Running Refuse Haulers on Compressed Natural Gas (Case Study)
11/1/1997
Since 1992, six new refuse haulers have logged more than 60,000 miles--cleaner, quieter miles, with miles with good horsepower and speed as compared to their diesel counterparts. The U.S. Department of Energy sponsors this project. The Alternative Fuels Data Center at DOE's National Renewable Energy Laboratory has been gathering data on these trucks since they went into service.
Alternative Fuels In Trucking, Vol. 6, No. 2
11/1/1997
This issue includes articles on Future Fuels for Heavy-Duty Trucks, LNG Tax Relief, the Status of the Federal Clean Fuel Fleet Program, and the Cummins Engine, which successfully meets EPA and CARB standards.
Diethyl Ether (DEE as a Renewable Diesel Fuel)
10/13/1997
Producing and using renewable fuels for transportation is one approach for a sustainable energy future for the United States, as wel l as the rest of the world. Renewable fuels may also substantially reduce contributions to global climate change. In the transportation sector, ethanol produced from biomass shows promise as a future fuel for spark-ignited engines because of its high octane quality. Ethanol, however, is not a high-quality compression-ignition fuel. Ethanol can be easily converted through a dehydration process to produce diethyl ether (DEE), which is an excellent compression-ignition fuel with higher energy density than ethanol.. DEE has long been known as a cold-start aid for engines, but little is known about using DEE as a significant component in a blend or as a complete replacement for diesel fuel. Dimethyl ether, the methanol analog to DEE, was recently reported to be a low-emission, high-quality diesel fuel replacement, but similar engine testing and process information on DEE is limited. To identify the potential of Dee as a transportation fuel, we conducted a comprehensive literature review of its utilization in engines and also conducted limited laboratory experiments. This paper presents the findings on fundamental engine and emissions performance of DEE, along with an estimated cost of producing DEE from biomass ethanol.
Authors: Bailey, Brent
Perspectives on AFVs: 1996 Federal Fleet Driver Survey
9/15/1997
In an effort to reduce national dependence on imported oil and to improve urban air quality, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is promoting the development and deployment of alternative fuels and alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs). To support this activity, DOE has directed the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) to develop and conduct projects to evaluate the performance and acceptability of light-duty AFVs compared to similar gasoline vehicles. As part of this effort, NREL has undertaken a number of evaluation projects, including conducting telephone surveys with fleet managers and drivers of AFVs in the federal fleet. This report summarizes the results of the survey of fleet managers.
Addendum to Mobile Source Enforcement Memorandum 1A
9/4/1997
The purpose of this document is to clarify and revise the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) "tampering" enforcement policy for motor vehicles and motor vehicle engines originally designed to operate on gasoline or diesel fuel and subsequently modified to operate exclusively or in conjunction with compressed natural gas (CNG) or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG or propane).
Alternative Fuels In Trucking, Vol. 6, No. 1
8/1/1997
This issue includes articles on: 1) lessons learned from the biodiesel fuel test; 2) a grocery chain's use of LNG tractors on California roads; 3) using liquefied natural gas as a vehicle fuel; and 4) an LE-55 natural gas engine project which targets 55% efficiency and low emissions.
Perspectives on AFVs: 1996 Federal Fleet Manager Survey
7/1/1997
In an effort to reduce national dependence on imported oil and to improve urban air quality, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is promoting the development and deployment of alternative fuels and alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs). To support this activity, DOE has directed the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) to develop and conduct projects to evaluate the performance and acceptability of light-duty AFVs compared to similar gasoline vehicles. As part of this effort, NREL has undertaken a number of evaluation projects, including conducting telephone surveys with fleet managers and drivers of AFVs in the federal fleet. This report summarizes the results of the survey of fleet managers.
Clean Cities Drive, Vol. 4, No. 1
5/1/1997
This issue includes articles on: 1) the Clean Cities Stakeholders' Conference and Expo; 2) Clean Cities corridors; 3) Raley's Supermarket's addition of a fueling station and LNG trucks to their fleet; 4) EV Market Launch workshops in New York, Richmond, Boston, and Atlanta; 5) DOE's comments on a proposed private and municipal fleet ruling; 6) new Clean Cities; 7) Dan Deaton; 8) a Clean Cities regional meeting that focused on corridors; and 9) a calendar of events.
The Ethanol Heavy-Duty Truck Fleet Demonstration Project
5/1/1997
This report presents the results of an ethanol heavy-duty truck demonstration project. The four trucks were equipped with specially modified Detroit Diesel Corporation engines and ran on E95 (95% ethanol and 5% light hydrocarbon denaturant). They were owned and operated by Archer Daniels Midland Trucking, Incorporated, and were used almost every day for deliveries to points in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, and Missouri. As a result of this project, a considerable amount of data was recorded, for the first time, on the performance, durability, economics, and emissions of heavy-duty trucks running on ethanol.
AFDC Update: News of the Alternative Fuels Data Center (Vol. 6, No. 1)
5/1/1997
This issue includes articles on: 1) EPA's redesign of conversion certification policies; 2) the introduction of an NGV incentive Bill in Congress; 3) the introduction of the Boxer Bill in Congress; 4) New Jersey transit's expanded refueling infrastructure; 5) a Sacramento group's efforts to increase awareness of EV benefits; 6) testing of hybrid electric buses by a New York R&D group; 7) the use of heavy-duty LNG vehicles at the L.A. Airport and USPS; 8) the introduction of a medium-duty NGV by DOE and USPS; 9) NGVC's council to support LNG; 10) EV charging sites in Arizona; 11) a fuel company's purchase of natural gas refueling stations; 12) the reduced cost of methanol in California; 13) heavy-duty alternatives from OEMs and rebuilders; 14) Chrysler's announcement of an E-85 minivan and gasoline-powered fuel cell; 15) Ford's provision of 15 E85 minivans for use in state and USPS fleets; 16) GM's announcement of CNG options in Sierra and C-Series pickup trucks; 17) DOE funding; 18) a Virginia company's CNG helicopters; 19) Clean Cities' addition of the first two Ohio cities; 20) the future of CNG in Philadelphia; and 21) the Clean Cities conference.
AFDC Update: News of the Alternative Fuels Data Center (Vol. 5, No. 4)
2/1/1997
This issue includes articles on: 1) Clinton's issuance of an Executive Order on alternative fuels; 2) passage of the Propane Education and Research Act of 1996 through Congress; 3) The introduction of an NGV incentives package by the House Natural Gas Vehicle Task Force; 4) a New York bond act for clean fuel programs; 5) California's veto of an AFV incentive; 6) a "Stealth Bus" in Los Angeles; 7) Ashland Chemical, Inc.'s switch to M85 Ford Tauruses in its fleet; 8) New York City's increasing use of alternative fuels; 9) Iowa DOT's blend of biodiesel in heavy-duty vehicles; 10) King County, Washington's use of natural gas in police fleets; 11) heavy-duty trucks on ethanol; 12) UPS's plans to double its NGV fleet by 1998; 13) EV charging sites in Arizona; 14) changes at the National Biodiesel Board; 15) alternative fuel refueling sites on the Web; 16) the U.S. Postal Service and the DOE's plans to introduce a CNG mail truck; 17) Clean Cities; 18) Honda's announcement of a natural gas Civic; 19) the rise of alternative fuel bus purchases; 20) Ford Motor Company's AFV rebates; 21) natural gas testing in U.S. Volvos; 22) the introduction of EV1s; 23) Nissan's use of lithium-ion in its electric vehicles; and 24) plans for cleaner off-road engines.
Hybrid and Alternative Fuel Vehicle Emergency Responder Information
1/1/1997
Toyota developed Emergency Response Guides (ERG's) to educate and assist emergency responders in the safe handling of Toyota alternative fuel vehicles that incorporate CNG, hydrogen, or high voltage electrical systems. The ERG's cover emergency response procedures in the following specific areas: vehicle identification; high voltage; hydrogen and cng gas systems; disabling procedures and warnings; extrication; and roadside assistance. Guides are available for the CNG Camry, RAV4 EV, Prius (Model Years 2001 to 2004), and Fuel Cell Hybrid Vehicle.