Volkswagen Planning New North America Factory for Electric Vehicles

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Reuters reported Volkswagen is deciding where to locate a new factory in North America to build electric vehicles for the U.S. market, the German automaker’s new head for the Americas.

Scott Keogh, the newly appointed CEO of Volkswagen Group of America, said a new plant was needed to build a vehicle yet to be revealed under the Volkswagen brand, priced between $30,000-$40,000, that is due in 2020.

“We are 100 percent deep in the process of ‘We will need an electric car plant in North America,’ and we’re holding those conversations now,” Keogh told journalists at the Los Angeles auto show.

An electric car that could take on Silicon Valley’s Tesla Inc is part of the massive investment in electric vehicles that Europe’s largest carmaker plans to make.

Volkswagen announced earlier this month it would spend almost 44 billion euros ($50 billion) on developing electric cars, autonomous driving and new mobility services by 2023, while exploring areas of cooperation with U.S. automaker Ford Motor Co.

To meet a production timeline for 2020, the new electric car will initially be sourced outside of the United States, Keogh said, but then will be produced at the newly chosen site.

Volkswagen’s existing U.S. plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where the Passat and Atlas are built, could be one option as there is enough room at that facility, but it will not necessarily be chosen, Keogh said.

18 Trucking Touts Mechanical, Environmental Pluses of Renewable Diesel

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18 Trucking, a construction trucking services company based in Hayward, Calif., is reporting reductions in maintenance costs and less downtime for its fleet after switching to Neste MY Renewable Diesel.

Neste MY is a low-carbon fuel produced from 100% renewable and sustainable raw materials, primarily wastes and residues, explains Neste. Cutting greenhouse-gas emissions by up to 80%, it is a drop-in fuel that requires no blending and no engine modification.

Diesel particulate filters (DPFs) are an engine aftertreatment system designed to reduce emissions from diesel engines. Because they become clogged over time from soot and other particulate matter, the vehicles must routinely be taken out of service to clear these systems of the backup, explains Neste.

U.S. Ethanol Prices Drop to 13-Year Lows on Bigger Supply

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Prices for U.S. ethanol fell to the lowest levels in 13 years on Wednesday, pressured by bigger-than-expected output and larger supplies of the corn-based biofuel, traders said.

Weekly U.S. Energy Information Administration data showed that ethanol production last week was up 6,000 barrels per day, to an average of 1.048 million bpd while stockpiles increased 139,000 barrels to 22.93 million barrels.

Some traders had anticipated a decline in output, as many producers were struggling to make money due to low ethanol prices and comparatively higher costs for the corn and natural gas necessary to make it.

“With all the talks of slowdowns, the market expected to see continual drops in production but they haven’t materialized, and margins have taken a further beating,” an ethanol trader said.

Interest in E15 Picks Up Among Gasoline Retailers

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Mike O’Brien, vice president of market development for Growth Energy, says that with seasonal restrictions on E15 sales potentially being lifted in time for next summer’s driving season, interest in selling E15 has increased among gasoline retailers.

“We’ve had quite a few retailers calling us wanting to discuss E15. How to put E15 in place with an eye on the fact that the RVP waiver will likely be going away sometime in the near future,” he said.

Growth Energy is an ethanol trade group, and has created Unleaded88 branding for E15, which has helped retailers market and sell the product. “The intent behind that is to provide a consistent and recognizable fuel brand for all the retailers to use when selling E15 because in that manner, they’re able really to optimize the sales of the new product that’s out there,” O’Brien said.

Biodiesel Tax Credit Extension, Phaseout Proposed in US House

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Chairman of the House ways and means committee Rep. Kevin Brady, R-Texas, released a proposal Nov. 26 to make technical corrections to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (PL 115-97) and to extend several expired tax credits, including the biodiesel and renewable diesel tax incentive. The National Biodiesel Board welcomed the proposal for a multiyear extension of this important incentive, which would keep the credit at its current rate of $1 per gallon for 2018 through 2021 but gradually reduce it to 33 cents per gallon by 2024 and then allow it to expire.

Evolve KY Announces its 15th Electric Vehicle Charger Location — Prospect Plaza in Prospect, Kentucky

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Evolve KY, Kentucky’s non-profit electric vehicle group has just installed electric vehicle chargers at their fifteenth location… and the first in Prospect, Kentucky.

The chargers are located at Prospect Plaza at 9211 US Highway 42 in Prospect, KY.  There is a Starbucks Coffee shop, several restaurants and shops all available at that location.

The charger is fee-free and part of the non-profit group’s very popular Adopt a Charger program.  Highland Cleaners (which is located in the plaza) sponsored the chargers.

“Highland Cleaners is striving to be the “greenest cleaners” in Louisville and Kentucky,” said owner Michael Jones. “We aim to go above and beyond using green cleaning solutions and recycling programs.  Highland built the highest LEED rated dry cleaning building in the United States and now we feature two locations with electric car charging stations.”

With more and more people choosing electric vehicles, the chargers will be a great services to those living in the area and also for travelers.

“Electric cars cost less to “fuel” and maintain, are zero emission vehicles and are super fun to drive,” said Stuart Ungar, president of Evolve KY. “Once you understand the features and benefits and go for a ride in one, you want one!” If you’re seeking an enjoyable and thrilling experience, you can explore the excitement of betting on 겜블시티 슬롯, where you have the chance to win substantial prizes that can add a significant thrill to your gaming adventure. The games available on these websites offer a remarkably enjoyable and engaging experience, providing hours of entertainment and excitement that can keep you immersed in the world of gaming, ensuring that you’ll have an incredible time exploring all the diverse gaming options they have to offer.

Ryder, FedEx Ink Deal for 1,000 Chanje Electric Delivery Vans

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Ryder System Inc. has announced what it claims to be the largest commercial electric vehicle (EV) purchase in the U.S.

With an order of 1,000 medium-duty electric panel vans by Chanje Energy Inc., Ryder and FedEx Corp. have also executed a truck leasing and preventive maintenance agreement primarily for Ryder’s ChoiceLease fleet. The purpose-built EVs will be operated by FedEx Express for commercial and residential pick-up and delivery services in the U.S. The fleet is expected to be deployed throughout California over the next two years.

“With our focus on innovation and technology, combined with our entry into the EV market more than a year ago, we’ve made it easy for customers such as FedEx to adopt sustainable, advanced vehicle technologies,” says Dennis Cooke, president of global fleet management solutions for Ryder. “We continue to see broadening interest in EVs from businesses of various sizes and industries looking to outsource – especially in the final-mile delivery space, where a smaller, more environmentally friendly vehicle is required.”

Clean Energy Reports Boost in CNG Deliveries

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Natural gas fuel company Clean Energy Fuels Corp. has announced its operating results for the quarter and nine months ended Sept. 30. The company delivered 92.3 million gallons in the third quarter of 2018, compared with 91.5 million in the third quarter of 2017. In the first nine months of the year, it delivered 266.8 million gallons, compared with 265.0 million delivered in the same period in 2017.

According to Clean Energy, its growth in compressed natural gas (CNG) volumes was partially offset by a reduction in liquefied natural gas (LNG) volumes due to the non-renewal of two contracts and a decrease in renewable natural gas (RNG) volumes for non-vehicle fuel included in contracts sold to BP in 2017.

The company defines “gallons delivered” as its gallons of RNG, CNG and LNG, along with its gallons associated with providing operations and maintenance services, plus the company’s proportionate share of gallons delivered by joint ventures.

KCFC Executive Director Speaks at U.S. Department of Energy Conference

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The Executive Director of the Kentucky Clean Fuels Coalition, Emily Carpenter, spoke at the U.S. Department of Energy Clean Cities Program National Conference. Her speech highlighted the phenomenal work in electric transit fleets in Kentucky.

The conference held in Cape Canaveral, FL included Clean Cities Coordinators from across the United States. Use the following link for more information on the U.S. Department of Energy’s Clean Cities Program.

 

KCFC Recognized for Achievements by U.S. Department of Energy’s Clean Cities Program

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The Kentucky Clean Fuels Coalition (KCFC) was recognized by the U.S. Department of Energy at the Clean Cities National Conference. Of the nearly 100 Clean Cities coalitions across the United States, the KCFC had the largest environmental impact than any other coalition with idle reduction efforts. The coalition is proud of this achievement and honored to be able to work with Kentucky fleets to be leader in our nation for idle reduction.

The KCFC Executive Director, Emily Carpenter, was also personally recognized for exemplary efforts to increase industry knowledge through the Clean Cities University.