Alt Fuels
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The EU has added an allowance for cars burning e-fuels, in the face of German opposition.
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Study: Ethanol may add 12 cents per gallon to Midwest gasoline
Under a current policy push to get more ethanol into pump gasoline, fuel prices will go up, according to findings for a fossil-fuel refining trade group.
Stephen Edelstein -
Toyota sees hydrogen-combustion Corolla Cross as EV alternative
It claims performance of the Corolla Cross H2 Concept is close to that of gasoline engines, while refueling time has been cut to a minute and a half.
Stephen Edelstein -
Will EPA’s plan for broadened biofuels delay EV adoption?
A proposal from the EPA for 2023-2025 may result in wider production and use of ethanol, but it also may help utilities produce cleaner energy for EVs.
Bengt Halvorson -
Coffee grounds could help make biodiesel, offset fossil fuel
Researchers found that coffee-fed algae generated "enhanced biodiesel that produces minimal emissions and good engine performance." And it might be easier to commercialize than some other means of feedstock production.
Stephen Edelstein -
Stellantis fined $300 million over dirty diesel engines in Jeep, Ram models
At the center of the controversy are 2014-2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Ram 1500 models with the 3.0-liter turbodiesel V-6, badged EcoDiesel.
Bengt Halvorson -
Ethanol interests have claimed that they can cut pump gasoline prices by 30 cents a gallon with changes to the Renewable Fuel Standard. Now President Biden is reportedly allowing more E15 at the pump.
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Alongside EVs, Porsche sees a business opportunity in synthetic fuels
An investment in synthetic fuel production facilities will give Porsche a long-term stake in the fuel, with near-term plans to use it in heritage models and racing.
Stephen Edelstein -
Study suggests corn-based ethanol is worse for global warming than gasoline
A study funded in part by the U.S. DOE found that ethanol is at least 24% more carbon-intensive than gasoline. It contradicts the conclusions of a 2019 USDA study suggesting ethanol has GHG benefits.
Stephen Edelstein -
Synthetic gasoline emits just as much pollution as regular gas, tests find
Smog-forming emissions might not be any better with synthetic fuels, according to testing commissioned by a European environmental group.
Stephen Edelstein -
Several Japanese vehicle makers expand the use of hydrogen internal combustion engines
Hydrogen-fueled internal combustion engines are the focus for a partnership among a range of Japanese makers of two- and four-wheeled vehicles.
Stephen Edelstein -
China's GAC announces hydrogen combustion engine
GAC Motor joins the ranks of companies considering internal combustion hydrogen engines as part of a future CO2-cutting solution.
Stephen Edelstein -
Gas stations, tailpipes, and internal combustion engines will soon be ushered out. Could synthetic fuels ever possibly turn the tide?
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Last call for diesel F-150: Ford sees hybrid version of top-selling pickup as its replacement
The diesel engine that Ford rolled out for 2018 on its full-size F-150 pickup has been nudged aside by the PowerBoost hybrid—and, perhaps somewhat, the all-electric Lightning.
Bengt Halvorson -
Mazda diesel has already come and gone: Here’s why it didn’t work for the US
Mazda's varied vision of the future includes EVs, hybrids, and a Skyactiv-X six—but no diesel for the U.S. We consider why that didn't work out.
Bengt Halvorson -
Study: Synthetic fuels cost more money and cause more CO2 emissions vs. batteries
Keeping internal combustion alive through synthetic fuels with a lower carbon footprint is not a better solution than batteries, T&E argues.
Stephen Edelstein -
Toyota is developing hydrogen combustion engines—for racing
Toyota sees potential in hydrogen internal-combustion engines as part of a future racing program—perhaps to boost interest in its plans for a hydrogen economy.
Stephen Edelstein -
Synthetically fueled cars can be as clean as EVs, Porsche claims
Porsche is among the automakers hoping to find a way to keep internal combustion alive as a niche, with a sustainable new twist at the fuel-making level.
Stephen Edelstein -
Illegal delete kits and tampering with emissions equipment is so common that is creates more noncompliant vehicles than the VW diesel scandal, a new EPA report suggests.
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California gives automakers until end of year to come clean on emissions cheats
CARB is offering carmakers a grace period on non-compliance or defeat devices—before higher fines and a new lab to sniff out cheats next year.
Bengt Halvorson -
Corn farmers concerned California EV push will sink ethanol sales
Concern over an ethanol downturn, possibly exaggerated by EVs, has both campaigns—and Congress—pandering to the Corn Belt.
Bengt Halvorson -
Diesel Ram 1500 and Jeep Grand Cherokee models recalled for stalling risk
FCA is recalling Jeep Grand Cherokee and Ram 1500 models with the EcoDiesel V-6 for an engine-stalling issue, fixed with a software update.
Bengt Halvorson -
2020 Jeep Wrangler diesel drive review: On its way to treading lightly, but not quite there
Until the Jeep Wrangler 4xe plug-in hybrid arrives, the Wrangler EcoDiesel is the high-mileage off-road leader. Is it eco enough?
Bengt Halvorson -
Mercedes set to pay $2.2B in US diesel settlements, as it slowly pivots to EVs
Mercedes and parent company Daimler AG will pay $1.5 billion in penalties, as it continues to priorities Europe over the U.S. for cleaner EVs.
Stephen Edelstein