Domestic Fuel

General Motors has announced a five-year partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy to study using jatropha plants for biodiesel.

UPI reports that the test sites in India will look at whether jatropha can produce enough oil for the green fuel:

Farms with more than 200 acres of the drought-resistant, non-edible plant will host life-cycle studies near GM plants in India.

“In the long term, if jatropha is commercially viable, it will reduce dependence on petroleum as well as reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote economic growth,” said Mike Robinson, GM vice president of environment, energy and safety policy.

GM officials say the non-edible plant will also help defuse the food-versus-fuel argument.

In the race for a profitable electric car, Nissan might have just raced out to a big lead. The Japanese car maker has announced that its Leaf electric car will sell for $32,780 … well below GM’s Chevy Volt’s sticker price of $40,000. When you include the $7,500 federal tax credit (which the Volt would also be eligible for), that gets the price down to just more than $25,000.

This story from CNNMoney.com says Nissan plans to sell the Leaf starting in December … just a month after the Volt hits showroom floors:

By keeping the sticker price low, the Leaf will be profitable for Nissan, said Mark Perry, Nissan’s director of product planning. That means customers should expect more variants of the Leaf in coming years, he added.

“We’ve been working in lithium ion batteries for 17 years,” Perry said. “So all that advanced research and engineering work we’ve [already] paid for.”

The article goes on to say that some states have their own electric vehicle tax credits, including California, which offers $5,000 … bringing the price down to about $20,000. In addition, there are some credits that help pay for the installation of home charging stations.

After announcing its 2011 Ford F-Series Super Duty truck will be compatible with B20 (see my post from Feb. 26, 2010), it looks like the auto maker now wants it to be the most powerful in its class.

This post from PickupTrucks.com says Ford is about ready to power-up its all-new 6.7-liter Power Stroke V-8 diesel engine to best GM’s 6.6-liter Duramax V-8 diesel in terms of power:

In February, Ford announced the 6.7-liter Power Stroke V-8 for its 2011 Ford F-Series Super Duty will pound out 390 horsepower and 735 pounds-feet of torque; earlier this month, GM announced that its 6.6-liter Duramax V-8 diesel for the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra HD pickups will make 397 hp and 765 pounds-feet of torque.

Bragging rights in the heavy-duty segment are critical because almost every truck is used for towing and hauling on a regular basis. More power can mean greater confidence in moving big loads.

The article goes on to say that Ford’s 6.7-liter V-8 could jump to 400 hp and over 775 pounds-feet of torque. The best news is that those who bought the lower-rated Ford could still get the jump in power through a reflash of the software in the engine control unit.

While parts of the renewable energy sector have had some tough times lately … biodiesel with the loss of the federal tax credit, ethanol with the food vs. fuel fight, the economic downturn and the tightening of the credit markets … it seems green energy has actually benefitted from the recession. Well, at least in the area of new ideas.

The Financial Times has details:

Not only did the funding model for much of the US renewable energy industry put the sector within a whisker of being dragged down in Wall Street’s wake, but the general economic climate also threatened to put numerous projects on hold.

… patents in fuel cells and hybrid/electric vehicles were each up over twenty percent over 2008 with solar patents up sixty percent and biomass/biofuel energy patents up two hundred sixty percent. Fuel Cells, wind, and biomass/biofuel energy patents were also at all time highs in 2009. In contrast, hydroelectric and tidal patents decreased in 2009 while geothermal patents were up only one patent over the year prior.

The article goes on to point out that while Silicon Valley is usually known for its venture capitalists going green, the real growth in renewable energy is being fueled by what’s happening in Detroit, with fuel cells dominating the conversation … four times the number of patents as closest competition wind and solar … and Honda, GM and Toyota are speaking the loudest.

Renault has introduced an FFV in France. Renault has focused on electric powered vehicles to lessen gasoline use in the past, but now the Romania based Dacia Logan MCV, now offers a vehicle that can use 100 percent gasoline up to 85 percent ethanol fuel.

The moderately priced 1.6-liter four cylinder FFV Renault replaces the former 1.6 MPI 90 version and, in France, purchase of the vehicle will be tax free. Renault reports that the CO2 emissions are much less so it will qualify for the badging for a low emissions vehicle.

The Logan MCV is available with either a five- or seven-seat configuration. The vehicle is manufactured by the brand’s ISO 14001-certified plant in Pitesti, Romania. It is available now in France.

The new Ford F-Series Super Duty truck will be able to run on a 20 percent blend of biodiesel.

This article from Fleet Owner says the 2011 model year also features an optional Ford-designed and built 6.7-liter Power Stroke V-8 turbodiesel rated at 390 hp and 735 ft-lbs torque … making green and mean:

Ed Waszczenko, Ford lead engine durability engineer, noted that B20 biodiesel compatibility is being added for the 2011 model year. That means the new 6.7-liter Power Stroke can be operated on a biodiesel blend of 20% biodiesel and 80% regular petroleum diesel.

According to Waszczenko, the new turbodiesel boasts an average 18% improvement in fuel economy for pickup models and an up to 25% improvement for chassis cabs vs. 2010 Super-duty models, In addition, he said trucks equipped with Ford’s new 6.2-liter V-8 gasoline engines will deliver an average 15% fuel economy improvement over the OEM’s comparable 2010 models.

As you might remember from Chuck’s coverage from the National Biodiesel Conference & Expo, Ford has debuted its B20 Truck Badge.

Wisconsin-based Valentin Technologies has revealed its 170 miles per gallon (mpg) concept car called the IngoCar. Currently under development, initial sketches indicate the car will be a mid-sized four door sportswagen passenger car. Styling for the car was provided by Davide Tonizzo, of designD.

Company founder, Ingo Valentin, said in a press release, “Finally outstanding performance and extremely high mileage are combined in a mid-size passenger car. We are proud to unveil our vision of an automobile that has the style, interior space, comfort and cost of a BMW 5 Series or Mercedes E-Class combined with unprecedented range and fuel economy.”

Based on a mix of city and rural driving, the car’s estimated mileage is 170 mpg but this feat is not achieved with a battery. Rather, the car uses a revolutionary hydraulic-fluid drive making the car a hybrid gasoline/hydraulic drive system. According to the company, here is how it works. Using a small engine, fluid is pumped into an accumulator. The fluid then drives hydraulic wheel motors for shiftless acceleration. During braking, motors are reversed and pump the entire recuperated braking energy back into the accumulator. This innovative technology and the car’s light weight give an estimated range of 1,000 miles for a full 6 gallon tank of fuel.

IngoCar has some speed too. It can go from 0-60 in 4 seconds. The company has not indicated when the IngoCar will be available and the price.  Click here to see images of the car and to learn more.

The next time you are looking to buy a car, considering reserving a fuel-efficient car by texting. The Ford Fiesta, a popular car in Europe for its good gas mileage, is soon to make its way to the US. Ford is taking reservations for the car, which is estimated to get 40 miles per gallon (mpg) on the highway and 30 mph in the city. To get on the waiting list, simply text “reserve” to 4Ford.

According to the company, they already have 6,000, 2011 Fiesta’s on hold, with half coming from non-Ford owners. You can also order your car “old-school” by going online and customizing your car. Once it is virtually built, the site will tell you the price.

The cost for the Fiesta begins around $14,000 and will be available Summer of 2010.

2010 National Ethanol Conference Photo Album

The vice chairman of Global Product Operations for General Motors told attendees of the 15th Annual National Ethanol Conference that his company will keep putting more flexible fuel vehicles on the road, but more ethanol pumps are needed to fuel them.

Tom Stephens said GM is committed to making more than half of their vehicle production flex fuel capable by 2012. “GM is spending about $100 million a year adding flex fuel capability to our vehicles,” he said. “We can’t afford to leave this capital stranded.”

He noted that the majority of flex fuel vehicles are in highly populous areas, especially the east and west coasts, while the majority of E-85 fueling stations are located in the Midwest. He advocates the use of blender pumps to allow retailers to put both mid and high level blends in the pumps so consumers can choose the right fuel for their vehicles.

However, when it comes to increasing the blend level to 15 percent ethanol, he added a note of caution. “We believe it’s critical to complete the planned testing of mid level blends to understand the impact on light duty fleet, off-road vehicles, boats and other equipment,” he said. “Until the results of these comprehensive durability tests are fully understood, we remain concerned about customers using fuels containing more than 10 percent ethanol. If ethanol gets a bad name, it will be bad for everyone.”

You can listen to or download Stephen’s speech in the player below and watch part of his talk here:

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (12.4MB)

A pretty bold concept car from Kia Motors that should be as green as it is cool looking has made its debut at this year’s Chicago Auto
Show.

The Detroit News reports that the Kia Ray Plug-in Hybrid concept was rolled out during a press conference this week and is the latest offering from the company’s global alternative fuel and powertrain research program:

The Kia Ray concept is a boldly styled four-seat compact sedan built on the Kia Forte platform that demonstrates a prospective plug-in hybrid configuration from Kia. It is designed with lightweight and recycled materials, and has hexagonal roof-top solar cells embedded in the glass roof panel to power extra lighting or climate control systems.

The Kia Ray is the fifth vehicle from the Irvine Calif.-based Kia Design Center America to be shown in the past year. The latest design from KDCA follows award-winning Kia vehicles Soul, Forte, Forte Koup and the all-new 2011 Sorento CUV.

Kia is offering an “EcoDynamics” sub-brand for its fuel-stretching and emissions-cutting technologies.

If anyone has a chance to go to this show (going on now through Feb. 21) and see this car first hand, let me know what you think.

It has been a busy day here at the start of the National Biodiesel Conference. After getting these posts done I’ll be heading over to the Super Bowl Reception but should have more up later this evening and tomorrow morning.

Another vehicle manufacturer was on hand this morning at our Classic Clean Fuels media event. Ford was represented by Brien Fulton.

He was showing off the new badge they’re putting on 2011 model Super Duty pickups. This is what it looks like. Very classy, eh? Brien says the engines in these trucks will be fully capable of running on B20.

You can download (mp3 file) or listen to Brien’s announcement here: nbc-10-ford-announce.mp3

You can also download (mp3 file) or listen to a short interview I did with Brien here: nbc-10-fulton.mp3

National Biodiesel Conference Photo Album

The media got to hear from Craig Eppling, Regional Communications Manager for GM this morning. He spoke at the ride and drive event which took place at Classic Clean Fuels in Grapevine. It was a brisk morning but we got through the program before some sprinkles hit the area. Afterward we toured Direct Fuels biodiesel plant and I’ll have more on that later.

Craig announced that 2011 models of their heavy duty trucks and cargo vans will be B20 compliant.

They’ll be displayed first at an upcoming auto show.

You can download (mp3 file) or listen to Craig’s announcement here: nbc-10-gm-announce.mp3

You can also download (mp3 file) or listen to a short interview I did with Craig here: nbc-10-eppling.mp3

National Biodiesel Conference Photo Album

The Washington Auto Show, operating as the “Public Policy Show”, plans to showcase many new and exciting automobiles. For the first time, flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs) powered by government waste will be displayed by Novozymes, the world’s largest enzyme producer for advanced biofuels.

According to their press release, the group will offer an opportunity of a Ride n’ Drive on January 26 — a test drive of a Chevrolet HHR powered by E85 made from paper waste. The Ride ‘n Drive will allow media, government officials and other VIP guests can to drive the vehicle between 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Novozymes will make an address to the crowd from 2:35 – 2:45 p.m.

The Washinton Auto Show will officially begin January 27 and conclude January 31. It will take place at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center at 801 Mount Vernon Place, N.W. in Washington, DC 20001. Novozymes will display a FFV Ford F150 inside the convention center on these days.

Yesterday, I told you how electric vehicles were all the rage at this year’s North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, Michigan going on now through January 24th. Well, Ford’s Fusion hybrid is the toast of the town (and, really, the toast of the entire automotive world) as it has picked up the coveted Car of the Year award.

The Detroit Free Press has details:

Jurors stressed that the Fusion hybrid drove more like a “normal car” than many hybrids, but still had strong fuel efficiency.

“The Fusion completely raises the bar on hybrids,” said Krebs, noting the smooth transition from running on gas to electric power. The Fusion hybrid, already a strong Camry competitor, won drivers over with its 41 m.p.g. in city driving. The Fusion beat out the other finalists, the Volkswagen Golf and the Buick LaCrosse.

While the Fusion hybrid is winning the hearts of critics, it’s also winning over ordinary consumers. Ford Fusion sales … both gasoline and hybrids … were up more than 22 percent last year, with about one-fifth of those sales being hybrids.

Electric vehicles will be the big talk of this year’s North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, Michigan.

Design News says the event, which takes place over the next two weeks, will give more than 500,000 visitors the chance to see the latest and greatest in auto technology, including the green-powered ones.

One key for the giant exhibition, traditionally a showplace for production vehicles, is the addition of a 37,000-sq-ft display area called Electric Avenue. The new area will serve as an expo for 12 manufacturers of electric vehicles, ranging from traditional automakers, such as Nissan and Mitsubishi, to entrepreneurial firms, such as SSI Racing and Saba Motors. Electric Avenue will be sponsored by Dow Chemical Co., which is involved in the development of electric vehicle battery technology.

“It’s an excellent venue for the public to see some of the vehicles that you don’t normally hear about,” noted Bill Perkins, president of Detroit Auto Dealers Assn. (DADA).

The article goes on to say that Electric Avenue will be complemented this year by a display area known as EcoXperience, which will provide visitors with a look at the battery and electric motor technology that’s making its way into the auto industry.