Domestic Fuel

A team of students from Ohio State University are in the lead after the first phase of the three-year EcoCar: the NeXt Challenge that took place last week in Toronto, Canada. The actual challenge was to convert a Saturn VUE into an electric vehicle with increased fuel economy and lower tailpipe emissions.

The team from Ohio State utilized a battery pack and E85 to power a 1.8 liter Honda engine which a rechargeable battery pack. The team’s engineering achieved a 300 percent increase in fuel economy.

Launched in late 2008 by the Government of Canada, General Motors, the U.S. Department of Energy, and others, 17 university teams from the U.S. and Canada competed. Approximately half of the teams, including the Ohio State team, designed extended-range electric vehicles, six teams utilized plug-in hybrids, two teams experimented with fuel cell plug-in hybrids using renewable resources, and one team designed an all-electric vehicle. Every team used lithium-ion batteries and then retrofitted them to become plug-in batteries.

GM provided the vehicles, parts, seed money, mentoring, and operational support. The DOE’s Argonne National Laboratory research facility provided team evaluation, technical and logistical support, and competition management.

The first step in the challenge was to design the vehicles using advanced software and computer modeling tools given to the teams by GM. In years two and three, students translate their design into reality and develop a working vehicle that meets the competition’s goals. The teams come together at the end of each academic year to compete against the other university teams in more than a dozen static and dynamic events.

Ford Motor Company has been making news recently with its announcement that using ethanol in its “Eco-Boost” engines can increase fuel economy. The system which is known as Direct Injection Octane Boost, has the potential to increase fuel economy between five to 10 percent. The improved fuel economy is realized by injecting a quick burst of ethanol into the combustion chamber prior to a regular injection of unleaded gasoline. Ford is already working on its second generation Eco-Boost V6 engines.

It appears that the technology will debut in the U.S. market in the Lincoln MKS. This technology is one of a kind and Ford has filed documents with the Department of Energy confirming that their “Bobcat” V8 engines will be brought to market in the F-truck series range.

The technology was developed in conjunction with Ethanol Boosting Systems and capitalizes on ethanol’s higher octane rating to improve power and fuel economy. This is similar to a driver of a flex-fuel vehicle who is burning E85 getting a power boost when stepping on the accelerating.

The system uses to separate tanks, one for ethanol and one for gasoline but according to company sources the ethanol tank will only require periodic filling due to the small amount of ethanol used.

While better fuel economy is always a benefit, especially with the volatility of gas prices, there is a drawback–the car sporting the Eco-Boost technology still uses gas as its primary fuel.

New York City is going to get a little cleaner thanks to a clean-running garbage truck.

Mack Trucks delivered its diesel-electric hybrid MACK® TerraPro™ Low Entry model refuse truck to the Big Apple. This company press release says it is the first production intent parallel diesel-electric hybrid truck in the U.S. designed specifically for Class 8 heavy-duty applications and meeting the EPA’10 emission regulations:

Regarding the truck to be evaluated in everyday operations by the city’s Department of Sanitation, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg said, “We are very proud to be the first city in the country with a Mack truck of this type. We all want clean neighborhoods, clean air, a clean environment. And clean trucks like this are essential in delivering on that promise.”

The Mack diesel-electric hybrid powertrain used in the truck features an integrated starter, alternator and electric motor. The system captures energy from braking, converts the energy to electricity, stores the electricity in lithium ion batteries, and uses it to power the electric motor, which assists the MP7 diesel engine with propulsion of the truck.

Mack officials say the truck gets 30 percent better fuel economy than a conventional garbage truck while reducing greenhouse gases.

President Barack Obama has proposed that vehicle fuel economy standards be substantially increased to 35.5 miles per gallon by the year 2016… and biodiesel could be a big benefactor of that change.

This article from Biodiesel Magazine says auto industry folks, such as Dave Barthmuss, group manager for General Motors Environment and Energy Communications North America, believe the new Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) requirements would make diesel engines more attractive… and thus, make the green fuel to put in those vehicles more attractive:

“Because diesel engines have greater fuel efficiency and can operate with biodiesel—which is a low-carbon fuel—expanding this area will be considered, but our plan is to achieve the reductions with our current portfolio.”

Because diesel engines can offer fleet operators savings on CAFE requirements, it has been speculated in the short time since the new CAFE overview was published that the sector could see more business. This could be a boon for biodiesel. “There definitely has been more of a push from the current administration to implement programs that help the biofuels industries,” said Robert Dascal of New Energy Fuels in Waller, Texas. “Increased diesel fuel utilization obviously opens up more of a market for us.”

GM officials believe having one consistent fuel economy standard… instead of the hodge-podge of individual states’ regulations… will provide a more consistent platform for manufacturers to shoot for.

I ran across an interesting article in Popular Mechanics about some issues that pure biodiesel might have in some new diesel engines.

Dave Hubbard, who follows developments in biodiesel and even makes the green fuel himself, writes that changes in environmental laws have actually made formerly B100-compatible engines unable to burn the pure form of the biofuel:

Until two years ago, all diesel engines were B100-compatible (biodiesel cannot run in gasoline engines because it needs an engine that ignites by compression). Then standards set by both the Environment Protection Agency and California Air Resources Board, phased in for 2007, required all passenger vehicles to meet the same, stricter emissions. That meant diesel manufacturers had to reduce emissions of NOX and particulate matter to meet those of gas-powered cars. These standards were created with good intentions—to look out for our health by improving the air that we breath. (After all, particulate matter is a known carcinogen.) But the way most manufacturers did this created a setback for those of us trying to use biofuels.
Read the rest of this post…

In the race to develop and produce more efficient electric vehicles, Bright Automotive has launched a brand-new, 100-mpg plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) fleet vehicle –The IDEA. This is one of the first PHEVs designed “for the people by the people,” to compete in the light-duty truck market. The vehicle offers 180 cubic feet of interior space and a 1-ton payload capacity. Perfect, claims Bright, for commercial fleet use.

Beginning in 2012, the company plans to be produce 50,000 vehicles per year that will provide companies and government agencies, such as the post office, with a cost-saving, eco-friendly American made fleet vehicle. But maybe more interesting than its features and fuel-economy, is that Bright Automotive developed the IDEA in less than one year. It has taken some companies, such as GM, years to develop PHEVs such as the Chevy Volta, which has yet to begin full-scale production, and on average current hybrid vehicles have yet to achieve more than 60 mpg. It looks like the smaller auto companies, such as Tesla Motors and Bright Automotive are poised to own the PHEV market.

The company, based in Andersen, Indiana was formed in January 2008 as an offshoot of the Rocky Mountain Institute and haspartners that include Alcoa, Google.org, Johnson Controls and the Turner Foundation. Consumers got their first preview of The IDEA on April 8th and Washington lawmakers were able to drive around town on April 21st.  The worldwide unveiling of the IDEA will be in May at the Electric Vehicle Symposium (EVS24) in Norway.

So how does it work? It is unique in that on a full charge, the IDEA uses battery power for the first 30 miles, using little to no gasoline. Once the driver exceeds 30 miles, the car functions like other hybrids. When you factor in battery vs gas usage plus miles driven, say 50 miles, the car gets the equivalent of 100 mpg.

The IDEA should prove to both American consumers and Washington DC policy makers that PHEVs are a reality and will hopefully encourage American automakers to step up their research development and production of electric vehicles.

As the third day of the 15th national AF&V Conference and Expo in Orlando moves in, industry excellence awards were announced. Alternative Fuel Vehicle Institute (AFVI) recognized outstanding leadership in the alternative fuels and vehicles industry. The awardees shown superiority in advancing the use of alternative fuels, vehicles and advanced technologies thus furthering a clean air initiative.

According to a press release from AFVI, eight awards were announced:

The 20/20 Vision Award which acknowledged cooperative leadership, strength of purpose, and a powerful vision went to Mario Cordero, immediate Past President of the Port of Long Beach, CA, and S. David Freeman, President, of the Port of Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners. Under their plan, the fifth largest seaport complex in the world is now working with drayage truck owners to replace old trucks that can cut truck related air pollution by 80% by 2012.

The Golden Bullet Award went to Joe Jobe who brought together a national effort to bring the biodiesel industry together to advance the use of biodiesel in our nation’s fleets.

The Green Fleet Award went to Victor La Rosa, President of Total Transportation Services, Inc. (TTSI), was the first in line with alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) to operate in full-time drayage service at the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles.

The Invention and Innovation Award (Heavy-Duty) was given Michael Gallagher, president and COO for Bechtel Group and Fluor Corporation. Dr. Gallagher showed commitment to the development of alternative energy and environmental cleanup by working tirelessly with customers, industry partners and policy makers on natural gas.

The Invention and Innovation Award (Light-Duty) was presented to Toyota Prius as it changed the makeup of the world’s fleet of vehicles. In an evolving new vehicle market, Toyota has set the bar for eco-supremacy.

The Oxygen Award was given to Blue Bird VISION. The Vision is the first full-size, dedicated propane-powered school bus to be offered by a major manufacturer in the United States since 2002.

The Green Giant Award went to T. Boone Pickens (right) who has pushed national attention on natural gas for transportation as a key tenet in lessening U.S. dependence on foreign oil.

The Prescient Pioneer Award was presented to Mike Scarpino of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Clean Cities Program. For twelve years Mike has been on hand to assist the national program and local coalitions as they’ve weathered budget threats, low gasoline prices, and erratic incentives.

The AF&V Conference concludes tomorrow.

A caravan of more than than 24 alternative fuel vehicles will leave from Raleigh, NC on April 15 at 3:30 p.m. and travel across the state. The Clean Fuel Advanced Technology program at the NC Solar Center is leading a clean transportation technology drive across North Carolina. The tour will continue with stops in Greensboro and Charlotte on April 16.

VIP drivers include: Congressman Bob Etheridge, U.S. Ambassador (retired) James Cain, NC Cabinet Secretaries: Gene Conti, Dee Freeman, Britt Cobb and Triangle Transit Authority Director, David King and over 24 alternative fuel/advanced technology vehicles including: E85, neighborhood electric, plug in hybrid, natural gas, and propane vehicles.

Sponsors of the tour include: NC Department of Transportation, NC Division of Air Quality, NC State Energy Office, Environmental Defense Fund and Novozymes of North America. More information visit: www.ncmobilecare.org.

In 2010, an E85 Bentley will begin production in North America. The Continental GT will be introduced at the Geneva motor show as a production model. Its 630-hp turbocharged W12 will make it the fastest and most-powerful Bentley ever. The vehicle will exceed 200 mph.

The Supersports will be the first of Bentley’s to be E85 compatible. “The changes to make the Supersports run on E85 should not be underestimated,” said Uli Eichhorn, Bentley chief engineer. “As well as re-engineering the fuel system to cope with the corrosive ethanol, all the electronic subsystems had to be reprogrammed and revalidated.”

The main change to the engine to increase power above 600 hp is extra boost from the twin turbos, whose airflow is eased by 10 percent larger intercoolers. Bentley quotes a 0-to-60-mph time of 3.7 seconds and 50 to 70 mph in 2.1 seconds.

It’s named for the Greek phrase for wingless flight and practically slips through air nearly as effortlessly as Lance Armstrong bicycling through France (half the drag of a Toyota Prius). The beauty you see on the left is the battery-powered Aptera 2E… a three-wheeled, two-seater due out this fall.

Mother Nature News’ Jim Motavalli road along with Aptera CEO Paul Wilbur as they took the green car out for a spin in New York City:

Wilbur didn’t let me drive the car—it was New York, I guess—but I rode shotgun for enough miles to form an opinion. Like most EVs, it was fairly quiet, though noisier than most, and the potholes and cobblestones set off some rattles. The car was comfortable and felt stable on its three wheels, but a few minutes behind the wheel would have allowed more of a diagnosis.

Despite the undeniable strangeness—the Aptera could have been made for a 1960s science-fiction film featuring people of the future in jump suits—the company is serious about building a mainstream vehicle. “Tesla is the new Ferrari,” says Wilbur, gunning past a startled pretzel vendor. “We want to be the volume player in a radical new arena.”

The company is making three differently-powered models… the battery model, a gas-electric series hybrid and a conventional .7-liter gasoline car… all priced between $25,000 and $45,000. The one that runs on batteries is the one out this fall, while the other two models come out next year.

Aptera says the gas-powered model will get 100 mpg and cruise for a thousand miles. And the 2H, the hybrid, will trickle-charge the batteries on the way.

The Aptera plant in California can churn out 20,000 vehicles a year but expect just a few thousand in the first year. Company officials hope to make up to 100,000 annually.