All About Alternate Fuel Vehicles (AFV)

By Jane Sutton, Nov 9, 2007
Guantanamo Bay, US Naval Base, Cuba
Source: Reuters UK
http://uk.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUKN0923382320071109

The faint aroma of french fries may soon waft over the roadways of the Guantanamo naval base as the U.S. military experiments with a plan to run its buses and trucks on used cooking oil. Best known as the site of the United States’ controversial prison camp for suspected terrorists, the base is home to more than 4,000 people who produce about 1,500 gallons (5,680 liters) of used cooking oil a month in its galleys, restaurants and home kitchens.
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By Xuefei Chen, People’s Daily Online correspondent in Stockholm /November 13, 2007
Source: People’s Daily Online
http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90781/90879/6301828.html

To produce green cars is a fashion nowsdays, says Fredrik Wiss from Swedish Volkswagen Company at the just concluded three day Clean Vehicles and Fuels European Symposium and Exhibition 2007.  Wiss said two years ago when the first time the clean vehicles and fuels exhibition was held in Stockholm, there were only specialists and experts attending the exhibition, but this year, there are many ordinary people coming here to ask about a green car which uses biogas or ethanol.
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By Kathryn Young, Vancouver Sun, October 31, 2007
Source: Canada.com /CanWest News Service
http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/business/story.html?
id=9ec5ab5b-b57e-4a4c-9133-fbc36eab5a50&k=18028

About 600,000 cars and light-duty trucks on Canada’s roads today can run on green bio-fuels but there are only two public fuelling stations where drivers can gas up. The Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers’ Association is lobbying the federal government for tax incentives to make E85 ethanol and biodiesel fuelling stations available across the country so those vehicles don’t have to use regular gasoline and diesel, which emit more greenhouse gases.  “It’s what our customers are demanding like never before,” association president Mark Nantais said Wednesday at a news conference. “Canada continues to lag far behind other countries in making greener fuels like E85 and biodiesel available for drivers.”
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By Andrea James, Seattle P-I Reporter
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/337448_carshow31.html

There’ll be an emerald halo over Qwest Field Event Center at this year’s international auto show, as organizers promise it will be the “greenest” show yet. Among the 400 autos on display will be the largest selection of hybrids, electric and bio-diesel vehicles since the show began in 1973, organizers said. One of the presenters, The Green Car Co., hopes to bust some popular misconceptions about eco-friendly driving. For example, the Toyota Prius isn’t the greenest car one can drive, because it still relies on gasoline, says the Kirkland dealer’s co-founder, Don Fahnestock. Also, clean driving isn’t only a rich man’s luxury — some midspeed electric cars cost between $12,000 and $15,000, he said.
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by Dylan Gray, 12 November 2007
Source: RoadTransport.com
http://www.roadtransport.com/Articles/2007/11/12/128993/
government-introduces-two-more-green-schemes.html

In the last couple of weeks the government has unveiled another two plans to reduce carbon emissions in the UK: a multi-million pound fund for low-carbon vans, and the creation of a Renewable Fuels Agency. These come shortly after the release of the government document Towards a Sustainable Transport System, which, as the title suggests, looks at ways of making UK transport better and more efficient. Trade associations have generally been positive about the suggestions though they have called  for action to be taken sooner.
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Under the agreement, the two companies will set up a new joint venture firm which will, in turn, invest Rs500 crore to kick-start the programme
Maitreyee Handique, New Delhi /Nov 11, 2007

Source: LiveMint.com
http://www.livemint.com/2007/11/11234742/IOC-Chhattisgarh-to-set-up-bi.html

After months of talks, state-owned oil major Indian Oil Corp. Ltd plans a joint venture with the Chhattisgarh Renewable Energy Development Authority to raise jatropha crop and procure seeds to produce biodiesel in the state.  The agreement is expected to be signed on 19 November between Sarthak Behuria, chairman of Indian Oil, and Shailendra Kumar Shukla, head of the Raipur-based authority.  An Indian Oil spokesman confirmed the deal. Under the agreement, the two companies will set up a new joint venture firm which will, in turn, invest Rs500 crore to kick-start the programme, said Shukla. Indian Oil will have a 74% stake in the new company and the remaining 26% will be with the authority.
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By Mario Osava*
Rio de Janeiro, Nov. 10, 2007
http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=40005
*Originally published by Latin American newspapers that are part of the Tierramérica network.

Biokerosene has the potential to take off on the international market faster than other alternative fuels, even though it is among the newest and faces stricter quality standards because it is to be used in aviation.  Airplanes have a useful lifespan of 30 to 40 years, and their manufacturers want to ensure they have fuel until the end, chemical engineer Expedito Parente explains to Tierramérica. Three decades ago, he invented biodiesel and biokerosene, both refined from oleaginous crops.
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The Chrysler Foundation Supports Michigan’s Alternative Fuels Industry with Donation to Detroit’s NextEnergy
– Foundation’s $150,000 grant will fund the organization’s alternative fuel testing platform
– Detroit organization enables the commercialization of energy technologies in the state of Michigan
– Chrysler LLC and NextEnergy also partnering on several other programs
Auburn Hills, Michigan, Nov. 9, 2007
Source: Chrysler LLC  press release /PRNewswire

The Chrysler Foundation today announced plans to donate $150,000 to NextEnergy, Inc., in support of the organization’s alternative fuel testing program. NextEnergy, based in Detroit, was founded to encourage alternative energy technologies that positively contribute to economic competitiveness, energy security, and the environment. “This grant is an extension of Chrysler’s commitment to being a good neighbor in all the places where we build and sell our vehicles,” said  Frank Fountain, Senior Vice President — External Affairs and Public Policy for Chrysler LLC. “It’s a priority for Chrysler to increase the use of alternative fuels by investing in research into biodiesel technology and helping to develop industry standards for biodiesel fuel.”
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by Matt Helms, Free Press Driving Columnist  /November 8, 2007
Source: Detroit Free Press
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071108/NEWS10/71108011

The Road Commission for Oakland County says it’s converting its fleet of big diesel-powered trucks and other vehicles to use biodiesel fuel to help save money and reduce pollution. It’s a move the commission said makes the agency more “green.” Roughly 225 heavy-duty vehicles will operate on a mix of 80% diesel and 20% biodiesel made from agricultural products.  The commission said it expects the conversion to save the agency about $50,000 per year – $30,000 in fuel costs and another $20,000 in reduced vehicle maintenance such as oil changes because biodiesel runs cleaner.
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Stuttgart, Germany, November 13th, 2007
Source: Autospectator.com / http://www.autospectator.com/cars/daimler/
0034248-daimler-extending-its-initiative-greater-fuel-economy-and-lower-emissions-commercial

Daimler AG is redoubling its ongoing efforts to achieve a drastic reduc­tion in the fuel consumption and exhaust emissions of commercial vehicles. The world’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturer has launched an initiative called “Shaping Future Transportation” which underlines this commitment and is now presenting 16 trucks and buses under the Freightliner, Mitsubishi Fuso, Mercedes-Benz, Orion and Thomas Built Buses brands – both vehicles already in customer operation and world debuts in the field of alternative drive systems and alternative fuels.
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