Twitter headlinesPolicy
[Due to the increasing size of the archives, each topic page now contains only the prior 365 days of content. Access to older stories is now solely through the Monthly Archive pages or the site search function.]
Dutch Cabinet Approves Mileage Tax; In Effect in 2012 if Approved by Parliament
November 14, 2009
The Dutch Cabinet on Friday approved a new road tax bill that would eliminate the current motor vehicle tax and purchase tax and replace them with a charge per kilometer driven, starting in 2012 and increasing through 2018. The measure needs to be approved by the Dutch Parliament before becoming law.
The Dutch Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management cited research showing that the number of vehicle kilometers driven will decrease by about 15% under such a mechanism. The Ministry also suggested that motorists seeking alternatives such as public transport will increase by 6%, while traffic fatalities are expected to decrease by about 7%. Emissions of CO2 and particulate matter are expected to decrease by more than 10%.
More... | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Economic Modelling Study Shows Canada Can Meet Global-Warming Reduction Targets While Growing Jobs and Economy
November 01, 2009
| Emission reduction actions for the more aggressive scenario (25% below 1990 by 2020). Source: Pembina. Click to enlarge. |
Canada can succeed economically while meeting targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, according to an economic modelling study commissioned by the Pembina Institute and the David Suzuki Foundation.
“Climate Leadership, Economic Prosperity” is the first Canadian study to show regional impacts on employment and gross domestic product, and the first to comprehensively examine how Canada can meet a greenhouse gas reduction target for 2020 that goes beyond the federal government’s target.
More... | Comments (13) | TrackBack (0)
NASA GISS Study Finds That Methane Has an Elevated Warming Effect Due to Interactions With Aerosols
October 30, 2009
| The 100-year global warming potentials (GWPs) for methane, CO, and NOx (per Tg N) as given in the AR4 and in this study when including no aerosol response; the direct radiative effect of aerosol responses; and the direct+indirect radiative effects of aerosol responses. Source: Shindell at al. Click to enlarge. |
New research by a team at the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS) in New York suggests that gas-aerosol interactions can amplify the global warming impact of some greenhouse gases. In particular, the study led by Drew Shindell found that methane emissions have a larger warming impact due to those interactions than accounted for in current carbon-trading schemes or in the Kyoto Protocol.
Among other conclusions, they found that the 100-year global warming potential (GWP) of methane is ~10% greater (~20 to 40%, including aerosol indirect effects AIE) than earlier estimates that neglected interactions between oxidants and aerosols. Calculations for the shorter 20-year GWP, including aerosol responses, yielded values of 79 and 105 for methane, including direct and direct+indirect radiative effects of aerosols, respectively. The UNIPCC AR4 estimates the 100-year GWP for methane at 25, with a value of 72 for the 20-year GWP.
More... | Comments (16) | TrackBack (0)
Brazil to Increase Mandatory Biodiesel Blend to 5% in 2010; Mandatory Emissions Testing for Vehicles
October 28, 2009
Effective January 2010, Brazilian diesel fuel vehicles will be required to run on a 5% biodiesel blend, up from 4% at present. The announcement was made last Friday by president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and is expected to raise biodiesel production levels to 2.4 billion liters (634 million gallons) in 2010.
Meeting the higher mandate will move Brazil to being the second-largest producer of biodiesel in the world, only behind Germany, according to Brazil’s Secretariat of Social Communication of the Republic. Currently, Brazil is fourth, with Germany, the US and France in the number 1, 2 and 3 positions respectively.
More... | Comments (5) | TrackBack (0)
New Study Finds Flaw in Carbon Accounting for Bioenergy, Another Contends That Indirect Land Use Change Emissions for Biofuels Will Be Up To Twice Direct Land Use Change Emissions
October 24, 2009
Thirteen scientists and land use experts conclude in a new paper that an important but fixable error in legal accounting rules used to measure compliance with carbon limits for bioenergy could undermine efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by encouraging deforestation. Their paper is published in the 23 Oct. issue of the journal Science.
A separate paper published online in Science Express by researchers from the Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole and MIT concludes that indirect land use change associated with global biofuels programs will be responsible for substantially more carbon loss (up to twice as much) than direct land use. Their model also predicts that because of predicted increases in fertilizer use, nitrous oxide emissions will be more important than carbon losses themselves in terms of warming potential.
More... | Comments (7) | TrackBack (0)
The Business of Plugging In: Building the Full Ecosystem for a Successful Plug-in Vehicle Industry in the US
October 23, 2009
The Business of Plugging In conference in Detroit this week marked a serious effort by utilities; automakers and suppliers; academia; government agencies; and financiers to instigate the necessary granular discussions required to lay an integrated foundation to develop a full ecosystem—products, services, policies, supply chain and consumer demand—for the successful deployment and growth of plug-in vehicles in the US.
Viewed another way, the conference was seeking to connect the different contributors or stakeholders that will be required to deliver and to support—on a large scale, to mainstream consumers—plug-in, electric drive vehicles that can compete in terms of cost, convenience, performance, and lifestyle appeal with combustion-engined cars that have had the benefit of more than 100 years of an ever-evolving value chain.
More... | Comments (7) | TrackBack (0)
National Academies Report Examines Hidden Cost of Energy Production and Use in US; Estimates $120B in 2005
October 22, 2009
| Health and other non-climate damages by life-cycle component for different combinations of fuels and light-duty automobiles in 2005 (top) and 2030 (bottom). Damages are expressed in cents per VMT (2007 USD). Source: “Hidden Costs of Energy”. Click to enlarge. |
A new report from the National Research Council examines and, when possible, estimates, “hidden” costs of energy production and use—such as the damage air pollution imposes on human health—that are not reflected in market prices of coal, oil, other energy sources, or the electricity and gasoline produced from them. The report estimates dollar values for several major components of these costs.
The damages the committee was able to quantify were an estimated $120 billion in the US in 2005, a number that reflects primarily health damages from air pollution associated with electricity generation and motor vehicle transportation. That figure does not include damages from climate change, harm to ecosystems, effects of some air pollutants such as mercury, and risks to national security, which the report examines but does not monetize.
More... | Comments (13) | TrackBack (0)
US Utilities Pledge to Ramp Up Efforts To Make Electricity a Crucial Transportation Fuel
October 21, 2009
Declaring an urgent imperative to prepare for the use of electricity as a crucial transportation fuel in the future, the US’ electric utilities collectively pledged to move forward aggressively to create the infrastructure to support the full-scale commercialization and deployment of plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs).
The pledge represents a culmination of efforts by Edison Electric Institute (EEI) member companies to survey the current state of electric transportation initiatives among utilities, evaluate how those initiatives fit in with the overall goal of advancing transportation electrification and determine what more is needed. There are five areas of focus:
More... | Comments (23) | TrackBack (0)
U of Michigan Study Finds Costs of Plug-in Cars Primary Key to Broad Consumer Acceptance
| Probabilities at different price points for at lest some chance of purchase. Source: Curtin et al. (2009) Click to enlarge. |
A newly released University of Michigan study found widespread consumer interest in buying plug-in hybrid electric vehicles; however, the cost of the cars is much more influential than environmental and other non-economic factors as a predictor of purchase probabilities.
The survey of a nationally representative sample of 2,513 adults age 18 and over was conducted between July and November 2008 by the U-M Institute for Social Research as part of the Reuters/University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers. The findings were released at The Business of Plugging In conference in Detroit today.
More... | Comments (24) | TrackBack (0)
UNEP Report Calls for More Sophisticated Approach to Developing Biofuels; Limitations of Current LCA Studies
October 19, 2009
| Rapeseed biodiesel as an example of the varied environmental impacts of a particular biofuel. Here, RME show advantages for primary energy and GHG, but disadvantages in terms of acidification, eutrophication and ozone depletion. Source: “Assessing Biofuels”. Click to enlarge. |
A far more sophisticated approach needs to be taken when developing biofuels as an environmentally-friendly energy option, according to a new report by the United Nations Environment Programme’s (UNEP) International Panel for Sustainable Resource Management. In the report, its first, the panel concludes governments should fit biofuels into an overall energy, climate, land-use, water and agricultural strategy if biofuels deployment is to benefit society, the economy and the environment as a whole.
An important analytical issue that needs to be addressed, the report notes, is the lack of lifecycle assessment studies focusing on a wider set of environmental impact indicators than greenhouse gas emissions. This lack makes it difficult to assess trade-offs between different environmental impact indicators.
More... | Comments (3) | TrackBack (0)
Reducing GHG Emissions with Land Use, Transit, and Auto Pricing Policies
October 17, 2009
| Box plots of combined policy VMT reductions by time horizon. Source: Rodier 2009. Click to enlarge. |
California’s global warming legislation requires reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to 1990 levels by 2020 and 80% below 1990 levels by 2050. The California Air Resources Board estimates that significant GHG reductions from passenger vehicles can be achieved through improvements in vehicle technology and the low carbon fuel standard; however, these reductions will not be enough to achieve 1990 levels if current trends in vehicle miles traveled (VMT) continue.
A study by Dr. Caroline Rodier at UC Davis’s Institute of Transportation Studies reviewed international modeling literature on land use, transit, and auto pricing policies to suggest a range of VMT and GHG reduction that regions might achieve if such policies were implemented.
More... | Comments (5) | TrackBack (0)
UK Studies Suggest New Business Models and Policies Required for EV and PHEV Uptake; Price a Critical Issue
October 16, 2009
The UK’s Committee on Climate Change commissioned research from a number of consultants to inform its advice on meeting carbon budgets across multiple sectors, including transportation. CCC has published the reports on its website. Two of those, one by consultancy Element Energy and a second by AEA Technology, explored the characteristics of EV buyers, technology, utilization, and prospects for market adoption of battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.
Element Energy report: Electric Vehicles, Strategies for uptake and infrastructure implications. Element energy explored a set of related topics, including purchasing decisions, demographics of EV buyers, EV types and utilization; and infrastructure requirements. Among the findings of the report:
More... | Comments (5) | TrackBack (0)
Marine Ecosystems Capture Carbon Emissions Equal to Near 50% of Emissions of Global Transport; UN Agencies Propose Blue Carbon Fund for Their Support
| Carbon cycle. Credit: Riccardo Pravettoni, UNEP/GRID-Arendal. Click to enlarge. |
A “Blue Carbon” fund able to invest in the maintenance and rehabilitation of key marine ecosystems should be considered by governments to combat climate change, according to a new Rapid Response Report released by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO.
The report estimates that carbon emissions equal to half the annual emissions of the global transport sector are being captured and stored by marine ecosystems such as mangroves, salt marshes and seagrasses.
More... | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)
Secretary of the Navy Sets Target for 50% of Total Energy Consumption from Alternative Sources by 2020; Role for Biofuels and EVs
October 15, 2009
In a speech at the Naval Energy Forum, US Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus set out five energy targets for the department to meet over the course of the next decade, including the overall goal of half of the total energy consumption for ships, aircraft, tanks, vehicles, and shore installations coming from alternative sources by 2020.
Another of the five goals is for the Department of the Navy to reduce petroleum use in its 50,000 strong commercial fleet by half by 2015. It will do that, Secretary Mabus said, by replacing the current fleet, as they go out of service, with a new composite fleet of flex fuel vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, and neighborhood electric vehicles.
More... | Comments (17) | TrackBack (0)
Cutting Non-CO2 Pollutants Can Delay Abrupt Climate Change; The “Fast Action” Climate Agenda
October 14, 2009
| Probability distribution for the committed warming by GHGs between 1750 and 2005. Shown are the tipping elements [large-scale components of the Earth’s system] and the temperature threshold range that initiates the tipping. From Molina et al. (2009), reproduced from Ramanathan and Feng (2008) Click to enlarge. |
A “fast-action” climate agenda including reducing non-CO2 climate change agents such as black carbon soot, tropospheric ozone, and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), as well as expanding bio-sequestration through biochar production, can forestall fast-approaching abrupt climate changes, according to Nobel Laureate Dr. Mario Molina (Chemistry, 1995) and co-authors in a paper published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).
Current emissions of anthropogenic greenhouse gases (GHGs) have already committed the planet to an increase in average surface temperature by the end of the century that may be above the critical threshold for tipping elements of the climate system into abrupt change with potentially irreversible and unmanageable consequences, the authors write. This would mean that the climate system is close to entering if not already within the zone of “dangerous anthropogenic interference” (DAI).
More... | Comments (39) | TrackBack (0)
Discussion Paper Suggests Mechanisms for Addressing Biofuel GHG Emissions Under Cap-and-Trade Schemes; Avoiding the “Renewability Shortcut” and Moving Toward Carbon Management for All Transportation Fuels
October 09, 2009
Including biofuels under a cap-and-trade scheme could create a more complete carbon management framework for the transportation fuels sector, according to a new peer-reviewed discussion paper by Dr. John DeCicco. DeCicco, formerly on staff at the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), is now a Senior Lecturer at the University of Michigan’s School of Natural Resources and Environment.
While including all fuels under a carbon cap is necessary for an effective climate policy, DeCicco argues, it is not sufficient for addressing all fuels-related emissions. “In particular, it fails to cover many GHG emissions during the production of biofuels and their feedstocks. It also risks emissions leakages through the interlinked fuels and agricultural commodity markets that cross the boundaries of capped and uncapped sectors both domestically and internationally. Thus, the carbon accounting system under a fossil-based cap alone is incomplete when it comes to biofuels.”
More... | Comments (6) | TrackBack (0)
EPA Soliciting Proposals for Clean Diesel Projects; Up to $64M in Awards in FY 2009/2010
October 07, 2009
The US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program is soliciting proposals nationwide for projects that achieve significant reductions in diesel emissions in terms of tons of pollution produced and diesel emissions exposure, particularly from fleets operating in areas designated by the Administrator as poor air quality areas. A single proposal may target multiple fleets, fleet types and/or diesel emission reduction solutions.
The total estimated funding for this competitive opportunity for FY 2009/2010 is approximately $64 million, including all non-tribal and tribal awards. EPA regional offices will award the assistance agreements for selected projects; EPA expects to make around 80 awards. Funding will be in the form of cooperative agreements or grants.
More... | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
President Obama Orders Federal Agencies to Trim Greenhouse Gases; 30% Reduction in Fleet Petroleum Use by 2020
On 5 October, US President Barack Obama signed an executive order setting sustainability goals for federal agencies and improvements in their environmental, energy, and economic performance. The Executive Order requires federal agencies to set a greenhouse gas emissions reduction target for 2020 within 90 days. It also requires federal agencies to increase their energy efficiency, reduce the petroleum consumption of their fleets, conserve water, reduce waste, support sustainable communities, and leverage their federal purchasing power to promote environmentally-responsible products and technologies.
The new Executive Order makes reducing greenhouse gas emissions a priority for the federal government, which occupies nearly 500,000 buildings, operates more than 600,000 vehicles, employs more than 1.8 million civilians, and purchases more than $500 billion per year in goods and services.
More... | Comments (24) | TrackBack (0)
PBL Study Finds Developed Countries’ Proposals for Copenhagen Fall Short for Reaching 2 °C Climate Objective
| The total reductions of the three scenarios used in the PBL analysis. Source: PBL. Click to enlarge. |
The current proposals by developed countries on the table for the upcoming climate negotiations in Copenhagen to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions do not yet suffice to limit global warming to a rise of 2 °C (based on a long-term 450 ppm concentration of GHG), according to a new report by the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency (PBL).
Achieving the 2 °C target—agreed upon by the G8 in July—would require a reduction of 25 to 40% in greenhouse gas emissions in 2020, compared with 1990 levels, whereas the current proposals would lead to a reduction of 10 to 15%. Developed countries as a group would need to increase their reduction targets for 2020 by at least 6 to 10%, in order to keep the 2 °C objective within reach, according to PBL. The global costs would be limited to 0.2% of GDP in 2020.
More... | Comments (7) | TrackBack (0)
GAO Report Concludes Industry and Government Face Significant Challenges in Meeting RFS Target While Minimizing Unintended Adverse Effects; Suggests Federal Research Give Priority to Non-Ethanol Biofuels
October 05, 2009
A report recently published by the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) concludes that the US biofuels industry and federal agencies will face significant challenges in meeting the more demanding requirements for volumes of advanced biofuels in RFS2 while minimizing any unintended adverse effects.
As part of the report, which was requested by Senators Barbara Boxer (as Chair of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works) and Susan Collins, the GAO makes several recommendations to Congress and for executive (i.e. Department or Agency-level) action. Among those is the recommendation that “to minimize future blend wall issues and associated ethanol distribution infrastructure costs...the Secretaries of Agriculture and Energy give priority to R&D on process technologies that produce biofuels that can be used by the existing petroleum-based distribution storage infrastructure and the current fleet of US vehicles”—i.e., non-ethanol biofuels.
More... | Comments (21) | TrackBack (0)
DOE Makes First Awards from $1.4B for Industrial Carbon Capture and Storage Projects
October 03, 2009
The US Department of Energy (DOE) has selected 12 projects for the first round of funding from $1.4 billion from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for the capture carbon dioxide from industrial sources for storage or beneficial use. The first phase of these projects will include $21.6 million in Recovery Act funding and $22.5 million in private funding for a total initial investment of $44.1 million. The remaining Recovery Act funding will be awarded to the most promising projects during a competitive phase two selection process.
Projects selected include large-scale industrial carbon capture and storage projects that capture carbon dioxide emissions from industrial sources—such as cement plants, chemical plants, refineries, paper mills, and manufacturing facilities—and store the carbon dioxide in deep saline formations and other geologic systems.
More... | Comments (6) | TrackBack (0)
France Launches 14-Point Plan to Accelerate Development of Electric Cars and Plug-in Hybrids; €1.5B for Charging Infrastructure, New €625M Li-ion Battery Plant
October 02, 2009
Jean-Louis Borloo, France’s Minister for Ecology, Energy, Sustainable Development and the Sea, presented a national 14-point plan designed to accelerate the development and subsequent commercialization of electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids in France. The government intends for its strategy to lead to the production of two million EVs and PHEVs (combined) by 2020.
Among the financial highlights of the plan are a public investment of €1.5 billion (US$2.2 billion) to establish a network of 1 million charging points by 2015 and the building of a €625 million (US$910 million) lithium-ion battery plant at a plant owned by Renault with a public contribution of €125 million (US$182 million) toward the total.
More... | Comments (27) | TrackBack (0)
EPA Proposes New Rule Requiring Use of Best Available Control Technologies to Reduce GHG from Large Stationary Sources
October 01, 2009
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing a rule under the authority of the Clean Air Act that would require large industrial facilities that emit at least 25,000 tons of greenhouse gases (GHGs) a year to obtain construction and operating permits covering these emissions. The rule proposes new thresholds for GHGs that define when Clean Air Act (CAA) permits under the New Source Review (NSR) and title V operating permits programs would be required for new or modified existing industrial facilities.
The proposed thresholds would “tailor” the permit programs to limit which facilities would be required to obtain NSR and title V permits and would cover nearly 70% of the national GHG emissions that come from stationary sources, including those from the nation’s largest emitters—including power plants, refineries, and cement production facilities. Permits must demonstrate the use of best available control technologies (BACT) and energy efficiency measures to minimize GHG emissions.
More... | Comments (7) | TrackBack (0)
California ARB Seeks Further Reductions of Diesel Emissions at State Rail Yards
September 26, 2009
| Additional diesel PM reductions in 18 major CA railyards with five new locomotive measures. Source: Staff presentation. With Five Locomotive Measures Click to enlarge. |
The California Air Resources Board directed its staff to take steps to provide further locomotive and rail yard emission reductions beyond those achieved by existing US Environmental Protection Agency and state regulations and agreements.
While current state and federal measures are on target to reduce toxic diesel locomotive emissions 65% or more by 2020, additional measures recommended by ARB staff would ultimately provide up to 85% or greater emissions reductions within the rail yards over the same period, resulting in cleaner air for nearby residential neighborhoods as well.
More... | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)
Auto Industry Backs Additional Funding for Research into Impacts of Mid-Level Ethanol Blends
September 25, 2009
| Status of research into the effects of mid-level blends. Programs with red borders are unfunded; red bars are gaps in research. Source: Joint IEPR/TC workshop. Click to enlarge. |
The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers (AAM) and the Association of International Automobile Manufacturers (AIAM) sent a letter to US House and Senate Energy and Water Appropriators in support of additional funding to complete research into the impacts of mid-level blends of ethanol.
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is current considering a request to allow more than the current limit of 10% ethanol in gasoline to increase overall ethanol consumption in the US fuel pool. (Earlier post.) The auto industry in principle is not opposed to the introduction of such mid-level blends (i.e., above 10% but below 85%; but it wants the completion of current durability testing plans. (Earlier post.)
More... | Comments (4) | TrackBack (0)
Commerce Secretary Releases Draft Smart Grid Interoperability Plan; Plug-in Vehicle Standards One of the Priorities
September 24, 2009
US Commerce Secretary Gary Locke released the draft of an accelerated plan for Smart Grid interoperability. Produced by the Commerce Department’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the approximately 90-page document identifies about 80 initial interoperability standards and 14 priority action plans that address the most important gaps in the initial standard set.
The Smart Grid will employ real-time, two-way digital information and communication technologies in the operation of the nation’s electricity grid. Standards will support interoperability of all the various pieces of the system, ranging from large utility companies down to individual homes, electronic devices and plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs).
More... | Comments (6) | TrackBack (0)
Toyota Concerned About Market Viability of Plug-ins, Sees Clear Path to Commercialization of Fuel Cell Technology in 2015
September 23, 2009
Based on its 15 years of experience with advanced battery technology and the now-mainstream Prius, Toyota has key unanswered questions regarding market acceptance of plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles and who the target buyers—in numbers sufficient to meet California ZEV mandates—might be, according to Michael O’Brien, Toyota’s US corporate manager for advanced technology vehicle planning. O’Brien was speaking at the California Air Resources Board’s ZEV Technology Symposium in Sacramento, California.
As Toyota learned with the introduction of the Prius and its efforts on the 2002 RAV4 EV, O’Brien said, it is difficult to force technology adoption by consumers. The current state of market readiness of plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles presents serious challenges, particularly in mass production, given issues including range; cost; a charging time still longer than a conventional gasoline refueling; a broad variation in battery pack life, and the lack of infrastructure. “Creating consumer demand for mandated advanced technology vehicles will require substantial government engagement at all levels.”
More... | Comments (75) | TrackBack (0)
Airlines Present Climate Change Proposals at UN Forum; 50% Absolute Cut In Emissions by 2050 Compared to 2005
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) presented its proposals for December’s climate change talks to the UN Secretary General’s Summit on Climate Change in New York. The forum took place in the run-up to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) meeting in Copenhagen this December. The aviation sector is united in calling on world leaders to retain a global sectoral approach to reducing aviation emissions under the leadership of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), working in cooperation with the sector through IATA.
The aviation industry presented a paper outlining the industry’s commitment to three sequential targets: 1) Improving carbon efficiency with a 1.5% average annual improvement in fuel efficiency to 2020; 2) Stabilizing emissions with carbon-neutral growth from 2020; and 3) Emissions reductions with a 50% absolute cut in emissions by 2050 compared to 2005.
More... | Comments (7) | TrackBack (0)
DOE Announces $528.7M Conditional Loan for Fisker Automotive for PHEVs
September 22, 2009
The US Department of Energy is awarding a $528.7-million conditional loan to Fisker Automotive for the development of two lines of plug-in hybrids—the Karma and the new Project Nina vehicle—by 2016. This is the fourth conditional loan commitment the Department of Energy has entered into under the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing (ATVM) Loan program. The Department plans to make additional loans under this program over the coming months to large and small auto manufacturers and parts suppliers up and down the production supply chain.
In the first stage of the program, Fisker Automotive will use a $169.3 million ATVM loan for engineering integration costs as it works with primarily US suppliers to complete the company’s first vehicle, the Fisker Karma. (Earlier post.) Engineers will also design tools and equipment and develop manufacturing processes. This work will be conducted at Fisker’s Pontiac, Michigan office with support from its headquarters in Irvine, California.
More... | Comments (20) | TrackBack (0)
US DOT Awards $100M in Recovery Act Funds to 43 Transit Projects to Reduce Energy Consumption and Greenhouse Gas Emissions
The US Department of Transportation (DOT) is awarding $100 million in Economic Recovery Act funding to 43 transit agencies for projects to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions from both vehicles and facilities.
The 43 winning proposals were submitted by transit agencies from across the country as part of a nationwide competition for the $100 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) funds. Selection criteria included a project’s ability to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions and also to provide a return on the investment. Other criteria included readiness to implement, applicant capacity, degree of innovation and national applicability. The Federal Transit Administration reviewed more than $2 billion in applications for these funds.
More... | Comments (8) | TrackBack (0)
Study: Cash-for-Clunkers Programs Should Use Fuel Economy Rather Than Age to Maximize GHG Reductions
A study by researchers at UC Davis suggests that a properly designed vehicle scrappage (i.e., “Cash for Clunkers”) program could maximize greenhouse gas emissions savings by using fuel-economy based eligibility requirements rather than age-based requirements. The study presents a program framework that, at a minimum, ensures a program that offsets GHG emissions attributable to vehicle manufacturing and end-of-life disposal with use-phase emissions reductions.
The study also suggests that a long-term Cash-for-Clunkers program may be more suitable to CO2e reduction because with such a program policymakers could send a clear, long-term signal to auto manufacturers for more fuel-efficient vehicles. Considering the 4-6 year vehicle product planning, design, and introduction cycles where major retooling of automobile plants is needed, the researchers said, such longer term programs could actually induce technology changes.
More... | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
NHTSA Modeling and Technology Projections Underlying the Proposed CAFE Target of 34.1 mpg by MY 2016
September 21, 2009
| Three of the NHTSA scenarios for penetration of technologies for passenger cars for MY 2016. Shown are slow growth (3%), the preferred proposed alternative, and the maximum potential. Data: Preliminary Regulatory Impact Analysis. Click to enlarge. |
On 15 Sep, NHTSA and the US EPA proposed a joint rulemaking on fuel economy and greenhouse gas emissions for light duty vehicles: an average new car 34.1 mpg and 250 g CO2/mile for model year 2016. (The 250 g/mile of CO2 equivalent emissions limit by EPA is equivalent to 35.5 mpg if the automotive industry were to meet this CO2 level just through fuel economy improvements.) (Earlier post.)
Behind the targets is a significant amount of modeling, including revisions to certain aspects of the Volpe modeling process, such as the inputs, data, modeling techniques, and the constraints used in assessing appropriate stringency for future CAFE standards. In developing the proposed preferred alternative for the rulemaking, NHTSA also projected technology penetration and associated costs for the vehicle fleet. NHTSA details the modeling and the projections in the “Preliminary Regulatory Impact Analysis”, and the NHTSA/EPA “Draft Joint Technical Support Document”.
More... | Comments (14) | TrackBack (0)
EPA Report Finds Significant Opportunity to Reduce GHG Emissions Through Materials and Land Management Practices
September 19, 2009
|
| US GHG emissions allocated to systems, and by materials and land management. The Land Sink, represented by the outer ring, offset the equivalent of 13% of total US anthropogenic emissions in 2006. The entire pie chart represents total US emissions in 2006; the inner portion of the pie chart represents net emissions. Greenfield development emissions are not included in the Inventory of US Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks, and are therefore depicted outside of the pie chart. Source: EPA. Click to enlarge. |
There is great potential to reduce US greenhouse gas emissions through materials and land management practices such as recycling, waste reduction, smart growth, and by reusing formerly contaminated sites including brownfields, according to a new report by the US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response (OSWER).
The report uses a systems-based analysis—where each system represents and comprises all the parts of the economy working to fulfill a particular need—rather than the sector-based view consistent with international guidance that enables parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to compare the relative contribution of different emission sources and GHGs to climate change.
More... | Comments (4) | TrackBack (0)
Study Finds that US Subsidies for Fossil Fuels Are Almost 2.5x Those for Renewables
September 18, 2009
| US subsidies for fuels and renewable energy, 2002-2008. Nuclear was not included in the analysis. Source: Adeyeye et al. 2009. Click to enlarge. |
The vast majority of US federal subsidies for fossil fuels and renewable energy from 2002-2008 supported fossil energy sources that emit high levels of greenhouse gases when used as fuel, according to research released on Friday by the Environmental Law Institute (ELI) in partnership with the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars.
The study, “Estimating US Government Subsidies to Energy Sources: 2002-2008”, found that fossil fuels benefited from approximately $72 billion over the seven-year period, while subsidies for renewable fuels totaled $29 billion.
More... | Comments (27) | TrackBack (0)
US House Passes $2.85B Bill for Advanced Technology Vehicle R&D from 2010-2014
September 17, 2009
The US House yesterday passed by a vote of 312-114 a bill that would authorize additional appropriations totalling $2.85 billion over the 2010-2014 period for the US Department of Energy (DOE) to support a broad range of research activities for advanced technology vehicles.
H.R. 3246, the “Advanced Vehicle Technology Act of 2009” covers research on light-, medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, as well as infrastructure and pilot programs. Ultimately targeting the development of technologies and practices that improve the fuel efficiency and reduce emissions of vehicles produced in the US, the bill also aims to “ensure a proper balance and diversity of Federal investment in vehicle technologies”, while strengthening “partnerships between Federal and State governmental agencies and the private and academic sectors.”
More... | Comments (36) | TrackBack (0)
US EPA and NHTSA Jointly Propose New Fuel Economy and Greenhouse Gas Regulations for Vehicles
September 15, 2009
| Greenhouse gas and fuel economy levels under the EPA NHTSA joint proposed rulemaking. Click to enlarge. |
The US Department of Transportation (DOT) National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) jointly proposed a rule establishing a national program that would improve vehicle fuel economy and reduce greenhouse gases. The proposal builds upon the core principles President Obama announced in May for a harmonized national policy intended to reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for all new cars and trucks sold in the US.(Earlier post.)
In this joint rulemaking, EPA and NHTSA are proposing two separate sets of attribute-based standards applying to passenger cars, light-duty trucks, and medium-duty passenger vehicles, covering model years 2012 through 2016, each under its respective statutory authorities:
More... | Comments (8) | TrackBack (0)
Study Finds Cash for Clunkers Program Boosted Average Fuel Economy of All Vehicles Purchased by 0.6 mpg in July and 0.7 mpg in August
September 12, 2009
| Average fuel economy of purchased new light-duty vehicles by month, including projection without the program. Source: Sivak and Schoettle 2009. Click to enlarge. |
A study by Michael Sivak and Brandon Schoettle at the University of Michigan’s Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI) concluded that the recently concluded Cash for Clunkers program improved the average fuel economy of all vehicles purchased by 0.6 mpg in July 2009 and 0.7 mpg in August 2009.
The Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS)—“Cash for Clunkers”—gave buyers a rebate when they traded in a vehicle while purchasing a new one. Generally, the trade-in vehicles must have had fuel economy of 18 mpg or less and be less than 25 years old. The rebate was either $3,500 or $4,500, depending on the difference between the fuel economy of the new and the trade-in vehicles.
More... | Comments (5) | TrackBack (0)
ETI Launches £11M Nationwide Plug-in Vehicle Plan to Accelerate Market Growth in UK
September 11, 2009
The UK’s Energy Technologies Institute (ETI) launched a Joined-Cities Plan designed to make it easier for drivers to charge plug-in vehicles in a number of major UK cities by deploying a cost-effective and compatible network of recharging points. (Earlier post.)
The £11-million (US$18-million) plan has been created to help support the roll-out of a single national network that will ultimately enable plug-in vehicles to be easily used and recharged anywhere, including the home.
More... | Comments (7) | TrackBack (0)
Study Concludes That Use of Cellulosic Feedstocks to Meet US Biofuel Requirements Will Still Likely Result in Expansion of the Gulf Dead Zone
September 10, 2009
| Nitrate output within the MARB (colored bars, lefthand y-axis) and mean areal extent of hypoxia in the NGOM with “No Buffer” and “50% Buffer” (gray scale bars, righthand y-axis). Nitrate output columns represent mean values and the 80% credible intervals from modeling. Credit: ACS, Costello et. al. Click to enlarge. |
A study by researchers at Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh found that while moving from corn to cellulosics to meet the biofuel goals specified by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA 2007) for ethanol production may result in a 20% decrease (based on mean values) in NO3- (nitrate) output from the Mississippi and Atchafalaya River Basin (MARB) relative to corn, this will still result in increased nitrate loadings, contributing to the expansion of the hypoxic “Dead Zone” in the Northern Gulf of Mexico (NGOM). (Earlier post.)
The findings suggest that an aggressive nutrient management strategy will be needed to reach the goal of a 5,000 km2 areal extent of hypoxia set forth by the Mississippi River/Gulf of Mexico Watershed Nutrient Task Force even in the absence of biofuels, given current production to meet food, feed, and other industrial needs. Their paper was published online 13 August in the ACS journal Environmental Science & Technology.
More... | Comments (4) | TrackBack (0)
Perspective: US Needs to Transition to Hydrous Ethanol as the Primary Renewable Transportation Fuel
August 30, 2009
by Brian J. Donovan, CEO Renergie, Inc.
[This opinion piece originally appeared in the Field-to-Pump blog, published by Renergie, Inc.]
Use of Hydrous Ethanol in Brazil
The oil price shocks of the 1970s led the Brazilian government to address the strain high prices were placing on its fragile economy. Brazil, the largest and most populous country in South America, was importing 80% of its oil and 40% of its foreign exchange was used to pay for that imported oil.
In 1975, General Ernesto Geisel, then-president of Brazil, ordered the country’s gasoline supply mixed with 10% ethanol. The level was raised to 25% over the next five years, which was intended to maintain a constant Brazilian gasoline supply for an ever-increasing demand. The government assisted the shift by giving sugar companies subsidized loans to build ethanol plants, as well as guaranteeing prices for their ethanol products. Already the world’s biggest producer and exporter of sugar, farmers reaped the benefits of this new demand.
More... | Comments (12) | TrackBack (0)
New Zealand Will Not Implement Fuel Economy Standard
August 28, 2009
The government of New Zealand will not proceed with developing and implementing fuel economy standards as proposed by the previous government. (Earlier post.) Transport Minister Steven Joyce says the potential benefits of the scheme would have been outweighed by the cost to motorists.
While the details of the scheme were never confirmed, it would have meant that importers of less fuel-efficient vehicles would have needed to buy credits, and more fuel-efficient vehicles would have been awarded credits. The scheme was separate to the Emissions Trading Scheme.
More... | Comments (7) | TrackBack (0)
Cash for Clunkers By the Numbers
August 27, 2009
| Cash for Clunkers sales by manufacturer. Click to enlarge. |
The US Cash for Clunkers program (CARS) ended Tuesday night with 690,114 dealer transaction submitted worth $2,877.9 million. Eighty-four percent of consumers traded in trucks and 59% purchased passenger cars. The average fuel economy of the vehicles traded in was 15.8 mpg and the average fuel economy of vehicles purchased is 24.9 mpg: a 58% improvement. Cars purchased under the program are, on average, 19% above the average fuel economy of all new cars currently available.
With the end of transactions under the program, the Department of Transportation is augmenting a team that already includes more than 2,000 people processing dealer applications for rebates.
More... | Comments (6) | TrackBack (0)
Canadian Study Concludes Rebates to Hybrid Buyers Not Cost-Effective for Reducing Carbon Emissions
August 24, 2009
Canadian government programs that offer rebates to hybrid vehicle buyers are failing to produce environmental benefits commensurate with the cost, according to a study by researchers at the University of British Columbia (UBC).
The study finds that the rebates had a large and positive effect on the market share of hybrid vehicles, largely at the expense of intermediate cars, intermediate SUVs and some high performance compact cars. However, only 26% of the hybrid vehicles sold during the rebate programs can be attributed to the rebate; in other words, the rebates primarily subsidize people who would have bought hybrids or fuel efficient cars in any case.
More... | Comments (16) | TrackBack (0)
Massachusetts to Accept Only Waste-Derived Biofuels to Qualify for Mandate for Diesel and Home Heating Oil
August 20, 2009
Only biofuels derived from waste feedstocks will initially be considered to qualify as an advanced biofuel to meet the Massachusetts Biofuels Mandate for diesel and home heating oil, according to the plan unveiled by the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER), in coordination with the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs.
Waste feedstocks are defined in the enabling legislation specifically as “previously used or discarded solid, liquid or contained gaseous material with heating value resulting from industrial, commercial or household food service activities that would otherwise be stored, treated, transferred or disposed. Waste feedstock shall include, but not be limited to: waste vegetable oils, waste animal fats, substances derived from wastewater and the treatment of wastewater or grease trap waste.” Other forms of renewable biomass—agricultural crop residues, dedicated energy crops, or algae—are excluded.
More... | Comments (7) | TrackBack (0)
Ford’s View on Electrification Enablers; Looking for Battery Commonization
August 15, 2009
| Ford’s view of the different enablers for successful vehicle electrification. Click to enlarge. |
Noting that “once you plug the vehicle into the wall, success becomes a team sport”, Mike Tinskey, manager of Ford’s sustainability activities focused on electric vehicles and infrastructure, outlined what Ford sees as enablers for electrification (“controllable success factors”), during a presentation at the Plug-in 2009 conference in Long Beach this past week.
Prior to his current position, Tinskey led Ford’s product planning and product management activities for hybrids and for developing and implementing the electric vehicle strategy announced last January (earlier post). During his talk, he suggested that migrating to some battery commonality would be a huge win for the industry simply because it would support a more rapid achievement of the higher production volumes required to bring prices down.
More... | Comments (13) | TrackBack (0)
Study Concludes Cash for Clunkers Program Is an Expensive Way to Reduce Carbon; Paying Nearly 10x the Projected Price of Carbon Credits
August 14, 2009
The federal government’s Cash for Clunkers aims to stimulate the economy, provide relief for automobile manufacturers and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, the program is paying nearly 10 times the projected price of carbon credits per ton in the best-case scenario, according to an analysis of the implied cost of carbon dioxide reductions under the program by UC Davis transportation economist Christopher Knittel.
While carbon credits are projected to sell in the US for about $28 per ton (current price in Europe is about $20), Knittel found that the best-case estimates of the cost of the clunkers rebate is $237 per ton. Conservative estimates resulted in an implied carbon cost exceeding $365 per ton, and more likely scenarios produced a cost of more than $500 per ton.
More... | Comments (9) | TrackBack (0)
PPIC Survey Finds Californians’s Support for Policies to Curb Warming Slips With Economy and Budget Crisis; Partisan Split Widens
Solid majorities of Californians favor state policies to curb global warming, according to a survey by the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) with support from The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation. But in a year that has seen both a worsening recession and state budget crisis, residents’ support for urgent action on climate change has slipped and a partisan divide on the issue has widened.
Most residents (66%) support the 2006 California law (AB 32) that requires greenhouse gas emissions to be reduced to 1990 levels by 2020. Support has declined 7 points from July 2008 (73%) and 12 points from 2007 (78%). The decline is sharpest among Republicans (57% 2008, 43% today). However, Californians across party lines favor the requirement that automakers reduce emissions from new cars (90% Democrats, 81% independents, 55% Republicans).
More... | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)
Ford Exec Cites US Energy Policies As Critical Factor in Shaping Future Vehicle Fleet, Calls for Cap-and-Trade Program
August 09, 2009
| Actual and projected greenhouse gas emissions for passenger vehicles by region/country through 2022. Adapted from ICCT. Click to enlarge. |
Sue Cischke, Ford group vice president, Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering, pointed to the “key role” government policies such as fuel standards and greenhouse gas emission regulations, play in the development and support of Ford’s product and technology pathways. Cischke was speaking at the Center of Automotive Research’s Management Briefing Seminars in Traverse City last week.
Cischke cited the recent agreement on one national standard for fuel economy and greenhouse gas emissions regulations as an example of how the government, the auto industry and the environmental community can work together toward common goals. (Earlier post.) The agreement provides a framework to reach an average fuel economy standard of 35.5 mpg in 2016.
More... | Comments (58) | TrackBack (0)
EPA Posts Peer Review of Renewable Fuel Standards Lifecycle Analysis
August 07, 2009
| Steps in determining biofuel lifecycle emissions. Source: EPA workshop, June 2009. Click to enlarge. |
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has posted the peer review of the renewable fuel standards lifecycle analysis—including significant indirect emissions, such as from indirect land use changes—online.
In May, EPA released its expected Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) detailing the implementation of changes to the existing Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS1) as required by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA). The proposed rulemaking includes new definitions and criteria for both renewable fuels and the feedstocks used to produce them, including new greenhouse gas emission (GHG) thresholds for renewable fuels and the incorporation of indirect land use change effects. (Earlier post.) At the time, Administrator Jackson announced the lifecycle analysis would be peer-reviewed.
More... | Comments (4) | TrackBack (0)
UMTRI Agent-Based Simulation Study Concludes US PHEV Annual Sales Could Reach 4-5% With Fleet Penetration of 2+% by 2020 If Subsidies Are in Place
| Fleet penetration of PHEV by 2020 in different scenarios. The first character of the scenario represents the price of gasoline at simulation termination, the second represents “yes” or “no” on a manufacturer subsidy, and the third represents “yes” or “no”on a sales tax exemption. Source: Sullivan et al. 2009. Click to enlarge. |
Annual sales of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) in the US could reach 2% – 3% with fleet penetration of around 1% by 2015, according to a new study by researchers at the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI). By 2020, sales could reach around 4% – 5% with fleet penetration a little more than 2%. And in 30 years, they could be around 20% of sales with a fleet penetration of about 16%.
However, the team notes in the study, “PHEV marketplace penetration: An agent based simulation”, to achieve that level of penetration given the additional cost of the vehicles, subsidies in addition to the Federal tax credit already in place are critical. In the base case (which includes the current tax credit), “both fleet penetration and sales penetration are feeble at best”. Fleet penetration would be less than 1% in ten years, the study finds.
More... | Comments (28) | TrackBack (0)
US DOE to Award More Than $327M in Recovery Act Funding for Science Research; Includes Support for Biofuels, Smart Grid and Fusion Energy
August 04, 2009
The US Department of Energy (DOE) will award more than $327 million for scientific research, instrumentation, and laboratory infrastructure projects including biofuels, smart grid and fusion energy research, among others.
Of the $327 million in Recovery Act funding, $107.5 million is slated to go to universities, nonprofit organizations, and private firms, generally on a competitive, peer-reviewed basis. The remaining $220 million will go to US Department of Energy National Laboratories for a range of research, instrumentation, and infrastructure projects, including $164.7 million for projects already allocated as follows:
More... | Comments (8) | TrackBack (0)
EC Publishes 6 Calls for Proposals for Transport Research within the Seventh Framework Program; €63M for European Green Cars Initiative and Electromobility
August 01, 2009
The European Commission has published 53 calls for proposals in various thematic areas of the Seventh Research Framework Program (FP7), including six calls for transport with funding of approximately €243 million (US$344 million). Within that, projects for the European Green Cars Inititative are to receive an indicative (i.e., the actual sum of the awards may vary) €63 million (US$89 million).
Calls for also went out for proposals in health; food, agriculture and fisheries, and biotechnology; information and communication technologies; nanosciences, nanotechnologies, materials and new production technologies; energy; environment (including climate change); socio-economic sciences and humanities; space; and security.
More... | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
National Research Council Report on America’s Energy Future Highlights Vehicle Efficiency Technologies, Conversion of Biomass and Coal-to-Liquids Fuels, and Electrifying the Light Duty Fleet with PHEVs, BEVs and FCVs
July 31, 2009
| Estimates of potential for gasoline consumption reduction in the US light duty fleet in 2020 and 2035 relative to 2007. Projected consumption assumes efficiency improvements in powertrain and vehicle are offset by increases in performance, size and weight. Improvements result from an optimistic scenario achieving doubling of new vehicle fuel economy in 2035 from today’s value. Source: America’s Energy Future, Fig. 2.4. Click to enlarge. |
With a sustained national commitment, the United States could obtain substantial energy-efficiency improvements, new sources of energy, and reductions in greenhouse gas emissions through the accelerated deployment of existing and emerging energy technologies, according to the prepublication copy of the capstone report of the America’s Energy Future project of the National Research Council, the operating arm of the National Academy of Sciences and National Academy of Engineering.
However, the report concludes, initiating deployment of these technologies is urgent; actions taken—or not taken—between now and 2020 to develop and demonstrate several key technologies will largely determine the nation’s energy options for many decades to come. For the transportation sector, these key technologies include a focus on improving vehicle efficiency; developing technologies for the conversion of biomass and coal-to-liquid fuels; and electrifying the light-duty vehicle fleet through expanded deployment of plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), battery electric vehicles (BEVs), and hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles (FCVs).
More... | Comments (4) | TrackBack (0)
USCAR Argues for Continued US Funding of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle Research
July 30, 2009
| Projected hydrogen fuel cell system costs. Click to enlarge. |
The United States Council for Automotive Research (USCAR) recently published a whitepaper on the importance of continued research of hydrogen as a low-carbon transportation solution, in the context of the proposed cutting of hydrogen fuel cell vehicle research in the Department of Energy FY2010 budget. (Earlier post.) The whitepaper is available for download on the USCAR website.
A separate interim report by the National Research Council (NRC) assessing the strategy and structure of the Department of Energy’s FreedomCAR and Fuel Partnership, also published in July, concluded that although the Obama Administration’s focus on nearer-term vehicle technologies to reduce petroleum fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions is on the right track, there remains a need for continued investment in longer-term, higher-risk, higher-payoff vehicle technologies that could be “highly transformational ” with regard to those twin concerns. In addition to advanced batteries, such technologies include systems for hydrogen storage and hydrogen fuel cells, the review panel said. (Earlier post.)
More... | Comments (35) | TrackBack (0)
Study Finds That Implementation of a Portfolio of Transportation Strategies Will Be Required for Significant Reductions in GHG from Transportation Sector; Pricing Strategies Have the Largest Potential
July 29, 2009
| Projected cumulative greenhouse gas reductions from 2010-2050 by strategy category under maximum deployment scenario. Data: Moving Cooler. Click to enlarge. |
Although innovations in vehicle and fuel technology will have a substantial effect on reducing greenhouse gas emissions from transportation in the US, those gains will largely be offset by increases in travel along with growth in the US population, according to a new report from transportation consultancy Cambridge Systematics. Achieving significant GHG reductions will thus require application of a complete portfolio of strategies targeting travel activity and vehicle and systems operations, the report finds.
In an analysis of a set of such strategies grouped into nine categories and three different levels of implementation (extension of current efforts, aggressive and maximum), the report found that the maximum effort deployment—excluding economy-wide pricing strategies—could achieve annual greenhouse gas reductions of up to 24% by 2050 from the calculated baseline. Strong economy-wide pricing measures (such as a $5.00 per gallon fuel tax by 2050) could result in an additional reduction of 28% in GHG emissions.
More... | Comments (13) | TrackBack (0)
EIB to Contribute Up to €300M in Financing to Valeo for €645M Fuel Consumption and Emissions Reduction Projects
July 26, 2009
The European Investment Bank (EIB) will grant financing of up to €300 million (US$426 million) to Valeo for its current research projects aiming to reduce the fuel consumption and CO2 emissions of cars and improve active safety. The total research investment of Valeo, one of the world’s top automotive suppliers, for these projects is €645 million (US$916 million) over four years. The EIB loan will come with competitive terms in two installments, the first one of €225 million (US$320 million) to be drawn by the end of July.
Aligned with the objective of the European Union to establish a competitive knowledge-based economy and the policy of the EIB to finance research and innovation as a priority, this funding will cover fuel efficiency technologies such as mild- and micro-hybrid solutions; the development of systems for electric and hybrid vehicles; efficient transmission systems; and active safety technologies including assisted viewing systems, crash avoidance systems and advanced lighting systems.
More... | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Interim Report from National Research Council Urges DOE to Continue Support of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle Research
July 23, 2009
An interim report by the National Research Council (NRC) assessing the strategy and structure of the Department of Energy’s FreedomCAR and Fuel Partnership concluded that although the Obama Administration’s focus on nearer-term vehicle technologies to reduce petroleum fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions is on the right track, there remains a need for continued investment in longer-term, higher-risk, higher-payoff vehicle technologies that could be “highly transformational” with regard to those twin concerns.
In addition to advanced batteries, such technologies include systems for hydrogen storage and hydrogen fuel cells, the review panel said. The report comes in the context of the proposed zeroing-out of hydrogen fuel cell vehicle research funding in the DOE’s proposed FY 2010 budget. (Earlier post.)
More... | Comments (20) | TrackBack (0)
Study Concludes That Higher Speed Limits in US Have Resulted in a 3.2% Increase in Road Fatalities
July 21, 2009
The repeal of the federal speed control law in 1995 that restricted the maximum speed limit to 55 mph on all interstate roads in the US has resulted in an increase in road fatalities and injuries, according to researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health.
The researchers found a 3.2% increase in road fatalities attributable to the raised speed limits on all road types in the United States. The highest increases were on rural interstates (9.1%) and urban interstates (4.0%). They estimated that 12,545 deaths (95% confidence interval [CI]=8739, 16352) and 36,583 injuries in fatal crashes (95% CI=29322, 43844) were attributable to increases in speed limits across the United States.
More... | Comments (34) | TrackBack (0)
Ontario Announces Rebates of Up to C$10,000 for Plug-in Electric Drive Vehicles
July 15, 2009
The government of Ontario (Canada) is targeting a vehicle parc with one out of every 20 vehicles (5%) having electric drive by the year 2020 (“1 in 20 by 2020”).
Ontario (Canada) Premier Dalton McGuinty announced several measures in support of that goal, including rebates of between C$4,000 and C$10,000 (US$3,575 to US$8,938) for plug-in hybrid and battery electric vehicles purchased after 1 July 2010, based on the vehicle’s battery capacity. The high-end of the rebate would be the highest in Canada and amongst the highest in the world.
More... | Comments (10) | TrackBack (0)
UK Publishes Strategy for Low Carbon Transport
The UK’s Department for Transport has published a strategy designed to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide from the transport sector by around 14% (17.7 million tonnes) by 2020 compared to 2008.
The document, entitled “Low carbon transport: a greener future”, also frames the debate for a longer-term decarbonization of transport to give people and businesses more low-carbon choices about when, where and how to travel or transport goods. Transport currently makes up 21% of all UK domestic carbon emissions. The Carbon Reduction Strategy for Transport is based on three main themes:
More... | Comments (5) | TrackBack (0)
US Senators Introduce Bill to Expand Incentives for Natural Gas Vehicles
July 12, 2009
US Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) last week introduced new legislation, co-sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT) that extends and increases tax credits for natural gas vehicle purchasing, refueling and manufacturing.
Under the NAT GAS (New Alternative Transportation to Give Americans Solutions) bill (S. 1408), the purchase tax credit cap for a light-duty natural gas vehicle would be increased to $12,500, up from the current $5,000. For the three other covered vehicle weight classes, the purchase tax credit cap would double; the maximum credit would be $80,000 (up from $40,000).
More... | Comments (28) | TrackBack (0)
Proposed Federal CEDA Designed to Help Risky Breakthrough Technologies Cross the “Valley of Death”; Working with $10+ Billion Fund
July 07, 2009
by Bill Cooke
Green Car Congress recently attended the Renewable Energy Finance Forum - Wall Street (REFF- Wall Street) conference sponsored by Euromoney Energy Events and the American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE). One of the highlights to the conference was an overview of a potential new government organization called the Clean Energy Deployment Administration (CEDA), which is designed to help promising, although risky, breakthrough technologies with commercial appeal cross the “valley of death”.
In March of 2009, Chris Van Hollen (Democrat-Maryland) introduced legislation for the Green Bank which shared many characteristics with CEDA. CEDA was proposed in two parallel bills: H.R. 2212 in the House, and S.B. 949 in the Senate. The House version was combined with the Green Bank legislation and ended up in the giant Waxman-Markey energy and cap-and-trade bill (Sec. 186 of H.R. 2454, the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009), which passed the House on 29 June and is now under consideration by the Senate. (Earlier post.) S.B. 949 was referred to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources 30 April 2009.
More... | Comments (7) | TrackBack (0)
EPA Grants California Vehicle GHG Regulations Waiver
June 30, 2009
The US Environmental Agency (EPA) has granted California’s waiver request enabling the state to enforce its greenhouse gas emissions standards (Pavley I) for new motor vehicles, beginning with the current model year. According to evidence submitted by California during the waiver process, an EPA official said, automakers are currently already in compliance with the MY2009 Pavley requirement, and are tracking to compliance for 2010.
In September 2004 the California Air Resources Board (ARB) passed regulations to reduce greenhouse gases (GHG) from new passenger vehicles starting in 2009. These regulations were authorized by the 2002 legislation Assembly Bill 1493 (Pavley). California requested from EPA the waiver required for implementation of the Pavley regulations in December 2005. The request was subsequently denied in December 2007.
More... | Comments (23) | TrackBack (0)
EU and US Transportation Research Coordinating Bodies Call for Closer Collaboration to Drive New Innovations
June 25, 2009
The European Conference of Transport Research Institutes (ECTRI) and the US Transportation Research Board (TRB) have assessed how the differences between the research cultures of the EU and the US can be used to drive new innovations in joint research projects. The EU and US transport research coordinating bodies studied the role of research in relation to the transport market and advances in the sector.
In its report, entitled “EU/US Transport Research Collaboration: Challenges and Opportunities”, the ECTRI/TRB Working Group writes it is important to intensify cooperation in the field of research in order to establish greater research projects in the future.
More... | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
GAO Report Concludes Plug-in Vehicles Offer Potential Benefits, but High Costs and Limited Information Could Hinder Integration into the Federal Fleet; Recommended Actions
The US federal government has set a goal—via Executive Order 13423—for federal agencies to use plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) as they become available at a reasonable cost. In response to a request from Representatives Henry Waxman (Chairman, Committee on Energy and Commerce); Edolphus Towns (Chairman, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform); and Darrell Issa (Ranking Member, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform), the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) examined the (1) potential benefits of plug-ins; (2) factors affecting the availability of plug-ins; and (3) challenges to incorporating plug-ins into the federal fleet.
The GAO found that increasing the use of plug-ins could result in environmental and other benefits, but also that realizing these benefits depends on several factors. Although plug-ins could significantly reduce oil consumption and those associated greenhouse gas emissions, the electricity used for charging the batteries would need to be generated from lower-emission fuels such as nuclear and renewable energy rather than the fossil fuels for PHEVs to reach their full potential.
More... | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
First Three Conditional Loan Commitments Under DOE’s ATVM Program go to Ford Motor Company, Nissan Motors and Tesla Motors
June 23, 2009
The Obama Administration is awarding $8 billion in three conditional loan commitments for the development of innovative, advanced vehicle technologies: $5.9 billion for Ford Motor Company; $1.6 billion to Nissan North America, Inc.; and $465 million to Tesla Motors.
These are the first conditional loan commitments reached as part of the Department of Energy’s Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing program. The Department plans to make additional loans under this program over the next several months to large and small auto manufacturers and parts suppliers up and down the production chain.
More... | Comments (9) | TrackBack (0)
Study: Hydrofluorocarbons Will Contribute Significantly to Global Warming by 2050
| Global ozone-depleting substances (ODSs) and HFC emissions (A), global CO2 and HFC emissions (B), and ODS, HFC, and CO2 global RF (C) for the period 2000–2050. Velders et al. (2009) Click to enlarge. |
The contribution of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) to global warming by 2050 will be more than that of current global CO2 emissions from houses and office buildings, according to a study by team of scientists from a the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency (PBL), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), DuPont Fluoroproducts, and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
These HFCs, gases used in refrigerators and air conditioners, are substitutes for ozone-depleting gases, but they are also strong greenhouse gases. Their contribution to global warming is currently small, but can increase to the equivalent of 9-19% (CO2-eq. basis) of projected global CO2 emissions in business-as-usual scenarios by 2050. This percentage increases to 28–45% compared with projected CO2 emissions in a 450-ppm CO2 stabilization scenario.
More... | Comments (5) | TrackBack (0)
Proposed US Transportation Reauthorization Plan Links Greenhouse Gas Reductions to Transportation Planning
June 21, 2009
Among the proposals in the new US highway and transportation funding reauthorization bill, outlined by House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman James L. Oberstar (D-Minn.) and Ranking Member John L. Mica (R-Fla.) in a press conference last week, is the linkage of transportation planning with greenhouse gas emissions reductions. If enacted, this would transform the current transportation planning process in the US.
As described in a summary of the proposed bill published by the Committee, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in consultation with the Department of Transportation (DOT), would establish national transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals.
More... | Comments (3) | TrackBack (0)
California Air Resources Board Pushes for Restoration of DOE Funding for Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles; Tackles the “Four Miracles”
June 19, 2009
California Air Resources Board Chairman Mary Nichols met with US Energy Secretary Steven Chu in May and followed up that meeting with a letter, urging the continuation of funding to support research, development and deployment of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. Nichols is also requesting a follow-on meeting between ARB technical staff, DOE technical staff and the several automakers pursuing fuel cell vehicles to continue the “dialog and investigation”.
The Obama Administration’s 2010 Department of Energy (DOE) budget proposes cutting the federal hydrogen fuel cell research and deployment budget by more than two-thirds ($130 million), eliminating funds for the hydrogen fuel cell vehicle program and market transformation programs. (Earlier post.)
More... | Comments (72) | TrackBack (0)
US Global Change Research Program Issues Report on Impacts of Climate Change in US; Details Point to Potential Value of Early, Aggressive Action
June 17, 2009
| Widespread climate-related impacts are occurring now in the US and are expected to increase. Source: USGCRP. Click to enlarge. |
Climate change is already having visible impacts in the United States, and the choices we make now will determine the severity of its impacts in the future, according to the final release of the report “Global Climate Change Impacts in the United States”. A product of the interagency US Global Change Research Program, the 190-page report was commissioned in 2007 and completed this spring.
Produced by a consortium of experts from 13 US government science agencies and from several major universities and research institutes, many of whom are also involved in the UN IPCC process, the report compiles years of scientific research and incorporates new data not available during the preparation of previous large national and global assessments.
More... | Comments (42) | TrackBack (0)
Sainsbury Orders Another 50 Electric Vans As Companies Work With Mayor Of London to Encourage Adoption of Commercial EVs (corrected)
June 09, 2009
| Sainsbury’s electric Edison. Click to enlarge. |
UK retailer Sainsbury Online, which uses the Smith Electric Vehicles Edison electric vans for home shopping delivery in London, is ordering another 50 electric vans for its fleet. The order comes as Sainsbury, TNT Express and other leading UK companies are working with the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, to encourage wider take-up of commercial electric vehicles.
An early adopter of EVs, Sainsbury has worked with Smith Electric Vehicles since 2006 and now has the largest fleet of new technology electric delivery vans in Britain. Sainsbury is still in conntract negotiations, and will not yet confirm the supplier or suppliers of the 50 new electric vans.
More... | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)
DOE Issues RFI on Draft National Algal Biofuels Technology Roadmap
June 04, 2009
| Schematic of the potential conversion routes for whole algae into biofuels. Source: Draft Algal Roadmap. Click to enlarge. |
The US Department of Energy (DOE) has issued a Request for Information (RFI) to solicit feedback on a Draft “National Algal Biofuels Technology Roadmap” Document prepared by a working group commissioned by DOE. The Algal Roadmap is intended to assist in the development of an Algae Platform within the Office of the Biomass Program at DOE. Feedback will be incorporated into the finalized draft report for public release.
The Algal Roadmap resulted from a two-day Algal Biofuels Technology Roadmap Workshop conducted by DOE 9-10 December 2008 at the University of Maryland. Chairs and Co-Chairs for each of the nine breakout sessions outlined chapters for the Draft based upon feedback from participants of the workshop.
More... | Comments (14) | TrackBack (0)
Statement from 70 National Science Academies Calls for Inclusion of Ocean Acidification in Copenhagen Agenda
June 01, 2009
Ocean acidification, a direct consequence of increasing atmospheric CO2 concentrations, must be part of the agenda at the United Nations Copenhagen conference, the world’s science academies warned in a joint statement published by the InterAcademy Panel on International Issues (IAP). 70 national science academies signed the statement.
Ocean acidification is an important climate change challenge and is expected to cause massive corrosion of coral reefs and dramatic changes in the makeup of the biodiversity of the oceans, and to have significant implications for food production and the livelihoods of millions of people.
More... | Comments (16) | TrackBack (0)
GM Files Voluntary Chapter 11; Agreements with US Treasury and Canada; “New GM” Expected in 60-90 Days
General Motors Corp. reached agreements with the US Treasury and the governments of Canada and Ontario for the creation of a smaller, self-sustaining “New GM”. Pending approvals, the New GM is expected to launch in about 60 to 90 days as a separate and independent company from the current GM.
The New GM will incorporate only the “best brands” and operations, and benefit from shedding much of the older debt burden and operating cost structure. The New GM will incorporate the terms of GM’s recent agreements with the United Auto Workers (UAW) and Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) unions and will be led by GM’s current management team.
More... | Comments (32) | TrackBack (0)
Washington Governor Issues Executive Order Directing State Actions to Reduce Greenhouse Gases; Consideration of California Low Carbon Fuel Standard and Highway Electrification
May 24, 2009
Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire issued an executive order directing a variety of state actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions including continued participation in the Western Climate Initiative to develop a regional greenhouse has emissions reduction program; an increase in transportation and fuel-conservation options including a low-carbon fuel standard; and the pursuit of the electrification of the interstate highway and associated metro centers.
Gregoire issued her executive order, entitled “Washington’s Leadership on Climate Change,” after testifying at the US Environmental Protection Agency’s public hearing in Seattle on the regulation of greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act. The order contains a number of directives specifically for the Department of Ecology and the Department of Transportation.
More... | Comments (11) | TrackBack (0)
CFR Report Says Energy Security and Climate Change Concerns With Oil Sands Can be Reconciled
| Oil sands supply chain. Source: Levi 2009. Click to enlarge. |
A new report from the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR)—The Canadian Oil Sands: Energy Security vs Climate Change— claims that prudent greenhouse gas regulations can limit emissions from Canadian oil sands while still enabling robust development of the energy resource.
The report argues that oil sands production delivers both energy security benefits and climate change damages, but warns that both are often overstated. “For the near future, the economic and security value of oil sands expansion will likely outweigh the climate damages that the oil sands create,” it says, “but climate concerns cannot and must not be ignored, and will become more important over time.” Policymakers, it emphasizes, must carefully balance the two concerns.
More... | Comments (4) | TrackBack (0)
Obama Announces New National Fuel Policy; Two Harmonized Standards, with Fleet Average of 35.5 mpg, 250 gCO2/mile by 2016
May 19, 2009
US President Barack Obama today announced a new harmonized national policy intended to reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for all new cars and trucks sold in the US. The resulting new standards will cover model years 2012-2016, and will require an average fuel economy standard of 35.5 mpg in 2016 (39 mpg for cars, 30 mpg for trucks), or approximately 250 grams CO2/mile. The CAFE program established by the EISA 2007 legislation specified a minimum 35 mpg in 2020.
However, there will not be an exact one-to-one correspondence between the two standards—GHG and fuel economy—which will be the foundation of the national program.
More... | Comments (41) | TrackBack (0)
Automakers Support Obama Administration’s Development of National Program for Reducing Carbon Emissions and Fuel Consumption
May 18, 2009
The US auto industry, via the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, is lining up to support a new national, harmonized program to reduce carbon emissions and fuel consumption that President Obama will announce on Tuesday, 19 May.
EPA and NHTSA will initiate a joint rulemaking that reflects a coordinated and harmonized approach to implementing the Clean Air Act and the Energy Policy and Conservation Act. The rulemaking is expected to include several elements important to automakers, including:
More... | Comments (12) | TrackBack (0)
Stanford Professor Urges EPA to Include Black Carbon in Endangerment Finding
In testimony for the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) public hearing (earlier post) on the proposed endangerment finding for greenhouse gas emissions under the Clean Air Act (earlier post), Stanford Professor Mark Jacobson urged the EPA to include black carbon in the finding.
Black carbon—soot—is a global-warming agent the immediate control of which will slow the demise of Arctic sea ice faster than will control of any other global-warming agent, Jacobson said. Jacobson first showed in 2000 that black carbon was the second-leading cause of global warming after carbon dioxide in terms of radiative forcing and, in 2002, that its control was the most effective method of slowing warming. In 2007, Jacobson and four colleagues testified in the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on the role of black carbon. (Earlier post.)
More... | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
Waxman/Markey Bill Accelerates Infrastructure and Build-out for Plug-Ins, Calls for Harmonization of Motor Vehicle GHG Standards; 3% of Emissions Allowances for Cap-and-Trade Go to Auto Industry
May 17, 2009
The major climate and energy bill introduced last week by House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming Chairman Henry Waxman and Subcommittee Chairman Edward Markey—H.R. 2454, The American Clean Energy and Security Act—which establishes a cap-and-trade program also contains a number of provisions for accelerating the deployment of a vehicle charging infrastructure and the manufacturing of plug-in electric drive vehicles.
The bill also calls for the harmonization of Federal and California motor vehicle greenhouse gas emission standards. In addition, the bill allocates 3% of the emissions allowances (under the cap-and-trade scheme defined in the bill) through 2017 and 1% from 2018 through 2025 be allocated for investments in electric vehicles and other advanced automobile technology and deployment.
More... | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)
ARB Staff Publishes Revised, Tiered Requirements for PHEV Conversions
May 15, 2009
The California Air Resources Board staff has published a supplemental report on revised requirements for plug-in hybrid electric vehicle conversion systems certification and installation.
In January, ARB staff presented certification test procedures for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) along with certification procedures for aftermarket PHEV conversion systems. The Board approved the exhaust and evaporative emissions test procedures as well as a new method for determining the range of fuel cell vehicles, but deferred a decision on the proposal for certification and warranty requirements for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. (Earlier post.)
More... | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
TfL To Begin Testing of Intelligent Speed Adaptation Technology
May 11, 2009
| ISA speed map for Greater London. Click to enlarge. |
Transport for London (TfL) will begin a six-month trial of Intelligent Speed Adaptation (ISA) technology which aims to reduce road casualties and help drivers avoid speeding penalties. (Earlier post.) As part of the trial, which will start this summer, a London bus will be fitted with ISA.
The intelligent technology, which works in conjunction with a GPS, enables drivers to select an option where acceleration is stopped automatically at the speed limit specific to any road in London within the M25 area. The unit can be disabled at the touch of a button, at which point it reverts to an advisory status where the current, legal speed limit is simply displayed as a driver aid. There is also a complete over-ride switch with disables the system entirely.
More... | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)
$26.4B DOE FY 2010 Budget Request Cuts Funding for Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles; With Recovery Act Funding Boosts Support for PHEVs, Biomass and Biorefineries
May 07, 2009
| The budget picture for the DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. FY 2010 Budget requests are in green, the FY 2009 additional appropriation (Recovery Act funding) is in red. Electrification of transportation is receiving a major infusion of investment. Click to enlarge. |
President Barack Obama’s Fiscal Year 2010 $26.4 billion budget request to Congress for the Department of Energy increases investments in a number of areas, including investments in basic science and plug-in and hybrid electric vehicles and biofuels. It also scales back in areas such as oil and gas company research and moves away from funding vehicular hydrogen fuel cells to technologies “with more immediate promise,” according to Energy Secretary Steven Chu.
The budget request represents a 21.8% decrease against the FY 2009 Appropriation of $33.7 billion for DOE. However, the FY 2010 budget complements the $38.7 billion the Department of Energy will invest as part of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
More... | Comments (7) | TrackBack (0)
European Automotive Industry Outlines R&D Priorities for EU Green Car Initiative
European automotive suppliers and vehicle manufacturers have united to submit a series of R&D priorities to the European Commission to shape the European Green Car Initiative (EGCI), announced by the EU. CLEPA (the European umbrella membership organization representing the interests of the global automotive supply industry) and EUCAR (the European Council for Automotive R&D from the major European passenger car and commercial vehicle manufacturers) jointly prepared the document.
The Green Car Initiative, a part of the European economic recovery plan, aims to allocate €5 billion (US$6.7 billion) through a Public Private Partnership to bolster innovation in the automotive sector and sustain its focus on environmental progress. The initiative complements the European Clean Transport Facility which, through the European Investment Bank, serves to provide more immediate financial relief to the sector.
More... | Comments (3) | TrackBack (0)
President Obama Establishes Biofuels Interagency Working Group; Push on Biofuel Development/Commercialization and Flex-Fuel Vehicle Use
May 05, 2009
US President Barack Obama has established a Biofuels Interagency Working Group, to be co-chaired by the Secretaries of Agriculture and Energy and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, to further the research, development and commercialization of biofuels.
The announcement came in conjunction with the EPA’s release of its notice of proposed rulemaking for the Renewable Fuel Standard (earlier post), and the Department of Energy’s announcement of $787.5 million in funding to be awarded to advanced biofuels research and commercialization projects (earlier post).
More... | Comments (3) | TrackBack (1)
DOE to Provide $786.5M from Recovery Act to Accelerate Biofuels Research and Commercialization
The US Department of Energy plans to provide $786.5 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to accelerate advanced biofuels research and development and to provide additional funding for commercial-scale biorefinery demonstration projects. The funding is a mix of new funding opportunities and additional funding for existing projects. It will be allocated across four main areas: integrated pilot- and demonstration-scale biorefineries; commercial-scale biorefinery projects; fundamental research; and ethanol research.
The US Department of Energy (DOE) Biomass Program will leverage DOE’s national laboratories, universities, and the private sector to help improve biofuels reliability and overcome key technical challenges, with the goal of creating third-generation biofuels such as renewable gasoline, diesel, and jet fuels.
More... | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
EPA Proposes New Regulations for Renewable Fuel Standard to Implement Requirements of EISA; GHG Reduction and Indirect Land Use Change Effects Included
| Example of results from EPA lifecycle analyses in the NPRM. Emissions for select fuel pathways for the two time horizon/discount rate approaches. (See below.) Click to enlarge. |
The US Environmental Protection Agency released its expected Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) detailing the implementation of changes to the existing Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS1) as required by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA). The proposed rulemaking for RFS2 establishes new specific volume standards for cellulosic biofuel, biomass-based diesel, advanced biofuel, and total renewable fuel that must be used in transportation fuel each year. (Earlier post.)
The revised statutory requirements for RFS2 also include new definitions and criteria for both renewable fuels and the feedstocks used to produce them, including new greenhouse gas emission (GHG) thresholds for renewable fuels and the incorporation of indirect land use change effects.
More... | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
California Legislature Considering Bill Requiring Smog Testing for Motorcycles
May 04, 2009
A bill under consideration in the California state legislature would require California’s Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) to include Class III (280 cc or greater) model-year 2000 and newer motorcycles in the state’s smog check program beginning 1 January 2012. The measure is targeted at reducing tampering with the emissions control systems, which can result in higher emissions.
The bill, SB 435, authored by State Senator Fran Pavley, who also authored AB 32 and AB 1493, would also require BAR, in consultation with the California Air Resources Board (ARB), to develop regulations by 2 July 2011 for incorporating motorcycles into the smog check program.
More... | Comments (3) | TrackBack (0)
Automotive Market Research Perspectives on Selling “Green” in a Try-to-Survive Market
May 02, 2009
by Bill Cooke
In a panel session entitled “Does Green Matter in a Try-to-Survive Market?” at the ATX-Consulting4Drive Executive Business Theater at the SAE 2009 World Congress, executives from two global automotive market research groups—Alexander Edwards, President of Strategic Vision’s Automotive Division and Scott Miller, CEO, Synovate Motoresearch—shared their data and resultant views on green consumers and green autos.
How big is the green market? Strategic Vision shared data that only a small portion of consumers in the US are “truly green”, which means the customer is willing to pay significantly more for a green vehicle. Even globally the number is relatively small:
More... | Comments (37) | TrackBack (0)
Chrysler Files for Bankruptcy; Reaches Agreement with Fiat for New Company; Fiat Percentage Ownership Tied to Fuel-Efficiency Targets
April 30, 2009
Chrysler LLC has been unable to obtain the necessary concessions from all of its lenders which would have avoided the need for a bankruptcy proceeding. As a result, under the direction of the US Treasury, Chrysler LLC and 24 of its wholly-owned US subsidiaries today filed voluntary petitions under Chapter 11 of the US Bankruptcy Code in US Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York.
Chrysler has also reached an agreement in principle to establish a global strategic alliance with Fiat SpA to form a new company. It would allow Chrysler and Fiat to fully optimize their respective manufacturing footprints and the global supplier base, while providing each with access to additional markets. Fiat powertrains and components would also be produced at Chrysler manufacturing sites.
More... | Comments (16) | TrackBack (0)
Almost $1.8B in US Funding to Support Energy Research; ARPA-E and Energy Frontier Research Centers
April 29, 2009
In a speech before the Annual Meeting of the National Academy of Sciences, in which he called for the US to surpass its record investment in research and development—set in 1964 at the height of the space race—with an R&D funding commitment to exceed 3% of GDP, President Barack Obama announced the launch of the $400 million Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E).
In addition, the Department of Energy announced $777 million in grants to establish 46 Energy Frontier Research Centers.
More... | Comments (7) | TrackBack (0)
The Long View from SAE 2009 World Congress
by Bill Cooke
On 20 April, the opening day of the SAE 2009 World Congress, the AVL Technology Leadership Theater presented a forum on “Green Mobility—The Long View”. Organized by Shane Chang at Honda Research Institute USA Inc., the session counted among its panelists:
Professor John Heywood, Sun Jae Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Director of the Sloan Auto Laboratory at MIT. Dr. Heywood recently co-authored a study called “On The Road in 2035—Reducing Petroleum Consumption and GHG Emissions.”
More... | Comments (4) | TrackBack (0)
California Adopts Low Carbon Fuel Standard, with Indirect Land Use Change Effects for Biofuels
April 24, 2009
| The LCFS is an important component in California’s effort to reduce transportation GHG. Source: ARB. Click to enlarge. |
At its meeting on Thursday, the California Air Resources Board adopted a regulation that will implement Governor Schwarzenegger’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard (earlier post) calling for at least a 10% reduction from 2006 levels in the carbon intensity (measured in gCO2e/MJ) of California’s transportation fuels by 2020. When fully implemented, ARB projects that this regulation will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by about 15 million metric tons a year (CO2 equivalent).
The regulation also levies the calculation of Indirect Land Use Change (ILUC) effects against biofuels, against the opposition (earlier post) of the biofuels industry.
More... | Comments (6) | TrackBack (0)
New UK Report Welcomes Moves to Promote Green Cars but Stresses Importance of Policies to Reduce Car Use
April 23, 2009
The UK Energy Research Centre (UKERC), the focal point for UK research on sustainable energy, today launched an extensive review of policies which could significantly reduce transport CO2 emissions. The report, authored by experts from Aberdeen University, Imperial College and E4tech Consulting, finds that Government must do much more than promote electric cars if it wants rapid and deep cuts in transport emissions.
The report reviews more than 500 international reports and papers on the subject, each of which was categorized and assessed for relevance. It finds that policy can play a big role in helping drivers leave their car at home and that Britain lags behind the leading countries in use of cleaner modes of travel. Policies could have a large impact through reducing the need to travel and promoting walking, cycling, public transport and efficient driving, as well as encouraging low carbon cars.
More... | Comments (18) | TrackBack (0)
California Energy Commission Adopts $176M Green Transportation Plan
The California Energy Commission has adopted the state’s first transportation Investment Plan. The Alternative and Renewable Fuels and Vehicle Technology Program’s Investment Plan allocates $176 million over the next two years to stimulate green transportation projects and encourage innovation to help meet the state’s aggressive climate change policies.
The Alternative and Renewable Fuels Vehicle Technology Program was established by Assembly Bill 118 (Núñez, Chapter 750, Statutes of 2007) and is an essential element of the California's climate change and energy policies. The state is aggressively working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80% below 1990 levels by 2050, decrease petroleum fuel use to 15% below 2003 levels by 2020, and increase alternative fuel use to 20% by 2020.
More... | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
Group of Scientists and Economists Urge Inclusion of Indirect Land Use Change Effects for Biofuels and All Transportation Fuels in California LCFS
April 21, 2009
More than 170 scientists and economists have sent a letter to California Air Resources Board (ARB) Chairman Mary Nichols urging the board to account for greenhouse gas emissions from indirect land use change for biofuels and all other transportation fuels under the state’s proposed low carbon fuel standard (LCFS). The signatories include nine members of the National Academies of Science and two Nobel laureates.
During its meeting on 23-24 April, the Board will consider the adoption of the LCFS, which requires a 10% reduction in the carbon intensity (measured in gCO2e/MJ) of transportation fuels in California by 2020.
More... | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)
EPA Issues Proposed Endangerment Finding for Greenhouse Gases; Proposed Cause or Contribute Finding Identifies Motor Vehicles as Contributing Source
April 17, 2009
After a thorough scientific review ordered in 2007 by the US Supreme Court, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a proposal with two distinct findings regarding greenhouse gases. (Earlier post.) The endangerment finding proposes that the current and projected concentrations of the mix of six key greenhouse gases—carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6)—in the atmosphere threaten the public health and welfare of current and future generations. The issuance of an endangerment finding enables the regulation of greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act.
The proposed cause or contribute finding concludes that that the combined emissions of CO2, CH4, N2O, and HFCs from new motor vehicles and motor vehicle engines contribute to the atmospheric concentrations of these key greenhouse gases and hence to the threat of climate change. Combined with the endangerment finding, this enables the regulation of greenhouse gas emissions from motor vehicles under the Clean Air Act.
More... | Comments (34) | TrackBack (0)
President Obama Outlines Vision and Plan for US High-Speed Passenger Rail System; $13B to Start
April 16, 2009
| The envisioned high-speed rail corridors. Source: DOT. Click to enlarge. |
President Barack Obama, along with Vice President Joe Biden and Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, released a strategic vision and plan for a high-speed passenger rail (HSR) system in the US. The plan identifies $8 billion provided in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act ARRA and $1 billion a year for five years requested in the federal budget as the components of an initial %13 billion investment.
The strategic plan will be followed by detailed guidance for state and local applicants. By late summer, the Federal Railroad Administration will begin awarding the first round of grants. Additional funding for long-term planning and development is expected from legislation authorizing federal surface transportation programs.
More... | Comments (32) | TrackBack (0)
UK Government Launches £250M 5-Year Plan for Cutting CO2 from Road Transport; Includes Incentives for Purchase of PHEVs and EVs
| High-level technology roadmap for the UK’s decarbonization of road transport. Click to enlarge. |
The UK Transport and Business Secretaries launched the Government’s vision for cutting carbon from road transport over the next five years. Central to the £250-million (US$373-million) strategy is a consumer incentive initiative for plug-in vehicles worth £2,000 - £5,000 (US$3,000 - US$7,500) towards buying the first electric and plug-in hybrid cars when they hit the showrooms, expected to be from 2011 onwards.
The strategy also includes plans to provide £20 million (US$30 million) for charging points and related infrastructure to help develop a network of “electric car cities” throughout the UK and an expansion of an electric and ultra-low carbon car demonstration project on the UK’s roads. The demonstration project will involve more than 200 motorists throughout the country.
More... | Comments (6) | TrackBack (0)
Michigan Awards $543.5M in Tax Credits to Four Battery Makers, Who Announce Plans for $1.7B Investment in Li-ion Battery Plants in Michigan
April 14, 2009
The Michigan Economic Growth Authority (MEGA) Board awarded $543.5 million in tax credits to four battery companies announcing plans to invest more than $1.7 billion in Li-ion manufacturing facilities in the state. The four companies receiving the tax credits and announcing plant plans are Johnson Controls-Saft Advanced Power Solutions LLC; KD Advanced Battery Group LLC; A123Systems Inc.; and LG Chem-Compact Power Inc.
The state refundable tax credits will help the companies in their quest for some of the $2 billion in federal grants for advanced-battery research and development. Facility locations will be determined pending final site selection decisions by the companies.
