Does Your ‘Zero-Emissions’ Vehicle Really Offer the Lowest Emissions?

In recent years, the conversations surrounding the future of sustainable transportation have centered around two buzzwords: zero emissions. Those buzzwords have gained so much traction, that local and federal regulations are focusing on transitioning fleets to only zero-emissions vehicles in the next 10-20 years. While there are certainly good intentions behind these regulations, they may also be misguided.

That is, there is certainly more to vehicle emissions than measuring only what is produced at the tailpipe.

A new study produced in cooperation with the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) looks at all the steps involved in providing fuel for electric vehicles, which many states are looking to as a way to quickly reduce emissions in medium- and heavy-duty (MD-HD) fleet vehicles. As the study explains, there is no such thing as a fully zero-emissions vehicle.

Fitting Renewable Fuels into Your Fleet’s Sustainability Strategy

Corporate sustainability is a growing topic across every transportation sector. Fleets may be making long-term plans to purchase and deploy zero-emission vehicles, but regulators, internal stakeholders, and community members are looking to see substantial emission reductions now. Customers not only expect fleets to have a plan to reduce emissions, but also prove it with verifiable numbers.

With growing pressure for fleets to slash emissions and deploy zero-emission vehicles, can renewable fuels still fit into an organization’s sustainability strategy?

Galileo Technologies Unveils Hydrogen Fueling Solution

Galileo Technologies has introduced the H-Patagonia Station, a compact hydrogen fueling station equipped to rapidly fuel vehicles in only three minutes.

The module offers hydrogen compression, storage and fueling for light-duty vehicles or fleets of buses, trucks, new boating inventions or other fuel cell propelled vehicles (FCVs). The new product will have public and private applications as it advances net-zero emissions goals in transportation and drives innovation around FCV technology.

Equipped with two dispensing nozzles for H2 compressed at 35 and 70 MPa, H-Patagonia’s three-minute refueling speed puts hydrogen ahead of other zero-emission options such as electric cars.

 

 

Someone bought the very first new GMC Hummer EV electric pickup truck for $2.5 million

Someone just paid $2.5 million for the very first new GMC Hummer EV electric pickup truck to be produced later this year.

It was for a good cause.

In October of last year, GM officially launched its GMC Hummer EV, an all-electric “supertruck” with up to 350 miles of range and a starting price of $80,000.

The vehicle impressed many with a ton of features and decent range for an electric vehicle of this size enabled by GM’s new Ultium battery and drivetrain technology.

GM is bringing the electric pickup truck to production on an aggressive timeline.

They plan to have the first deliveries by the end of the year, but they are starting with a higher-end version of the truck, the Edition 1, with a limited number of trucks available.

It’s not clear how many GM will produce, but the company said it sold out within an hour of taking reservations.

DOE to issue funding opportunity for aviation, advanced biofuels

The U.S. Department of Energy on March 10 announced its intent to issue a funding opportunity this spring that aims to accelerate the production of low-carbon aviation fuels, renewable marine fuels, and other advanced biofuels.

According to the DOE, its Bioenergy Technologies Office is focused on applied research, development, demonstration and deployment (RDD&D) to improve the performance and reduce costs of biofuel production technologies and scale-up production systems in partnership with industry in order to reduce risks and pave the way for deployment of commercial-scale integrated biorefineries. The agency said working together on scaling up these emerging technologies will leverage the scientific strength of the agency and its partners and support the creation of construction, skilled trade and engineering jobs that grow an invigorate the bioeconomy.

Volvo VNR Electric Now Eligible for Dozens of Funding, Incentive Programs

The Volvo VNR ElectricVolvo Trucks North America’s first commercially available battery-electric Class 8 vehicle, is now eligible for dozens of funding and incentive programs across North America, including up to $120,000 per vehicle from California’s Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP).

Through point-of-sale vouchers, incentives or rebates, funding programs established are helping make the transition to zero-emission vehicles more cost-effective for fleets of all sizes, operating across every sector.

PERC study analyzes carbon footprint of propane-fueled vehicles

The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) released a study analyzing the carbon footprint of medium- and heavy-duty (MD-HD) engine vehicles powered by propane and electricity.

The analysis, “Decarbonization of MD-HD Vehicles with Propane,” says that propane-fueled MD-HD internal combustion engine vehicles provide a lower carbon footprint solution in 38 U.S. states and Washington, D.C., when compared to MD-HD electric vehicles charged using the electrical grid.

The study also reveals that MD-HD vehicles powered by renewable propane provide a lower carbon footprint solution in every U.S. state except Vermont, where electricity is generated by and imported from Canadian hydroelectric power plants, according to PERC.

Valero, Blackrock partner with Navigator on CCS project

Valero Energy Corp. and BlackRock Global Energy & Power Infrastructure Fund III announced on March 16 that they are partnering with Navigator Energy Services to develop an industrial scale carbon capture pipeline system (CCS). The initial phase is expected to span more than 1,200 miles of new carbon dioxide gathering and transportation pipelines across five Midwest states with the capability of permanently storing up to 5 million metric tons of carbon dioxide per year. Pending third party customer feedback, the system could be expanded to transport and sequester up to 8 million metric tons of carbon dioxide per year. Valero, the largest renewable fuels producer in North America, is expected to become an anchor shipper by securing a majority of the initial available system capacity. Navigator is expected to lead the construction and operations of the system and anticipates operations to begin late 2024. In the coming months, Navigator will seek additional commitments to utilize the remaining capacity via a binding open season process.

Aemetis Receives Board Approval for RNG Pipeline Extension Project

Aemetis Inc., a renewable natural gas (RNG) and renewable fuels company, says by a unanimous vote the Stanislaus County, Calif., board of supervisors accepted and approved the Aemetis Biogas Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration for construction of a 32-mile extension to the existing Aemetis Biogas four-mile private pipeline that was completed in 2020.

The pipeline is designed to carry biogas from dairies as part of the Aemetis Central Dairy Digester Project, which is planned to span across the Stanislaus and Merced counties in central California. The approval is necessary to meet the permitting requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) prior to pipeline construction and confirms that mitigation measures in the proposed project will avoid or mitigate any impacts on the environment.

Summit Precision Manufacturing Expands to State-of-the-Art Columbus Facility

Summit Precision Manufacturing has announced the relocation of its operations from Cleveland to a brand-new, state-of-the-art facility in Columbus, Ohio. This move marks a major milestone for the company as it continues to expand production capabilities and strengthen its position as a leader in precision engineering and component manufacturing.

A Move Driven by Growth

The decision to relocate follows years of steady growth and increasing demand for Summit’s high-quality machining and fabrication services. The new 85,000-square-foot Columbus facility features advanced manufacturing equipment, expanded assembly areas, and upgraded quality control labs designed to support the company’s growing list of clients across aerospace, automotive, and industrial sectors.

“Our goal has always been to combine innovation with reliability,” said Mark Daniels, CEO of Summit Precision Manufacturing. “This new facility allows us to enhance our production efficiency, invest in new technologies, and provide even greater value to our customers.”

Cutting-Edge Capabilities

The Columbus location incorporates advanced automation systems, high-precision CNC machinery, and energy-efficient infrastructure to improve productivity and sustainability. The expanded layout also includes dedicated R&D space for prototyping and product testing, supporting Summit’s commitment to continuous improvement and technological advancement.

A Smooth Transition

The relocation process, coordinated with the help of professional industrial movers, was planned to minimize disruption to production schedules and client deliveries. Equipment transfer and facility setup were executed in phases, allowing operations to continue seamlessly during the transition.

Investing in the Local Workforce

With the move, Summit Precision Manufacturing plans to add over 60 new positions in the Columbus area, including roles in engineering, operations, and logistics. The company is partnering with local technical schools and workforce development programs to recruit and train skilled employees, fostering growth within the regional manufacturing community.

Summit’s expansion represents more than a physical move—it’s a commitment to innovation, community, and long-term sustainability. With its new facility in Columbus, the company is well-positioned to meet evolving industry demands and continue setting the standard for precision manufacturing excellence.