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Category Archives: alternative fuels
EPA – US Fuel Economy Record High. CO2 Record Low
“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
Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, energy, environment, fuel economy or emissions, global warming, milestones, news analysis, public health, shows and events
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, EPA Annual Automotive Trends Report, Ken Zino, Michael S. Regan, X @KenAutoinformed
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Toyota Huntsville Finishes 168-acre Solar Array
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
Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, energy, environment, global warming, manufacturing, milestones, news analysis, public health, shows and events
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Chris Simmons, Jason Puckett, Ken Zino, Toyota Tsusho America, Wes Kelley, X @KenAutoinformed
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Stellantis Embraces and Adapts HVO Diesel Fuel
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
Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, energy, environment, fuel economy or emissions, global warming, milestones, news analysis, public health
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, HVO diesel fuel, Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil fuel, Ken Zino, McKinsey Sustainability and Oil & Gas Practices, X @KenAutoinformed
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DOE Backs Utility-Scale Power Storage In Puerto Rico
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
Posted in alternative fuels, economy, energy, environment, global warming, milestones, news analysis, public health
Tagged AES Corporation, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Biden Adminstration’s Inflation Reduction Act, Clean Flexible Energy, DOE Loan Programs Office, Ken Zino, Project Marahu, solar photovoltaic power, TotalEnergies Holdings USA, U.S. Department of Energy, X @KenAutoinformed
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NISSAN ENERGY Charge Network Launches
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
Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, customer satisfaction, electric vehicles, electronics, energy, global warming, marketing, news analysis, shows and events, software defined vehicles
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ken Zino, MyNISSAN app, NISSAN ENERGY Charge Network, Nissan Leaf EV, X @KenAutoinformed
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DOE Loan Programs Office – $1B to Evgo for Charging Points
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
Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, economy, electric vehicles, environment, global warming, news analysis, shows and events
Tagged Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Tax Credit, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Biden-Harris Administration, Department of Energy Loan Programs Office, EV charging stations, EVgo, Inflation Reduction Act, Ken Zino, NACS and CCS EV charging connectors, X @KenAutoinformed
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IONNA Breaks Ground on So-Called Rechargery for EVs
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
Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, electric vehicles, global warming, marketing, milestones, news analysis, public health, shows and events
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, BMW, general motors, honda, hyundai, IONNA Rechargery, Jackie Slope, Ken Zino, kia, mercedes-benz, Stellantis, toyota, X @KenAutoinformed
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California Economy Booms as Greenhouse Gases Decline
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
Posted in alternative fuels, economy, electric vehicles, environment, fuel economy or emissions, global warming, news analysis, public health, shows and events
Tagged Advanced Clean Cars, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, California Climate Investments, California Landfill Methane Regulation, Dr. Steven Cliff, Governor Gavin Newsom, greenhouse gas inventory, Ken Zino, Liane Randolph, Low-Emission Vehicle Regulation, X @KenAutoinformed
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Stellantis to Invest +$406M in Three Michigan Plants for EVs
“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
Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, electric vehicles, environment, fuel economy or emissions, global warming, manufacturing, milestones, mobility company, news analysis, shows and events
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, carlos tavares, Dundee Engine Plant, Ken Zino, NYSE: STLA, Sterling Heights Assembly Plant, Warren Truck Assembly Plant, X @KenAutoinformed
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Mazda and Panasonic Link on Cylindrical Lithium-Ion Batteries
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
Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, electric vehicles, electronics, environment, global warming, manufacturing, milestones, news analysis, public health, shows and events
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Kazuo Tadanobu, Ken Zino, Masahiro Moro, MAZDA BEVs, Mazda Motor Corporation, METI, Ministry of Economy, Panasonic Energy, Panasonic Suminoe and Kaizuka factories, the Japanese Minister of Economy Trade and Industry, X @KenAutoinformed
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Shareholder Warning – Ford Delays Next Gen Electric Truck
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
Posted in alternative fuels, electric vehicles, environment, global warming, manufacturing, mobility company, new vehicle, news analysis, shows and events, software defined vehicles
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, BlueOval City, chinese evs, Jim Farley, John Lawler, Ken Zino, Project T3, X @KenAutoinformed
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Satisfaction With Auto Industry Up Slightly?
Driver satisfaction with the automobile industry inches forward 1% to a score of 80 (out of 100) as inventory levels return to normal, accruing to the latest study from ACSI®. Satisfaction with both the mass-market (79) and luxury (81) segments is unchanged from the year before, while the smaller brands that comprise the “all others” measure lift the industry’s overall ACSI score by climbing 7% to 81.
“Despite automotive sales showing strong growth in 2023, many consumers remain cautious about making major purchases like new vehicles,” says Forrest Morgeson, Associate Professor of Marketing at Michigan State University and Director of Research Emeritus at the ACSI. “Inflation poses challenges and there are real concerns over new vehicles becoming outdated quicker because of how fast technology evolves. Plus, factors like economic uncertainty and range anxiety around electric vehicles contribute to this hesitation.” Continue reading
Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles – Japan vs Korea
“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 →