The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) is partnering with Hino Trucks to showcase a new line of biodiesel-capable trucks at the Hybrid, Electric, and High Efficiency Truck Users Forum (HTUF) Conference in Baltimore this week. The 2012 Hino 195h diesel-electric hybrid cab over truck, on display at the HTUF Expo, will show off its capabilities running on a 20 percent biodiesel …
Electric Cadillac
General Motors has brought luxury and electricity together in an electric Cadillac ELR. According to GM, the “Cadillac Converj Concept, a dramatic luxury coupe with extended-range electric vehicle technology, is moving forward as a production car that will be called the Cadillac ELR.” Development of the ELR is just underway, so details on performance, price and timing will be announced …
Chrysler and ZeaChem Team Up for Cellulosic Ethanol
A leading advanced biofuels company has teamed up with a major automobile maker to speed up the production and use of cellulosic ethanol made from non-food feedstocks. Chrysler Group and ZeaChem today announced the formation of a strategic alliance to “strengthen the credibility among regulators and American consumers of cellulosic ethanol as a cost-effective green transportation alternative; move away from …
Genovation Cars Receives Product Development Grant
While the big U.S. auto makers have struggled for several years, it has opened up the doors for smaller, independent car companies to compete. One emerging company is Maryland-based Genovation Cars, a designer and builder of plug-in electric vehicles. (PHEV). The company has been awarded a $135,110 product development grant from the Maryland Industrial Partnerships Program (MIPS). The monies will …
Ford & SunPower Want You to ‘Drive Green for Life’
U.S. automakers are making the move to produce more environmentally friendly vehicles. They are also making the move to producing them in a more environmentally friendly way, and Ford has even gone a step further to partner with SunPower Corp. to help consumers who purchase plug-in electric vehicles to charge up with renewable energy. According to Mike Tinskey, Ford director …
CAFE Standards Hiked to 54.5 MPG
The U.S. government may not be able to figure out how to save our country from it’s multi-trillion dollar debt, but for the second time during his administration, President Obama has increased CAFE standards or the Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards. The goal for all new cars and light duty trucks manufactured in 2025 and beyond must be at least …
Chevy to Sell Diesel Vehicles in US
Chevrolet is planning on introducing a diesel version of the Chevrolet Cruze to be sold in the United States beginning in 2013. Diesel versions of the Cruz are already being sold in Europe. The advantage of offering a diesel version in the U.S. is that consumers will be able to fuel the vehicle with biodiesel blends. Allen Schaeffer, executive director …
Electric and Ethanol Power Win EcoCAR Competition
Cars designed to run on electricity and 85 percent ethanol took top honors in a competition to engineer a more fuel efficient and environmentally-friendly vehicle. A team from Virginia Tech University designed an extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) using 85 percent ethanol (E85) to win first place in the three-year EcoCAR: The NeXt Challenge competition sponsored by the Department of Energy …
Isuzu Debuts Biodiesel-Compatible Van
Japan-based auto maker Isuzu has debuted a utility van that will be more compatible with higher blends of biodiesel. This company press release says the new Reach will not only be green, but it will last a long time, too: Powering the Reach is Isuzu’s state-of-the-art, biodiesel fuel compatible 4JJ1-TC 3.0-liter turbocharged engine generating 150 horsepower, mated to a Aisin …
Ford Michigan Assembly Plant Goes Solar
Ford Motor Company is now manufacturing American made-cars with solar power. The Ford Michigan Assembly Plant’s solar installation currently provides 500 kilowatts (kW) of power for the plant and the solar facility will be integrated with a 705 kW energy storage facility that can store 2 million-watt hours of energy using batteries. This is enough to power 100 average Michigan …