Ford announcement sparks excitement for electric car owners in Kentucky

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LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – Many people call it a game changer: the news last month that Ford planned to spend billions of dollars on electric battery plants near Elizabethtown.

It’s another strong sign auto makers are moving toward electric vehicles.

For owners of electric cars in Kentucky, the news is exciting, and offers hope, that more charging stations are coming, to support their no gas transportation.

Mike Proctor, of Richmond, has owned electric vehicles for the last nine years.

”On a cold winter day, when I see everybody out there standing out there pumping gas, and I drive right past them knowing that my nice warm garage is my place where I’m going to refuel, I’m a happy camper,” Proctor said.

Procter recharges his electric car in his garage overnight. It cost him less than a $1,000 to have a Level 2 charger installed.

”Level 2 is the same voltage as your range or your dryer work on,” Proctor said. “So, the voltage is available in most households.”

Proctor is a member of EvolveKY, a group of about 200 electric car enthusiasts. EvolveKY has 36, free charging stations around the state.

Ethanol Output Is Back to Pre-Covid Level in U.S.

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Bumper corn harvests and more Americans filling up gasoline tanks pushed U.S. ethanol production to the highest since pandemic lockdowns brought the industry to a near standstill.

U.S. output of the corn-based biofuel last week surpassed analyst expectations and swelled to the most since June 2019. Gasoline demand on a four-week rolling average hit the highest since 2007 for this time of year.

The revival of biofuel production comes a day after spot ethanol soared close to a seven-year high amid surging crude oil prices. At the same time, corn is both plentiful and relatively cheap, setting the stage for fatter producer margins and a potential boost in overseas demand for U.S. supplies.

ISA encourages biodiesel use to fuel producers’ bottom line

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The Illinois Soybean Association’s District 10 Director and board Secretary Elliott Uphoff is in the thick of the harvest season and is proving that biodiesel can fuel your bottom line all year long.

Uphoff fuels up with B20, a blend of 20 percent biodiesel, in his semi-trucks and B11 in his farming equipment to get through the early morning and late harvest nights. He has used B11 in his trucks for nearly four years and year-round for two. In the last year he made the switch to B20 and has continued to have consistent fuel mileage with no issues.

“Biodiesel and the farming operation go hand in hand. It’s something we help produce and that we need to fuel our operation,” Uphoff says. “I never think twice about using biodiesel. It’s safe and proven on our farm. Farmers should be champions of a product they help produce.”

Gevo and Axens Ink Alliance for Ethanol-to-Jet Technology and Sustainable Aviation Fuel Commercial Project Development

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ENGLEWOOD, Colo., Oct. 12, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Gevo, Inc. (NASDAQ: GEVO) and Axens North America, Inc. (Axens) have entered into an agreement that establishes a strategic alliance aimed at accelerating the commercialization of sustainable ethanol-to-jet (ETJ) projects in the United States. As part of the alliance, Axens brings technologies with over 60 related patents; engineering packages; proprietary catalysts; and certain proprietary equipment required to convert ethanol into jet fuel. Axens would also provide process guarantees for commercial ETJ projects. Gevo expects to develop, own, and operate ETJ plants to produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), utilizing its expertise in renewable alcohol production and technologies; Net-Zero business model; project financing expertise; customer relationships, and contracts.

Briggs & Stratton Announces Vanguard® 400 Propane Engine Is The First In Its Size Class To Earn EPA Certification

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MILWAUKEE, Oct. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Briggs & Stratton is pleased to announce the Vanguard® 400 single-cylinder engine, which has been converted to run on propane, has been certified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as compliant with the Clean Air Act emission standards. This is the first and only engine in its size class with a manufacturer’s warranty, to be converted to propane fuel and receive EPA certification, with California Air Resources Board (CARB) certification on the horizon in 2022.

When converted to propane, a less carbon-dense fuel source, the Vanguard 400 engine with a catalyst muffler provides a significant reduction in carbon emissions. Propane conversion kits allow customers to take advantage of the benefits of propane with their current Vanguard-powered commercial equipment. Available through Propane Power Systems, the kits were developed specifically for Vanguard, and have a 3-year limited commercial warranty*.

Wisconsin county plans $10M investment to expand RNG, CNG use

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Dane County, Wisconsin, is proposing to invest $10 million in clean fuel infrastructure that will help expand the use of renewable natural gas (GHG) and compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles in the county fleet.

Dane County Executive Joe Parisi included the investment in his 2022 budget proposal. “The flooding, fires, and extreme temperatures gripping the globe year after year offer irrefutable, tangible evidence we are in the midst of a climate crisis. We all have a responsibility to act now, and that’s just what Dane County government is doing,” Parisi said. “By investing in clean fuel infrastructure and becoming net zero in carbon emissions for our buildings and fleet by 2030, Dane County will be a leading voice of what is possible for the public and private sectors to help combat the disturbing trends of climate change.”

Kentucky needs to keep pace with Ford in modernization plans

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Excitement is running high because of Ford’s historic investment in Kentucky and for good reason.

Our relationship with Ford began in 1913 with Assembly operations in two small shops in Louisville that produced 12 Model T bodies a day. By 1916, production reached approximately 20 vehicles per day assembled and didn’t stop there. In three short years, Ford nearly doubled their output, paving the way for our vehicles and our economy to be powered by gasoline motors.

For nearly 100 years Kentucky has built, improved and maintained our transportation systems by taxing the fuel used by these vehicles. And now in 2021, at the new Glendale megasite, Kentucky and its partners will shift from the traditional automobile to the electric vehicle of the future.

GM to double revenues and increase capacity for EV assembly at factories

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General Motors secured its pivot to a high-tech future Wednesday by announcing plans to convert more assembly plants in North America to make electric vehicles by the end of the decade and to double company revenues by that time as it unveils more software, new EVs, and obsolescence management solutions.

GM leaders are expected to reveal new technology, such as an advancement to the automaker’s hands-free driving system, as well as more EV System products, including a new Chevrolet SUV EV priced at $30,000, during its annual Investor Day presentation, starting at 1 p.m. ET.

“Our early investments in these growth trends have transformed GM from automaker to platform innovator, with customers at the center,” said CEO Mary Barra. “GM will use its hardware and software platforms to innovate and improve their daily experience, leading everybody on the journey to an all-electric future.”

U-Haul Buys Another Million Gallons of Renewable Propane to Sell at California Stores

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PHOENIX and LOS ANGELES, Oct. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — U-Haul® has purchased one million gallons of renewable propane to sell at its Company-owned and -operated stores across California for the second year in row, ensuring its customers can use the green product without interruption well into 2022.

U-Haul, the largest U.S. retailer of propane, has teamed with national distributor Suburban® Propane Partners, L.P., to continue supplying the ecofriendly fuel at more than 60 propane-dispensing stores in the Golden State.

Customers utilized the first million gallons of renewable propane U-Haul bought in 2020, and the second million gallons is already arriving at stores. U-Haul plans for the sustainable product offering to be ongoing thanks to California’s clean-fuel rebates.

“U-Haul is a leader in sustainability initiatives. When the opportunity arose to provide one of the cleanest and most environmentally friendly energy resources to our customers, we couldn’t pass it up,” said Dwight Farr, U-Haul Propane Program Manager. “Renewable propane burns cleaner than the energy infrastructure in 49 states. We look forward to renewable propane’s progression so we can expand it across the U.S. and Canada in future years.”

Toyota to assemble fuel cell modules at Kentucky plant in 2023

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GEORGETOWN, Ky.  — After thousands of miles of real-world testing in the harsh environment of commercial trucking, Toyota is preparing to further expand its portfolio approach to products by taking its groundbreaking hydrogen-powered fuel cell electric technology from prototypes to production in its efforts toward carbon neutrality.

Starting in 2023, a dedicated line at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky (TMMK) will begin assembling integrated dual fuel cell (FC) modules destined for use in hydrogen-powered, heavy-duty commercial trucks.