Publications

Clean Cities Alternative Fuel Price Report, October 2010

11/1/2010

The Clean Cities Alternative Fuel Price Report for October 2010 is a quarterly report on the prices of alternative fuels in the U.S. and their relation to gasoline and diesel prices. This issue describes prices that were gathered from Clean Cities coordinators and stakeholders between October 4, 2010 and October 14, 2010, and then averaged in order to determine regional price trends by fuel and variability in fuel price within regions and among regions. The prices collected for this report represent retail, at-the-pump sales prices for each fuel, including Federal and state motor fuel taxes.

Table 1 reports that the nationwide average price for regular gasoline has risen 7 cents per gallon from $2.71 per gallon to $2.78 per gallon; CNG price has risen 2 cents from $1.91 to $1.93; and ethanol (E85) has risen 14 cents from $2.30 to $2.44 per gallon. CNG is about 85 cents less than gasoline on an energy-equivalent basis, while E85 is about 67 cents more per gallon than gasoline on an energy-equivalent basis.

Authors: Laughlin, M.D.

Dispensing Equipment Testing with Mid-Level Ethanol/Gasoline Test Fluid

11/1/2010

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory's (NREL) Nonpetroleum-Based Fuel Task addresses the hurdles to commercialization of biomass-derived fuels and fuel blends. One such hurdle is the unknown compatibility of new fuels withcurrent infrastructure, such as the equipment used at service stations to dispense fuel into automobiles. The U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Vehicle Technology Program and the Biomass Program have engaged in a joint project to evaluate the potential for blending ethanol into gasoline at levels higher than nominal 10 volume percent. This project was established to help DOE andNREL better understand any potentially adverse impacts caused by a lack of knowledge about the compatibility of the dispensing equipment with ethanol blends higher than what the equipment was designed to dispense. This report provides data about the impact of introducing a gasoline with a higher volumetric ethanol content into service station dispensing equipment from a safety and a performance perspective.

Authors: Boyce, K.; Chapin, J. T.

Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Transit Bus Experience Survey

9/1/2010

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) commissioned this survey to collect and analyze experiential data from U.S. transit agencies with varying degrees of compressed natural gas (CNG) bus and station experience. This information helps DOE and NREL determine areas of CNG transit bus success and priority areas for which further technical or other assistance might be required to enable success.This survey was intended to focus on the problems, mistakes, and lessons learned the hard way. By focusing on and reporting the negative experiences, it is hoped that others can avoid these pitfalls and learn from the experience of the pioneers in the industry.

Authors: Adams, R.; Horne, D.

Clean Cities Alternative Fuel Price Report, July 2010

9/1/2010

The Clean Cities Alternative Fuel Price Report for July 2010 is a quarterly report on the prices of alternative fuels in the U.S. and their relation to gasoline and diesel prices. This issue describes prices that were gathered from Clean Cities coordinators and stakeholders between July 12, 2010 and July 23, 2010, and then averaged in order to determine regional price trends by fuel and variability in fuel price within regions and among regions. The prices collected for this report represent retail, at-the-pump sales prices for each fuel, including Federal and state motor fuel taxes.

Table 1 reports that the nationwide average price for regular gasoline has fallen 13 cents per gallon from $2.84 per gallon to $2.71 per gallon; CNG price has risen 1 cents from $1.90 to $1.91; and ethanol (E85) has fallen 12 cents from $2.42 to $2.30 per gallon. CNG is about 80 cents less than gasoline on an energy-equivalent basis, while E85 is about 54 cents more per gallon than gasoline on an energy-equivalent basis.

Authors: Laughlin, M.D.

Identification and Review of State/Federal Legislative and Regulatory Changes Required for the Introduction of New Transportation Fuels

8/4/2010

Sierra Research has, at the request of the American Petroleum Institute, conducted an independent review of existing federal, state and other statutes, regulations, and requirements that must be changed and other significant implementation hurdles that must be overcome prior to the introduction of E15 and other new transportation fuels into commerce.

Natural Gas Vehicles: Status, Barriers, and Opportunities

8/1/2010

In the United States, recent shale gas discoveries have generated renewed interest in using natural gas as a vehicular fuel, primarily in fleet applications, while outside the United States, natural gas vehicle use has expanded significantly in the past decade. In this report for the U.S. Department of Energy's Clean Cities Program we have examined the state ofnatural gas vehicle technology, current market status, energy and environmentalbenefits, implications regarding advancements in European natural gas vehicletechnologies, research and development efforts, and current market barriers andopportunities for greater market penetration. The authors contend that commercial intracity trucks are a prime area for advancement of this fuel. Therefore, we examined an aggressive future market penetration of natural gas heavy-duty vehicles that could be seen as a long-term goal.

Authors: Rood-Werpy, M; Santini, D.; Burnham, A.; Mintz, M.

Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle Value Proposition Study

7/1/2010

Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) have been the subject of growing interest in recent years because of their potential for reduced operating costs, oil displacement, national security, and environmental benefits. The primary value of PHEVs to the consumer is their likelihood to markedly reduce fuel costs by substituting gasoline with electricity. However, PHEVs are expected to cost more to purchase than comparable internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles or hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), in large part because of the cost of batteries. Despite the potential, long-term savings to consumers and value to stakeholders, the initial cost of PHEVs presents a major market barrier to their widespread commercialization. The purpose of the PHEV Value Proposition Study (VPS) is to identify and evaluate value-added propositions for PHEVs that will help overcome this market barrier.

Authors: Cleary, T.; McGill, R.; Sikes, K.; Hadley, S.; Marano, V.; Ungar, E.; Gross, T.

Electric Vehicle Infrastructure: A Guide for Local Governments in Washington State

7/1/2010

In 2009 the Washington State Legislature enacted a new law designed to encourage electric vehicles. To create a consistent regulatory framework that would help this industry grow across Washington State, the legislature required the Puget Sound Regional Council and Department of Commerce to develop guidance for local governments. To meet this requirement, a broad-based technical advisory committee made up of local governments, charging equipment vendors, utilities, ports, state agencies, and consumer interests was formed. The state's new electric vehicle law requires that all local governments in Washington State allow electric vehicle charging stations in most of their zoning categories. Allowing charging stations creates the need to address a number of issues beyond zoning. These include on-street and off-street signage, charging station design standards, parking enforcement, accessibility for all users, SEPA exemptions, and more. These issues are addressed in this document.

Authors: Technical Advisory Committee

Propane Tank Overfill Safety Advisory

6/24/2010

Seven propane fleets, of varying sizes, were included in the LPG tank fueling evaluation. At each of these fleets a sampling of vehicles were observed during fueling (105 vehicles total). Vehicles were noted when their overfill prevention device (OPD) failed to activate and stop the fueling process. This was done to quantify the frequency of such an occurrence in practice in the field, which could lead to safety and environmental issues.

Hybrid Electric Systems: Goals, Strategies, and Top Accomplishments

6/1/2010

The Vehicle Technologies Program at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colorado, is focused on enabling large-scale production of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles that are cost-competitive with conventional vehicles. They endeavor to reduce the cost of electrochemical energy storage and low cost advanced power electronics and electric motor components by developing simulation tools and modeling capabilities.

Clean Cities Alternative Fuel Price Report, April 2010

6/1/2010

The Clean Cities Alternative Fuel Price Report for April 2010 is a quarterly report on the prices of alternative fuels in the U.S. and their relation to gasoline and diesel prices. This issue describes prices that were gathered from Clean Cities coordinators and stakeholders between April 2 and April 12, 2010, and then averaged in order to determine regional price trends by fuel and variability in fuel price within regions and among regions. The prices collected for this report represent retail, at-the-pump sales prices for each fuel, including Federal and state motor fuel taxes.

Table 1 reports that the nationwide average price for regular gasoline has risen 19 cents per gallon from $2.65 per gallon to $2.84 per gallon; CNG price has risen 5 cents from $1.85 to $1.90; and ethanol (E85) has risen 4 cents from $2.38 to $2.42 per gallon. CNG is about 94 cents less than gasoline on an energy-equivalent basis, while E85 is about 58 cents more per gallon than gasoline on an energy-equivalent basis.

Authors: Laughlin, M.D.

Propane Vehicles: Status, Challenges, and Opportunities

5/1/2010

This report discusses the potential increase in the number of on-road propane vehicles. It outlines the state of propane technology, the current market status, available federal and state incentives, emission benefits, carbon benefits, barriers and opportunities in the marketplace for propane vehicles.

Authors: Rood-Werpy, M.; Burnham, A.; Bertram, K.

Plug-in Electric Vehicle Infrastructure: A Foundation for Electrified Transportation

4/8/2010

new opportunity for reducing oil consumption by drawing power from the electric grid. To maximize the benefits of PEVs, the emerging PEV infrastructure?from battery manufacturing to communication and control between the vehicle and the grid?must provide access to clean electricity, satisfy stakeholder expectations, and ensure safety. Currently, codes and standards organizations are collaborating on a PEV infrastructure plan. Establishing a PEV infrastructure framework will create new opportunities for business and job development initiating the move toward electrified transportation. This paper summarizes the components of the PEV infrastructure, challenges and opportunities related to the design and deployment of the infrastructure, and the potential benefits.

Authors: Markel, T.

An Experimental and Modeling Study of the Flammability of Fuel Tank Headspace Vapors from Ethanol/Gasoline Fuels, Phase 2: Evaluations of Field Samples and Laboratory Blends

4/1/2010

An experimental study measured the flammability of gasoline/ethanol fuel vapors at low ambient temperatures and developed a mathematical model to predict temperatures at which flammable vapors were likely to form. Results indicate that some currently available ethanol fuels are likely to produce flammable vapors within the ambient temperature range under Class 3 conditions. Results also indicate that mid-level ethanol blends (E20 and E30) are unlikely to significantly increase the risk of producintg flammable vapors over that of the base gasoline used for the blends.

Authors: Gardiner, D.; Bardon, M.; LaViolette, M.

Clean Cities Alternative Fuel Price Report, January 2010

4/1/2010

The Clean Cities Alternative Fuel Price Report for January 2010 is a quarterly report on the prices of alternative fuels in the U.S. and their relation to gasoline and diesel prices. This issue describes prices that were gathered from Clean Cities coordinators and stakeholders between Jan. 19 and Jan. 29, 2010, and then averaged in order to determine regional price trends by fuel and variability in fuel price within regions and among regions. The prices collected for this report represent retail, at-the-pump sales prices for each fuel, including Federal and state motor fuel taxes.

Table 1 reports that the nationwide average price for regular gasoline has risen 1 cent per gallon from $2.64 per gallon to $2.65 per gallon; CNG price has dropped 1 cent from $1.86 to $1.85; and ethanol (E85) has risen 11 cents from $2.27 to $2.38 per gallon. CNG is about 80 cents less than gasoline on an energy-equivalent basis, while E85 is about 71 cents more per gallon than gasoline on an energy-equivalent basis.

Authors: Laughlin, M.D.