News > July

Natural Gas Favored as China's Best Choice for Clean Auto Fuel
Natural gas has more potential as an alternative automotive fuel in China than other alternative fuels, according to an expert from China's leading automotive energy conservation laboratory. China plans to adopt national fuel standards equivalent to Euro III and IV standards later this year and in 2010, respectively, and Ma Fanhua of the State Laboratory of Automotive Safety and Energy favors natural gas — stating that the fuel “outstrips all other alternative fuels by scale of application,” due to its environmentally friendly characteristics, the country's relative abundance of gas reserves and the comparatively easy process of converting conventional auto engines to accommodate the fuel.
Source: Natural gas to lead China's clean energy auto-fuel drive - expert, Interfax, China

European Biofuel Consumption Shows Dramatic Increase
New figures reveal that from 2005 to 2006, consumption of transportation biofuels in the 25-member European Union rose a dramatic 78%  — from 3 million to 5.38 million tonnes of oil equivalent. Biodiesel represented the lion’s share of biofuels dedicated to transport (71.6%), far ahead of bioethanol (16.3%) and other biofuels (12.1%). Germany was the largest European consumer of biofuel in 2006, using 2.8 million tonnes of biodiesel, 0.71 million tons of vegetable oil and 0.48 million tons of bioethanol. France was the second largest consumer. French biofuel consumption increased by 62.7% to reach 1.6% of French domestic fuel consumption, with biodiesel again representing the largest share of biofuel consumption (78%).
Source: European Transportation Biofuel Consumption Up 78% from 2005 to 2006, Green Car Congress

First Real-World Tests of Toyota Plug-in Hybrids to Go Ahead
The University of California, Berkeley, has been awarded $750,000 to conduct the first real-world tests of, and research with, an automaker-produced, plug-in hybrid electric passenger vehicle (PHEV). UC Berkeley transportation researchers will work on the project with the California Air Resources Board, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A, and other entities. Under the agreement, Toyota is providing vehicle technology and support engineering services to allow the PHEV and fuel cell vehicles to be tested and analyzed under various conditions. Researchers will study user behavioral response, including recharging and refueling patterns, to PHEV technology, and conduct technical energy use and environmental and economic assessments.
Source: Transportation researchers to test Toyota plug-in hybrid vehicles, UC Berkeley News

Singapore to Get First Public CNG Station
Singapore's first ever publicly accessible refueling station for compressed natural gas (CNG) is expected to be in operation by January 2008. CNG is seen as a cleaner and cheaper alternative to gasoline as it produces very little pollutants and costs about 50 percent less in Singapore. The station will be built and operated by Smart Automobile, which runs Singapore's largest fleet of CNG taxis. The company hopes to have four more stations by 2011. "We project that by the time the five CNG stations are up, there will be about 3,000 to 4,000 CNG taxis of our own, and from the public side … we estimate that there are going to be about 10,000 cars available on the road,” said the company’s Managing Director.
Source: Singapore's first public CNG station to be ready by Jan 2008, Channel NewsAsia

Low-Speed All-Electric Truck Debuts
Miles Electric Vehicles has unveiled a new low-speed, light-duty all-electric truck that promises to cut costs and emissions. The ZX40ST truck provides 60-70 miles per charge (at an 18.6 mp constant speed) and more than 500 pounds of cargo capacity. According to the company, a typical organization will save $15,000-$18,000 in lifetime fuel costs for each gas-powered fleet vehicle it replaces with the ZX40ST. Plus, for each traditional truck that’s retired in favor of a ZX40ST, organizations can reduce their overall fleet tailpipe emissions by more than 12,000 pounds per year. The company also has plans to introduce a highway-speed, all-electric vehicle to the US market in 2008.
Source: Miles Electric Vehicles Debuts Low-Speed All-Electric Truck, Green Car Congress

Nation’s First Large-Scale Cellulosic Ethanol Plant Gets Go-Ahead
Range Fuels Inc., a company started by dot-com billionaire Vinod Khosla, co-founder of Sun Microsystems, plans to break ground on the nation’s first large-scale cellulosic ethanol plant this summer. The company has received key environmental and construction permits from the state of Georgia for the $225 million plant. The 100-million-gallon-a-year facility, to be built in rural Georgia, will use wood chips as its feedstock. Forestry officials estimate this source can produce up to 2 billion gallons of cellulosic ethanol a year. The company is also researching ways to make commercially feasible ethanol from olive pits, switchgrass, old tires and two dozen other raw materials.
Source: Wood-chip ethanol gets state's go-ahead, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Bolivia Hits Energy Milestone with 100 Natural Gas Fueling Stations
Bolivia has reached two important milestones in its national energy matrix — 100 NGV (Natural Gas Vehicle) refueling stations are now in operation across the country and more than 75,000 users have converted their vehicles to run on natural gas. The announcement was made by Hugo Vits of Transredes, Bolivia's largest oil and gas pipeline company. “By the end of the year we will be able to offer NGV to 83,000 vehicles,” he said. Bolivia ranks among the top 15 nations in the world for NGV vehicles, representing 1.5% of the more than 5 million vehicles running on natural gas worldwide.
Source: Goals completed in the Natural Gas for Vehicles sector: 100 Stations – 75,000 Vehicles at a national level, Transredes

DOE Grant to Fund Research on Hydrogen Fuel Storage Problem
Hydrogen-fueled cars, running on electric motors and producing only water as exhaust, have the potential to some day revolutionize transportation. Progress for this alternative fuel, however, is hampered by the problem of harnessing and storing hydrogen gas, which will only become a liquid at minus 400 degrees Fahrenheit. A team of professors at the University of Missouri will receive $880,000 over the next three years from the U.S. Department of Energy to study the hydrogen fuel storage conundrum. Peter Pfeifer, a physics professor who heads the team, will attempt to store hydrogen by using carbon to trap the hydrogen in a dense state. Pfeifer predicts that due to cost constraints these vehicles probably won’t be widely available until 2040, although the DOE’s goal is for the cars to be on the market by 2020.
Source: MU professors get grant to solve hydrogen mystery, Columbia Missourian

Florida to Make Ethanol from Citrus Waste
In Florida, plans are underway to develop a unique ethanol plant that will convert orange and grapefruit waste from the state’s citrus industry into ethanol to be sold to motorists at gasoline pumps. The facility will use a process the U.S. Agriculture Department developed in the 1990’s to convert the leftover peels and membrane seeds from juice production into ethanol. Initially, production will be on a small scale — the plant is expected to produce about 4 million gallons of ethanol a year to be sold as a gasoline additive in Florida.
Source: Plant to make citrus ethanol, Orlando Sentinel

E85-Fueled Car Breaks World Speed Record
Illustrating the performance potential of ethanol, a Dodge Viper that runs on E85 has broken the world speed record for the standing mile. The twin-turbocharged 1,200-hp Viper set the new world record of 220.7 mph for the standing mile in 27.41 seconds. The previous standing mile speed record of 217.85 mph was held by a vehicle with a gasoline engine. “Going green does not have to mean going slow," said the car's owner, Karl Jacob. Concurring with the philosophy that E85 enables vehicles to go green and go fast, the Indy Racing League officially switched to ethanol-based fuel at the start of its 2007 season.
Source: Going Green Fast, Forbes Autos

India’s New Biofuels Policy to Emphasize Non-Edible Sources
India’s upcoming national biofuels policy is set to mandate a 5% renewable component in fuels by 2012, increasing to 10% by 2017, with higher levels to come thereafter. Energy Minister Vilas Muttemvar said the policy must balance food security with energy security, therefore the program will establish minimum support prices for jatropha and other non-edible oilseeds. “We cannot afford the conversion of cereals and other foods to ethanol, or use edible oils for biodiesel as is being proposed in some countries,” stated Minister Muttemvar.
Source: India Likely to Have National Biofuels Policy in Place in Several Months, Green Car Congress

Live Earth Refuse Truck Showcases Clean-Burning Natural Gas Fuel
The world’s cleanest heavy-duty refuse collection truck ably handled trash collection duties at the July 7th Live Earth Concert in New York. The demo truck deployed at the Live Earth Concert, like the almost 2,000 other natural gas garbage trucks now operating across the U.S., reduces greenhouse gas emissions by about 11 to 23 percent compared to diesel, according to a study of natural gas engines just completed for the California Air Resources Board.
Source: Refuse Truck Powered by Clean-Burning Natural Gas Fuel Handles Trash Collection Duties at July 7 Live Earth New York Concert Event, The Auto Channel

China's Biodiesel Demand to Exceed Production by 2010
China's National Grain and Oil Information Center is predicting that the country’s biodiesel demand will exceed domestic production by 2010. China's annual demand for biodiesel is expected to reach 1 million tons in 2010, which is 20 percent more than the country's expected domestic biodiesel production volume. China is committed to a 25 percent usage of biofuel for transportation by 2020, but biodiesel production is currently under strict government controls as edible oil price fluctuations have been affecting the country’s consumer price index.
Source: China's Biodiesel Demand to Exceed Production by 2010, Resource Investor

New Heavy-Duty Natural Gas Engine Meets 2010 Emissions Standards Today
Canadian alternative engine maker Cummins Westport has received formal certification from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for its ISL G heavy-duty natural gas engine. The ISL G is the world's first heavy-duty engine for urban bus and truck applications to be certified to the 2010 EPA standard — the engine surpasses EPA 2007 phase-in levels and meets 2010 emission standards today. In addition to delivering ultra low emissions, the EPA certified engine offers consumers the opportunity to take advantage of the low cost of natural gas. Cummins Westport has already logged over 500 orders for the ISL G from U.S. transit agencies.
Source: Cummins Westport Leads Industry With EPA Certification of 2007 ISL G Certified to 2010 Emissions Standards, EarthTimes.org

Italy’s Beloved Pasta Feels the Pinch from Biofuel Industry
Italian consumers are the latest folk to find the price of their beloved food staples affected by the booming biofuel industry, which converts corn, sugar, wheat and other crops to fuel and energy. Putting a plate of mama’s spaghetti on the table will cost 20 percent more this summer. Other nations have suffered similar price hikes. In January, Mexican consumers rioted in some places when grain prices doubled and tripled the cost of tortillas. And a 40 percent increase in beer prices is leaving a bad taste in the mouths of German beer drinkers, as Germany's farmers grow less barley for beer production and more crops for biofuels. The situation isn't likely to turn around any time soon. A recent report by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization points to biofuels as one of a host of factors driving global consumption to outstrip grain production for the next 10 years.
Sources:
1. Biofuel Boom Driving Up Pasta Prices, BusinessWeek
2. Biofuels to blame as beer prices soar 40 per cent in Germany, The Independent

McDonalds to Fuel UK Fleet on Recycled Cooking Oil
McDonald's plans to convert its British delivery fleet to run on biodiesel made largely from its own recycled cooking oil. Last year, McDonald's UK fleet used six million liters of diesel, and the fast food chain thinks it should eventually be able to replace all of that fuel with cooking oil from its 1,200 restaurants in Britain. McDonald's launched its rollout this week and will convert all of its 155 delivery trucks to run on the green fuel in about 12 months. The biodiesel will initially be made up of 85 percent used cooking oil collected from McDonald's restaurants and 15 percent pure rapeseed oil. Once the refinement process improves, there are plans to remove the rapeseed oil from the process.
Source: McDonald's to recycle cooking oil for fuel, Reuters UK

Major Airports Switching to Cleaner Buses and Taxis
Prodded by rules and financial incentives, airports are using more environmentally friendly vehicles. Buses and cars owned by Phoenix Sky Harbor and Dallas/Fort Worth airports now run on clean burning compressed natural gas, or CNG. The airports in San Jose, San Francisco, Milwaukee and New York have been aggressively buying vehicles that run on alternative fuels, including CNG, biodiesel or propane. The current building boom at airports is one reason for the switch. Airports are finding that they can offset the environmental damage of new building projects by switching to cleaner airport vehicles. In addition, government subsidies have made cleaner vehicles more attractive. Many states' environmental agencies will help pay for the higher cost of using alternative-fuel vehicles and the Federal Aviation Administration provides grants to airports for the purchase of alternative-fuel vehicles.
Source: Airports use more 'green' buses, taxis, USA Today

Ethanol Boom Puts Squeeze on Biodiesel
The larger than expected increase in corn acreage this year may be bad news for biodiesel manufacturers who depend on soybeans for feedstock. The demand for ethanol has led U.S. farmers to plant the most corn since 1944. Farmers nationwide have planted 19% more corn than last year. However, the extra corn acreage means that farmers planted 15% less land to soybeans in 2007 — and the price of soybean oil is already adversely affecting the economic feasibility of the U.S. biodiesel industry. Given these factors, the National Biodiesel Board is not certain that biodiesel production in 2007 will exceed 2006 production figures.
Source: Drop in Bean Acres Puts Squeeze on Biodiesel, Carolina-Virginia Farmer

Iran to Use CNG-Hybrid Cars to Reduce Fuel Consumption
Iran will start producing gasoline/compressed natural gas (CNG) hybrid cars in a bid to cut down on fuel consumption in the country. Iran Khodro Company (IKCO), the largest car manufacturer in both Iran and the Middle East, will begin production this month. In a move to meet the country's demands for vehicles with CNG tanks, IKCO has already purchased 70,000 CNG fuel tanks from a domestic company and has signed an agreement to buy an additional 300,000 tanks. The Tehran-based company will begin selling the dual fuel vehicles in 2008.
Source: Iran: IKCO to begin gasoline/CNG hybrid car production; national fuel saving need claimed, Automotive World

Karachi to Introduce 1,500 Natural Gas Buses into Transport System
Pakistan’s largest city, Karachi, will introduce 1,500 CNG buses into its transportation system, with the first batch of 125 buses set to begin operation from July of this year. The number of buses will increase each month thereafter. The city government has entered into an agreement with the company supplying the CNG buses and has pledged to provide a complete infrastructure to the company including route permit, land for a CNG station, and a depot. The 18-metre long buses will have a seating capacity of 140.
Source: Holland-based bus company to run 125 CNG buses, The News International

Survey: More Americans Worried About Gas Prices Than Terrorism, Economy
With fuel now averaging $3.00 per gallon nationwide, more American consumers declare themselves (highly) concerned about high gas prices (83%) than about terrorism (62%) or the economy as a whole (69%), according to a survey by market research firm National Analysts Worldwide. Although soaring gas prices are putting biofuels in a favorable light, the study shows that there is still limited consumer understanding about biofuels. More than one in three (36%) consumers say they have never heard of biofuels and, among those who have, there is uncertainty about the net benefits. Only half (52%) are convinced that biofuels produce less greenhouse gas than fossil fuels and two-thirds (65%) are not sure whether biofuels require more energy to make than they contain. Ultimately, consumer demand for biofuels comes down to cost, with only 12% of consumers willing to pay any sort of premium for biofuels.
Source: Gas Prices Worry Americans More Than Terrorism, Economy, National Analysts Worldwide Study Shows, BusinessWire

Indian Postal Service Converts Delivery Vans to CNG
The Department of Postal Service in Gujarat, India has decided to convert its fleet of mail delivery vans to run on compressed natural gas. Over time, the entire fleet will be phased out and replaced by the new CNG vans. The department has over 250 mail delivery vans in its fleet and has begun implementing the changeover in the Ahmedabad region of Gujarat. Expenditure on the project will be funded by the Indian Postal Service Department. Gujarat's decision to convert its fleet into CNG-powered vehicles was inspired by similar decisions made by postal services in other Indian cities, such as Mumbai and Pune.
Source – Postal service to go green in Gujarat, rediff.com

Research Finds Fructose Makes Higher Energy Fuel Than Ethanol
A simple sugar found in fruit could be converted to fuel for cars and trucks. University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers have found a better way of converting fructose, a common sugar, into a fuel called 2,5-dimethylfuran, or DMF. The biofuel has 40 percent greater energy density than ethanol. It also takes less energy than ethanol to produce and doesn't absorb water from the atmosphere, a shortcoming of ethanol. "It's a two-step process to convert the fructose, but the two steps are very similar to the processes already used in the petroleum industry," said one of the researchers. Researchers are now gearing up to produce DMF in larger quantities for testing in gasoline engines.
Source: Fruit-based fuel could beat out corn-based rival, Houston Chronicle

Natural Gas Vehicles Can Significantly Reduce Fuel Costs for Tanzanian Motorists
The government of Tanzania has announced that it is planning to introduce compressed natural gas (CNG) as an alternative to gasoline and diesel this year. Running vehicles on CNG is expected to save Tanzanian motorists 40 percent of their transportation costs. Elias Kilembe of the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation said that a sample of natural gas cars would be displayed at an upcoming International Trade Fair in the capital, Dar es Salaam. Initially the cheaper and more environmentally friendly cars will be able to operate on a dual fuel supply, switching from CNG to gasoline if necessary.
Source: Gas-run vehicles in offing, Daily News Tanzania