(Oak Ridge National Laboratory/Biomass Magazine) As Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s fuel properties technical lead for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Co-Optimization of Fuel and Engines, or Co-Optima, initiative, Jim Szybist has been on a quest for the past few years to
internal combustion engine
Back TO HOMEHydrogen and Fuel Cell Solutions for Transportation: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to Ballard & Deloitte
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) As we look to the future with a new year, Deloitte and Ballard are looking at fueling the future of mobility with hydrogen and fuel cells, which makes sense considering hydrogen is the single most
January 04, 2021 Read Full Article
Accelerating Demand: A Roadmap for Sparking New Demand for Ethanol
by Brian Jennings (American Coalition for Ethanol/Ethanol Producer Magazine) The American Coalition for Ethanol is ready to execute on Accelerate, a roadmap for sparking new demand for ethanol. The plan is built around implementing new clean fuel policies, protecting what
December 30, 2020 Read Full Article
Analysis: Biofuels Sector Hopeful Over Biden RFS Stance, Wary of GHG Policy
by Patrick Newkumet (Oil Price Information Service) Renewable fuel industry officials are mostly optimistic that the incoming Biden administration will be more supportive of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) than the Trump White House, though some worry that the president-elect's
December 24, 2020 Read Full Article
No Clean Mobility for All Europeans with the Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy
(European Biogass Association) The strategy is a major setback for the vital decarbonisation of transport at an acceptable cost: Lack of support to renewable fuels will jeopardise transport decarbonisation and hamper climate-neutrality by 2050. An accurate zero-emissions approach to mobility
December 15, 2020 Read Full Article
China to Sell 80 Million Internal Combustion Engines a Year in Next Five Years
(Reuters) China is expected to sell 80 million internal combustion engines annually in the next five years, in line with previous years, an engine industry association said on Thursday, amid a broader industry transformation toward electrification. Internal combustion engines still dominate China’s
December 11, 2020 Read Full Article
Five Reasons Why Internal Combustion Engines Are Here to Stay
by Robert Bryce (RealClearEnergy) Oil prices are down and bans on automobiles powered by internal combustion engines (ICE) are up – way up. But don’t be fooled; there is plenty of life left in the ICE. ... The first and most important
December 03, 2020 Read Full Article
Properties vs. Chemistry: Co-Optima Research Determines Predictor of Fuel Performance, Develops Roadmap for Biofuels Design
(Oak Ridge National Laboratory) As Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s fuel properties technical lead for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Co-Optimization of Fuel and Engines, or Co-Optima, initiative, Jim Szybist has been on a quest for the past few years to
December 03, 2020 Read Full Article
Is the Future Diesel-Free? 7 Hard Questions about Diesel, Biofuels and ICEs
by Samuel Morgan (Neste) The whole transport industry agrees on the need to decarbonize traffic fast. However, there’s confusion on what that means for diesel, renewable diesel and the internal combustion engine. Are their days numbered? Questions answered: How long will diesel
December 02, 2020 Read Full Article
An Open Letter to the Ethanol Community from Ethanol Producers
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) ... (T)he overriding objective should be to increase demand, which increases ethanol volume and corn grind. With that in mind, do we continue to fight for what is almost certain to be a reduced
November 30, 2020 Read Full Article
Industry Asks EU to Include Biogas in New Sustainable Mobility Strategy
(NGV Journal/NGVA Europe) Gas Distributors for Sustainability (GD4S), the European Biogas Association (EBA) and NGVA Europe co-signed a joint letter to the Executive Vice President of the European Commission Frans Timmermans, Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson, and Transport Commissioner Adina-Ioana Vălean, to
November 24, 2020 Read Full Article
UK Refiners Push Back over 2030 Ban on New Fossil Fuel Cars
by Robert Perkins (S&P Global Platts) Refiners call for more biofuels support; Move seen displacing 60,000 b/d of oil demand; Hybrids get reprieve until 2035, EV sales booming -- The UK's refining sector has voiced its opposition to the UK plans to bring
November 19, 2020 Read Full Article
Landi Renzo USA Secures CARB Certification for the Heavy Duty 7.3L CNG/RNG Engine
(Landi Renzo/Business Wire) The ecomobility revolution includes F-450/550, F-650/750, F-53/59 and E-450 -- Landi Renzo, the American subsidiary of Landi Renzo Group, the global leader in eco-fuel advanced systems for the automotive industry received California Air Resources Board (CARB) Certification for
November 18, 2020 Read Full Article
Ag Retailers: Zero-Emission Truck Plan Could ‘Devastate’ Agriculture
by John Gallagher (Freight Waves) Ag retailers: Zero-emission truck plan could ‘devastate’ agriculture -- An environmental policy promoted by Democratic lawmakers to effectively ban internal combustion engines (ICEs) for heavy-duty trucks by 2040 would be a major economic blow to agribusiness
November 17, 2020 Read Full Article
Bio Engine Technology Ltd Developing Rankine Cycle Engine to Use Renewable Fuel
(Bio Engine Technology) The engineers at Bio Engine Technology Ltd are dedicated to a simple but effective solution. They are developing an engine, matched to a clean organic fuel, which will not add damaging gases or harmful particulates into the
November 17, 2020 Read Full Article
RFA Urges Low-Carbon/Clean Fuel Standard for Colorado Emissions Reduction
(Renewable Fuels Association) The internal combustion engine is “far from dead—the fuel just needs to be changed” with a low-carbon or clean fuel standard that can help Colorado slash greenhouse gas pollution, the Renewable Fuels Association told the Colorado Energy Office
November 03, 2020 Read Full Article
Promise and Peril: California’s EV-Only Policy
by Leticia Phillips (Brazilian Sugarcane Industry Association, UNICA /Ethanol Producer Magazine) Any EV solution should consider a combined approach of the available alternatives and technologies. It is important to remember that vehicles powered by ethanol are already among the best
October 30, 2020 Read Full Article
New Volkswagen Golf TGI Designed to Run on Biomethane
(Bioenergy Insight) The new Volkswagen Golf TGI is equipped with a 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine and three natural gas fuel tanks, which can utilise biomethane. The tanks are integrated into the underbody and permit a range of approximately 400 kilometres in
October 27, 2020 Read Full Article
Biofuels Supporters Criticize Zero-Emissions Vehicles Bill
by Ken Anderson (Brownfield Ag News) ... The Zero-Emissions Vehicles Act of 2020 would end sales of new vehicles with internal combustion engines by 2035 and boost the market for electric vehicles. Monte Shaw with the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association says, as
October 26, 2020 Read Full Article
ClearFlame Engine Technologies Achieves Successful Test Results Using Decarbonized Fuels
(ClearFlame) Company’s clean engine technology drives reductions in particulate, CO2 emissions without complex aftertreatment systems -- ClearFlame Engine Technologies, a start-up dedicated to the development of clean engine technology for the heavy-duty truck, off-highway and industrial markets, today announced that it
October 16, 2020 Read Full Article
Porsche Researches Synthetic Fuels
(Porsche) Although synthetic fuels are considered a realistic alternative to make car traffic more climate-friendly, availability is poor. Porsche wants to change this. “With electricity alone, you can't move forward fast enough,” says Michael Steiner, who is in charge of
October 14, 2020 Read Full Article
Clean Engines Due to the Use of FAME
(LifePR) The project "Formation of deposits and prevention of deposits of biodiesel" carried out at the University of Rostock shows that the use of biodiesel in modern engine systems leads not only to the reduction of greenhouse gases, particles and
October 14, 2020 Read Full Article
Notice of Request for Information (RFI) on Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy's Medium- and Heavy-Duty Truck Research and Development Activities & SuperTruck Initiative DEADLINE November 9, 2020
(U.S. Department of Energy/Federal Register) The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) invites public comment on its Request for Information (RFI) number DE-FOA-0002372 regarding the Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy's (EERE) Medium- and Heavy-Duty Truck Research and Development Activities
October 09, 2020 Read Full Article
Signal to Noise: Oil and Biofuels Must Work Together
by John Herath (Farm Journal Ag Web) ... They (Pro Farmer's Jim Wiesemeyer and Farm Journal's John Herath) also lay out how the oil and biofuels industries need to work together if they want to preserve a future for liquid
September 28, 2020 Read Full Article
"Just A Minute" Short Educational Video about Retrofitting to Use E85 in Existing Vehicles
(Advanced Biofuels USA) The third in the "Just A Minute about Renewable Fuels" short educational video series in four minutes explains how to decrease the carbon footprint of existing vehicles while waiting for electric vehicles to be affordable, available, powered
September 25, 2020 Read Full Article
Bustos Introduces Next Generation Fuels Act
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Rep. Cheri Bustos, D-Ill., on Sept. 24 introduced the Next Generation Fuels Act, a bill that establishes a minimum octane standard for gasoline and requires sources of added octane value to reduce carbon emissions by
September 25, 2020 Read Full Article
ATTENTION OIL INDUSTRY: California Is Banning Gasoline Powered Vehicles -- You have one chance to save yourselves and COME CLEAN
by Marc J. Rauch (The Auto Channel) Today, September 23, 2020, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced that the state will ban the sale of new gasoline powered passenger cars and trucks starting in 2035. The ban is an attempt to push the use
September 24, 2020 Read Full Article
What Fuel Properties Enable Higher Thermal Efficiency in Spark-Ignited Engines?
by James P.Szybist, StephenBusch, Robert L.McCormick, Josh A.Pihl, Derek A.Splitter, Matthew A.Ratcliff, Christopher P.Kolodziej, John M.E.Storey, MelanieMoses-DeBusk, DavidVuilleumier, MagnusSjöberg, C. ScottSluder, TobyRockstroh, PaulMiles (Progress in Energy and Combustion Science/Science Direct) The Co-Optimization of Fuels and Engines (Co-Optima) initiative from the
September 16, 2020 Read Full Article
Hot Off the Press: New Co-Optima Publications
(U.S. Department of Energy) The U.S. Department of Energy’s Co-Optimization of Fuels & Engines (Co-Optima) initiative explores how simultaneous innovations in fuels and engines can boost fuel economy and vehicle performance while reducing emissions. Co-Optima researchers publish their latest scientific findings in journal articles,
September 01, 2020 Read Full Article
ClearFlame Engine Technologies Awarded $1.1 Million Department of Energy Phase II Grant
(ClearFlame) Funding will support R&D for clean engine technology on heavy-duty engines -- ClearFlame Engine Technologies, a start-up company dedicated to the development of clean engine technology, has been awarded a two-year, $1.1 million Phase II grant from the Department
August 24, 2020 Read Full Article
Oil Man’ Reflects on Biofuels
by Larry Sullivan (Lee Enterprises Consulting, Inc./Biofuels Digest) ... There is much common ground between Big Oil, Big Soy, and Big Corn. Minnesota Big Iron companies provided computing power to the early days of Big Oil’s seismic surveys, and Iron
August 19, 2020 Read Full Article
Praj and ARAI in Alliance to Drive Green Fuel Technologies for Transportation
(Praj Industries) Praj Industries (Praj) and Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) have entered into MoU to jointly drive application development of advanced biofuels that will find usage in industry and transportation. Biofuels developed for the mobility sector will have
July 29, 2020 Read Full Article
New Generation of Diesel-Powered Trucks Vital to Achieving Near-Term, Sustained Progress on Climate and Clean Air Goals
(Diesel Technology Forum) Response to Announcement by NESCAUM, 15 States and District of Columbia Regarding MOU for Electric Trucks -- The Diesel Technology Forum issued the following statement today on the recently announced Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between 15 states and
July 14, 2020 Read Full Article
Biomethane, the Key to Decarbonize Now the European Mobility
(European Biogas Association/NGV Journal) The European Biogas Association (EBA) is launching a new paper providing a comprehensive analysis on the potential of biomethane for the fast decarbonization of the transport sector and policy recommendations to ensure the further scale-up of this
July 03, 2020 Read Full Article
Department of Energy Selects Seven Projects to Accelerate Adoption of Performance-Advantaged Biofuels
(U.S. Department of Energy) Today (July 2, 2020), the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced the selection of seven projects totaling $1.94 million to conduct research and development to accelerate the adoption of performance-advantaged biofuel blendstocks. These fuels are derived from
July 02, 2020 Read Full Article
John J. Mooney: An Appreciation of Performance Directed Engineering Greatness
by Robert Kozak* (Atlantic Biomass/Advanced Biofuels USA) I was sad to see an obituary today for the great engineer John J. Mooney. Who was John J. Mooney you ask? He was the co-inventor of both the 2-way and the 3-way motor
July 01, 2020 Read Full Article
Review of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Particulate Matter on Behalf of the Urban Air Initiative (UAI)
(Urban Air Initiative) On behalf of the Urban Air Initiative (UAI), we appreciate the opportunity to comment on the above Proposed Rulemaking (Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2015-0072). UAI is a not for profit technical organization with a particular focus on automotive emissions
July 01, 2020 Read Full Article
Select Committee Democrats Releases 'Solving The Climate Crisis', A Congressional Roadmap For Ambitious Climate Action
(House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis) Plan Would Put Americans Back To Work, Save Lives, And Help the United States Reach Net Zero By 2050 -- On Tuesday, led by Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Chair Kathy Castor (D-FL), members of the House Select Committee
June 30, 2020 Read Full Article
Co-Optima’s Big Impacts for Biofuels: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to U.S. Dept. of Energy Co-Optimization of Fuels & Engines
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) If you haven’t heard of Co-Optima, you should! This U.S. DOE initiative is tackling fuel and engine research and development to maximize vehicle fuel economy – key for biofuels! From mapping lower-cost pathways to reduce emissions while
June 18, 2020 Read Full Article
Quantification of Gasoline-Ethanol Blend Emissions Effects
by Nigel N. Clark, David L. McKain Jr., Tammy Klein and Terence Higgins (Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association) Emissions levels from current gasoline spark-ignited engines are low, and emissions changes associated with blending of ethanol into gasoline are
April 27, 2020 Read Full Article
VTT to Assess Bio- and Waste-Based Oils Suitable for Power Plants and Ships
(VTT) In a three-year Business Finland BioFlex project, VTT and partners are exploring how suitable fuel oils made from biomass and waste plastics are for power plants and ship diesel engines. The aim is to determine the most ecologically and
April 09, 2020 Read Full Article
How It All Ties Together – LCFS, Biobased Fuel, Zero Emission Vehicles, ICEV Bans: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to The Big 3 Policies for Fuels
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Few countries blend ethanol beyond 10% right now but are targets moving? What about biodiesel targets, mostly set below 7% volume in some countries? How about the 18 countries that plan to ban of phase out
April 07, 2020 Read Full Article
Mazda Backs Carbon-Neutral Biofuel Research
(Mazda) Mazda is currently involved in joint research projects and studies as part of an ongoing industry-academia-government collaboration to promote the wide-spread adoption of biofuels from microalgae growth. As part of its 'Sustainable Zoom-Zoom 2030' long-term technology development programme, the company is
March 31, 2020 Read Full Article
F1's Biofuel Properties Will Open New Power Battle
by Jonathan Noble (Motorsport.com) Formula 1's switch to biofuels with its new generation of cars looks set to trigger a surprise development battleground thanks to a change it brings in engine cooling characteristics. As part of F1's push for sustainability, new
March 27, 2020 Read Full Article
Wärtsilä Advances Future Fuel Capabilities with First Ammonia Tests
(Wärtsilä) The technology group Wärtsilä has initiated combustion trials using ammonia. The research will help the company to prepare for the use of ammonia as a fuel that can contribute to reducing both the shipping’s and energy sectors’ greenhouse gas
March 27, 2020 Read Full Article
Co-Optimization of Fuels & Engines: A Transportation Future with Science in the Driver’s Seat Mapping a Viable Route Forward for Affordable, Efficient, and Clean Fuels and Engines
by John Farrell, Robert Wagner, Chris Moen and Dan Gaspar (U.S. Department of Energy) ... For the past four years, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has been funding the CoOptimization of Fuels & Engines (Co-Optima) initiative, focused on identifying fuel
March 25, 2020 Read Full Article
Methanol as Fuel, Chemical Feedstock and Liquid Hydrogen Carrier: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to Methanol as Fuel and Feedstock
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Methanol is versatile – it can be used as turbine fuel, cooking fuel, and as a fuel for solid oxide fuel cells. But G.K.Surya Prakash from University of Southern California shares in this illuminating presentation other
March 13, 2020 Read Full Article
Call for White Papers: Directed Funding Opportunity for Collaboration with National Laboratories DEADLINE: April 19, 2020
(Co-Optimization of Fuels & Engines (Co-Optima) initiative) The Co-Optimization of Fuels & Engines (Co-Optima) initiative focuses on developing new high-performance fuels that, when combined with advanced combustion approaches, can boost engine efficiency and cut emissions. To accelerate adoption of new fuels
March 09, 2020 Read Full Article
Decarbonizing Your Ride for a More Stable Climate: Scientists Measure the Climate Benefits of Alternatives to Petroleum Fuels
(National Science Foundation) Transportation produces a sizable amount of greenhouse gas emissions, largely by using petroleum to power internal combustion engines. Alternatives –- for example, organic materials such as grasses to produce fuels or electricity –- could avoid petroleum use altogether. Now,
February 28, 2020 Read Full Article
Wide-Ranging Partnership to Deploy B100 Biodiesel Technology in Daily, High-Mileage Class 8 Trucks
(National Biodiesel Board) Wide range of organizations announce a partnership for validation project of biodiesel technology to demonstrate viability in real-world, high-mileage fleet applications -- Innovative system allows for seamless 100 percent biodiesel use in all climates; Five ADM trucks
February 20, 2020 Read Full Article
Dept. of Energy’s View on Transportation and National Energy: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to Sustainable Transportation
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) With 3 trillion vehicle miles in the U.S. and 11 billion freight tons, transportation is key to our way of life, and the Department of Energy realizes it hits our national energy usage in many ways.
January 23, 2020 Read Full Article
Fueling the Future: Diesel Fleets Will Continue to Thrive with Biodiesel
(National Biodiesel Board) Attendees hear from industry leaders representing the Fuels Institute, the National Truck Equipment Association, and major OEMs -- Attendees at the National Biodiesel Conference and Expo received an enlightening glimpse into the future as industry leaders from the
January 22, 2020 Read Full Article
COP25 – Ethanol Brings Welcome Contribution to Transport Climate Action
by James Cogan (Ethanol Europe/Euractiv) Transport accounts for a quarter of climate-harming greenhouse gas emissions and, at a glance, a quarter of COP25 talks are about cutting transport emissions. They’re the hardest kind to cut, writes James Cogan. -- The issue
December 17, 2019 Read Full Article
Biofuels Could Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions By 96%
by Steve Hanley (Clean Technica) There is nothing inherently wrong with internal combustion engines. The problem is the fuels we use to run them emit billions of tons of greenhouse gases every year, gases which cause the Earth to get hotter.
December 04, 2019 Read Full Article
Reducing Toxic Aromatics: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to High Octane Low Carbon Ethanol
Ethanol is better for your health and “What a difference a year makes.” That’s what Douglas Durante, Executive Director of Clean Fuels Development Coalition told the audience recently at the World Ethanol and Biofuels conference in Brussels. The latest on
December 02, 2019 Read Full Article
ClearFlame Engines Has a Clear Goal: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Ethanol for Heavy-Duty Applications
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) It’s Black Friday today but do you remember the black diesel of the old days? We’ve come a long way from that and ethanol is great for many vehicles and applications, but how about heavy-duty
November 29, 2019 Read Full Article
Low Hanging Fruit on the Climate Change Tree: Renewable Fuels in Gas and Diesel Engines
(Diesel Technology Forum) ... As more governors look to California for leadership on climate change, they should look to what’s working in California…and it doesn’t have to do with electric cars, but with use of low-carbon renewable biofuels in internal
November 26, 2019 Read Full Article
RFA Review of 2020 Vehicle Models Reveals Good News for E15, Bad News for Flex Fuels
(Renewable Fuels Association) A new analysis of vehicle owner’s manuals and warranty statements by the Renewable Fuels Association reveals that nearly all new 2020 automobiles are explicitly approved by the manufacturer to use gasoline containing 15 percent ethanol (E15). However, RFA’s
November 26, 2019 Read Full Article
Stop the Anti-Ethanol Ridiculousness--An Open Letter Reply to an Unmistakable Editorial Failure
by Marc J. Rauch (The Auto Channel) This past Saturday, a media outlet called THE ATLANTIC published an anti-ethanol editorial titled "STOP THE ETHANOL MADNESS." ... The following is my rebuttal to him and THE ATLANTIC: Dear Editors - The anti-ethanol editorial written by
November 25, 2019 Read Full Article
Formula 1 Announces Plan to Be Net Zero Carbon by 2030
(Formula 1) ... Being at the forefront of automotive innovation gives Formula 1 a global platform to accelerate progress and develop technologies that reduce and eliminate carbon emissions from the current internal combustion engine (ICE). The hybrid power unit will play
November 13, 2019 Read Full Article
IJER Editorial: The Future of the Internal Combustion Engine
by R D Reitz, H Ogawa, R Payri, T Fansler, S Kokjohn, Y Moriyoshi, AK Agarwal, D Arcoumanis, D Assanis, C Bae, K Boulouchos, M Canakci, S Curran, I Denbratt, M Gavaises, M Guenthner, C Hasse, Z Huang, T Ishiyama,
November 01, 2019 Read Full Article
Major Upgrade to the Internal Combustion Engine- 60 MPG -- Emissions Reduced by 50%
(Darlema Corp./PR Newswire) Startup company, Darlema Corp unveils new automobile engine called the CWPSC (Combustion with Pre-Stage Compression) that doubles gas mileage and reduces carbon emissions by 50%. This new spark ignition engine achieves efficiency rating of 53-57% at the vehicle
October 30, 2019 Read Full Article
Intermediate and High Ethanol Blends Reduce Secondary Organic Aerosol Formation from Gasoline Direct Injection Vehicles
by Patrick Roth, Jiacheng Yang, Weihan Peng, David R. Cocker III, Thomas D. Durbin, Akua Asa-Awuku, and Georgios Karavalakis (Atmospheric Environment) Highlights: Higher ethanol fueling will reduce SOA formation from GDI vehicles. Gasoline with higher aromatics will adversely affect SOA formation.
October 24, 2019 Read Full Article
City Fleets Run on Bio-Based Diesel Fuels, Meeting Sustainability Goals while Delivering Essential Services
(Diesel Technology Forum) Cities gain substantial emissions performance improvements, greenhouse gas reductions and cost savings by using the latest-generation diesel powertrains combined with bio-based diesel fuels -- More cities and counties in California are switching to renewable diesel and biodiesel fuels
October 22, 2019 Read Full Article
Global Ethanol Summit Panel Focuses on the Economics of Octane
by Matt Thompson (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Day two of the inaugural Global Ethanol Summit began with a discussion about the economic benefits of blending ethanol in gasoline. Renewable Fuels Association president and CEO Geoff Cooper began the panel with a discussion about
October 18, 2019 Read Full Article
First Global Ethanol Summit Begins in Washington, DC
by Matt Thompson (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The first Global Ethanol Summit, sponsored by the U.S. Grains Council, Growth Energy and the Renewable Fuels Association, kicked off in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 14 with presentations from Ryan LeGrand, president and CEO of
October 15, 2019 Read Full Article
Leveraging Biofuels for a Cleaner Mobility Future
by Jonathan Male (U.S. Department of Energy) Biofuels are critical to our energy future. No matter how far electric vehicles come in the next 25 years, the internal combustion engines of today will continue to be a big part of
October 14, 2019 Read Full Article
Tesla Model 3 vs Honda Accord LX: What’s the More Cost-Effective Ride?
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... 4. For emissions, it depends by region. Coal is a big part of the electricity mix in China and still in the Eastern US, and oil is the source of electrons in the Middle East. The
October 14, 2019 Read Full Article
Who Willed the Electric Car? China, and Here’s Why
by Lauren Silva Laughlin (Wall Street Journal) Electric vehicles that derive their power from dirty energy aren’t necessarily better for the environment, but they are better for Beijing -- Exxon Mobil Chief Executive Officer Darren Woods recently took a shot
October 11, 2019 Read Full Article
New Report Boosts Development Options for Most Promising Biofuels
by Lynne Roeder (Pacific Northwest National Laboratory) Assessment identifies top ten blendstocks for efficiency in turbo-charged engines -- ... This environmental benefit could be maximized with biofuels suitable for use in turbocharged engines that pack more horsepower in a smaller,
October 10, 2019 Read Full Article
Alternative Fuel Technologies Can Bridge the Gap
(Energy Transition Outlook 2019/DNV-GL) ... It is important to find technically feasible and cost-effective solutions for the deep-sea segment, accounting for more than 80% of world fleet CO2 emissions. Currently, the only technically applicable alternatives for this are liquefied natural gas
September 12, 2019 Read Full Article
Subsidize My Electric Car, Please: Auto Makers Want Congress to Expand This Gift to the Affluent.
(Wall Street Journal) The great myth of political subsidies for business is that they will help an industry get started and then go away. We’ll soon see if Congress can for once live up to its temporary promise and block
September 03, 2019 Read Full Article
How to De-Fossilize Your Fleet: Suggestions for Fleet Managers Working on Sustainability Programs
by Joanne Ivancic* (Advanced Biofuels USA) Cities, companies, universities, organizations pledge to be 100% renewable (or 50%) by a certain date. But how often does that pledge include renewable transportation energy? Occasionally. But it could be better. At conferences, sustainability
August 15, 2019 Read Full Article
A 'Golden Triangle': In Nebraska, Ethanol, Cattle and Agriculture Are Intertwined, with Major Impacts on the State's Economy.
by Matt Thompson (Ethanol Producer Magazine) It’s fitting that the Cornhusker State should be an important player in the nation’s ethanol industry. Second only to Iowa in production, Nebraska’s ethanol industry has a big impact on the state’s economy. In addition to
August 06, 2019 Read Full Article
Why Energy Companies Are Still Investing Gasoline in the Age of the Electric Vehicle
by Marissa Luck (Houston Chronicle) ... As Shell’s largest research and development center, the 200-acre Houston campus has 1,500 employees and hundreds of contractors. They’re working on everything from formulating new biodiesel to advancing liquefied natural gas into transportation fuels. Their research
July 31, 2019 Read Full Article
Diesel’s Fuel Quality Imperative: Advancements in Diesel Engine Technology Require a Critical Look at Diesel Fuel Quality Issues.
by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) The pressure at which diesel fuel is injected into combustion chambers directly affects combustion efficiency, performance, fuel mileage and emissions. High pressure common rail fuel injection systems are not new to diesel engine technology, but tightening
July 22, 2019 Read Full Article
Diesel Technology Forum Responds to House Select Committee Hearing on the Climate Crisis, “Solving the Climate Crisis: Cleaning Up Heavy Duty Vehicles, Protecting Communities”
(Diesel Technology Forum) The new generation of diesel technology is helping ports, cities, communities and entire nations meet climate and clean air challenges of today and tomorrow, according to a statement submitted today by the Diesel Technology Forum, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to raising
July 16, 2019 Read Full Article
Toyota’s Brazilian Corolla Will Run on Pretty Much Whatever You Want
by Sabrina Valle (Bloomberg Quint) In much of the world, the road to electric vehicles may be fueled by ethanol. -- For 22 years, Toyota Motor Corp. has made hybrid cars that don’t require drivers to choose between running on gas or
July 10, 2019 Read Full Article
The Push for Year-Round E15 Is upon Us, but Is It the Best Biofuel Option?
by Jeff Wasil (Washington Examiner) ... There's also a better option than E15, one that only requires cutting red tape hindering the widespread usage of a next-generation biofuel: biobutanol. Unlike ethanol, biobutanol contains nearly 90% of the energy content of gasoline (compared
July 08, 2019 Read Full Article
Gasolinegate: Three Decades of Flawed Emission Reports Has Endangered Public
(Safe Gasoline Campaign) The 263 million gasoline vehicles on American roadways are emitting significantly more harmful emissions than being reported, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) is ignoring the dangers of toxic compounds in gasoline, according to a new
July 02, 2019 Read Full Article
SIAM Proposes Enhanced Alternative Fuels for Vehicles in India to Lower Pollution
(PTI/Financial Express) While the electrification of the fleet will be a major help towards providing energy security and improving the environment, SIAM said that our country needs to work on other efforts, to not only complement this effort, considering the ultimate
June 26, 2019 Read Full Article
Co-Optima Identifies Innovation Needed to Continue Momentum in Fuel Economy Gains
(U.S. Department of Energy) Today’s cars are advancing at lightning speed: from electric vehicles to efficient internal combustion engines to automated vehicles. Transportation is changing. Although the fuel-economy ratings of today’s cars are dramatically higher than those of just 10
June 24, 2019 Read Full Article
Co-Optimization of Fuels & Engines: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Top 10 Bioblendstocks
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The U.S. Department of Energy and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory have created a tiered screening process that efficiently evaluates blendstocks and includes a comprehensive blendstock evaluation process. Dan Gaspar from Pacific Northwest National Laboratory offered this illuminating
June 20, 2019 Read Full Article
“Volkswagen Settlement State Scorecard" Gets a Failing Grade, Places Technology Favorites over Clean Air, State Independence
by Allen Schaeffer (Diesel Technology Forum) Report Ignores Basic Premise of Settlement, Wrongly Vilifies States that Diversify Spending and Chose Clean Air First -- Statement from the desk of Allen Schaeffer, executive director of the Diesel Technology Forum, in response to a report
May 29, 2019 Read Full Article
Governor Ricketts Pumps E15, Promotes Ethanol while Proclaiming May as Renewable Fuels Month
(Office of Governor Pete Ricketts/KTIC) On Friday, Governor Pete Ricketts proclaimed May as Renewable Fuels Month in Nebraska during a ceremony at Casey’s General Store on N 156th Street. Following the official proclamation, the Governor stepped up to the pump to fill
May 21, 2019 Read Full Article
Ethanol Doing the Heavy Lifting in Transport Climate Action
by James Cogan (Ethanol Europe/Climate Change News) New E5, E10 and B7 labels recently appeared on petrol and diesel nozzles across Europe with hardly a mention. Behind them is the intriguing story of one of the world’s major efforts to stave off climate
May 17, 2019 Read Full Article
Taxes and Bans: That Was the Threat California's Top Air Regulator Leveled
by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico's Morning Energy) Taxes and Bans: That was the threat California's top air regulator leveled Thursday in the ongoing war over the future of the state's aggressive auto efficiency rules. The Trump administration is seeking to dramatically
May 17, 2019 Read Full Article
Flex Fuels and Hybrid Electrification Will Change Heavy Trucks
by Kevin Clemens (Design News) ... “We’ve been working for a number of years on ways to make engines for cars and trucks cleaner and more efficient, and we’ve been particularly interested in what you can do with spark ignition [as opposed
May 01, 2019 Read Full Article
Yes, Tin Lizzie Was an Alcoholic
by Marc J. Rauch (The Auto Channel) Correcting Bad Revisionist History About Ford's Model T Automobile -- The most venerated automobile of all time is Henry Ford's Model T. Nicknamed "Tin Lizzie," "Leapin' Lena," and sometimes "Flivver," the Model T went into production
May 01, 2019 Read Full Article
New Corolla Made in Brazil Will Be the World's First Flex Hybrid Vehicle
(Toyota (Google Translation)) With this motorization, the New Corolla will be the most efficient ethanol-powered car in the country and the cleanest hybrid on the planet; Ad meets efficiency requirements established by Rota 2030 Program; With launch scheduled for the last quarter
April 18, 2019 Read Full Article
MIT Says We’re Overlooking a Near-Term Solution to Diesel Trucking Emissions
by Megan Guess (ARS Technica) ... Daniel Cohn and Leslie Bromberg, a pair of researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), published a paper with the Society of Automotive Engineers, suggesting that the best way forward is not to wait
April 12, 2019 Read Full Article
DOE Offers $59 Million for Advanced Vehicle Technologies Research DEADLINE: May 1, 2019
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. Department of Energy has opened a $59 million funding opportunity that aims to accelerate advanced vehicle technologies research. Clean Cities coalition-led alternative fuels projects are eligible to apply for a portion of that
April 09, 2019 Read Full Article
Emissions from Low- and Mid-Level Blends of Anhydrous Ethanol in Gasoline 2019-01-0997
(SAE International) Typically ethanol is present in gasoline as a 10% blend by volume (E10), although E15, E85 (51 to 83%), and E0 are also available at selected stations. Numerous studies of tailpipe regulated emissions have been conducted to compare emissions
April 08, 2019 Read Full Article
QUOTE OF THE WEEK -- Chris Frey
Researchers tested regular E10 with 10% ethanol to a mid-level blend with 27% ethanol or E27. They found that when splash blending or simply adding ethanol to regular consumer fuel, ethanol lowered particulate matter (PM), CO and CO2. The vehicles
April 08, 2019 Read Full Article
South America Resists Electric Vehicles as Local Fuels Remain in Favor
by Marcelo Rochabrun (Reuters) Meeting in Brazil this week, auto executives from Toyota to GM talked up traditional fuel sources like ethanol, natural gas and diesel, underlining how South America’s protected auto market is likely to resist a broader global move toward
March 27, 2019 Read Full Article
Europe Needn’t Fear E10 Ethanol Blends
by James Cogan (Biofuels Digest) ... The ongoing battle to convince regulators that domestic crop based ethanol is climate friendly and free of adverse side effects is a roller coaster of highs and lows. It’s not for the faint-hearted investor. But one
March 06, 2019 Read Full Article
All in on Ethanol?
by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico's Morning Energy) EPA sent its rule that would allow the year-round sales of 15 percent ethanol fuel to the White House for review on Monday, a step that makes it more likely the agency will release
March 05, 2019 Read Full Article
Presentation/Webinar Recording Posted: Effects of Ethanol Blends on Light-Duty Vehicle Emissions
by Tammy Klein (Future Fuel Strategies) The presentation and webinar recording from the first 2019 web conference for Future Fuel Outlook members is now posted. The webinar focused on the study, “Effects of Ethanol Blends on Light-Duty Vehicle Emissions: A Critical Review.” This is
February 28, 2019 Read Full Article
New Tool Compares Costs and Benefits of Alternative Fuels and Vehicle Technologies.
(Argonne National Laboratory) Many fleet managers are looking at alternative fuels and advanced vehicle technologies to reduce their environmental footprint and save money. The AFLEET Tool, and its newly launched web-based version, AFLEET Online, developed by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory, can
February 26, 2019 Read Full Article
SD Farmers Union Calls Out GM on Weak Octane Proposals
(South Dakota Farmers Union) In a letter to General Motors Chair and CEO Mary Barra today (February 21, 2019), South Dakota Farmers Union President Doug Sombke challenged the automaker on its claim that 98 RON (Research Octane Number) or higher gasoline
February 21, 2019 Read Full Article
Ethanol Facts: Why The Volume Of Misinformation?
(Outdoors First) Despite well documented scientific proof (and plain common sense) ethanol blended fuels sold in gasoline stations for small engine, marine, and automotive use are approved by the manufacturer and offer no evidence what so ever of harming outboards, small
February 20, 2019 Read Full Article
As More Electric Cars Arrive, What's the Future for Gas-Powered Engines?
by Camila Domonoske (National Public Radio) ... Electric vehicles are currently a tiny fraction of the car market, which is dominated by internal combustion engines. But many more electric car models will hit showrooms in the next few years, and several
February 19, 2019 Read Full Article
Fuel & Engine Co-Optimization: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to NREL
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) is working to address key questions like what fuels engines really want, what fuels work best and what will work in the real world. John Farrell from NREL gave this illuminating
February 06, 2019 Read Full Article
How Do Your Fuel Decisions Impact Our Environment?
by Jessie Stolark (Environmental and Energy Study Institute) EESI Policy Associate Jessie Stolark spoke on a roundtable panel about the health and environmental considerations of fuel choices, at the Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit on January 29. Below is an abbreviated version
February 03, 2019 Read Full Article
Top 10 Bioeconomy Markets and Predictions for 2019
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) A mere “The Year in Rewind” as we sail into 2019? Not the good ship Digest! Instead, we dust off our crystal ball and offer our predictions for the year ahead. As the sunset of 2018 gives way
January 08, 2019 Read Full Article
Here's What 'Compression Ratio' Actually Means and Why It Matters
by Kristen Lee (Jalopnik) ... We know that high compression is good, and that low compression is bad. We know that Mazda’s new Skyactiv-X “Holy Grail” engine is high compression, along with Infiniti’s “diesel slayer” and Toyota’s “Dynamic Force” series that
January 05, 2019 Read Full Article
UC Riverside Team Examines Influence of Mid-and High-Level Ethanol Blends on Pollution from GDI Flex Fuel Vehicle
(Green Car Congress) A team from the University of California Riverside has investigated the influence of low-, mid-, and high-ethanol fueling—as well as the influence of the aromatic hydrocarbons in the fuel blend—on the regulated and greenhouse gas emissions, the mobile
January 02, 2019 Read Full Article
Mid-Level Ethanol Blends Are the Transportation Fuel of the 21st Century, NFU Says
(National Farmers Union) As Congress looks to revamp and coordinate federal-level policies that govern the transportation fuels and vehicles sectors, National Farmers Union (NFU) is urging legislators to expand use of high-octane, mid-level blends of ethanol in the transportation fuel supply.
December 27, 2018 Read Full Article
Commercializing Conventional and Advanced Liquid Biofuels from Biomass: Task 39 Update
(IEA Bioenergy Task 39) ... Task work that has recently been completed and will soon be posted on the “publically available” sections of the Task 39 website (http://task39.ieabioenergy.com/) includes the final report entitled, “Survey of Advanced Fuels for Advanced Engines” which Task 39 carried
December 19, 2018 Read Full Article
Reflections on 2018 by Diesel Technology Forum Executive Director
by Allen Schaeffer (Diesel Technology Forum) It’s the time of year that inspires purposeful reflection. This is harder than ever with the hourly twists and turns in our political and media environments, but here goes: Is the sky falling? No question that global
December 18, 2018 Read Full Article
Biofuels Lead Efforts to Protect the Climate
by Craig Willis (EurActiv/Growth Energy) With every passing year, the pathway to a stable climate gets narrower and more difficult to navigate. Meanwhile, the reports from our planet’s top scientists paint an increasingly grim picture of what to expect if the
December 13, 2018 Read Full Article
NFU Urges House Subcommittee to Expand Use of High-Octane, American Grown Biofuels
(The Fence Post/National Farmers Union) As Congress looks to revamp and coordinate federal-level policies that govern the transportation fuels and vehicles sectors, National Farmers Union is urging legislators to expand use of high-octane, mid-level blends of ethanol in the transportation fuel
December 13, 2018 Read Full Article
Cars and Coal Help Drive 'Strong' CO2 Rise in 2018
by Matt McGrath (BBC) A booming global market for cars has helped drive CO2 emissions to an all-time high in 2018, say researchers. The main factor in the near 3% rise has been coal use in China, driven by government efforts to
December 11, 2018 Read Full Article
The Hypocrisy Award II, EU Edition:
(American Energy Society) 2nd place: More than nine countries and a dozen cities in Europe have announced they are going to ban internal combustion engines or diesel powered vehicles (including Paris, Madrid, Athens, Norway, France the United Kingdom); however, none have passed a
December 11, 2018 Read Full Article
A Summary of Federal Programs: The Digest’s 2018 Multi-Slide Guide to Alternative Fuel and Advanced Vehicle Technology Incentives
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) A wide array of federal incentives supports the development and deployment of alternatives to conventional fuels and engines in transportation. These incentives include tax deductions and credits for vehicle purchases and the installation of refueling systems,
December 05, 2018 Read Full Article
Shimkus, Flores Release Draft 21st Century Transportation Fuels Act
(Office of Congressman John Shimkus (R-IL 15) Congressman John Shimkus (Illinois-15) and Congressman Bill Flores (Texas-17) today released a discussion draft of the 21st Century Transportation Fuels Act. “I’ve been engaged in the biofuel debate my entire career in Congress,” said
November 23, 2018 Read Full Article
2018 State of the Industry: ABLC Global Kickoff Presentation and Remarks
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Where is the industry right now?What are the 25 Key trends, how the industry is organizing, what’s up, what’s hot, what’s down, and what 6 Future Technologies should we keep a sharp eye on? Let’s take
November 07, 2018 Read Full Article
EESI Joins Comments on Health, Environmental & Economic Benefits of High-Octane Biofuels +
by Jessie Stolark (Environmental and Energy Study Institute) ... Automotive manufacturers are expressing interest in raising the minimum octane level of the U.S. gasoline pool as a low-cost compliance option for increasing fuel efficiency. Until now, all MPG gains in the
November 02, 2018 Read Full Article
Mazda Backs Carbon-Neutral Biofuel Research
(Mazda/Automotive World) Mazda is currently involved in joint research projects and studies as part of an ongoing industry-academia-government collaboration to promote the wide-spread adoption of biofuels from microalgae growth -- As part of its ‘Sustainable Zoom-Zoom 2030’ long-term technology development programme, the
November 01, 2018 Read Full Article
Clean Octane Alliance Sees Open Road for Higher Blends
(Urban Air Initiative) ... South Dakota Farmers Union President Doug Sombke and Urban Air Initiative President Dave VanderGriend said an update to the master list of future federal regulatory actions called the Unified Agenda does not include a previously proposed rule that
October 31, 2018 Read Full Article
RFA Urges EPA and NHTSA to Use SAFE Vehicles Rule to Advance High-Octane, Low Carbon Fuels
(Renewable Fuels Association) Ethanol-based high-octane, low-carbon (HOLC) fuel blends would enable cost-effective gains in fuel economy and significant carbon dioxide reductions, the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) outlined in comments submitted Friday to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety
October 31, 2018 Read Full Article
Behind the Scenes with E15 as We Peel back the Layers
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) ... More recently in 2011, E15 was approved by the EPA for all vehicles 2001 and newer – nearly 9 out of 10 cars on the road today, or about 92 percent of all registered cars and trucks.
October 29, 2018 Read Full Article
New Research Looks beyond Carbon Efficiency to Improve Advanced Biofuel Strategy Development
by Max Witynski (Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center) ... For researchers, this means that the more carbon in the crop that ends up as carbon in the fuel, the better. But carbon efficiency may not be the whole story: fuel quality and
October 22, 2018 Read Full Article
Alternative Fuels Ethanol and Air Quality – Separating Fact from Fiction
by Jessie Stolark (Environmental and Energy Study Institute) ... After Tuesday’s announcement, the oil industry and some environmental groups were quick to claim that increasing the volume of ethanol in the fuel supply would worsen air quality. However, the evidence suggests
October 15, 2018 Read Full Article
Myth-Buster or Warranty-Buster? Nebraska Ethanol Test Will Push beyond Auto Manufacturers' Specs
by Joe Duggan (Omaha World-Herald Bureau) Nebraska literally put the rubber to the road more than 40 years ago to give ethanol a shot of much-needed street cred. It was called the “Nebraska 2 Million Mile Gasohol Road Test Program.” It
October 06, 2018 Read Full Article
CARB Action on LCFS Underscores Need for Ethanol-Supported HOLC Fuels
(Solutions from the Land) Asserting that they are taking the state's climate fight up a notch, members of the California Air Resources Board (CARB) last week adopted amendments to the state's low-carbon fuel standard (LCFS) that could enhance the role of
October 06, 2018 Read Full Article
QUOTE OF THE WEEK -- Kelly Davis
In recent Renewable Fuels Association testimony, Kelly Davis noted, "It was apparent that the previous administration disregarded comments from RFA and many other stakeholders—including the automakers—that encouraged EPA to evaluate engines and fuels as integrated systems when assessing the efficacy
September 26, 2018 Read Full Article
RFA Testifies in Support of High Octane Low Carbon Fuels at EPA/NHTSA Hearing
by Rachel Gantz (Renewable Fuels Association) A high-octane, low-carbon fuel containing 20-40% ethanol used in optimized engines would be the lowest cost means of achieving compliance with fuel economy and greenhouse gas standards for model year 2021-2026 and beyond, Renewable Fuels
September 26, 2018 Read Full Article
Enerkem Produces a New Clean, Renewable Alternative Solution to Diesel Fuel for the Transportation Sector
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Canada, we hear that Enerkem has tested and validated the production of fuel-grade bio-DME made from unrecoverable carbon-rich municipal solid waste. More than 1,000 hours of operations at its Innovation Centre in Westbury, Quebec have
September 26, 2018 Read Full Article
Vietnam : Use of Biofuels: Economic and Useful Value for the Environment, Health
(Euclid Infotech Ltd via COMTEX/Futures Trading Charts) At a conference on Propagation and Development of Biofuels held in the morning of September 13 in Ho Chi Minh City, US experts shared valuable information on environmental benefits, energy human and economic use
September 20, 2018 Read Full Article
DOE Funds 6 Projects for Co-Optimization of Engines and Fuels
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. Department of Energy has announced it will award 42 projects a total of $80 million to support advanced vehicles technologies research. Approximately $10.1 million of that funding will support six projects focused on
September 14, 2018 Read Full Article
Renewables Could Drastically Cut Tailpipe Emissions
(King Abdullah University of Science and Technology/EurekAlert) Switching to renewable fuels could significantly lower exhaust emissions of toxic nitrogen oxides (NOx) as well as curbing global greenhouse gas emissions. Researchers at KAUST have combined computer analysis with laser-based NOx concentration measurements
August 24, 2018 Read Full Article
EPA Hasn’t Told the Whole Story of the Benefits of Biofuels
by Byron Dorgan (Arent Fox LLP/National Biodiesel Board/The Hill) ... A recent Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) report released to Congress on the environmental and resource conservation impacts of biofuel production deliberately misses the mark because of what it excludes. The EPA authors note that
July 24, 2018 Read Full Article
MaREI Secure €4.4 Million to Support Ireland’s Indigenous Biomass and Bioenergy Industry
(Science Foundation Ireland) ... The Spoke research teams will collaborate in developing technologies capable of converting a wide variety of residues and by-products to homogenous energy carriers and optimising performance of internal combustion engines using advanced fuels including biofuel blends. The Spoke
July 12, 2018 Read Full Article
Biofuels and the Environment: Second Triennial Report to Congress
(Environmental Protection Agency) This report is the second of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) triennial reports to Congress required under the 2007 Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA). EISA Section 204 calls for EPA to report to Congress on the environmental
July 02, 2018 Read Full Article
Mazda: 'Well-to-Wheel' Gives ICE the Advantage over Electric, Manufacturer Claims
by Stephen Briers (Fleet News) Change the debate to get true global picture on emissions says manufacturer as it continues to examine powertrain technology options. -- At a time when most of its rivals are distancing themselves from diesel by publicising their
June 27, 2018 Read Full Article
Adoption of Autonomous Vehicles Could Increase U.S. Transportation Energy Consumption
(U.S. Energy Information Administration) Autonomous vehicles are one of the main sources of uncertainty in the future of U.S. transportation energy consumption, as autonomous vehicle technology has the potential to change travel behavior, vehicle design, energy efficiency, and vehicle ownership. Analysis
June 20, 2018 Read Full Article
EU Recognises Importance of Crop-Based Ethanol to Achieving Climate Goals
(ePURE/EurActiv) RED II agreement by negotiators is a step in the right direction, allowing Member States to use sustainable biofuels in fighting climate change -- Negotiators from the European Parliament, Council and Commission agreed early Thursday morning on a new target for
June 15, 2018 Read Full Article
An Open Letter to ARB: Don’t Miss Out on California’s Opportunity for the Fastest, Most Cost-Effective Path to Cleaner Air
(Diesel Technology Forum) The following is an open letter from Allen Schaeffer, executive director of the Diesel Technology Forum, regarding the California Air Resources Board’s scheduled vote on the State’s spending plans for $423 million from the Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation
May 30, 2018 Read Full Article
QUOTE OF THE WEEK -- Manhattan Institute
The Manhattan Institute looked at "zero emission vehicles" and found: Broad-based adoption of ZEVs will increase overall emissions of sulfur dioxide, oxides of nitrogen, and particulates, compared with the same number of new internal combustion engines. The simple fact is
May 15, 2018 Read Full Article
Short Circuit: The High Cost of Electric Vehicle Subsidies
(Manhattan Institute) Many claim that “zero-emissions vehicles” (ZEVs), especially battery-powered electric vehicles, should replace most, if not all, cars and trucks powered by gasoline-burning internal combustion engines. The primary rationale is to reduce air pollution and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. To effect
May 15, 2018 Read Full Article
How Trump Will Go after California's Auto GHG Authority
by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico's Morning Energy) The Trump administration plans to argue that California does not have the authority to enforce stringent greenhouse gas emissions standards for cars, despite the Obama administration's 2009 waiver, according to a source familiar with a forthcoming
April 30, 2018 Read Full Article
Co-Optimization of Fuels and Engines: Co-Optima Report Focuses on Strengths of Nation’s Energy Resources and Existing Infrastructure
by Mattie Hensley (Sandia National Laboratory) The United States could increase its domestic fuel supplies by 25 billion gallons per year while leveraging the nation’s existing $1 trillion fuel infrastructure according to a Co-Optimization of Fuels & Engines (Co-Optima) report released this week. The
April 20, 2018 Read Full Article
New Release: Co-Optima 2017 Year in Review
(U.S. Department of Energy) While vehicles and fuels currently on the market get travelers from Point A to Point B, are there new options that could save fuel and money, while also delivering higher performance and cleaner air? Co-Optima research is exploring
April 18, 2018 Read Full Article
Recall Of CAFE Rule Is Opportunity To Improve Fuel Quality
(Urban Air Initiative) The announcement by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that the fuel economy rules rushed through in late 2016 will be revised is an encouraging first step for high octane fuels to play a much bigger role, according
April 02, 2018 Read Full Article
RFA: EPA and NHTSA Should Consider Role of High Octane Fuels in Upcoming CAFE/GHG Rulemaking
by Emily Druckman (Renewable Fuels Association) The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) today encouraged the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to strongly consider the role of high-octane fuels and higher compression ratio engines as the
April 02, 2018 Read Full Article
EPA Publishes CAFE Standards Mid-Term Evaluation Final Determination
(U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) On April 2, 2018, the Administrator signed the Mid-term Evaluation Final Determination which finds that the model year 2022-2025 greenhouse gas standards are not appropriate in light of the record before EPA and, therefore, should be revised.
April 02, 2018 Read Full Article
Auto Exec: Raise the Octane Rating of U.S. Gasoline for Bump in Fuel Efficiency
by Jessie Stolark (Environmental and Energy Study Institute) At a recent American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers meeting, General Motors executive Dan Nicholson voiced the automaker’s support in raising the minimum octane rating of the U.S. gasoline pool from 87 to 91,
March 30, 2018 Read Full Article
Where’s Ethanol Going to Go?
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... According to POET CEO Jeff Broin, there’s a deal on the table — changing almost by the hour, but a deal none the less. A deal on the table to provide year-round E15 approval for the biofuels industry
March 23, 2018 Read Full Article
Enerkem Makes a Major Breakthrough by Producing a New High-Octane Biofuel
(Enerkem/Oil and Gas 360/PR Newswire) Enerkem Inc., a world-leading waste-to-biofuels and chemicals producer, announced today during the 255th American Chemical Society national meeting being held in New Orleans, that it had succeeded in producing a new high-performance biofuel that could improve the octane rating