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The Economic Costs of Fuel Economy Standards Versus a Gasoline Tax
12/1/2003
In recent years, there has been renewed interest in the Congress in policies that would reduce gasoline consumption in the United States. That interest has been motivated primarily by concerns about the nation's energy security and about the risk that carbon emissions, 20 percent of which come from gasoline consumption, may affect the Earth's climate. This Congressional Budget Office (CBO) study—prepared at the request of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works—compares the economic costs of two methods for reducing gasoline consumption: raising the corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards for passenger vehicles and increasing the federal tax on gasoline. In analyzing CAFE standards, the study also estimates the potential cost savings from allowing automakers to trade fuel economy credits with one another as a way of complying.
The study breaks down the costs that each of the alternative policies would impose on both producers and consumers. Further, it discusses the prospects for CAFE standards to improve social welfare given that the existing gasoline tax also provides consumers an incentive to buy more-fuel-efficient vehicles. In keeping with CBO's mandate to provide objective, impartial analysis, this study makes no recommendations.
Authors: Austin, D.; Dinan, T.
Notes: Copies of this document can be downloaded from the Congressional Budget Office Website at: ftp://ftp.cbo.gov/49xx/doc4917/12-24-03_CAFE.pdf.
Travel Matters: Mitigating Climate Change with Sustainable Surface Transportation
11/7/2003
TRB's Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Report 93: Travel Matters - Mitigating Climate Change with Sustainable Surface Transportation presents information on climate change and examines how greenhouse gas emissions from transportation may be reduced. The report also looks at the capacity of public transportation to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.
Authors: Feigon, S.; Hoyt, D.; McNally, L.; Mooney-Bullock, R.; Campbell, S.; Leach, D.
Notes: Copies of this document can be downloaded from the Transportation Research Board Website at: http://trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?ID=2071
Challenges and Experiences with Electric Propulsion Transit Buses in the United States
11/1/2003
This document provides background for transit agencies and other fleets that are considering the use of electric propulsion technologies. It tells potential users what to expect and what to plan for when implementing vehicles with electric propulsion systems (such as dedicated electric vehicles, hybrids, and even fuel cells) into their fleets. This document also addresses the unique issues that electrical integration can pose for fleet personnel and points to the similarities between implementing electric propulsion and any other significant new technology.
Authors: Eudy, L.; Gifford, M.
The Next Generation Natural Gas Vehicle Activity
9/1/2003
The Next Generation Natural Gas Vehicle (NGNGV) R&D activity is leading important advances in natural gas vehicle (NGV) technology. NGNGV Phase I engine research projects demonstrated NOx emissions well below EPA 2007 levels, and tow projects met EPA 2010 levels in medium-duty engines. NGNGV Phase II engine and vehicle projects covering a range of power and torque ratings are targeted to achieve EPA 2007/2010 emission levels in 2005. In addition, gaseous fuel expertise gained through the NGNGV activity and other government and industry NGV and infrastructure efforts is aiding the transition to a future transportation scenario based on hydrogen.
SunLine Test Drives Hydrogen Bus
8/1/2003
This evaluation is one of several DOE projects that support the research and development of highly efficient, low- or zero-emission fuel cell power systems, which serve as an alternative to internal combustion engines. The demonstration is consistent with the Hydrogen, Fuel Cell & Infrastructure Technologies (HFC&IT) goal of having advanced technology vehicles enter the marketplace by 2010.
The Energy Smart Guide to Campus Cost Savings
7/1/2003
With 4,000-plus accredited, degree-granting institutions of postsecondary education in the U.S. and its outlying areas, energy efficiency improvements are impacting millions of students, faculty and staff. NACUBO and APPA are proud to have worked with the United States Department of Energy to bring you this resource guide, which is intended to give our members realworld input on a number of critical energy efficiency issues facing us today. It's also meant to alert our members to new opportunities to save both money and energy, while strengthening your institutions' contributions to environmental responsibility. And as such, it is part of our continuing services to our members. Our goal, as always, is to bring you up-to-date information you can use to make the difficult and important decisions that you face every day.
On-Road Development of the C-Gas Plus Engine in Heavy-Duty Vehicles
6/1/2003
To advance NGV technology, DOE's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) supported on-road protoype development of the C-Gas Plus engine, beginning in November 2000. The goal of the project was to advance laboratory-developed technologies, on road and in service, for a natural gas truck and bus engine with significant improvements over the previous C8.3G natural gas engine. This goal was achieved. The C-Gas Plus was launched into production in July 2001 with increased engine ratings, reduced emissions, and lower cost compared with the C8.3G engine.
Impact of Biodiesel Fuels on Air Quality Task 4 Report: Impacts of Biodiesel Fuel Use on PM
4/1/2003
Biodiesel fuels have been investigated for a number of reasons, such as an extender for petroleum-based fuels derived from a domestic renewable energy source. But lately the primary interest is the potential for a more environmentally benign fuel. The potential for exhaust emission reductions and reductions in emissions toxicity have the most interest. Several studies have shown that large reductions in hydrocarbon, particulate, and carbon monoxide emissions are expected from its use either as a neat fuel or as a blend with petroleum-derived fuels.
There are several areas in the United States that are currently in non-attainment for particulate matter of 10 pm or less (PM10). In addition, there is a new fine particulate matter (PM2.5) which may result in new areas being in non-attainment for PM. Biodiesel fuel use is estimated to reduce several precursors to PM (e.g., PM, SO2, and VOC) and increase others (NOx). Thus, the net affect of biodiesel fuel use on ambient PM levels is unclear based on analyzing changes in emissions alone, so it is assessed using air quality modeling.
Authors: Morris, R.E.; Jia, Y.
MTA New York City Transit
3/1/2003
The Role of the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Advanced Vehicle Testing Activity (AVTA) is to bridge the gap between R&D of advanced vehicle technologies and commercial availability. This fact sheet examines testing activity for New York City Transit's fleet of diesel electric hybrid buses.
The Effect of Biodiesel Composition on Engine Emissions from a DDC Series 60 Diesel Engine
2/28/2003
Certificaation fuel runs exhibited a mean NOx emission level of 4.59 g/bhp-h (+/-.053) with no significant drift over the four month test program. PM emissions averaged 0.261 g/bhp-h (+/-0.019). A small downward drift in PM emissions was evident (11% over the course of the project). Thus, no correction for drift was applied to the NOx emissions data but a small correction wass applied to PM.
Authors: Graboski, M.S.; R.L. McCormick, T.L. Alleman
Study of Exhaust Emissions from Idling Heavy-Duty Diesel Trucks and Commercially Available Idle-Reducing Devices
10/1/2002
Heavy duty diesel truck idling contributes significantly to energy consumption in the United States. The EPA initiated a study to quantify long duration idling emissions and fuel consumption rates over a two year period. It performed 42 tests on nine class-8 trucks (model years ranging from 1980s to 2001). Two of those trucks were equipped with 11 hp diesel auxiliary power units (APUs), and one was equipped with a diesel direct fired heater (DFH). The APU powers electrical accessories, heating, and air conditioning, whereas the DFH heats the cab in lieu of truck idling. Results indicate that use of an APU can reduce idling fuel consumption by 50 to 80% and reduce NOx by 89 to 94%. The use of a DFH can reduce fuel consumption by 94 to 96% and reduce NOx by 99%.
Authors: Lim, H.
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority: Biodiesel Fuel Comparison Final Data Report
8/15/2002
The West Virginia University measured the exhaust emissions from a Flxible Transit bus with a 1990 Cummins L10 engine operated on standard federal type-1 deisel fuel (D1), ultra-low sulfur type-1 diesel fuel (ULSD1) and on a blend of 20% biodiesel and 80% ULSD1 fuel (BD20). During the ULSD1 and BD20 tests the transit bus was equipped with an Engelhard DPX catalyzed particulate filter. The vehicle was exercised over a chassis dynamometer test cycle that was developed from data logged from WMATA buses during normal passenger service in the Washington D.C. Metropolitan Area. All measurements were made in accordance with the guidelines set forth in the Code of Federal Regulations CFR40 Part 86 Subpart N.
Authors: Donald W. Lyons
