A mix of electrically powered and biodiesel and E85 ethanol fueled vehicles lead the list for the Automotive X Prize. This story from Consumer Reports says the $10 million prize will go to the team that makes a production-ready car that gets 100 mpg or the energy equivilant AND is sold at a profit for a reasonable price: “The teams …
Study: Cars Running Corn-Based E85 Outperform Telsa
The Biofuels Digest has reported that a new study found that cars running on corn-based E85 have 30 percent lower CO2 emissions over the car’s lifetime than the Tesla Roadster, an all electric vehicle running on coal-based electricity. These results are based on the new CAFE standards that were passed this summer. But maybe more interesting, the study found that …
“FUEL” Arrives in Chicago
The “FUEL“ caravan, which includes the Big Green Energy Bus and the Algaeus, is arriving in Chicago tomorrow for the launch of the award winning film. The October 10th event, taking place at Loews Pipers Alley 4 beginning at 4:00 pm, will be kicked off with a motorcycle ride-in. Director Josh Tickell and Producer Rebecca Harrell will ride a Harley …
Competition Underway to Build Biofuel Snowmobile
The race is on… but this time it’s to build a cleaner burning snowmobile. This post on the Good Green Cars blog says the Society of Automobile Engineers… aka SAE International… has challenged college engineering students to build a snowmobile that runs on biodiesel, ethanol or electricity: The snowmobiles will be rated in categories like emissions, noise, and acceleration.The idea …
Utility’s Hybrid Trucks Part of Philly’s Freedom From Oil
The energy company serving Philadelphia with electrical power is going to use its own product to run some of its vehicles. The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that Peco Energy Co. is buying and modifying about 20 Ford F550 utility trucks to plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV). The move is part of a bigger, nationwide U.S. Department of Energy pilot program: The …
$300 Mil in Stimulus Bucks Stimulates Alternative Fuels
Nearly $300 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act… aka the “Stimulus Bill”… funds are being handed out by the U.S. Department of Energy to replace or change more than 9,000 vehicles so they will burn alternative fuels and/or make them more fuel efficient, as well as establish nearly 550 alternative refueling stations across the U.S.. Energy Secretary Steven Chu …
ZAP Secures $25 Million in Funding for EVs
ZAP, a company leading the way in electric vehicle (EV) development, announced that it has secured $25 million in new financing with Cathaya Capital, L.P. Ultimately the investment will be managed by its affiliate partner Better World International who is developing EV charging infrastructure. ZAP will use a portion of the funding to pursue longer-term contract production and assembly commitments, …
NREL – Launches Mobile Alternative Fueling Station Locator
Drivers now can take a popular tool on the road thanks to the staff at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). The Mobile Alternative Fueling Station Locator (MAFSL) helps on-the-go drivers find the five closest biodiesel, electricity, E85 (ethanol), hydrogen, natural gas, and propane fueling sites using any mobile device with Internet access. Before launching the device, NREL said that …
Feds to Give $2.4 Bil for Battery-Powered Vehicles
Federal grants totaling $2.4 billion will be handed out for the development of fuel-saving, battery-powered vehicles. CNN reports President Barack Obama made the announcement at an RV plant in Elkhart County, Indiana: “For too long, we’ve failed to invest in this kind of innovative work, even as countries like China and Japan were racing ahead,” he said. “With these investments, …
The Great Electric Vehicle Race
Year after year Portland is named the county’s most sustainable city. Well, yesterday, San Fransisco, tired of its runner-up status, challenged Portland to The Great Electric Vehicle Race. San Fransisco Mayor Gavin Newsom threw down the gauntlet and Portland Mayor Sam Adams declared a war. It looks like they’re off to the races. The challenge is being hosted by Gas …