AutoblogGreen http://green.autoblog.com AutoblogGreen http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/%SiteURL%/media/feedlogo.gif AutoblogGreen http://green.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Chris Shunk, Sam Abuelsamid and Dan RothThe podcast by the people who obsessively cover the auto industry.<![CDATA[Chrysler CEO: natural gas better than electricity to move vehicles, so government should back off]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/26/chrysler-ceo-natural-gas-better-electricity-government/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/26/chrysler-ceo-natural-gas-better-electricity-government/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/26/chrysler-ceo-natural-gas-better-electricity-government/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Fiat-Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne continues to believe natural gas as the most viable alternative to conventional fueling and says government should stop pushing electric-drive ahead of other advanced-powertrain choices, the Detroit News says.

Marchionne calls natural gas "the cleanest alternative available" and reiterated his longtime claim that Fiat will lose $10,000 for every Fiat 500e battery-electric vehicle the automaker sells. The CEO, of course, is running companies that sell more than EVs. The Ram 2500 Heavy Duty CNG, North America's first production compressed-natural gas pickup truck, for example. Chrysler started deliveries of that model last summer. The truck has an 18.2-gallon-equivalent CNG tank that gives 255 miles of driving range as well as an eight-gallon gas tank that will provide another 112 miles. The EPA does not calculate fuel economy for big trucks like that, but we do know that the 2500 HD burns fuel in a 5.7-liter Hemi V8 engine and everyday drives report mileage in the mid-teens.

For those keeping track, there are about 1,200 public and private CNG refueling stations in the US, compared with almost 17,000 plug-in charging stations, according to the US Department of Energy.

Chrysler CEO: natural gas better than electricity to move vehicles, so government should back off originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 26 Apr 2013 11:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chryslercngelectric vehicleevfiatmarchionnenatural gasram 2500 heavy duty cngsergiosergio marchionneFri, 26 Apr 2013 11:56:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20547909/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20547909/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/26/chrysler-ceo-natural-gas-better-electricity-government/20547909/article-detail.xml 20547909 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/sergio-marchionne_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/sergio-marchionne.jpg <![CDATA[Honda leads pack with four HOV qualifying vehicles in California]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/20/honda-four-hov-qualifying-vehicles-california/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/20/honda-four-hov-qualifying-vehicles-california/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/20/honda-four-hov-qualifying-vehicles-california/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

honda fit

Honda is tooting its fuel-efficient horn, boasting that it has more vehicles than any other manufacturer - four - that qualify for access to California's coveted HOV lanes.

That number represents an impressive mix of cutting edge eco-friendly technologies - electric, plug-in hybrid, natural gas and hydrogen fuel cell. The HOV qualifiers are the Honda Fit EV, which is rated at 118 miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe); the Honda Accord Plug-in, rated at 115 MPGe; the Honda Civic Natural Gas, rated at 31 MPG; and the Honda FCX Clarity hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, rated at 60 MPEe.

Honda may have the most HOV-eligible vehicles, but it's certainly not alone. The current Chevrolet Volt qualifies and, most recently, the Ford Focus Electric, C-Max Energi and Fusion Energi gained access to the HOV lanes. Anybody who has ever been stuck on California's 405 or 10 around Los Angeles knows how much time, fuel and frustration that can alleviate. Despite the appeal, California has more stickers than takers, for now.

Continue reading Honda leads pack with four HOV qualifying vehicles in California

Honda leads pack with four HOV qualifying vehicles in California originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 20 Mar 2013 16:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>high-occupancy lanehondahovhov lanesplug-in hybridWed, 20 Mar 2013 16:12:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20512012/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20512012/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/20/honda-four-hov-qualifying-vehicles-california/20512012/article-detail.xml 20512012 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/2013-honda-fit-red628p_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/2013-honda-fit-red628p.jpg <![CDATA[Zap Jonway announces CN380 SUV, a new hybrid with CNG power]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/20/zap-jonway-cn380-suv-hybrid-cng/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/20/zap-jonway-cn380-suv-hybrid-cng/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/20/zap-jonway-cn380-suv-hybrid-cng/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/04/zap-jonway-electric-taxi.jpg

Zap Jonway has added an alternative fuel vehicle to its lineup and describes it as a "New Energy Vehicle." That's a common term in China to describe a host of different powertrains, and is here used to mean a hybrid that combines compressed natural gas with a gasoline engine. Zap Jonway, based in Santa Rosa, CA, is working with its China-based Jonway Auto subsidiary to build the CNG version based on Jonway Auto's A380 SUV (electric version pictured). The CNG hybrid vehicle joins Zap's lineup of specialized electric vehicles, such as the three-wheel Zap Xebra.

The new bi-fuel CNG SUV has been named the CN380. Drivers can utilize the gasoline engine when the CNG is depleted. The gasoline engine also automatically runs during a cold start in order to heat up the engine. The CNG tank has the same "range" capacity as the gasoline tank, so the CNG version can go twice as far as the gas-only model. CN380 SUV comes in either 1.6L or 2.0L for manual transmission, or a 1.8L for both automatic as well as manual transmission. Zap's press release is available below.

The plan is to offer the CN380 for sale in developing countries and in the US. Zap sees the car as a way to be part of the accelerating growth in CNG vehicles around the world. South America is an important market for Zap Jonway since CNG fueling stations are popular in the region and the escalating cost of gasoline tips the scale in a CNG vehicle's favor, with fuel cost savings estimated at around 60 to 65 percent compared to gasoline. China also presents opportunities, as the country is opening up the market for CNG in its southern provinces. Perhaps Iran could be another market for Zap Jonway to try out?

Continue reading Zap Jonway announces CN380 SUV, a new hybrid with CNG power

Zap Jonway announces CN380 SUV, a new hybrid with CNG power originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 20 Mar 2013 12:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alternative fuel vehiclechinacngelectric vehiclenatural gas vehiclesthree wheel vehiclezapWed, 20 Mar 2013 12:07:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20511092/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20511092/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/20/zap-jonway-cn380-suv-hybrid-cng/20511092/article-detail.xml 20511092 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/04/zap-jonway-electric-taxi_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/04/zap-jonway-electric-taxi.jpg <![CDATA[Audi: Natural gas G-tron project exists "to have a future for the combustion engine"]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/05/audi-natural-gas-g-tron-project-future-combustion-engine/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/05/audi-natural-gas-g-tron-project-future-combustion-engine/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/05/audi-natural-gas-g-tron-project-future-combustion-engine/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

audi a3 g-tron

Audi has been quite vocal about what it considers the benefits of the natural gas-burning A3 Sportback G-Tron and, more importantly, the company's synthetic methane (E-Gas) fuel project. On the one hand, it's a very cool idea to take CO2 that would otherwise escape into the atmosphere and turn it into both hydrogen and synthetic natural gas (as Audi's E-Gas plant in Werlte, Germany will start doing later this year). On the other, the G-Tron simply uses another internal combustion engine doing what ICEs do best: burn fuel. Reiner Mangold, head of sustainable product development at Audi, said today at the Geneva Motor Show that that's kind of the point.

"The main idea is to bind the CO2 and to have a future for the combustion engine, to drive the eight-cylinder for our children," he said. "The G-Tron gives you CO2 figures that are really comparable to pure electric cars."

It's a very cool idea to take CO2 that would otherwise escape into the atmosphere and turn it into hydrogen and synthetic natural gas.

Citing trade secrets, Mangold would not describe exactly how the CO2 will be taken out of the atmosphere, but we do know that Audi's Wertle plant will make 1,000 tons of e-gas a year, which is enough to power 1,500 G-Trons for 15,000 miles each at a cost that is roughly three time higher than simply pumping natural gas out of the ground. The plan, still in the formulation stages, will be to pump the synthetic gas into the existing distribution network for fossil natural gas in Germany. A3 Sportback G-Tron buyers might be able to get (either buy or receive for free) an E-Gas contract that, while it doesn't actually get them E-Gas, shows that they're participating in the project. The details are still being worked out, Mangold said, but these contracts might be worth something in Germany's tax schemes and there won't be more than 1,500 such contracts available, since that's all the E-Gas that Audi can make.

Audi brought the A3 Sportback G-Tron to Geneva, and it will go on sale in Germany towards the end of the year. A bi-fuel car, the G-Tron can also burn regular gasoline. European regulations require that cars become efficient enough that they emit no more than 95 grams of CO2 per kilometer by 2020, and there is no way to do this right now using a combustion engine, Mangold said. "So we have to stop the combustion engine or we find some way to reduce the CO2, and we think this will be a good solution."

Audi: Natural gas G-tron project exists "to have a future for the combustion engine" originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 05 Mar 2013 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a3audicngegaselectric vehiclegenevageneva 2013geneva motor show 2013natural gasreiner mangoldTue, 05 Mar 2013 20:01:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20488891/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20488891/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/05/audi-natural-gas-g-tron-project-future-combustion-engine/20488891/article-detail.xml 20488891 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/audi-a3-g-tron-geneva-628p_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/audi-a3-g-tron-geneva-628p.jpg <![CDATA[Audi to produce e-gas, its own synthetic fuel using wind, solar and captured CO2]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/31/audi-to-produce-e-gas-synthetic-fuel-wind-solar-co2/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/31/audi-to-produce-e-gas-synthetic-fuel-wind-solar-co2/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/31/audi-to-produce-e-gas-synthetic-fuel-wind-solar-co2/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Audi is constructing a huge synthetic natural gas plant in Germany that demonstrates its commitment to renewable energy just as it provides some valuable R&D to help prove e-gas is economically and environmentally possible. The 44,000-square-foot plant is in Werlite, a small town in northwestern Germany near the North Sea, 217 miles north of company headquarters in Ingolstadt, near Munich.

The goal is carbon-free fuel, and it sounds far from easy. Wind turbines generate electricity to manufacture hydrogen by electrolysis, which then is used, along with CO2 captured from the air, to produce methane. Audi calls it e-gas.

Audi will be plugging into the power produced by a massive wind farm two miles off the coast of Zingst, a resort town along the North Sea. The synthetic gas would be distributed through existing CNG pipelines to gas stations. The e-gas plant is set to absorb nearly 3,000 metric tons of CO2 from the air annually, and feed 1,000 metric tons of e-gas into Germany's public natural gas network.

The demonstration plant, with what Audi is calling a Methanation reactor, is set to begin a test run in spring 2013. Audi also is marketing an A3 Sportback, designated as a TCNG, to run on the synthetic natural gas. The A3 Sportback TCNG arrives in dealerships in Germany late in 2013.

Generating your own power, or manufacturing your own fuel, seems to be the new thing for automakers. Last week, VW plugged in its huge solar park, which will power its LEED-certified factory in Chattanooga, TN to make the fuel-efficient Passat.

Continue reading Audi to produce e-gas, its own synthetic fuel using wind, solar and captured CO2

Audi to produce e-gas, its own synthetic fuel using wind, solar and captured CO2 originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 31 Jan 2013 07:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alternative fuelaudiAudiA3cnghydrogenwind powerThu, 31 Jan 2013 07:50:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20439847/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20439847/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/01/31/audi-to-produce-e-gas-synthetic-fuel-wind-solar-co2/20439847/article-detail.xml 20439847 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/audi-e-gas-delivery-trucks_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/audi-e-gas-delivery-trucks.jpg <![CDATA[Natural-gas truck sales will advance about 15 percent a year through 2019]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/16/natural-gas-truck-sales-will-advance-about-15-percent-a-year-thr/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/16/natural-gas-truck-sales-will-advance-about-15-percent-a-year-thr/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/16/natural-gas-truck-sales-will-advance-about-15-percent-a-year-thr/#commentsFiled under:

General Motors' bi-fuel pickup

Driven by fleet and long-distance truck operators who want to save money in the face of climbing gasoline prices, global natural-gas truck sales will likely increase about 15 percent a year for the next six years, Pike Research predicts.

While compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles are far more prevalent than liquefied natural gas (LNG) trucks (there are only about 100 LNG refueling stations worldwide), sales of LNG vehicles will increase about 17 percent a year, compared to CNG's growth rate of about 14 percent. In all, Pike expects about 930,000 natural-gas vehicles will be sold worldwide between 2012 and 2019. Currently, the US has about 1,100 CNG refueling stations, compared to just 61 LNG stations, according to the US Department of Energy.

Vehicle makers and prospective customers have looked to natural-gas fueled vehicles as a way to cut dependency on oil that's produced in politically unstable regions, especially given the abundance of natural gas in North America. General Motors is one of the companies that have expanded the number of trucks that can run on CNG, and Honda has long produced a CNG-powered Civic for US drivers. Check out Pike Research's press release below.

Continue reading Natural-gas truck sales will advance about 15 percent a year through 2019

Natural-gas truck sales will advance about 15 percent a year through 2019 originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 16 Jan 2013 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Utah, we have a problem. That's the conclusion of a report from the publication Nature saying that methane leaks from US natural gas fields may be anywhere from two to three times as large as previously estimated.

As much as four percent of the natural gas production at a field near Denver is escaping into the atmosphere via methane leaks, Nature says, citing researchers at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the University of Colorado in Boulder. Meanwhile, a Utah field may be leaking as much as nine percent of its natural-gas production.

These numbers are too high to be good for the environment, and the production leaks could indicate that expanded production of natural gas may outweigh the other environmental benefit of both reduced oil consumption and fewer coal-fired electricity plants. Natural gas fields had previously been though to leak about 2.4 percent of their production, while Princeton University researchers said last year that anything less than a 3.2 percent leakage rate would indicate that natural gas production is environmentally beneficial.

Thus we can see a problem for increasing the number of natural gas vehicles. With lower leakage rates, more natural gas production could be considered beneficial in both the energy and transportation industries because natural gas's abundance in North America could cut America's dirty foreign-oil dependency. Honda, for example, makes a natural-gas powered Civic (now called the Civic Natural Gas, formerly the Civic GX), while General Motors is among the automakers producing natural-gas powered trucks. There are about 1,150 compressed natural gas (CNG) refueling stations in the US, almost a quarter of which are in California, according to the US Department of Energy. If the natural gas production is dirty, then using more of it isn't the solution.

In producing natural gas, excessive methane leaks offset environmental benefits originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sun, 13 Jan 2013 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cngcoloradofieldsleaksmethaneNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrationnatural gasnoaautahSun, 13 Jan 2013 16:29:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20426622/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20426622/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/01/13/in-producing-natural-gas-excessive-methane-leaks-offset-environ/20426622/article-detail.xml 20426622 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/natural-gas_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/natural-gas.jpg <![CDATA[Mercedes-Benz ML250 BlueTex, B200 CNG named "most environmentally friendly" in class]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/12/30/mercedes-benz-m-class-b-class-named-most-environmentally-frien/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/12/30/mercedes-benz-m-class-b-class-named-most-environmentally-frien/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/12/30/mercedes-benz-m-class-b-class-named-most-environmentally-frien/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



Two Mercedes-Benz models, the ML 250 BlueTec 4Matic and the Mercedes-Benz B200 Natural Gas Drive, have been named the most eco-friendly cars in their class by the popular German auto magazine Auto Test, which awarded them the title "Winners in Green."

The environmental car ranking, published annually, is based on a dozen criteria, including fuel consumption, pollutant emissions, manufacturing, recycling and the environmental systems of the manufacturer.

This is the second straight year the ML 250 BlueTec 4Matic has earned the top spot for an SUV, for its energy efficient direct-injection, turbocharged, four-cylinder, 204-horsepower diesel engine. It can accelerate from 0-60 mph in nine seconds and get 40 miles per gallon while emitting just 158 g/km of CO2 (combined). It has a range of just over 1,000 miles. 2012 Mercedes-Benz M-Class models are priced between $81,400 and $177,900.

The Mercedes-Benz B200 Natural Gas Drive features a 156-hp engine that is more than 16 percent more efficient than its predecessors. The model also includes a three-gallon gas tank, which extends the 350-mile range of the natural gas tank. If the natural gas tank goes empty, the vehicle switches automatically to run on regular gas.

The B200 Natural Gas wagon debuted at the 2012 Paris Auto Show. The B200 is available with a manual transmission or the 7G-DCT dual clutch transmission. It is due to arrive in dealerships in Europe at the beginning of 2013.

Continue reading Mercedes-Benz ML250 BlueTex, B200 CNG named "most environmentally friendly" in class

Mercedes-Benz ML250 BlueTex, B200 CNG named "most environmentally friendly" in class originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sun, 30 Dec 2012 09:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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For first responders approaching a crashed Nissan Leaf, it can be easy to recognize that the car is a plug-in electric vehicle and that a specific set of safety practices must be followed. But what about the upcoming Honda Accord Plug-In Hybrid? Unless you really know your stuff, it sure looks like a regular Accord.

This possible confusion is why electric vehicles and hybrids need to have prominent labels inside or out to warn firefighters, paramedics and other first responders of the hazards they're facing from the high-voltage battery systems being used to power these cars. At least, that's the policy being promoted by the SAE International in its new report, J2990-Hybrid and EV First and Second Responder Recommended Practice.

The SAE's expert panel advises that EVs and hybrids should have inch-high letters or badges on both sides and the rear of the vehicle and that these should be visible to first responders from at least 50 feet away. An alternative could be distinctive lettering on the dashboard that rescuers can see through windshields.

The report covers a wide range of safety recommendations for these advanced vehicles including quick reference guides for first responders all the way to guidance for tow-truck operators on safely handling EVs and hybrids. This has to be done to save lives, says John Frala, an SAE committee member and an electric-vehicle repair instructor at Rio Hondo College in Whittier, CA. Adopting these recommended policies will ensure rescuers "will not get electrocuted from high voltage," Frala said in an interview with USA Today.

Hybrids have been on the roads more than a decade, and the number of plug-in electric vehicles is growing all the time. Firefighters are worried that the number of electrified vehicles on US roads is getting so large that first responders can't instantly identify them as they cut through cables to extract endangered passengers, despite participating in training programs.

Also, despite the similarities between the Honda Civic Natural Gas and regular Civics, The new labeling standards being recommended by the panel don't apply to natural gas vehicles or hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. Another SAE committee will be examining labeling and safety issues for these alternative powertrains, says Todd Mackintosh, the committee's chairman and an engineer for General Motors.

Electric, hybrid vehicle badges could get bigger to help first responders originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 27 Dec 2012 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>car crasheselectric shockelectric vehicleelectric vehiclesevsfire fightersfirst respondershybridsparamedicsplug in electric vehiclesplug-in hybridThu, 27 Dec 2012 07:58:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20411563/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20411563/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/12/27/electric-hybrid-vehicle-badges-could-get-bigger-to-help-first-r/20411563/article-detail.xml 20411563 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/first-responders_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/first-responders.jpg <![CDATA[Audi building e-gas plant to make climate-friendly vehicle fuel]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/12/22/audi-building-e-gas-plant-to-make-climate-friendly-vehicle-fuel/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/12/22/audi-building-e-gas-plant-to-make-climate-friendly-vehicle-fuel/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/12/22/audi-building-e-gas-plant-to-make-climate-friendly-vehicle-fuel/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



On December 13, Audi celebrated its synthetic methane (e-gas) vehicle fuel plant, which is under construction in Werlte, Germany. Audi says that it is the world's first industrial plant for generating e-gas from CO2 and renewable electricity. Its end product will be hydrogen and synthetic Audi e-gas, which will be used as climate-friendly fuel for vehicles such as the new Audi A3 Sportback TCNG. E-gas production will begin in the spring of 2013.

The Audi e-gas plant will utilize renewable energy for electrolysis. The electrolysis process splits water molecules into oxygen and hydrogen, or Audi e-hydrogen, which at some point can be used to power fuel-cell vehicles. Since there's not much of a hydrogen fueling infrastructure in place yet, Audi can react the hydrogen with CO2 in a methane-processing unit to generate renewable synthetic methane, or Audi e-gas. The e-gas can be delivered to fueling stations through the local natural-gas network, since chemically speaking, the e-gas is nearly identical to fossil-based natural gas.

Audi unveiled the 2013 A3 Sportback in Munich, right before the 2012 Paris Motor Show in September. The five-door hatchback features a bi-fuel powertrain as part of the Audi e-gas project. Since compressed natural gas fueling stations are hard to find, the A3 also makes use of a 13-gallon gasoline tank to help give the car an effective range of around 745 miles.

The e-gas initiative is part of Audi's strategy of bringing cleaner, carbon-neutral fuel to internal combustion engines. The Werlte plant will generate enough CO2-neutral e-gas to power 1,500 new Audi A3 Sportback TCNG vehicles 15,000 kilometers (9,320 miles) each year. This compact five-door hatchback is scheduled to arrive at dealerships in late 2013.

Audi gets the CO2 to power the e-gas plant from a nearby biogas plant, operated by energy company EWE. The CO2 is made climate neutral by being chemically bonded into the fuel at the Audi e-gas plant, so that it won't pollute the atmosphere. Audi's new e-gas plant will be able to annually produce about 1,000 metric tons (1,102 US tons) of e-gas, and will chemically bind about 2,800 metric tons of CO2. That's roughly the equivalent to the amount of CO2 that can be absorbed by about 224,000 beech trees in a year.

Audi was given an award for its e-gas project in November. The Working Group for Efficient and Environmentally Friendly Energy Use honored Audi with an award and 15,000 euros.

Audi building e-gas plant to make climate-friendly vehicle fuel originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sat, 22 Dec 2012 15:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a3audibiogasco2e-gashydrogenmethanenatural gassynthetic fuelSat, 22 Dec 2012 15:57:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20406345/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20406345/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/12/22/audi-building-e-gas-plant-to-make-climate-friendly-vehicle-fuel/20406345/article-detail.xml 20406345 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/audi-e-gas-plant_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/audi-e-gas-plant.jpg <![CDATA[10 predictions for 2013 alt-fuel vehicles: more, better, more]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/12/20/10-predictions-for-2013-alt-fuel-vehicles-electric-hybrid-plug/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/12/20/10-predictions-for-2013-alt-fuel-vehicles-electric-hybrid-plug/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/12/20/10-predictions-for-2013-alt-fuel-vehicles-electric-hybrid-plug/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Electric-drive vehicles

Like resolutions and watered down drinks, the coming of the New Year is the time for industry predictions, and tech-research firm Pike Research didn't disappoint when it comes to what it says is in store for the electric-drive vehicle market for 2013.

With more than 200,000 plug-ins estimated to be sold globally next year, Pike made 10 predictions for 2013. Top of the list? That investment funds will flow from makers of battery packs to makers of battery components, that North American electric-bike sales will jump more than 50 percent and that automakers will start using 48-volt batteries for their cars' start-stop systems.

There are more predictions, some safer than others. Pike says global hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle sales will more than double to more than 3,400 units in 2013, while the strategy of leasing out electric-vehicle batteries instead of selling them outright to the customer (used by Renault and Smart in some markets) will spread to other automakers. Germany will play catch-up in terms of electric-drive sales, more companies will invest in coasting technology, the debate between proponents of fast vs. standard vehicle-charging stations will continue, European countries will collaborate on communicating where charging stations are throughout the continent and the glut in natural gas will hurt demand for plug-in trucks.

We're pretty sure sales figures will continue to climb in 2013, just as they did in 2012 compared to 2011. Through November of this year, automakers sold more than 43,000 plug-in vehicles in the US, almost three times as many as 2011. Where do you think we're headed?

10 predictions for 2013 alt-fuel vehicles: more, better, more originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 20 Dec 2012 08:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013electric vehicleEVfcevgermanyhydrogen fuel cellpike researchplug-in hybridpredictionThu, 20 Dec 2012 08:06:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20406945/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20406945/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/12/20/10-predictions-for-2013-alt-fuel-vehicles-electric-hybrid-plug/20406945/article-detail.xml 20406945 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/leaf-volt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/leaf-volt.jpg <![CDATA[Energy outlook looks bad for biofuels, fuel prices and electric vehicles]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/12/11/energy-outlook-looks-bad-for-biofuels-fuel-prices-and-electric/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/12/11/energy-outlook-looks-bad-for-biofuels-fuel-prices-and-electric/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/12/11/energy-outlook-looks-bad-for-biofuels-fuel-prices-and-electric/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,



When the US Energy Information Administration released its annual energy outlook pre-release earlier this month, biofuels industry publication Biofuels Digest was hit with six press releases from the biofuels community in the space of two hours. The final version of the EIA's energy outlook through 2040 won't come out until the spring, but the 16-page preview was enough to set off an avalanche of biofuel industry outcry.

The EIA's Annual Energy Outlook 2013 projection is less optimistic about the ability of advanced biofuels to take a larger share of the liquid fuels market. For the 2013 forecast, biomass use is expected to reach 4.2 quadrillion British thermal units (Btu) in 2035, compared to 5.4 quadrillion Btu listed in the 2012 AEO report.

Still, the longer-term trend is up. The 2013 report thinks that we will reach 4.9 quadrillion Btu in 2040, up from 2011's prediction of 2.7 quadrillion Btu. But why did the forecast drop so far from the 2012 report to the new version? According to the EIA's energy outlook, "The increases are much smaller than those in AEO2012, however, as a result of diminished FFV [flex fuel vehicle] penetration, a smaller motor gasoline pool for blending ethanol, and reduced production of cellulosic biofuels."

The EIA thinks gasoline prices will jump 25 percent - diesel by 37 percent - in 2011 dollar terms.

While biofuel use is expected to be lower than initially anticipated, the AEO 2013 is bullish about growth in other facets of energy production - solar and wind are expected to go up; light crude oil and natural gas are expected to go way up. Sales of FFVs in 2035 are expected to drop to about half what they were in the previous report - 1.3 million, or less than half the 2.9 million FFV sales expected in the 2012 report.

There's bad news in the report for consumers - the EIA thinks gasoline prices will jump 25 percent - diesel by 37 percent - in 2011 dollar terms. If you add in 2.5 percent annual inflation, that will come out to $8.62 per gallon for gasoline and $9.86 for diesel. The cause of this increase is expected to be rising crude oil prices.

Battery electric vehicles also had their numbers diminished - 119,000 units sold in 2035, down 65 percent from the expected numbers in the 2012 report. The EV sales decline is expected to be offset by increased sales of hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles, a full 20 percent higher than they were in the 2012 report.

Continue reading Energy outlook looks bad for biofuels, fuel prices and electric vehicles

Energy outlook looks bad for biofuels, fuel prices and electric vehicles originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 11 Dec 2012 20:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biiodieselbiofuelscorn ethanolE15electric vehiclesethanolfood versus fuelfuel pricesTue, 11 Dec 2012 20:04:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20399791/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20399791/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/12/11/energy-outlook-looks-bad-for-biofuels-fuel-prices-and-electric/20399791/article-detail.xml 20399791 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/biodiesel_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/biodiesel.jpg <![CDATA[VW launches Eco Up!, can burn natural gas or biomethane]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/12/05/vw-launches-eco-up-can-burn-natural-gas-or-biomethane/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/12/05/vw-launches-eco-up-can-burn-natural-gas-or-biomethane/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/12/05/vw-launches-eco-up-can-burn-natural-gas-or-biomethane/#commentsFiled under: ,

volkswagen up

If you won't change the car, perhaps you can change the fuel. This is part of the alt-energy strategy that Volkswagen is employing as it works on electric vehicles. To wit, its project with Solazyme to make renewable diesel and also the Eco Up! vehicle.

VW is launching the compressed natural gas-powered Eco Up!, which the company calls "the world's most fuel-efficient natural gas passenger car." The little city car burns 2.9 kilograms of CNG to go 100 kilometers (62 miles) and emits 79 grams of CO2 per km. That is roughly equivalent to 56 US miles per gallon. The only natural gas passenger vehicle available for sale in the US, the 2012 Honda Civic Natural Gas, gets 31 mpg (combined). The Eco Up!, though, is not destined for sale here. Instead, VW is launching the car in Europe, where there is talk of making fuel for natural gas vehicles from biomass sources, such as renewable biomethane. VW also says:

Gas also offers the opportunity of storing electrical energy from renewable sources such as wind power. This involves producing hydrogen by electrolysis, which can be used to operate future fuel cell vehicles. However, until this complex and expensive drive technology debuts on a broad scale, the hydrogen can also be used to produce methane in a second step of the process chain. In turn, the methane can be used as a fuel for cars such as the new eco up!

Whew.

There are more details below.

Continue reading VW launches Eco Up!, can burn natural gas or biomethane

VW launches Eco Up!, can burn natural gas or biomethane originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 05 Dec 2012 09:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biomethanecngnatural gasrenewable energyupvolkswagenvwWed, 05 Dec 2012 09:56:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20394657/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20394657/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/12/05/vw-launches-eco-up-can-burn-natural-gas-or-biomethane/20394657/article-detail.xml 20394657 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/vw-up-black_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/vw-up-black.jpg <![CDATA[Toyota's Jim Lentz looks into the future of wireless charging, CNG and more hydrogen]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/11/28/toyotas-jim-lentz-future-wireless-charging-cng-hydrogen/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/11/28/toyotas-jim-lentz-future-wireless-charging-cng-hydrogen/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/11/28/toyotas-jim-lentz-future-wireless-charging-cng-hydrogen/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,



The traditional start of the LA Auto Show - well, other than the fancy pre-parties - is a keynote speech by this or that CEO. Today, the honor was given to Jim Lentz, president and CEO of Toyota USA, who talked about our automotive future (of Toyota and the industry as a whole) and said some things that caught our green-minded ears? Wireless charging in a Prius? Yes, please.

Lentz said that the number of fuel-efficient vehicles (here defined as cars that get more than 30 miles per gallon) available for sale in the US is up 330 percent in the last six years. This includes a host of technologies - better ICEs, clean diesels, plug-ins - but, as we all know, Toyota is placing its near-term high-MPG bet on hybrids. The company will launch (globally) 21 new or redesigned hybrids between now and the end of 2015. The next one up is the Avalon Hybrid, due in December.

The 2012 market share for hybrids is 3.5 percent. For Toyota, it's 14.

As the fleet gets cleaner and greener and competition from regular, more efficient gas engines gets stronger, will customers still be interested in hybrids? After all, the industry average for hybrid market share will only be about three-and-a-half percent in 2012. But, Lentz said, for Toyota, that number is 14 percent, "and that will continue to grow in the future. I don't think consumers are necessarily shying away from hybrids. We, for the most part, have been the only manufacturer that has been pushing hybrids."

And those hybrids will continue to get better, too. Lentz wouldn't get into any details, but did mention that Toyota is working on advanced batteries. He's still skeptical of pure EVs - citing cost and range issues - and said Toyota remains on track to bring a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle to market in 2015.

Wireless induction charging is "not imminent in our vehicles."

As for wireless induction charging, Lentz said that it is "not imminent in our vehicles," but he did confirm it is an in-house R&D project. Toyota realizes that consumers want things that are convenient. He doesn't find it that big of a hassle to charge up his Prius Plug-In, but there's no question that wireless is easier.

What about natural gas? Given peak oil, which "will happen in the middle of the next decade," Lentz said, "there is going to be a point in time where natural gas is going to be one of the solutions for probably 25-30 years after that as we develop even more and more hydrogen." So, CNG and hydrogen vehicles will compete? "The question becomes, if an infrastructure is going to be built, will the investment be made in natural gas or in hydrogen."

The questions is already being answered. California is already moving toward hydrogen, and since the challenge with CNG is the charge time - the time it takes to pressurize a pump, "similar with what you have to do with hydrogen, the cost of that infrastructure is very, very similar. I just don't know how much investment there will be in CNG refueling stations," he said. Then, of coruse, there's the potential impact of fracking? "I don't know how the environmental question about fracking will play out. There will always be that discource."

Lentz also spoke glowingly about car-sharing programs, noting that since the the first successful such program started in Portland in 1994, the idea has grown to include more than 25 programs in the US that serve 720,000 members with 9,800 cars. Toyota has yet to get into this in a big way, but that will change.

Continue reading Toyota's Jim Lentz looks into the future of wireless charging, CNG and more hydrogen

Toyota's Jim Lentz looks into the future of wireless charging, CNG and more hydrogen originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 28 Nov 2012 13:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Wed, 28 Nov 2012 13:41:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20390346/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20390346/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/11/28/toyotas-jim-lentz-future-wireless-charging-cng-hydrogen/20390346/article-detail.xml 20390346 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/jim-lentz-mpg-la-auto-show1-1354123051_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/jim-lentz-mpg-la-auto-show1-1354123051.jpg <![CDATA[Fiat shows off performance, efficiency gains of TwinAir engine]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/11/15/fiat-performance-efficiency-gain-twinair-powertrain/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/11/15/fiat-performance-efficiency-gain-twinair-powertrain/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/11/15/fiat-performance-efficiency-gain-twinair-powertrain/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Fiat's TwinAir video

Small engine, big pitch.

Italian automaker Fiat is using a new video to wax poetic about its TwinAir family of engines designed to boost performance in its smaller cars while cutting fuel use and emissions.

The three-plus-minute video, put together by Frame Communication, outlines the TwinAir engines, which range from 65 to 105 horsepower and include a turbocharged version as well as an option that runs on compressed natural gas (CNG).

Fiat says the TwinAir engines boost fuel economy and cut emissions by 30 percent compared to similarly-sized mills while providing as much as 120 horsepower per liter of displacement. The engines are adaptable to hybrid use as well.

Fiat and its Chrysler affiliate have been eschewing electric-drive powertrains as a method of boosting fleetwide fuel economy in favor of smaller, more technologically-advanced internal combustion engines. For example, in August Fiat unveiled the turbocharged 2013 version of its 500 compact. That model features a detuned version of its 1.4-liter MultiAir turbocharged inline-four, which boosts horsepower and torque by 34 horsepower and 52 pound-feet from the 2012's non-Abarth version, respectively.

You can see Fiat's video below.

Continue reading Fiat shows off performance, efficiency gains of TwinAir engine

Fiat shows off performance, efficiency gains of TwinAir engine originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 15 Nov 2012 15:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>500chryslerenginefiatfuel efficiencymotormultiairtwinairThu, 15 Nov 2012 15:50:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20377381/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20377381/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/11/15/fiat-performance-efficiency-gain-twinair-powertrain/20377381/article-detail.xml 20377381 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/twinair_thumbnail.png http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/twinair.png <![CDATA[DOE's new alt-fuel site offers lots of goodies, ways to save money]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/11/13/does-new-alt-fuel-site-offers-lots-of-goodies-ways-to-save-mon/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/11/13/does-new-alt-fuel-site-offers-lots-of-goodies-ways-to-save-mon/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/11/13/does-new-alt-fuel-site-offers-lots-of-goodies-ways-to-save-mon/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

NREL alt-fuel website

Burn some time, save some fuel.

That's the synopsis of the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) website redesign, which is geared towards fleet managers and other high-volume, high-mileage drivers.

The new site gives the lowdown on five alternatives to gasoline - biodiesel, electricity, ethanol, natural gas and propane - and how much money they could save a company. For instance, the DOE has put together a bunch of "what if" scenarios, such as replacing gas-powered vehicles with plug-in hybrids or converting trucks to run on natural gas.

High on the fun meter (if you're into that sort of thing) is the Alternative Fueling Station Locator, which makes it easier for drivers and fleet managers to find stations that offer electric vehicle charging, E85, biodiesel, natural gas, propane or hydrogen A little lower on the fun scale are the sections outlining federal and state laws and incentives for various alt-fuel vehicles. Important? Yes. Fun? Well...

Check out the NREL press release below.

Continue reading DOE's new alt-fuel site offers lots of goodies, ways to save money

DOE's new alt-fuel site offers lots of goodies, ways to save money originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 13 Nov 2012 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>calculatordepartment of energydoeelectric vehiclefuel savingNational Renewable Energy LaboratorynrelTue, 13 Nov 2012 13:59:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20376277/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20376277/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/11/13/does-new-alt-fuel-site-offers-lots-of-goodies-ways-to-save-mon/20376277/article-detail.xml 20376277 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/website_thumbnail.png http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/website.png <![CDATA[GM starts production of bi-fuel Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra pickups]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/11/09/gm-starts-production-bi-fuel-chevrolet-silverado-gmc-sierra/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/11/09/gm-starts-production-bi-fuel-chevrolet-silverado-gmc-sierra/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/11/09/gm-starts-production-bi-fuel-chevrolet-silverado-gmc-sierra/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Chevrolet Silverado HD

General Motors, which over half a year ago announced an $11,000 price premium for pickup trucks that could run on both gasoline and compressed natural gas (CNG), has started producing those vehicles at its plant in Fort Wayne, IN. The option is now available to customers.

Using a 6.0-liter, V8 engine, the Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD and GMC Sierra 2500 HD pickups each have a combined range of 650 miles. The conversion to the duel-fueling feature is done by IMPCO. GM in April set the price premium for the bi-fuel option for the Silverado and Sierra HD and said at the time that the option could pay for itself through lower refueling costs in anywhere between one and two years.

There are 527 publicly accessible CNG stations throughout the US, according to the Department of Energy's Alternative Fuels Data Center. By comparison, there are more than 4,700 electric-vehicle charging stations open to the public. Check out General Motors' press release below.

Continue reading GM starts production of bi-fuel Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra pickups

GM starts production of bi-fuel Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra pickups originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 09 Nov 2012 17:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bi-fuel pickupchevroletcngcompressed natural gasgmcsierrasilveradoFri, 09 Nov 2012 17:56:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20375248/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20375248/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/11/09/gm-starts-production-bi-fuel-chevrolet-silverado-gmc-sierra/20375248/article-detail.xml 20375248 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/bifuel_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/bifuel.jpg <![CDATA[Fleets and consumers now see practical alternative-fuel vehicle options]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/10/31/fleets-and-consumers-now-see-practical-alternative-fuel-vehicle/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/10/31/fleets-and-consumers-now-see-practical-alternative-fuel-vehicle/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/10/31/fleets-and-consumers-now-see-practical-alternative-fuel-vehicle/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

cut up money

Automakers and fans of alternative fuel vehicles have been waiting for years for consumers to start rolling off dealer lots driving green cars. It is slowly starting to happen, with the number of vehicles that don't run exclusively on standard gasoline nearly doubling from 534,000 on US roads in 2003 to almost 940,000 in 2010, according to US Energy Information Administration. The numbers have only risen since then, and are expected to increase in the coming years - Pike Research is forecasting sales of hybrid and electric vehicles to nearly triple by 2017 when federal mandates for higher fuel economy vehicles take hold.

While wealthy consumers have been hanging out at Tesla Motors showrooms to consider buying the expensive Model S, some fleet managers are becoming more interested in buying alternative power vehicles as well. The environmental benefits are there, but the economic figures makes sense, too.

"The main reason we made the decision to transfer to an alternative-fuel fleet is to keep our carbon footprint as low as possible, but it's definitely helping the bottom line," Kelso Ingraham, operations and logistics manager at snack-food maker SunRidge Farms, told Terra. The company has saved 33 percent on fuel costs thanks to its hybrid electric vehicles.

Benefits making alternative fuel vehicles more attractive to fleets and consumers are federal tax incentives up to $7,500 per vehicle, decreasing sticker prices, record breaking gasoline prices, high mileage vehicles, access to carpool lanes and a growing fueling infrastructure. The number of vehicles is getting more diverse and numerous, too. This selection includes all-electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, hybrids, and natural gas, propane, clean diesel, hydrogen, ethanol, and biodiesel powered vehicles. If you're getting ready to do homework on lifecycle costs for alternative fuel vehicles, here's an "Alt-Buyers Guide":
  • US Department of Energy website offers a comprehensive overview of alternative fuels and vehicle options, case studies, reports, links to interactive maps and other resources.
  • FuelEconomy.gov offers mileage and cruising range information on most AFVs, including a simple cost calculator.
  • Consumer Energy Center and the Department of Energy site's laws and incentives section are good for researching tax credits, rebates and grants from federal and state agencies.
  • Check out AltFuelPrices for a map with AFV refueling and recharging stations that includes CNG, biodiesel, hydrogen and ethanol.

Fleets and consumers now see practical alternative-fuel vehicle options originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 31 Oct 2012 11:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alternative-fuel vehicleselectric vehiclesfuel economygreen carshybridsmileagempgnatural gasWed, 31 Oct 2012 11:49:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20364611/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20364611/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/10/31/fleets-and-consumers-now-see-practical-alternative-fuel-vehicle/20364611/article-detail.xml 20364611 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/10/cut-up-money-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/10/cut-up-money-628.jpg <![CDATA[Honda offering $3,000 gas card with Civic Natural Gas purchase; is it worth it?]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/10/12/honda-offering-3-000-gas-card-with-civic-natural-gas-purchase/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/10/12/honda-offering-3-000-gas-card-with-civic-natural-gas-purchase/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/10/12/honda-offering-3-000-gas-card-with-civic-natural-gas-purchase/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

2012 Honda Civic Natural Gas

Honda just released an incentive, a big one, for those interested in buying the Civic Natural Gas. American Honda has an alliance with Clean Energy Fuels to provide a debit card pre-loaded with $3,000 that can used at Clean Energy fueling stations around the country. Another perk, for those living in California, is the ability to drive a 2012 Civic Natural Gas Vehicle in the High Occupancy Vehicle carpool lanes through January 1, 2015.

Honda says that the natural gas vehicle offers fuel savings up to 40 percent compared to a typical gasoline-powered subcompact car with its 31 miles per gallon combined EPA rating. Natural gas was costing customers $2.05 per equivalent gasoline gallon in July, according to the most recent Deptartment of Energy data. While not covered in its press release (see below), there are other considerations that car shoppers should research, such as:
  • Finding a natural gas station: Clean Energy doesn't state the specific number of public fueling stations that there are in the US, but the numbers are limited. A lot of these stations are behind locked gates at government and business fleet facilities, airports, and bus and utility vehicle gas pumps. Looking over Clean Energy's map, it looks like there are about 180 public natural gas stations, about forty percent of them in Southern California.
  • Range limitations: The regular Honda Civic sedan has a gas tank that can hold up to 13.2 gallons and has a combined city/highway mileage rating of 32 miles per gallon for the automatic transmission version. That would mean it could travel 422 miles on a tank of gasoline. Honda gives the Civic Natural Gas a range estimate of 220 miles. Part of the reason for this conservative estimate is that different stations refill CNG differently, and ambient temperature has an effect on how much gas can make it into the tank. There's also a limit to how much natural gas the pressurized tank can hold.
  • Price comparison: Natural gas is appealing for those interested in reducing their out-of-pocket fuel expense, with a $2.05 per equivalent gasoline gallon the number cited by Honda, compared to the current national average for gasoline at about $3.80 a gallon. The downside is that the Civic Natural Gas is the most expensive version of the Civic, with its sticker price starting at $27,065 after destination.
So, the $3,000 fuel card is appealing, but it makes sense to look before you leap. Does it make sense for you?

Continue reading Honda offering $3,000 gas card with Civic Natural Gas purchase; is it worth it?

Honda offering $3,000 gas card with Civic Natural Gas purchase; is it worth it? originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 12 Oct 2012 19:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 honda civic naturacivic gxcivic natural gascngcompressed natural gasgasoline pricempgnatural gas vehiclesFri, 12 Oct 2012 19:45:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20345510/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20345510/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/10/12/honda-offering-3-000-gas-card-with-civic-natural-gas-purchase/20345510/article-detail.xml 20345510 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/04/2012-honda-civic-gx-630_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/04/2012-honda-civic-gx-630.jpg <![CDATA[22 state governors tell OEMs they're ready to buy more CNG vehicles]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/10/09/22-state-governors-tell-oems-theyre-ready-to-buy-more-cng-vehic/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/10/09/22-state-governors-tell-oems-theyre-ready-to-buy-more-cng-vehic/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/10/09/22-state-governors-tell-oems-theyre-ready-to-buy-more-cng-vehic/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

chrysler cng truck

Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper is leading a coalition of 22 states to buy up to 10,000 new compressed natural gas cars and pickups per year. The big idea is to present joint bids that would spur production, encouraging automakers to build CNG vehicles at their assembly plants instead of converting them from existing vehicles after the fact. Hickenlooper says this production volume is enough to force a change. "If you do it off the assembly line, it's hardly any additional cost," he told the Detroit News.

Hickenlooper and some of his governor colleagues have been at this campaign for a few months. In April, he and 12 other governors sent letters to automakers saying they were committed to exploring ways to purchase more CNG vehicles for their state fleets. In July, Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin, Hickenlooper and other officials even met with U.S. automakers in Detroit to ask for increased CNG vehicle production. The states involved here include Oklahoma, Colorado, Wyoming, Pennsylvania, Utah, Maine, New Mexico, West Virginia, Kentucky, Texas, Ohio, Mississippi and Louisiana.

Participating states want to influence the market by establishing CNG demand so U.S. automakers design and sell vehicles that would be of interest to public fleets and private sector consumers here. Currently, there isn't much in the way of CNG product offerings in the U.S. For example, the Honda Civic Natural Gas is the only CNG passenger car from an OEM. After years of limited availability, it is now for sale nationwide. As for trucks, General Motors and Chrysler have added to their bi-fuel CNG pickups lines this year, and Ford offers fleets a few choices. There are about 10 million natural gas vehicles (NGVs) on roads around the world, with fewer than 200,000 in the U.S. These NGVs are being fueled at about 1,000 stations throughout the country.

Ten thousand new NGVs might sound like a lot, but it's a small number compared to around 14.5 million new light duty gasoline and diesel vehicles expected to be sold in the U.S. this year. Still, it would be a five-percent increase in the NGV fleet. For alternative fuel vehicles breaking into a petroleum-dominated transportation market, that's something.

22 state governors tell OEMs they're ready to buy more CNG vehicles originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 09 Oct 2012 07:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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