Category Archives: alternative fuels

California Advanced Clean Cars II Regs – EPA Grants Waivers!

Posted on 18 December 2024 by Ken Zino

“After reviewing the information provided by California, reviewing comments submitted by the public, and applying the limited criteria for waiver review under the Clean Air Act, EPA determined in each case that it would be appropriate to grant both waiver requests. The records, included in the waiver decisions, contain public comments on the programs’ feasibility, including costs to manufacturers and the lead time provided. EPA’s review found that opponents of the waivers did not meet their burden to show how either program is inconsistent with the Clean Air Act. California has longstanding authority to request waivers from EPA to protect its residents from dangerous air pollution coming from mobile sources like cars and trucks,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “Today’s actions follow through on EPA’s commitment to partner with states to reduce emissions and act on the threat of climate change.” Continue reading →

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Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles – Japan vs Korea

Posted on 26 November 2024 by Ken Zino

“This rivalry is more than a market battle – it’s a bid for energy independence and environmental sustainability. FCEVs (fuel cell electric vehicles) offer several advantages over traditional fossil-fuel vehicles and even BEVs (battery electric vehicles), such as longer range and faster refueling, making them a potentially transformative solution, especially for long-haul and heavy-duty applications,” GlobalData said. Continue reading →

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EPA – US Fuel Economy Record High. CO2 Record Low

Posted on 26 November 2024 by Ken Zino

“This annual report indicates EPA’s commitment to provide the public with information about new light-duty vehicle greenhouse gas emissions, fuel economy, technology data, and auto manufacturers’ performance in meeting the nation’s emissions standards. EPA’s annual Automotive Trends Report is separate from the agency’s regulatory process, which is far more complex and has been subject to political and judicial interference funded by special interest groups. – AutoCrat.” Continue reading →

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Toyota Huntsville Finishes 168-acre Solar Array

Posted on 19 November 2024 by Ken Zino

Toyota (NYSE: TM) and Toyota Tsusho America (TAI) and Huntsville Utilities have completed 168-acre solar project. The renewable energy produced will generate ~70 % of Toyota Alabama’s total energy. It is in keeping with the automaker’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality at all of its North American facilities by 2035. In total, the array will generate approximately 62,000 megawatt hours of energy annually, reducing an estimated 22,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions per year.

“Toyota is committed to clean and sustainable power. We know that the collective future for our community and our team members depends on clean mobility, clean air, clean water, and biodiversity,” said Jason Puckett, president of Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Alabama. “We are thankful for our partners on this project who have created a model of environmental stewardship in North Alabama.” Continue reading →

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Stellantis Embraces and Adapts HVO Diesel Fuel

Posted on 11 November 2024 by Ken Zino

Stellantis (NYSE: STLA)* said today that its entire assortment of cars and light-duty commercial vehicles is fully compatible with Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) diesel fuel. HVO diesel has the same performance as traditional diesel and is derived from renewable sources, such as vegetable oils or animal fats.

“The hydrogenation process used to produce HVO results in a cleaner, sulfur-free fuel with significantly reduced levels of aromatic compounds and pollutants, making it a sustainable and environmentally friendly option,” Stellantis claimed.

Well, yes, but with caveats, AutoInformed observes. Some sustainable-fuel industries are still budding. McKinsey & Company research says that most sustainable fuels (other than clean hydrogen) are projected to see significant growth by 2030. By 2050, McKinsey expects demand for sustainable fuels to quadruple. Depending on net-zero objectives across countries, the share of demand for sustainable fuels could account for as much as 37% of all energy used in the transportation sector. [The respected McKinsey consultancy has many ongoing studies on Sustainability and Oil & Gas Practices. – AutoCrat] Continue reading →

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Mercedes-Benz Opens Battery Recycling Plant in Kuppenheim

Posted on 21 October 2024 by Ken Zino

“Mercedes-Benz has set itself the goal of building the most desirable cars in a sustainable way. As a pioneer in automotive engineering, Europe’s first integrated mechanical-hydrometallurgical battery recycling factory marks a key milestone towards enhancing raw-materials sustainability. Together with our partners from industry and science, we are sending a strong signal of innovative strength for sustainable electric mobility and value creation in Germany and Europe,” said Ola Källenius, Chairman of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG. Continue reading →

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DOE Backs Utility-Scale Power Storage In Puerto Rico

Posted on 15 October 2024 by Ken Zino

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) through its Loan Programs Office (LPO) today announced the closing of a $861.3 million loan guarantee to finance the construction of two solar photovoltaic (PV) farms equipped with battery storage and two standalone battery energy storage systems (BESS) in Puerto Rico.

“The project is financed under Title 17 Clean Energy Financing Section 1706. Created by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), EIR can finance projects that retool, repower, repurpose, or replace energy infrastructure that has ceased operations or enable operating energy infrastructure to avoid, reduce, utilize, or sequester air pollutants or greenhouse gas emissions,” LPO said. Continue reading →

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NISSAN ENERGY Charge Network Launches

Posted on 15 October 2024 by Ken Zino

Nissan announced today an “enhancement “to the MyNISSAN app that claims to simplify EV ownership by consolidating vehicle management and public charging into one app. Users store a default payment method in the MyNISSAN app, then once at a compatible charging station, simply tap an on-screen button to start a charging session within the NISSAN ENERGY Charge Network. This new app will be available to MyNISSAN app users by November 2024.

“Owning and charging a Nissan EV will become simpler and more seamless with the launch of the NISSAN ENERGY Charge Network. The new network allows Nissan Ariya and future Nissan EV drivers to use their MyNISSAN app to find charging stations, see real-time charger availability and pay for charging – all in one streamlined experience,” Nissan said in a release. Continue reading →

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DOE Loan Programs Office – $1B to Evgo for Charging Points

Posted on 4 October 2024 by Ken Zino

The Department of Energy’s (DOE) Loan Programs Office (LPO) announced Thursday a conditional commitment to EVgo Swift Borrower LLC (EVgo) for a loan guarantee of up to $1.05 billion to expand the public electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. The loan guarantee, if finalized, will support EVgo’s deployment of ~7500 charging ports at ~1100 charging stations across the United States. The first deployments will include high-power 350kW fast chargers capable of charging two EVs simultaneously. EVgo plans to continue installing power sharing equipment over the 5-year deployment timeline.

“The Biden-Harris administration and DOE are building towards a future where EVs are affordable and accessible in every part of the country,” LPO said in a detailed release. Continue reading →

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IONNA Breaks Ground on So-Called Rechargery for EVs

Posted on 3 October 2024 by Ken Zino

IONNA, a charging network founded by eight automakers – BMW, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Mercedes-Benz, Kia, Stellantis and Toyota –  announced today the ground breaking for the first IONNA ‘Rechargery.’ It is remaking a historic district gas station into an EV charging station in Apex, North Carolina. AutoInformed notes the irony, and also  that the town was built around a railroad steam engine refill pond, which the workers dubbed Apex. Continue reading →

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California Economy Booms as Greenhouse Gases Decline

Posted on 20 September 2024 by Ken Zino

A report* released today by the California Air Resources Board shows that for 2022 greenhouse gas emissions dropped across most sectors and is the equivalent of removing more than 2.2 million gasoline- or diesel powered cars off California’s roads for one year. Between 2000 to 2022, emissions fell by 20% while California’s gross domestic product increased by 78%. This shows the effectiveness of the state’s climate change and air quality programs, which will be rejected by climate deniers and fossil fuel lobbying funding organizations, political candidates or parties.

“California is proving that climate action goes hand-in-hand with economic growth. We’ve slashed carbon pollution by a whopping 20% since the turn of the century all while building the world’s fifth largest economy. Cleaner air, more good jobs – that’s the California way,” said Governor Gavin Newsom. Continue reading →

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Strange Clean Energy Bedfellows – GM and Hyundai

Posted on 12 September 2024 by Ken Zino

General Motors (NYSE: GM) and Hyundai Motor Company (KRX: 005380 KS) said today that they have signed an agreement to explore future collaboration across key strategic areas. The culturally different companies will look at joint product development, manufacturing and future clean energy technologies. They will also review prospects for combined sourcing in battery raw materials, steel and other areas. What this immediately calls into question is GM’s existing similar agreements with Honda Motor. Continue reading →

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Stellantis to Invest +$406M in Three Michigan Plants for EVs

Posted on 11 September 2024 by Ken Zino

“Sterling Heights Assembly has performed an incredible transformation in record time and I want to thank our colleagues for this great achievement,” said Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares. “Gearing up to build our first-ever Ram electric truck and the range-extended version in Michigan is a meaningful moment of pride for our teams. With these investments supporting both Jeep and Ram, we’re adding innovations to our Michigan manufacturing footprint to support a multi-energy approach that is laser-focused on customer demand.” Continue reading →

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Mazda and Panasonic Link on Cylindrical Lithium-Ion Batteries

Posted on 6 September 2024 by Ken Zino

Panasonic Energy Company and Mazda Motor Corporation today announced that they will prepare for the supply of next-generation cylindrical automotive lithium-ion batteries, in anticipation of their installation in Mazda’s battery electric vehicles with scheduled production from 2027 onward. In a release they said this follows their formerly concluded agreement and reflects their aim of establishing a medium- to long-term partnership.

Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry also approved today their joint project for the expansion of battery production and technology development as part of its plan for establishing a stable supply of batteries. The Japanese government has positioned storage batteries as a strategic asset for achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, and is working to expand the domestic battery supply chains and improve industrial competitiveness. Continue reading →

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Shareholder Warning – Ford Delays Next Gen Electric Truck

Posted on 21 August 2024 by Ken Zino

Electric vehicle consumers currently, so to speak, are more cost-conscious than early adopters, looking to electric vehicles as a practical way to save money on fuel and maintenance, as well as time by charging at home. This, along with numerous new electric vehicle choices coming to market during the next 12 months , as well as rising compliance requirements, has multiplied pricing pressures. In short (groan) all automakers to survive must have  globally competitive cost structure, emphasizing some customer and product segments to ensure profitable growth and capital efficiency. Continue reading →

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