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UC Davis team optimizes levulinic ester self-condensation process for production of cellulosic gasoline

Green Car Congress

A team at UC Davis has optimized the levulinic ester self-condensation reaction and the efficient conversion of its products—which are highly branched cyclopentadienes—into a mixture of substituted cyclopentanes with high octane ratings and excellent density and flow properties. Zheng Li, Andrew L.

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UC Davis process produces gasoline-range hydrocarbons from biomass-derived levulinic acid; field-to-tank yield of >60% claimed

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Researchers at the University of California, Davis have developed a process for the production of branched C 7 –C 10 hydrocarbons in the gasoline volatility range from biomass-derived levulinic acid with good yield, operating under relatively mild conditions, with short reaction times. Source: Mascal et al. Click to enlarge.

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UC Davis report proposes mileage fee for EVs, maintaining fuel tax for ICEs to support road repairs

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A research report submitted to the California Legislature this week by the University of California, Davis’ Institute of Transportation Studies proposes switching EVs to a mileage-based road-funding fee (road user charge, RUC) while continuing to have gasoline-powered cars pay gasoline taxes.

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UC Davis researcher finds ride-hailing EVs offer triple the emissions benefits of a personally owned EV

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Replacing a gasoline-powered ride-hailing vehicle with an electric vehicle can deliver three times the carbon benefits of a personally owned electric vehicle, according to a study by a University of California, Davis, researcher of Uber and Lyft data. The paper is published in the journal Nature Energy. Nat Energy (2020).

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MIT/UC Davis professors challenge claims that ethanol production decreased gasoline prices in 2010 and 2011

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Knittel/Smith results for implied gasoline price effects from elimination of ethanol for 2010 using Du/Hayes model and pooled-sample estimates. Put simply, the empirical results merely reflect the fact that ethanol production increased during the sample period whereas the ratio of gasoline to crude oil prices decreased.

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New UC Davis market-based sustainability forecasting approach concludes supplanting gasoline and diesel with renewable fuels could take 131 years

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At the current pace of research and development, replacing gasoline and diesel with renewable fuel alternatives could take some 131 years, according to a new University of California, Davis, study using a new sustainability forecasting approach based on market expectations. —Nataliya Malyshkina, UC Davis postdoctoral researcher.

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Study finds EVs are traveling less than half the US fleet average

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New data suggests that electric vehicles may not be an easy future substitute for the gasoline-powered fleet, as EVs currently travel less than half as much as the US fleet average. —co-author David Rapson, an associate professor at the UC Davis Economics Department. —Burlig et al. Fiona Burlig, James B.

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