles that labor every day to deliver packages, clear snow, build roads, repair utility lines and otherwise keep the country running — are getting greener. The rising cost of fuel, new …
2008 Could Be Year of E85
2008 is shaping up to be the “Year of E85.” Ethanol Promotion and Information Council Marketing Director Reece Nanfito was at the media preview for the big auto show in Detroit this week where big announcements were made regarding ethanol and ethanol-powered vehicles. The “Fill up, Feel Good” podcast is available to download by subscription (see our sidebar link) or …
Auto Show Highlights Ethanol Powered Concept Cars
It is easy being green this year at the 2008 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit. Reece Nanfito, Marketing Director for the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council, is there and he reports that “the whole place is buzzing about alternative fuels.” Ferrari is showing a Biofuel Ferrari for North America that is all about being green. The Associated …
GM Makes Cellulosic Investment
An announcement by General Motors CEO Rick Wagoner at the opening of the North American International Auto Show in Detroit yesterday made for big alternative energy news nationwide. Wagoner announced GM’s partnership with Coskata, an Illinois company that has a process for for turning wood chips, grasses, or municipal waste into ethanol. Coskata uses a proprietary process that leverages patented …
Daimler Joins Bayer & ADM to Study Jatropha Biodiesel
German carmaker Daimler will join with Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) and Bayer CropScience to look at the feasibility of jatropha-based biodiesel. This story from Reuters says the trio will study the tropical plant’s properties and how best to grow it for biofuel production: “Biodiesel derived from Jatropha nut kernels has properties similar to those of biofuels obtained from oilseed rapes. …
Detroit Auto Show Featuring Green-Fueled Vehicles
The 2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit will feature vehicles using a variety of green fuels, including ethanol, biodiesel, hydrogen, and fuel cells. This story from The Auto Channel says when the public comes in to the annual gathering on January 19th-27th, 2008, they’ll see more clean fuels more than ever before: Going green is no longer a …
Chrysler Fuel Cell Technology in California
Chrysler LLC has joined the California Fuel Cell Partnership, becoming the 34th member of the organization. Chrysler says the CaFCP is valuable colloboration that encourages engineers to develop solutions for hydrogen technology at an accelerated rate. “We are pleased to welcome Chrysler as the California Fuel Cell Partnership’s ninth automotive member,” said Catherine Dunwoody, CaFCP’s executive director. “We’re looking forward …
Swedish Bio-Fuel Sports Car
“The Future of Things” has a feature on a future bio-fueled sports car called CCXR. The elite Swedish sports car manufacturer Koenigsegg has created a new bio-fuel powered sports car named CCXR. This Limited Edition CCXR is the first homologated car currently in production to reach over 1,000 Brake horsepower, and a top speed of over 400 km/h (250+ mph). …