The trek from Fairbanks to Vancouver along the Alaska Highway is more than 2,300 miles long. Toyota says its Fuel Cell Hybrid Vehicle not only logged all those miles in seven days, but it averaged well-above 300 miles per tank. Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A, Inc., revealed a significant achievement in its ongoing hydrogen-hybrid fuel cell development program at the 2007 …
New B20 Specifications Could Mean Greater Acceptance
New quality specifications for 6-20 percent blends of biodiesel have been unveiled by ASTM, the organization that standardizes specifications for products in the marketplace. This press release from the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) says the standards came during ASTM meetings this week in Phoenix after six years of collaboration by industry representatives and will mean more automakers will approve B20 …
GM Disputes E85 Report
General Motors issued a statement in response to a USA Today report this week on a cost-benefit analysis of E85 ethanol, saying the report failed to take into account several positive factors. “We believe ethanol as a renewable fuel is the best near-term alternative to oil as a transportation fuel and replacing gasoline with ethanol positively contributes to lowering greenhouse …
Media Invited to Ride in Challenge X Vehicles
General Motors and the U.S. Department of Energy have invited the media to ride in the vehicles participating in the Challenge X Competition… a multi-year engineering competition that has 17 university teams from across North America in a real-world engineering experience to develop GM vehicles in the company’s global vehicle development process. The idea is the teams will create advanced …
Chrysler Gives Grant to Alt. Energy Company
Chrysler has handed out a $150,000 grant to alternative energy incubator company NextEnergy. This story on the Detroit News web site says the two Detroit-based companies are collaborating on several projects, including the National Biodiesel Energy Lab, which is developing standards for biodiesel used in vehicles: “This grant is an extension of Chrysler’s commitment to being a good neighbor,” said …
U.S. Army Takes a Look at Hydrogen
The Tank and Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center, a department of the U.S. Army, is working with executives from Chevron Technology Ventures and the Hyundai-Kia America Technical Center to see how the military could use hydrogen fuel technology and how the technology operates in a real-world setting. The joint-project will take place at the Selfridge Air National Guard (SANG) …
Ford Offers First Full-Sized Clean Diesel Truck; Good for Biodiesel Use
Ford’s new Clean Diesel engine… the first time a clean diesel engine has been offered in a full-sized pickup… could be quite a catch for those wanting to be green but needing the power and size of a big truck. This story in Autospectator.com says the Ford-exclusive 6.4-liter Power Stroke turbo-diesel is quieter, powerful and more capable, while meeting stringent …
Ethanol Moves Up the Ranks in American Le Mans Series
Ethanol is gaining more ground in the motor sports arena and more leagues are getting on board with ethanol-enriched fuel. The American Le Mans Series is now the second racing league to officially commit to a fuel based largely from ethanol. The ALMS has committed to upgrading its official fuel of the series from an E10 fuel blend to an …
Automakers, Biodiesel Producers Want Better Standards and Sources
Officials from Chrysler and the NextDiesel refinery in Adrian, Michigan are calling for better standards for biodiesel and more oily feedstocks to make the green fuel. This story from the Adrian (MI) Daily Telegram says the officials discussed the issue during a tour of the plant this week: Right now NextDiesel, which started production in August at its facility on …
Americans Buying Record Numbers of Alternative Fuel Autos
Americans bought nearly half a million alternative fuel automobiles (AFAs) during the second quarter of 2007… a record and good news for the alternative fuel industry and the environment. The Missouri Soybean Association lists the story in its “Bean Briefs” and says the numbers from R.L. Polk & Company are a 27 percent increase from a year ago: Sales of …