Better Texas moves forward by announcing the addition of two new new hybrid-powered bucket trucks to its fleet. Oncor’s decision to add the hybrid-powered bucket trucks comes as a result of its participation in a 2006 trial of the hybrid trucks in the field, organized by the non-profit organization CALSTART (www.calstart.org).

Oncor was one of 14 utilities included in the trial, the results of which were very positive. The trial proved that the hybrid-powered bucket trucks, which alternate between diesel fuel and battery power to operate, get up to 60 percent in fuel savings, of which one-third comes from driving with the rest of the savings occurring at the job site as the hybrid system works the bucket or aerial device of the truck. The fuel savings Oncor receives from these hybrids help save the environment by using less fuel, a non-renewable resource.

On Friday, May 1, the trucks will hit the field, with one heading to work in Waco and the other to Fort Worth. Both are wrapped in Texas flag-inspired artwork, with “Hybrid Truck” and “Small Changes. Better Texas.” marked on both sides of each truck.

(Source) Press

Tags: aerial device, battery power, bucket trucks, calstart, diesel fuel, fuel savings, hybrid system, hybrids, oncor, renewable resource, texas flag, truck source

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Subaru unveils its contribution to the fight against emissions. Subaru presents the 2009 Subaru Legacy PZEV. What does the acronym PZEV stand for? PZEV stands for Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle. They offer the best rating possible for a gasoline powered vehicle and may be what many vehicles will be like in the future.

They offer the best rating possible for a gasoline powered vehicle and may be what many vehicles will be like in the future. Subaru does this by combining special engine computer programming with some additional hardware to eliminate or reduce emissions. This can be done inexpensively compared to the technology costs of a hybrid vehicle or the new low-emission diesel systems.

Customers get a vehicle that operates and feels like their existing gasoline vehicle and they don’t have to worry about finding diesel fuel stops or the cost of replacement batteries in the future.

Hybrids are green technology, but a large part of their advantage is in better fuel economy. The cost of the technology along with the complexity and space taken by the hybrid systems are real disadvantages. Subaru’s PZEV design may not have the same fuel economy as a hybrid but produces fewer emissions at a lower build cost and reduced mechanical complexity.

(Source) Canadian Driver

Tags: acronym, computer programming, diesel fuel, diesel systems, engine computer, fuel economy, gasoline, Green Technology, hybrid systems, hybrid vehicle, hybrids, mechanical complexity, pzev, replacement batteries, Subaru, subaru legacy, technology costs, zero emissions vehicle

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For car owners, diesel consumption can be of varied tales. And to find out the different stories about diesel consumption of consumers, The Diesel Technology Forum is calling on diesel owners and users nationwide to power up their video cameras and diesel equipment to tell their diesel story.

Videos that best put together a personal and creative story of how diesel works in the lives of individual diesel car owners, equipment operators, farmers, truckers, boaters, and other users will be eligible to win one of three $250 gift cards for fuel or merchandise.

Diesel fuel and engine technology are the backbone of our economy and still unmatched in terms of fuel economy, energy efficiency, reliability and performance. Diesel car and pick-up truck owners are especially encouraged to submit entries, especially those who may have bought a diesel instead of another technology.

Finalist videos will be posted on the Diesel Technology Forum website (www.dieselforum.org) and a winning video will be selected from each of three categories including personal transportation (light-duty cars, pick-up trucks, SUVs); heavy-duty highway vehicles; and off-road engines and equipment (farm, construction equipment, boats, airplanes, etc.).

Complete contest rules including entry information is available at www.dieselforum.org/video. Videos should be sent to dieselworksforme@dieselforum.org by 5:00pm EDT June 5, 2009.

(Source) Press

Tags: creative story, diesel car, diesel consumption, diesel equipment, diesel fuel, diesel owners, diesel technology forum, equipment boats, equipment operators, fuel economy, highway vehicles, performance diesel, video cameras

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There is a new type of biofuel coming to the market and it originated from Singapore. Diesel made from palm oil, vegetable oil and animal fat in Singapore may soon be powering cars in Europe and North America, Finland’s Neste Oil said Friday.

Neste Oil, which is building the world’s biggest biodiesel plant in the city-state at a cost of 1.2 billion Singapore dollars (776 million U.S.), said it was also looking to market the fuel in Japan and South Korea. It will produce Neste Oil’s patented NExBTL renewable diesel which the company said is the cleanest diesel fuel in the world. NExBTL can be used in all diesel engines and significantly reduces exhaust emissions compared with regular diesel, the company said.

Renewable diesel would have a 200-300 U.S. dollar premium per ton over regular diesel but Neste Oil said there was demand because of the benefits of using cleaner fuel. While crude oil prices have plunged from their peak at 147 dollars in July 2008 to current levels around 44 dollars, palm oil prices have also plummeted from 1,245 dollars per ton a year ago to about 526 dollars a ton.

Neste Oil is also building a renewable diesel plant with similar capacity in Rotterdam, the Netherlands which is expected to come on stream after the Singapore facility.

(Source) Tehran Times

Tags: bio fuel, Biofuel, crude oil prices, diesel engines, diesel fuel, european cars, exhaust emissions, neste oil, palm oil prices, singapore dollars, vegetable oil

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Toyota has added another twist to its popular car brand line Innova. Traditionally we all know the Toyota Innova to run on gas and diesel fuel but today, Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) introduced the Innova CNG in India.

“Toyota is an environment conscious company committed to the cause of nurturing and protecting nature in its myriad forms. With CNG having established itself as an eco-friendly, reliable and economic fuel, TKM is pleased to announce India’s first ever energy efficient MPV in India. This is yet another step in our efforts to make the environment more inhabitable.”

The CNG Innova will be priced at around Rs 85000 higher than the current petrol version.

It can be recalled that the growing fuel costs have compelled every car maker to come up with an alternative fuel option cars in the market. There has been a surge in demand for such model in markets like India which are extremely price sensitive.

(Source) A Pakistan News

Tags: alternative fuel, car brand, Cars, CNG, diesel fuel, fuel costs, fuel option, India, mpv, Toyota, toyota innova, toyota kirloskar motor

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Cleaner but costlier! This is perhaps what best sums up this recent news that Morocco can enjoy cleaner diesel fuel by April 2009. What made it cleaner? With a lower sulphur content of no more than 50 parts per million, lesser pollution seems to be on the horizon for Moroccans once the gradual introduction of this new diesel comes out.

Price is another story though as local folks expect this new fuel to be costlier. But then again, you should expect that if extra means of manufacturing are employed for a cleaner and less polluted environment.

However, a couple of dirhams should not be criticized that much. We all encountered the rough price of fuel when they spiked late last year and the fact that we want to use our car carries certain consequences. In this case, you just have to add a little more to enjoy the comforts of private transportation.

“The new 50 ppm diesel went on sale on January 1st, 2009, replacing 350 diesel at its base price, which is 10.13 dirhams a litre”

via Magharebia

Tags: cleaner fuel, diesel fuel, litre, moroccans, morocco, polluted environment, pollution, private transportation, sulphur content

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