2013, Alternative Fuels, Fuel Economy and Gasoline

EPA Trends on EVs and PHEVs; beginning of a “measurable and meaningful impact” on new vehicle fuel economy and emissions

Green Car Congress

OCTOBER 11, 2014

The agency’s reasoning was that since alternative fuel vehicle production has generally been less than 0.1% of total vehicle production until very recently, the impact of excluding alternative fuel vehicles was negligible. EPA Trends report.

Fuel Economy

Fuel Economy EPA PHEV Economy

MIT study finds fuel economy standards are 6-14 times less cost effective than fuel tax for reducing gasoline use

Green Car Congress

FEBRUARY 21, 2013

In a study published in the journal Energy Economics , MIT researchers have found that a fuel economy standard is at least six to fourteen times less cost effective than a fuel tax when targeting an identical reduction in cumulative gasoline use (20% by 2050). Paltsev, M. Babiker, J.M. 2012.09.001.

Fuel Economy

Fuel Economy MIT Fuel Tax Economy

EPA trends report sees record levels of average new vehicle fuel economy and CO2 emissions for MY 2012; role of new gasoline vehicle technologies

Green Car Congress

DECEMBER 13, 2013

EPA projects advanced transmissions (6+ speeds and CVTs), gasoline direct injection (GDI) systems, and turbocharged engines will be installed on at least 15% of all MY 2013 vehicles. The majority of the emissions and fuel savings from current vehicles, EPA noted, is due to new gasoline vehicle technologies. mpg, or 22%.

Fuel Economy

Fuel Economy 2012 Economy EPA

EPA annual trends report finds new vehicle fuel economy at record 24.1 mpg; new powertrain technologies rapidly gaining share

Green Car Congress

OCTOBER 10, 2014

EPA released the latest edition of its annual report on trends in CO 2 emissions, fuel economy and powertrain technology for new personal vehicles in the US. Among the top-level findings was that Model year 2013 vehicles achieved an average of 24.1 Adjusted fuel economy distribution by model year. Fuel economy.

Fuel Economy

Fuel Economy MPG Economy EPA

EIA: China promoting both fuel efficiency and alternative-fuel vehicles to curb growing oil use

Green Car Congress

MAY 13, 2014

Consumption of gasoline in China grew from 0.9 million barrels per day (bbl/d) in 2003 to more than 2 million bbl/d in 2013, according to figures from the US Energy Information Administration (EIA). China vehicle sales and gasoline consumption. Source: EIA. Click to enlarge. l/100 km) by 2015 and 47 miles per gallon (5.0

Alternative Fuels

Alternative Fuels Oil China Fuel

FEV’s two-stage VCR system; 5-7% increase in fuel economy using variable length conrods

Green Car Congress

APRIL 22, 2013

Use of a variable compression ratio (VCR) could be one technology approach to reducing fuel consumption in highly boosted (e.g., downsized, turbocharged) gasoline engine, as operating an engine with higher compression ratios at low load can increase fuel economy compared to operating an engine with fixed compression ratio.

Fuel Economy

Fuel Economy Economy Fuel Downsizing

CMU study concludes alt fuel vehicle incentives for OEMs result in increased fleet gasoline consumption and emissions

Green Car Congress

FEBRUARY 15, 2016

A study by researchers at Carnegie Mellon University has concluded that regulatory incentives for OEMs for alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) intended to encourage a technology transition in the transportation fleet result in increased fleet-wide gasoline consumption and emissions. Click to enlarge. —Jenn et al.

Gasoline

Gasoline Fleet Emissions Fuel

EIA Energy Outlook 2013 reference case sees drop in fossil fuel consumption as use of petroleum-based liquid fuels falls; projects 20% higher sales of hybrids and PHEVs than AEO2012

Green Car Congress

DECEMBER 5, 2012

Transportation sector gasoline demand declines. The US Energy Information Administration released its Annual Energy Outlook 2013 (AEO2013) Reference case (the Early Release ), which highlights a growth in total US energy production that exceeds growth in total US energy consumption through 2040. Click to enlarge. mpg in 2025.

Fuel

Fuel Energy Sale 2013

Chrysler Group files S-1 for IPO; snapshot of R&D priorities; exploring a light-duty hydraulic hybrid

Green Car Congress

SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

It is focusing its efforts on five areas aimed at reducing fuel consumption and emissions: vehicle energy use (weight, aerodynamics, and rolling resistance); engines; transmissions; axles and drivelines; and hybrid propulsion and alternative fuel technologies. Hybrid propulsion and alternative fuel vehicles.

Chrysler

Chrysler Light Hybrid Dodge

EIA AEO2012 projects potential impacts of significant breakthroughs in battery technology

Green Car Congress

JULY 2, 2012

Battery electric vehicles, excluding mild hybrids, grow from 3% of new light-duty vehicles (LDV) sales in 2013 to 24% in 2035 in the High Technology Battery case, compared with 8% in 2035 in the Reference case. However, many consumers may be willing to pay more for vehicles that have lower fueling costs. Recharging times.

Batteries

Batteries Battery Gasoline-Electric Recharge

EIA AEO2015 projects elimination of net US energy imports in 2020-2030 timeframe; transportation energy consumption drops

Green Car Congress

APRIL 14, 2015

year from 2013 through 2040 in the Reference case, far below the rates of economic growth (2.4%/year) Fuel economy standards and changing driver behavior keep motor gasoline consumption below recent levels through 2040 in the Reference case. million bbl/d) in 2013 to 26.4 quadrillion Btu in 2013 to 12.6

2020

2020 Energy Transportation Oil Prices

Lightning Hybrids releases initial emissions testing results for medium-duty hydraulic hybrids

Green Car Congress

JUNE 19, 2014

Lightning Hybrids tested two vehicles: a 2013 Ford E450 6.8-liter Hydraulic pumps/motors and an accumulator (power storage unit) are added to gasoline, diesel, propane or CNG engines to store braking energy and use the captured energy to accelerate the vehicle, significantly saving fuel and brakes and cutting emissions.

Hybrid

Hybrid Emissions West Virginia Colorado

Audi survey finds more than half of US drivers would support government initiative to spur diesel vehicle sales

Green Car Congress

NOVEMBER 17, 2013

The study was conducted in September 2013 among 2,041 US adults, among whom 1,629 identified themselves as regular drivers, driving their own personal vehicle at least once a once week or more often. Audi believes there are a variety of viable alternative fuel solutions, including electric, but diesel is readily available today.

Audi

Audi Diesel Sale Available Today

Verizon replaces 234 vans in New York City with hybrid vans using XL Hybrids technology

Green Car Congress

DECEMBER 8, 2017

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and Verizon announced that Verizon has replaced 234 of its existing gasoline-powered vans with hybrid-electric vans for use in New York City. and will increase fuel economy and reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

New York City

New York City New York Hybrid Fuel Economy

EPAs GHG Standards for Light-Duty Vehicles; Special Credits To Encourage PHEVs, BEVs and FCVs

Green Car Congress

APRIL 2, 2010

Yesterday, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National High Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) jointly established increasingly stringent greenhouse gas emission standards under the Clean Air Act for 2012 through 2016 model-year vehicles and fuel economy standards under the Corporate Average Fuel Economy program, respectively.

EPA

EPA Standards Light PHEV

Ford to offer new diesel engine option in new Transit van; new Vehicle Emissions and Fuel Cost Calculator

Green Car Congress

MARCH 27, 2012

Ford says that the new Transit, which begins production in Kansas City in 2013, will achieve at least 25% better fuel economy than current E-Series vans. Ford also has developed a specialized new tool to help optimize fleet purchases based on specific fuel types and operating locations. EcoBoost V6. Earlier post.)

Ford

Ford Emissions Diesel Engine

Freescale announces new high-end powertrain microcontroller; 3x performance of prior high-end unit

Green Car Congress

NOVEMBER 13, 2012

This advanced MCU family will help automakers worldwide address regional automotive fuel economy and safety trends by enabling a new generation of engine management solutions. Automakers are under increasing pressure from both governments and consumers to improve overall fuel efficiency across their fleet and lower polluting emissions.

Fuel Economy

Fuel Economy Available Now Engine 2013

DeCicco: Transportation GHG reduction policy should focus upstream on fuel supply rather than downstream on choice of fuels in vehicles

Green Car Congress

JANUARY 25, 2013

John DeCicco at the University of Michigan argues that to reduce transportation sector greenhouse gas emissions, the proper policy focus should be upstream in sectors that provide the fuel, rather than downstream on the choice of fuels in the automobile. Source: DeCicco 2013. Click to enlarge. gCO 2 e/MJ).

Fuel

Fuel Supplies Transportation Climate Protection

Researchers propose evaluating alt fuel efficiency based on energy rather than volume; impact of ethanol on vehicle efficiency and GHGs

Green Car Congress

MAY 17, 2013

Relative changes in vehicle energy efficiency (VEE) (km/MJ) on ethanol/gasoline blends over those on gasoline for different blending levels. Several recent highly cited LCAs that have incorporated vehicle efficiency differences between gasoline and ethanol/gasoline blends could potentially be misleading. Click to enlarge.

Fuel

Fuel Energy Gasoline-Electric Gasoline

NRC report concludes US LDVs could cut oil consumption and GHGs by 80% by 2050; reliance on plug-ins, biofuels and hydrogen; strong policies mandatory

Green Car Congress

MARCH 18, 2013

Achieving those goals will will be difficult—but not impossible to meet—and will necessitate a combination of more efficient vehicles; the use of alternative fuels such as biofuels, electricity, and hydrogen; and strong government policies to overcome high costs and influence consumer choices.

Hydrogen

Hydrogen Oil Plug-in Fuel Economy

CPT and Eminox to collaborate on development of retrofit electric supercharging and aftertreatment solutions for heavy-duty vehicles

Green Car Congress

OCTOBER 8, 2015

The additional control of compressed air for transient performance provided by Cobra means that we can purge diesel particulate filters and other forms of exhaust after-treatment for NO x reduction and, most importantly, without compromising fuel economy. Phil Bush, technology manager at Eminox. —Andy Dickinson. Earlier post.)

Vehicles

Vehicles Exhaust Emissions Diesel

MIT study: higher octane standard fuel in US could lower fleet fuel consumption & GHG an extra 4.5-6% by 2040

Green Car Congress

APRIL 24, 2014

Offering a higher-octane gasoline to the consumer market in the US as the standard grade could deliver an incremental 4.5% to 6% reduction in fleet fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by 2040, on top of a projected 26.8% to 6% reduction in fleet fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by 2040, on top of a projected 26.8%

MIT

MIT Fleet Fuel Standards

Mazda showcases CNG and hybrid Axela models in Tokyo; Mazda’s approach to environmental performance

Green Car Congress

NOVEMBER 22, 2013

At the Tokyo Motor Show, Mazda is showcasing the recently-released Mazda Axela (known as Mazda3 overseas) with a variety of engine types at the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show, including a CNG concept and hybrid variants. Alternative fuels: CNG and E85. Earlier post.). Click to enlarge. and a CNG tank. Click to enlarge. Click to enlarge.

Mazda

Mazda Hybrid Nickel Metal Hydride Exhaust

Review: Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD with bi-fuel CNG option

Green Car Congress

JULY 14, 2014

In the case of the 2500HD bi-fuel, the two main trade-offs are a reduction in power and torque in CNG mode compared to gasoline mode, and the loss of a portion of the bed of the truck to the 3,600 psi CNG tank and its box-like enclosure. (It Emissions reductions (%) of new NGVs compared to new gasoline and diesel vehicles (2012).

Silverado

Silverado Chevrolet Fuel Gasoline-Electric

Road Trip: 2021 Volkswagen ID4

Clean Fleet Report

JUNE 21, 2021

But what about venturing out further, on a trip that usually would be taken in a gasoline powered car? MPGe is a measurement of how far a car can travel, electrically, on the same amount of energy as is contained in 1 gallon of gasoline (or 33.7 The first electric vehicle I reviewed for Clean Fleet Report was the 2013 Nissan Leaf.

Miles

Miles Charging All-Electric Range

How Carmakers Are Responding to the Plug-In Hybrid Opportunity

Tony Karrer Delicious EVdriven

APRIL 21, 2009

Hybrid Sonata model year 2011, possible PHEV version in 2013. Company says its focusing on gasoline and hydrogen. USA Today ) 10/25/06 DaimlerChrysler is downright reluctant, even though it has built four test models, commercial-size vans that run on gasoline and electricity. No announced plans. Red Herring ).

Plug-in

Plug-in Plug Hybrid PHEV

Reports highlight ongoing advances in vehicle technology, consumer demand for fuel efficiency in US and Europe

Green Car Congress

MAY 2, 2013

MPG: A Progress Report on Achievability ”—of the response of consumers and automakers as both begin to experience the effects of the newly adopted federal fuel economy standard. More than half (57%) of respondents who said they intend to purchase a SUV said they want its fuel economy to be at least 25 mpg (9.4

Europe

Europe MPG Fuel Fuel Economy

EV Driven

EPA Trends on EVs and PHEVs; beginning of a “measurable and meaningful impact” on new vehicle fuel economy and emissions

MIT study finds fuel economy standards are 6-14 times less cost effective than fuel tax for reducing gasoline use

EPA trends report sees record levels of average new vehicle fuel economy and CO2 emissions for MY 2012; role of new gasoline vehicle technologies

EPA annual trends report finds new vehicle fuel economy at record 24.1 mpg; new powertrain technologies rapidly gaining share

EIA: China promoting both fuel efficiency and alternative-fuel vehicles to curb growing oil use

FEV’s two-stage VCR system; 5-7% increase in fuel economy using variable length conrods

CMU study concludes alt fuel vehicle incentives for OEMs result in increased fleet gasoline consumption and emissions

EIA Energy Outlook 2013 reference case sees drop in fossil fuel consumption as use of petroleum-based liquid fuels falls; projects 20% higher sales of hybrids and PHEVs than AEO2012

Chrysler Group files S-1 for IPO; snapshot of R&D priorities; exploring a light-duty hydraulic hybrid

EIA AEO2012 projects potential impacts of significant breakthroughs in battery technology

EIA AEO2015 projects elimination of net US energy imports in 2020-2030 timeframe; transportation energy consumption drops

Lightning Hybrids releases initial emissions testing results for medium-duty hydraulic hybrids

Audi survey finds more than half of US drivers would support government initiative to spur diesel vehicle sales

Verizon replaces 234 vans in New York City with hybrid vans using XL Hybrids technology

EPAs GHG Standards for Light-Duty Vehicles; Special Credits To Encourage PHEVs, BEVs and FCVs

Ford to offer new diesel engine option in new Transit van; new Vehicle Emissions and Fuel Cost Calculator

Freescale announces new high-end powertrain microcontroller; 3x performance of prior high-end unit

DeCicco: Transportation GHG reduction policy should focus upstream on fuel supply rather than downstream on choice of fuels in vehicles

Researchers propose evaluating alt fuel efficiency based on energy rather than volume; impact of ethanol on vehicle efficiency and GHGs

NRC report concludes US LDVs could cut oil consumption and GHGs by 80% by 2050; reliance on plug-ins, biofuels and hydrogen; strong policies mandatory

CPT and Eminox to collaborate on development of retrofit electric supercharging and aftertreatment solutions for heavy-duty vehicles

MIT study: higher octane standard fuel in US could lower fleet fuel consumption & GHG an extra 4.5-6% by 2040

Mazda showcases CNG and hybrid Axela models in Tokyo; Mazda’s approach to environmental performance

Review: Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD with bi-fuel CNG option

Road Trip: 2021 Volkswagen ID4

How Carmakers Are Responding to the Plug-In Hybrid Opportunity

Reports highlight ongoing advances in vehicle technology, consumer demand for fuel efficiency in US and Europe

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