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Alternative Fuels Update is dedicated to bringing you information about advances in the world of alternative energy, with a primary focus on the automobile. How you can take advantage of fuel savings and improved fuel efficiency and lower emissions is our main focus.
HHO In action: Proof that it works!
After you watch the video make sure to check out this.
BMW 7: Hydrogen Powered Cars Hit Mainstream
Hydrogen is slowly making its way into the public awareness as one of the up and coming green fuels that can save us from the stranglehold oil has on our world. As the most common element in the universe it's pretty easy to come by and when it burns with oxygen it produces only water.
Soy Edges out Corn as a viable BioFuel
Soybean biodiesel has less impact on the environment and a much higher net energy benefit than corn ethanol, researchers said. That is the good news. The bad news: Neither alternative fuel can do much to meet U.S. energy demand, and in the long term, grass may be the answer.
E85 Production Levels
The Detroit 3 (Chrysler, Ford, and GM) have produced over 6 million Flex Fuel Vehicles (FFVs) for distrobution in the United States. These vehicles are all capable of running E85 Ethanol. Furthermore they have made a commitment to have over 50% of their vehicles capable of running E85, or biodiesel by 2012. We're attempting to determine if that is volume (doubtfull) or models capable of supporting an FFV or Biodiesel engine (more likely).
Solar Energy for only $0.05/kWh!
If you've looked at your power bill, you know you are paying a lot more than 5 cents per kWh. If this could become a viable technology, it would revolutionize who we consume power.
The tech comes from a company called SUNRGI and they were able to develop a working prototype in just over a year. They estimate that it could be ready to market in 12-15 months. Their solar cell efficiency is also 37%, which is very high.
CAFE Update
Though this really isn't new news, its important to get it up on this site.
In November of 2007, President Bush signed into law the new CAFE Regulations. I'll be writing a more detailed article about this in the future, but in essence the regulations call for passenger cars to hit a meagre 35MPG average MPG by 2020 and for trucks to hit 23.5MPG by 2010 with a more dynamic 'by footprint' model taking effect after that.
The prior regs call for the average MPG on cars to be 27.5MPG and for trucks 20.7MPG
Summer Technology Tests
I have two projects this summer in the fuel economy sphere. The first is my 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser Turbo. This thing only gets 25MPG on a good day and frankly that stinks. Sure, I do enjoy the turbo when I pull onto the highway, but thats the only time I ever floor it. If a Tahoe can get 24MPG, this thing should be able to get 30 with some consistency.
The PT Cruiser
Firing Things Up!
Thanks for dropping by the Alternative Fuel Update, we're just getting rolling but check back often for articles, rants, reviews and other information on alternative fuels and what they can do for all of us.
