Tag Archives: department of energy

Petroleum Equivalency Factor Change Slows EV Adoption

The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) final greenhouse gas and criteria pollutant rules for light-duty vehicles covering model years 2027-2032 is about to be to be announced. It’s part of a tangled maze of regulations from multiple federal and state agencies affecting automakers and ultimately consumers in the US, often referred in shorthand as CAFE – corporate average fuel economy.

In the latest development, The Department of Energy last year proposed decreasing the so-called “petroleum-equivalent fuel economy factor” (PEF) for EVs by 72% in 2027. The Petroleum Equivalency Factor expresses electric vehicle efficiency as equivalent-miles-per-gallon of gasoline for purposes of the EPA’s calculation of manufacturers’ compliance with NHTSA’s CAFE regulations. DOE is responsible for establishing the value of the PEF. With a final rule, issued yesterday,  the PEF will be established for model years beginning in 2027. It slows forcing EV adaption, and in AutoInformed’s view this is a good thing. Continue reading

Posted in alternative fuels, AutoInformed Editorial, blog, economy, electric vehicles, energy, engineering, environment, fuel economy or emissions, global warming, labor issues, manufacturing, milestones, news analysis, public health | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Michigan Wins Clean Hydrogen Hub Funding

Governor Gretchen Whitmer (D-MI) today announced that a Michigan-backed clean hydrogen hub project, the Midwest Alliance for Clean Hydrogen (MachH2) has been awarded up to $1 billion by an awakened US Department of Energy to develop regional supply chains for the production, distribution, and use of hydrogen in trucks and heavy-duty vehicles. The project is projected to create ~13,600 direct jobs, 12,100 in construction jobs and 1,500 permanent jobs. Michigan was recognized as the top state in the Midwest for clean energy jobs in the Clean Jobs America report from Environmental Entrepreneurs released in September 2023. Continue reading

Posted in news analysis | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

DOE Gives EV Supplier UQM More Time on ARRAS Grant

The politically contentious American Recovery and Reinvestment Act contained billions upon billions in taxpayer funding to businesses though a number of Recovery Act and related programs, including loans, loan guarantees, grants, contracts and tax incentives, in partnership with the Department of Treasury. In total, CBO estimates that the legislation will increase budget deficits by about $831 billion over the 2009–2019 period. Continue reading

Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, economy, electric vehicles, energy, financial results, news, results, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Department of Energy, Qatar Sign Agreement on Clean Energy

Qatar, an ally of the United States in the ongoing Libya war, has enormous reserves of both oil and natural gas, and as a result is an extremely wealthy nation. Qatar has agreed to market Libyan oil from sites controlled by the Libyan rebels and has sent troops to fight. Qatar also sponsors the Al-Jazeera television news network, the most influential media outlet in the Arab world. Continue reading

Posted in auto news, energy, news analysis, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Roush Begins Making Blink Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

Ecotality home charging stations are said to offer advantages over conventional charging stations, including advanced energy monitoring capabilities that allow homeowners to optimize their energy usage and charge their vehicles when rates are lowest. The Blink Network charger interface is the hub where users can receive information about their EV and Blink Home Charging Station including charge status, statistics and history. Continue reading

Posted in auto news, environment, news analysis | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

GM Invests in Envia Systems’ Battery Cathode Material

General Motors Ventures LLC has invested $7 million in Envia Systems get access to what is said to be an advanced lithium-ion cathode technology that delivers a battery with higher cell energy density and lower cost. Continue reading

Posted in auto news | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment