MCC News

Maryland Clean Cities Newsletter

Chris Rice, Maryland Clean Cities Coalition Coordinator

May-June  2008

Alternative Fuels (Biofuels)

• Cellulosic-ethanol startup company Coskata breaks ground on their 40,000-gallon-per-year demonstration facility.  Link: http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/coskata-begins-building-demonstration-plant-778.html
• Blue Sun Biodiesel has received a $3 million loan from a private individual to support its construction of ten additional blending and dispensing facilities of B20 and B100.  Link: http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/04/05/blue-sun-biodiesel-get-3m-loan-for-b20-and-b100-expansion-facil/
• VeraSun Energy Corporation and US BioEnergy Corporation completed their merger, making them the largest ethanol producer in the U.S. with a combined annual capacity of over 1.6 billion gallons.  Link: http://www.ve85.com/Press/details.cfm?ID=129
• A new study on the environmental impacts and sustainability of various biofuels, which includes water and fertilizer criteria, was recently published in Conservation Biology.  Link: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080331130255.htm
• GM to announce a partnership with a second cellulosic ethanol producer, adding to its earlier partnership with Coskata Inc.  Link: http://www.autoobserver.com/2008/04/gm-partners-wit.html
• The U.S. announces a partnership with Columbia that will foster ethanol and biodiesel production in the South American country, predominantly from sugarcane and palm trees.  Link: http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/04/27/hymotion-launching-prius-plug-in-conversion-kits/
• The European Biodiesel Board (EBB) has filed a formal complaint with the European Commission against regulations regarding importing / exporting U.S. biodiesel.  Link: http://www.thisisthenortheast.co.uk/business/news/display.var.2227636.0.complaint_against_us_biodiesel_competition.php
• Oklahoma Bioenergy Center (OBC) has secured 1,100 acres of land for switchgrass and sorghum production.  Planting is expected to begin in the next few months.  Link: http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/04-24-2008/0004799622&EDATE=
• BP announces 50% acquisition of Brazilian biofuels company Tropical BioEnergia SA.  Link: http://www.bp.com/genericarticle.do?categoryId=2012968&contentId=7043976
• GM and Coskata Inc. to build cellulosic ethanol pilot plant in Madison, PA.  The plant is expected to go online in early 2009, with a commercial plant slated to open in 2011.  Link: http://www.bp.com/genericarticle.do?categoryId=2012968&contentId=7043976
• U.S. Senate vote overrides President’s veto of $307 billion farm bill.  The bill includes a number of significant incentives and provisions for cellulosic ethanol producers.  Link: http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/05/23/biofuel-friendly-farm-bill-gets-veto-override-from-congress/
• DuPont and Genencor will collaborate on a $140M cellulosic ethanol plant that will use corn stover and sugar cane bagasse as its initial feedstocks.  A pilot plant is slated for 2009.  Link: http://www.dupontdanisco.com/assets/Press%20release%205.14.08%20-%20FINAL.pdf
• Minnesota passes new diesel law that will increase the mandatory blending of biodiesel from 2% to 20% by 2015.  Link: http://nbb.grassroots.com/08Releases/MNB20/

Alternative Fuels (non-Biofuels)

• Roush offers a propane-fueled version of the Ford F-150 pickup truck through select Ford dealers.  The base incremental price for the LPG injection system and fuel tank is $10,500.  Link: http://www.roushperformance.com/news.cgi?type=rel_story&sid=208
• Crown Equipment Corporation was recently awarded $1 million by the state of Ohio to conduct research and market analysis on fuel cell packs for industrial lift trucks.  Link: http://www.crown.com/usa/news/usa_company_news/2008/hydrogen_highway.html
• Quantum Fuel Systems and Boeing were recently given a joint award by the U.S. DOE to develop the next generation of high-pressure hydrogen storage technology.  Link: http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/04/02/quantum-and-boeing-join-forces-to-develop-hydrogen-storage-techn/
• The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy announced an additional $130 million in funding for advanced fuel cell technologies.  Proposals are due by August 27.  Link: http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/05/28/doe-finds-130m-for-your-advanced-fuel-cell-tech/

Hybrid

• The Chevy Tahoe and GMC Yukon Hybrids were named the “Best Engineered Vehicles of 2008” by SAE International’s Automotive Engineering International magazine.  Link: http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/04/12/gms-hybrid-suv-duo-win-best-engineered-vehicle-from-sae/
• BMW announces that its new X6 “Sport Activity Coupe” will be available in a hybrid version sometime next year.  Link: http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/04/10/bmw-x6-two-mode-hybrid-coming-in-2009/
• Audi cancels plans to introduce a hybrid version of its A4 sedan in the U.S., but it will offer a 3.0L diesel V6 engine.  Link: http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/04/03/audi-a4-hybrid-dies-before-it-arrives-in-the-u-s/
• FedEx’s hybrid fleet of vehicles surpasses the two-million mile mark, reporting fuel economy improvements of 42% and greenhouse gas reductions of 30%.  The company plans to purchase 75 additional hybrids.  Link: http://news.van.fedex.com/2MMiles
• Audi announced a partnership with Japanese supplier Sanyo to research and develop batteries for future vehicles.  Link: http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/05/08/audi-and-sanyo-developing-hybrids-together/
• Toyota announced two new lithium battery production plants in Japan, along with the expansion of a third plant.  The $192.3 million investment will support Toyota’s next generation of hybrid vehicles.  Link: http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/05/24/toyota-plans-3-battery-plants-for-hybrid-vehicles/
• Honda adding a 2010 Fit, CR-Z sport coupe, and small hatchback hybrid-electrics.  The 5-door hatchback will come first and is aimed as a direct competitor to the Toyota Prius.  Initial sales for this model are slated to be 200,000 per year, with half of the cars destined for the States.  The car is smaller than a Civic and will be the least expensive hybrid on the market. Link: http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/hot_lists/car_shopping/latest_news_reviews/honda_to_add_three_new_hybrids_2010_fit_cr_z_and_small_hatchback_car_news

PHEV

• Hymotion is now taking deposits for its Prius conversion kits, which feature 5kWh of lithium batteries.  The conversion kits are expected to allow converted 2nd-generation Priuses to get up to 100 mpg for the first 30-40 miles after charging.  The kits are to begin shipping out in July.  Link: http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/04/27/hymotion-launching-prius-plug-in-conversion-kits/
• The US Advanced Battery Consortium and the Department of Energy awarded $12.5 million in funding to A123 Systems to develop lithium-ion batteries for PHEVs.  Link: http://www.uscar.org/guest/article_view.php?articles_id=210

EVs

• Th!nk announces plans to bring its electric car operations to the U.S.  No dates have been finalized             yet.  Link: http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/04/21/th-nk-will-launch-operations-in-america/
• Pininfarina will market its electric vehicle in the U.S., with a vehicle unveiling planned for October.  Link: http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/05/06/pininfarina-to-unveil-their-electric-car-this-autumn/
• Nissan announces plans to have an EV ready for retail sales in the U.S. by 2011.  Link: http://greenfuelsforecast.com/ArticleDetails.php?articleID=502

Efficiency / Fuel Efficiency

• A team from Mater Dei High School in Evansville, Indiana won the most recent Shell Eco-Marathon Americas competition, setting a new mileage record of 2,843.4 mpg with their prototype vehicle.  Link: http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/04/13/new-record-at-shell-eco-marathon-2-843-mpg/
• Toyota to invest $100 million over four years in research at the new Toyota Technical Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan.  Link: http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/04/01/toyota-will-spend-100m-over-four-years-in-new-technical-researc/
• Chevrolet has made modifications to its Cobalt vehicles to get improved gas mileage by upwards of 5 mpg from previous versions.  The XFE models (“Xtra Fuel Economy”) are now available.  Link: http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/24/chevrolet-announces-2008-cobalt-xfe-improvement/
• Both Audi and BMW will begin offering a new eight-speed transmission from German manufacturer ZF, which will result in up to a 14-percent improvement in fuel efficiency.  The first models offering the new transmission are expected to be released in 2009.  Link: http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/05/12/look-out-lexus-audi-and-bmw-bringing-zf-8-speed-to-market/
• Volvo now offers the Getrag Powershift dual clutch transmission for its line of smaller cars, including the C30, S40, and V50.  The new transmission improves fuel efficiency by about 8%.  Link: http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/05/16/dual-clutch-powershift-gearbox-cuts-volvo-fuel-consumption-8/
• 2009 Dodge Ram will offer 20-percent better fuel efficiency, thanks in part to improved aerodynamics and less weight.  Link: http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/05/29/2009-dodge-ram-cuts-fuel-usage-by-20-percent/

Diesel

• Mercedes-Benz announced its new line of four-cylinder diesel engines, which will offer enhanced horsepower while reducing overall fuel consumption.  C-Class vehicles with the new engines are expected to be released to the public later this year.  Link: http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/04/10/mercedes-benz-launches-new-line-of-four-cylinder-diesels/
• Volkswagen’s BlueTDI Jetta is scheduled to debut in the U.S. sometime in the middle of this year, offering cleaner emissions and upwards of 60 mpg (highway driving).  Link: http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/04/24/vw-finishes-development-of-bluetdi-60-mpg-jetta-coming-to-u-s/
• BMW plans to launch its BluePerformance diesel injection systems in the U.S. in mid-October, introducing the low-emission technology on the 335d and X5 xDrive35d.  Link: http://www.bmwblog.com/2008/04/20/exclusive-bmw-335d-and-x5-diesel-to-be-launched-in-october/
• Continental Automotive Systems has developed a piezo-electric fuel injector for diesel systems, which will allow diesel fuel flow to be better controlled, measured in real-time, and lower in emissions.  Link: http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/05/05/continental-announces-new-piezo-injector-that-makes-diesels-even/

Legislation

• The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is pushing for stricter diesel-engine idling laws in PA.  Link: http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/04/14/dep-wants-pennsylvanias-diesel-idling-legislation-toughened-up/
• A coalition of 18 states and numerous environmental groups is petitioning to force the EPA to move forward in regulating vehicular greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.  Link: http://www.dieselnet.com/news/2008/04epa2.php

Miscellaneous

• The Energy Information Administration (EIA), citing record gasoline prices, predicts that total summer gas usage will decrease in the U.S. for the first time in seventeen years.  Link: http://za.reuters.com/news/articlebusiness.aspx?type=ousiv&storyID=2008-04-08T144127Z_01_N07185336_RTRIDST_0_BUSINESSPRO-USA-EIA-GASOLINE-DC.XML&WTmodLoc=Home-C4-Business-ousiv-4&from=business
• The EPA announced $50 million in funding for clean diesel projects, vehicle retrofits, and emissions reduction through its National Clean Diesel Campaign (NCDC).  Link: http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/dc57b08b5acd42bc852573c90044a9c4/9cdf7d0a360a15c58525741f005517bc!OpenDocument
• The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers provided numbers for overall U.S. sales of alternative-fueled vehicles (including diesel), with 1.8 million sold in the U.S. in 2007 (up about 250,000 from 2006).  Link: http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/04/05/auto-alliance-1-8-million-alternative-fuel-vehicles-sold-in-200/
• AAA’s annual “Your Driving Costs” report measured a 1.9 cents-per-mile increase in the total cost of driving last year.  Link: http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/04/04/aaa-driving-costs-increased-1-9-cents-per-mile-in-the-last-year/
• British scientists have developed a process for converting CO2 into natural gas using a process similar to that used by plants during photosynthesis.  The energy balance of the process is not yet known.  Link: http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/05/09/british-scientists-develop-co-sub-2-sub-to-natural-gas-process/
• The 2008 International Engine of the Year awards were recently announced, with BMW winning Best New Engine of the Year for its 2-L Diesel Twin Turbo (123D) design and the Toyota Prius’ 1.5-L Hybrid Synergy Drive being named Green Engine of the Year.  Link: http://www.ukipme.com/engineoftheyear/categories.html
• Chrysler is offering a $2.99/gallon price guarantee on gasoline (using a Pricelock credit card) for three years to buyers of certain new vehicles purchased between now and June 2nd.  Link: http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/05/06/chrysler-thinks-2-99-gallon-is-good-guarantees-it-to-new-buyer/

Medium- and Heavy Duty Vehicles

• Volvo hopes to begin manufacturing hybrid garbage trucks beginning in 2009.  The vehicles will include regenerative breaking and automatic engine shutoff while at rest.  Link: http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/04/08/volvo-introduces-first-hybrid-garbage-truck-works-on-dme-fuel/
• Hyundai Motor Co. has developed a mild hybrid bus, with plans to begin full-scale production in late 2009.  Link: http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/04/07/hyundai-develops-mild-hybrid-bus/
• Remote Hybrid Helper (RHH) could help heavy-duty trucks reduce fuel consumption through regeneration braking.  Link: http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/04/25/remote-hybrid-helper-concept-turns-any-semi-into-a-hybrid/
• ISE Corporation (ISE) and Crane Carrier Corporation (CCC) have been selected by CALSTART’s Hybrid Truck Users Forum (HTUF) Refuse Working Group to develop hybrid refuse vehicles. Link: http://www.isecorp.com/ise_news/ise_press_releases/apr-16-2008-CCC-refugetrucks.php
• Scania produces the world’s first ethanol-fueled trucks, specifically designed for urban transport.  Link: http://www.scania.com/news/Press_releases/2008/Q2/N08013EN.asp
• Hybra-Drive Systems LLC, a small startup in Deerfield, MI, was chosen by the Hybrid Truck Users Forum’s (HTUF) Parcel Delivery Working Group to develop their hybrid hydraulic system for this vehicle class.  The company was chosen over larger and better established entities such as Eaton Corp., and they are currently working with Gates Corporation and others on their hybrid design.  Link: http://www.wwj.com/Hybra-Drive-Gets-Demo-For-Hydraulic-Hybrid-Trucks/2152130
• Peterbilt debuts its Model 320 Hydraulic Launch Assist (HLA) refuse truck, which uses hybrid technology developed by Eaton Corporation to provide improved fuel efficiency and fewer brake services.  Link: http://www.peterbilt.com/newsdetails.aspx?id=227
• Dynamometer testing of hybrid school buses from IC Bus, using Enova Systems hybrid technology, showed 70% increase in fuel efficiency and a 20-40% reduction in emissions.  Link: http://www.enovasystems.com/index.cfm?section=News&linkID=24
• UPS expands upon its green parcel delivery fleet by ordering 200 HEVs and 300 CNG vehicles from Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation.  This is the largest-ever order of green commercial vehicles.  Link: http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/05/14/ups-places-largest-ever-order-for-fleet-of-green-trucks/