Alternative Fuels In Trucking, Vol. 4, No. 2
10/1/1995
This issue includes articles on: 1) heavy-duty trucks accelerating the growth of the American alternative transportation fuels market and 2) the U.S. Department of Energy alternative fuel heavy-duty vehicle program.
Fuel Economy Test Procedures Alternative-Fueled Automobile CAFE Incentives and Fuel Economy Labeling Requirements - Environmental Protection Agency - 40 CFR Part 600
10/1/1995
This final rule amends the fuel economy regulations to include alternative-fueled automobiles. The Alternative Motor Fuels Act (AMFA) of 1988 includes 1993 model year and later alternative-fueled automobiles (passenger automobiles and light trucks) in the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) program on a favorable basis to encourage the manufacture of these vehicles. The AMFA provides these CAFE "credits" for automobiles designed to be fueled with methanol, ethanol, other alcohols, natural gas, or dual-fueled automobiles designed to operate on one or more of these alternative fuels and gasoline or diesel fuel. Under the AMFA, these credits are only available for automobiles that meet certain requirements regarding: alternative fuel content (e.g., for alcohol fuels, a minimum of 85 percent by volume alcohol), energy efficiency, and driving range. Neither the AMFA nor the final rule will affect automobiles that do not meet these requirements; such vehicles would not receive the favorable CAFE treatment. Alternative-fueled automobile labeling requirements are also specified in the AMFA. This final rule codifies the requirements of the AMFA in 40 CFR part 600. Recently, AMFA was amended by the Energy Policy Act of 1992, to extend the CAFE credit to automobiles designed to operate on additional types of alternative fuels. However, this final rule does not include these additional alternative fuel types, as they were not included in the CAFE program at the time the NPRM was published and the final rule was developed.
Notes: Text of final rule to be published in the Federal Register
Current Status of Environmental, Health, and Safety Issues of Lithium Ion Electric Vehicle Batteries
9/1/1995
Lithium ion batteries are mid- to long-term candidates for propelling electric vehicles. In theory, lithium-based batteries can achieve a higher energy density than systems using other elements. In addition, the lithium ion system is less reactive and more relieable than present lithium metal systems and has possible performance advantages over some lithium solid polymer electrolyte batteries. Understanding the environmental, health, and safety issues associated with these batteries is an important step toward their commercialization. Analysts at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory studied these issues, and their finds are presented in this report. They reviewed a system that uses lithium intercalation compounds for the positive and negative electrodes and an organic liquid and a lithium salt for the electrolyte. The study considered call chemistry, materials selection, intrinsic material hazards, mitigation of those hazards, environmental requirements, pollution control options, and shipping requirements. Some possible lithium ion battery materials were found to be toxic or carcinogenic. The report recommends further research on the hazards of possible chemical reactions in lithium ion batteries. However, the report states that cells and batteries designed to be reliable and durable will likely mitigate material hazards as well. Analysis suggest that minimizing waste during manufacturing and at the end of the battery life could reduce the burden of environmental compliance. In addition, they discuss various regulatory options for shipping lithium ion batteries.
Authors: Vimmerstedt, L.J.;Ring, S.;Hammel, C.J.
Federal Alternative Motor Fuels Programs - Fourth Annual Report to Congress
7/1/1995
This annual report to Congress presents the current status of the alternative fuel vehicle programs being conducted across the country in accordance with the Alternative Motor Fuels Act of 1988. These programs, which represent the most comprehensive data collection effort ever undertaken on alternative fuels, are beginning their fifth year. This report summarizes tests and results from the fourth year.
Clean Fuels Paving the Way for America's Future: A Source for Information on Clean Burning Alternative Transportation Fuels
4/1/1995
With so many alternative fuels being promoted by various groups, it is important for legislators, the public and all interested parties to understand the different fuels that are available, how they are made, how they are used and their impact on the environment. This brochure is intended to help legislators at all levels to make informed decisions and for the media, with a responsibility of informing the public, to be educated on these issues. The fuels covered in this brochure include: ethanol, ethyl tertiary butyl ether, methanol, methyl tertiary butyl ether, biodiesel, gasoline additives and combustion modifiers, electric vehicles, natural gas and propane. It also summarizes regional and state clean fuel policies and regulations.
Electric and Hybrid Vehicles Program: 18th Annual Report to Congress for Fiscal Year 1994
4/1/1995
This eighteenth annual report serves to inform the United States Congress of the progress in Fiscal Year 1994 and the plans of the Department of Energy Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Research and Development Program. The Department focuses on the technologies that are critical to making electric and hybrid vehicles commercially viable and competitive with current production gasoline-fueled vehicles in performance, reliability, and affordability. During Fiscal Year 1994, the Department and the United States Advanced Battery Consortium worked together focusing the efforts of battery developers on the battery technologies that are most likely to be commercialized in the near term. They also made progress demonstrating the technical feasibility of fuel cells for passenger bus and light duty vehicle applications.
AFDC Update: News of the Alternative Fuels Data Center (Vol. 3, Iss. 2)
10/1/1994
This issue includes articles on: 1) emissions testing of Dodge Spirit FFVs; 2) the EPA's issuance of final gaseous fuel emissions standards; 3) the AFDC's new option for retrieving data; 4) emissions data which show varied results on 1992 CNG/gasoline conversions; 5) downloading files from the AFDC for non-internet users; 6) accessing the AFDC through the internet; 7) a new methanol video from DOE, NREL, and Los Angeles MTA; 8) an EPACT update; and 9) upcoming meetings and conferences.
NREL Examines Environmental, Health, and Safety Issues Concerning Nickel Metal Hydride Batteries
7/1/1994
A new candidate for powering electric vehicles - the nickel metal hydride (NiMH) battery - is approaching the marketplace. But before it can be commercialized, its safety must be examined and any health and environmental issues must be brought forth and resolved. An NREL study found that NiMH cells and batteries present few health and safety risks, primarily because the electrode materials are nontoxic. However, future EH&S work is necessary to bring these batteries closer to commercialization.
Notes: For more information call David Corbus, NREL, Analytic Studies Division, (303) 231-1364
AFDC Update: News of the Alternative Fuels Data Center (Vol. 3, Iss. 1)
4/1/1994
This issue includes articles on: 1) AMFA heavy-duty data which indicates that E95 and CNG fuel economies are virtually the same as diesel; 2) DOE funding of a heavy-duty demonstration program; 3) DOE funding efforts for a safe school bus; 4) hotline inquiries; and 5) the comparison of fuel economies of light-duty AFVs.