MCC News

Maryland Clean Cities Newsletter

Chris Rice, Maryland Clean Cities Coalition Coordinator

July  2008

Alternative Fuels (Biofuels)

• Neste Oil announces plans for a $1 billion renewable diesel plant in the Netherlands.  The plant is expected to be completed in 2011 and will employ approximately 100 full-time workers.  Link: http://www.nesteoil.com/default.asp?path=1;41;540;1259;1261;9663;10465
• Earth2tech.com reports that there are currently upwards of a dozen companies building cellulosic ethanol plants in the U.S., including Coskata, Mascoma, and Iogen.  Link: http://earth2tech.com/2008/06/03/12-companies-racing-to-build-cellulosic-ethanol-plants-in-the-us/
• ASTM approves three biodiesel specifications for B5, B6-B20 (new), and B100.  Link: http://www.biodiesel.org/resources/pressreleases/gen/20080620_astm%20b20%20spec%20nr.pdf
• Mascoma plans to build its first commercial cellulosic ethanol plant in Michigan.  Link: http://www.mascoma.com/news/pdf/Mascoma%20Press%20release%206%2027%2008%20FINAL.pdf
• General Motors announces that it will have 18 FFV models available in model year 2009.  Link: http://www.e85fuel.com/news/2008/062708_gm2009ffv.htm

Alternative Fuels (non-Biofuels)

• Honda begins production of the fuel-cell-powered FCX Clarity and announces the first round of lessees.  Link: http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/06/16/honda-announces-first-batch-of-fcx-clarity-lessees-starts-produ/
• General Motors and Clean Energy announce a partnership to build a hydrogen fueling station near the LA Airport.  Link: http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/06/11/gm-and-clean-energy-to-open-hydrogen-station-near-lax/
• Researchers at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory developed an improved, compact liquid hydrogen storage tank that will allow storage of the fuel for up to six days.  Link: https://publicaffairs.llnl.gov/news/news_releases/2008/NR-08-06-02.html
• Shell Hydrogen LLC opens California’s first hydrogen refueling station in West Los Angeles.  Link: http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/06/27/shell-opens-combination-hydrogen-and-gasoline-station-in-la/

Hybrid

• Bosch and Samsung SDI Co. Ltd. have announced a joint venture, called SB LiMotive Co. Ltd, to produce lithium-ion batteries for the next generation of hybrid and electric vehicles.  Link: http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/06/17/bosch-and-samsung-to-team-up-on-battery-development/
• Delphi Automotive Systems was recently awarded a $5 million grant from U.S. Department of Energy to help further development of a more efficient inverter system for hybrid and electric vehicles.  Link: http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/06/12/delphi-gets-5-million-doe-grant-for-inverter-development/

PHEV

• The U.S. Department of Energy has announced three awards totaling $30 million for PHEV development projects.  The award money will be distributed to projects from GM, Ford, and General Electric (in partnership with Chrysler).  Link: http://www.doe.gov/news/6337.htm
• Johnson Controls-Saft chosen to provide lithium-ion batteries for the new PHEV Ford Escapes.  Link: http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/06/11/ford-picks-johnson-controls-saft-to-supply-batteries-for-phev-es/
• Toyota confirms plans to release a PHEV Prius to government and commercial fleets in the U.S. and elsewhere by 2010, with retail sales of the vehicles expected for 2011-2012.  Link: http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/06/11/toyota-confirms-plug-in-hybrid-vehicle-on-sale-in-2010/

EVs

• Mitsubishi Motors Corp. and PSA Peugeot Citroen have announced an agreement to develop EVs together.  Mitsubishi plans to commercialize an EV model by 2010.  Link: http://today.reuters.com/news/articleinvesting.aspx?type=companyNews&storyID=2008-06-16T022854Z_01_T437_RTRIDST_0_MITSUBISHI-PEUGEOT-UPDATE-2.XML

Efficiency / Fuel Efficiency

• Mercedes-Benz will offer their fuel-saving Blue Efficiency options with their C-Class line of vehicles, following announcements that these options will be available for the A- and B-Class vehicles.  The features include weight reductions, better aerodynamics, and low-rolling-resistance tires.  The Blue Efficiency option line, is currently only available in Europe.  Link: http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/06/17/mercedes-launches-c-class-blue-efficiency/
• A recent study by Duke University researchers found that consumers currently have a difficult time distinguishing between fuel economy benefits when fuel efficiency is given in miles-per-gallon.  The study, published in the June 20th issue of Scientific American, found that the European-style gallons-per-mile (e.g. 2 gallons per 100 miles) is more effective at differentiating fuel use.  Link: http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/06/20/forget-mpg-lets-move-to-gpm/

Diesel

• BorgWarner developed a turbocharger that can tolerate low-temperature EGR and will reduce diesel emissions.  The device is expected to appear in U.S. engines sometime in 2008.  Link: http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/06/23/borgwarner-develops-new-turbocharger-to-help-reduce-diesel-emiss/

Legislation

• California will require all new vehicles to display stickers indicating smog and global warming impacts by the beginning of 2009.  The stickers will indicate a score for each category, which will be calculated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency from automaker-provided emissions data.  Link: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25284062/

Miscellaneous

• Ford Motor Co. to shift dedicated truck production plants over to car production.  Link:  http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080611/AUTO01/806110388/1148/&source=nletter-business
• New York City plans to make a seven-mile stretch of road in Manhattan car-free during three Saturdays in August.  Local gatherings, classes, and events are being planned.  Link: http://blogs.villagevoice.com/runninscared/archives/2008/06/city_closes_par.php

Medium- and Heavy Duty Vehicles

• The U.S. Postal Service announced plans to move away from flex-fuel vehicles, after their recent analysis of fuel expenditures found that these vehicles actually resulted in a 29% decrease in fuel efficiency, due to the larger size of these vehicles and the lack of E85 refueling stations.  Link: http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/06/02/usps-will-turn-away-mostly-from-flexfuel-vehicles-thanks-to-re/
• eCycle Inc. developed two low-voltage battery-powered air-conditioning configurations that can be used with various medium- and heavy-duty vehicle applications to reduce idling time.  These can be powered either directly by a battery or via an auxiliary power unit.  Link: http://www.prnewsnow.com/Public_Release/Technology/210231.html