Officials Agree on Plan to Boost Ethanol, Biodiesel

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The Trump administration has agreed to a new plan for boosting renewable fuels and offsetting waivers exempting oil refineries from mandates to use them, according to three people familiar with the matter who asked for anonymity before a formal announcement.

The tentative agreement, which follows weeks of negotiations, would allow the Environmental Protection Agency to offset those waivers in response to criticism from industry advocates and Midwestern politicians that the exemptions have hurt demand for corn-based ethanol and soybean-based biodiesel.

Under the deal, the EPA would factor recent waivers into new annual biofuel quotas, by adjusting the targets to reflect a three-year rolling average of exemptions. White House officials also rejected a bid by oil industry allies to prevent spikes in the prices of biofuel compliance credits refiners use to prove they have fulfilled the targets.

The agreement reflects a deal pitched by farm-state senators to the president earlier this month.

Ethanol producers surged on the news. Green Plains Inc., which had been trading below the Sept. 30 closing price, rose as much as 2.5%. Pacific Ethanol Inc. jumped as much as 9.4%.

Renewable Identification Numbers tracking 2019 conventional biofuel consumption targets jumped 12% to 19 cents a piece — the steepest one-day gain since Sept. 16, according to broker data compiled by Bloomberg.

Hyundai and Cummins Partnering on Electric, Fuel Cell Powertrains

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Hyundai Motor Co. and Cummins Inc. have entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to jointly evaluate opportunities to develop and commercialize electric and fuel cell powertrains.

Hyundai’s fuel cell systems will be combined with Cummins’ electric powertrain, battery and control technologies. The initial development will be focused on the North American commercial vehicle market; thus, the partners plan to work with North American OEMs on the integration of these systems into their vehicles.

“This partnership is a terrific opportunity for both companies to leverage our respective strengths and create new opportunities to grow and broaden the product portfolio we bring to our customers,” states Thad Ewald, vice president of corporate strategy at Cummins Inc. “We’ve made significant investments over the past year to accelerate our fuel cell capabilities, including our acquisition of Hydrogenics, and this partnership is another step forward.”

What Does A Gas Station With No Gas Pumps Look Like?

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Once upon a time, America was covered with stagecoach stops, Pony Express corrals, and telegraph offices. The onward march of technology has rendered most of them little more than interesting relics. As the electric car revolution moves forward, another iconic sight in America — the gas station — will either adapt or disappear.

Anticipating this trend, Go Architect has created the Gas Station Of The Future Design Competition. While the number of gas stations may be declining, there are still more than 130,000 of them all across America. Many of them stand on highly valuable parcels of land on busy street corners, in shopping areas, and along major transportation routes.

Go Architect is not interested in tearing them all down. Instead, it wants to know how an existing gas station can be repurposed to meet the needs of electric car drivers and autonomous fleet operators in the future. “What will it become as drivers begin charging their cars at home, work, and the grocery store? How may they adapt to a shifting landscape of autonomous vehicles and an on-demand culture? The electric car revolution is here and it’s up to us to pave the way for the future,” Go Architect says.

There is an entry fee of $34.99 for professionals and $14.99 for students. First prize is $1,000 and there will be a People’s Choice award worth $500. Submissions are due by December 1, 2019 and people will be able to view the submissions and vote on them through the end of December. Winners will be announced on January 1, 2020.

EVgo Announces Partnership With Uber

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EVgo recently announced a partnership with Uber in which the companies will share data, give drivers access to charge, and do other things to improve EV awareness and adoption.

“Promoting the transition to electrified rideshare will be the key to unlock Uber’s bold new climate commitments,” said Adam Gromis, Global Head of Sustainability at Uber. “Uber is thrilled to be partnering with EVgo, the leader in promoting rideshare electrification across the United States, to support the expansion of cleaner, greener transportation options.”

The memorandum of agreement starts by giving Uber drivers with electric vehicles access to EVgo’s DC Fast Charging Network, which they claim is “the nation’s largest and most reliable public fast charging network.” Uber and EVgo will then collaborate on data collection, using data from both companies and from the usage by Uber drivers to determine where new charging locations are most needed.

The two companies will also work to develop a series of pilot programs to make it easier for Uber driver-partners to make the switch to an EV and to develop new partnerships to accelerate the electrified rideshare ecosystem, including integrations between the Uber and EVgo apps.

Quantum Fuel Systems announces new 40-foot virtual pipeline trailer available Q1, 2020

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Quantum Fuel Systems, an industry leader in compressed natural gas (CNG) gas transport trailers and heavy-duty truck fuel-storage systems, announced their newest Virtual Pipeline product line extension, the VPLite45/40′.

   The new 40-foot Virtual Pipeline trailer comes standard with 45 tanks, has a gaseous capacity of approximately 471,000 standard cubic feet and weighs less than 57,000 pounds fully loaded. Customers can customize the trailer configuration with less tanks based on project needs. Available in Q1, 2020, the VPLite45/40′ will be certified for use in the U.S. and Canada, with worldwide availability to follow.

   “We are very excited about our new product line, the VPLite45/40′,” said Mark Arold, President, Quantum Fuel Systems LLC. “For several years we have been providing our customers with the VP45, which has 45 tanks in a 45-foot container, hauls 471,000 SCF of CNG, and stays below federal highway weight restrictions. It has been by far the most efficient in the industry in terms of gas capacity versus trailer length and yet still has the flexibility to carry up to 51 tanks depending on the customer application. The VPLite45/40′ also carries 45 tanks and hauls 471,000 SCF of CNG, but now in a 40-foot container. It is optimal for those customers who only need 45 tanks (or less), in a smaller, lighter trailer that can be more easily maneuvered in tight areas while still hauling the most gas in the industry in a 40-foot container.”

   Highlights of Quantum’s new 40-foot trailer include:

  • Simplified single manifold – easier fueling and defueling with step-by-step directions
  • Increased maneuverability – the shorter trailer and close-spread tandem axle is easier to turn and drive in tight spaces
  • Increased durability – tandem axle has increased tire life and is easier on suspension components

U-Haul Champions Alternative Fueling with New Propane Supply Location

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U-Haul is now supplying propane for autogas vehicles and cylinders of all sizes at U-Haul Moving & Storage of Casper, the first U-Haul-owned store in Wyoming to offer propane.

The store is located at 725 N. Bryan Stock Trl., and hours of operation are 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Thursday and Saturday; 7 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday; and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday.

“U-Haul is leading the way in sustainable solutions, and we’re excited to bring clean-burning fuel to Wyoming,” says John Barnett, U-Haul’s propane program manager. “Propane is a big part of our business. We’re now able to meet the needs of the Casper community.”

Amazon Orders 100,000 Electric Delivery Vehicles

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As part of its commitment to the newly formed Climate Pledge, Amazon has ordered 100,000 fully electric delivery vehicles from U.S.-based electric vehicle (EV) company Rivian.

Amazon plans to have 10,000 of the new EVs on the road as early as 2022 and all 100,000 on the road by 2030 – saving 4 million metric tons of carbon per year by 2030, Amazon estimates.

Rivian has headquarters in Plymouth, Mich., and a manufacturing plant in Normal, Ill. Amazon previously announced a $400 million investment in the company, and earlier this year, Rivian secured a $500 million investment from Ford Motor Co.

Amazon is targeting 80% renewable energy by 2024 and 100% renewable energy by 2030 on its path to net-zero carbon by 2040. Amazon and Global Optimism are co-founding The Climate Pledge, which calls on signatories to be net-zero carbon across their businesses by 2040 – a decade ahead of the Paris Accord’s goal of 2050.

As Gas Prices Spike, Propane Eyed as Clean Alternative for Vehicles

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With gasoline prices predicted to rise as much as 25 cents a gallon following a drone attack on two Saudi oil facilities that temporarily disrupted world oil supplies, propane gas is gaining new attention as a more stable fuel alternative for vehicles.

“Fluctuating gasoline and diesel prices should motivate consumers, specifically commercial fleet operators, to consider running propane fueled vehicles,” Brian Richesson, editor-in-chief of LP Gas Magazine, which covers the propane industry, told Newsmax.

“These fleet operators will benefit from low fuel costs when they lock in prices with their local propane providers and they’ll benefit from low maintenance costs because propane is a clean-burning fuel.”

Richesson adds that one of propane’s “greatest success stories” is with school buses. “Hundreds of school districts across the United States are now operating their buses on propane autogas because they’re realizing the operational and environmental benefits of the clean-burning fuel,” he says.

Lightning Systems Offers New Suite of Charging Solutions

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Lightning Systems, a Colorado-based developer of zero-emission drivetrains, has introduced “Lightning On Tap” charging solutions, an offering of AC and DC fast-charge stations.

Lightning’s lineup of new chargers includes both AC and DC fast-charge options, ranging from 7.2 kW AC chargers to 100 kW DC chargers.

“With more fleet operators making the switch to electric trucks and buses, planning and installing charging systems has brought a whole new set of challenges for our customers. We can now help overcome that challenge by delivering a full suite of charging hardware and software options,” says Tim Reeser, Lightning’s CEO. “We know firsthand that fleets need timely and specific help with charging solutions for their commercial vehicles.”

Cracking The Code Of What People Want In Electric Vehicles

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Cracking the code of what people want in their electric vehicles is not that complicated, even though analysts at Edmunds seem to think otherwise.

In an article published by the San Diego Union Tribune, a market analyst at Edmunds said that electric car buyers “don’t seem to be EV fans, they seem to be Tesla fans.” She also said that, “It’s been really hard for any other company to crack the code of what people want in an EV.”

One issue is that, even if people don’t make long road trips, or make them no more than once a year, they want their cars to have the ability to conveniently go on a long road trip — whether that means across the country, up and down the East Coast, up and down the West Coast, or something else. So far, only Tesla has provided electric vehicles and a charging network that allow this. CleanTechnica’s in-depth research has shown for years that this is critical to EV buyers.

Another issue is that people want their electric cars to be versatile. Like smartphones, electric cars don’t just meet one basic need. It’s not about just going to work or to the store. People spend a lot of time in their cars and the more interactive a car is in their day-to-day lives, the more popular that car becomes.