GM Wants To Be New Leader In Diesel Powertrains

GM thinks the Volkswagen diesel cheating scandal has left a vacuum in the marketplace — a vacuum it would be only too happy to fill. Speaking at the Center for Automotive Research’s annual Management Briefing Seminars in Traverse City, Michigan last week, Dan Nicholson, GM’s vice president of global propulsion systems, said, “I am very optimistic about the diesel market in the U.S. It has been abandoned by others and we are happy to step in and be the leader. Frankly that’s what we’d like to do.”

Last month, Hinrich Woebcken, CEO of Volkswagen Group of America, told Automotive News that his company won’t relaunch “clean diesel” as a core element of its brand identity in the U.S. He said Volkswagen will use diesels where they make sense until at least 2019. After that,  tougher emissions regulations will make the diesel engines extremely difficult to certify for sale in the US.

Nicholson disagrees. He said the upcoming standards will be tougher, but not impossible to meet. “I think the U.S. is one of the few diesel growth markets on the planet. There are a lot of diesel intenders and diesel-loyal people who are looking for a brand and vehicles to go after. They tend to be more tech savvy than the average customer. And they won’t stop wishing for a diesel. And we’ll go after those customers.” GM currently offers a diesel engine in its Colorado midsize pickup trucks.

Nicholson also said GM wants more continuously variable transmissions. “We’re relatively bullish on CVTs,” he said. “We’re optimistic about CVTs in the U.S. market for front-wheel-drive applications up to a certain weight level. You will see more of that from GM in the future.”

To go down that road, GM would have to decide whether to obtain CVTs for its cars from an outside supplier or build them itself. GM currently sells only one car with a CVT — the Chevrolet Spark. That transmission is supplied by Jatco, a subsidiary of Nissan Motor Co.

“We are happy with the product we are buying today,” said Nicholson. “It is enjoying good success in the marketplace. We usually look at make-versus-buy and volumes.” Nissan has switched all of its volume cars, including the midsize Maxima, to CVT. Honda has also been replacing its traditional automatics with CVTs.

Nicholson would not rule out the possibility of producing a CVT through a partnership with Ford Motor Co. The two companies have jointly developed a 10-speed automatic for rear-wheel-drive vehicles, and a nine-speed automatic for fwd cars and crossovers.

That fact alone should tell you how things have changed in the auto industry. For decades, Ford and General Motors refused to work together. It was an era when the “Not invented here” syndrome made sure there was little to no interchange of ideas between the two companies. Ford would not comment on the possibility.

Source: Automotive News

2016 Audi Q7 Debuts With Plug-In Diesel Hybrid Option

Ahead of its debut in Detroit, the 2016 Audi Q7 has broken cover, trimming the fat, building muscle, and for the first time offering a plug-in hybrid diesel drivetrain. This will make the new Q7 among the lightest, most powerful, and most efficient full-size luxury SUVs ever built.

The days of overweight SUVs are coming to an end, and the 2016 Q7 is a perfect example of what’s now possible in terms of weight loss. Using both high-strength steel and loads of aluminum, Audi managed to trim some 700 pounds over the outgoing model, bringing the curb weight as low as 4,400 pounds, without actually making the Q7 noticeably smaller.

European buyers will have the option of a supercharged 3.0 liter gasoline V6 or an all-new 3.0 liter TDI engine with 272 horsepower and 443 lb-ft of torque on tap, which helps cut a full second off the 0 to 60 MPH time, from 7.3 to just 6.3 seconds. The 3.0 liter gas V6 has been improved in terms of power and acceleration too, zipping to 60 MPH in just 6.1 seconds instead of 7.3, though interestingly no mention of the promised electronic turbocharger. Though EPA fuel economy hasn’t been estimated, on the European scale the 2016 Audi Q7 uses 5.7 liters of fuel per 100km, which translates to about 41.3 MPG. That’s pretty damn good for a full-size SUV, but it gets even better with Audi’s first plug-in hybrid diesel drivetrain.

Pairing a 258 horsepower 3.0 liter TDI V6 with a with a 126 horsepower electric motor for total output of 373 horsepower, the quattro all-wheel drive enables 0 to 60 MPH acceleration of just 6.0 seconds and a top speed of 140 MPH. With a fully-charged battery, fuel economy is estimated to be 138 MPG, with Audi claiming an electric driving range of about 34 miles. On the American testing scale expect both numbers to come down dramatically, though the 2016 Audi Q7 should still offer unrivaled fuel economy in this class of cars with this unique drivetrain.

This is just the tip of the iceberg though, as the 2016 Q7 also includes a new take on an old technology, all-wheel steering, which will make the large SUV a lot more maneuverable. The predictive efficiency assistant is designed to help you get the most MPGs out of your large SUV, advising you on speed and other efficiency factors that could boost fuel economy as much as 10%.

The all-new Q7 is a big deal for Audi, and as one of the brand’s first production plug-in hybrids, it’s setting the bar high for expectations of Audi’s electrification plans.

Ford Bronco With EcoBoost And Diesel Options In The Works?

Once upon a time the Ford Bronco was highly-regarded among sport utility fans. It’s been decades since Ford built a new Bronco, and years since the last Bronco Concept crossed an auto show stage. So one has to wonder if the rumors of an EcoBoost-or-diesel-powered Ford Bronco isn’t just wishful thinking, or something really substantial.

According to unnamed Ford insiders, Ford is developing a 2015 Bronco concept based on the all-new 2015 Ford F-150 chassis, aimed at competing with the hot-selling Jeep Wrangler. Engine options would include the 5.0 liter V8, a 3.5 liter EcoBoost V6, and a 4.5 liter turbodiesel engine designed to compete with Chrysler’s own EcoDiesel engine. I wonder if the rumored “Nano” EcoBoost V6 might be on tap as well.

With the Jeep Wrangler slated to get a diesel engine as well, and a huge jump in diesel car sales in America, this could be an opportunity for Ford to test the waters for diesel engines of its own. Chrysler is selling every Wrangler it can build, and Ford has seen a lot of success with its own off-road entrant, the F-150 Raptor. Then again, Ford has also been rather successful with its hybrid car sales, and a hybrid Bronco could be fuel efficient and plenty of fun too.

A new Bronco could take the place of the Raptor, offering four-wheel drive as standard in both two-door and four-door configurations, same as the Wrangler. The name recognition is certainly there, and Ford is promising to launch almost two-dozen new models in 2014. Could a rugged new Bronco with EcoBoost and diesel power be among them?

I don’t want to get my hopes up, but the prospect is pretty damn enticing to me.

Source: Gearheads.org

2015 Chevy Colorado: A Midsize Pickup Packing Diesel Power

The rumors have proven true, and the answers of truck owners everywhere has been answered. Maybe. Today Chevrolet pulled by the covers on the all-new 2015 Chevy Colorado, a mid-size pickup packing a pair of small-displacement gasoline engines. A year after its 2014 debut, GM will begin offering a 2.8 liter Duramax diesel, making it America’s smallest diesel pickup.

With bolder looks and a lighter weight than its big brother, the Chevy Silverado, the 2015 Chevy Colorado manages to weigh some 900 pounds less than its larger sibling despite only being offered as an extended or crewcab model. The Colorado will be offered in WT (Work Trim), LT, and Z71 configurations for those looking to get some off-roading in.

At launch a pair of gasoline engines will be available, with the base motor being a 2.5 liter four-cylinder making 193 horsepower and 184 ft-lbs of torque. A 3.6 liter V6 will offer 302 horsepower and 270 ft-lbs of torque for those needing more grunt, but the real reason to get a Chevy Colorado won’t arrive until the 2016 model year.

That’s when the 2.8 liter Duramax diesel four-cylinder engine will become available, and while specific fuel economy and power specs aren’t available yet, we have a lot to look forward to. The Thai-built global Chevy Colorado uses the same engine to make some 200 horsepower and a monstrous 368 ft-lbs of torque. A six-speed automatic is the exclusive transmission option as of now, and isn’t likely to change given recent advancements in automatic transmission efficiency.

An all-new, much nicer interior seems to be a step up from the mid-size pickups of the past, and GM is betting it will have best-in-class fuel economy. The 2015 Chevy Colorado price hasn’t been discussed as of yet, though it should start right around $20,000, a bit more-expensive than the aging competition.

While we still have a ways to wait for fuel economy figures from the upcoming diesel engine, I have a very good feeling about the new Colorado. A diesel-powered midsize pickup? Just what I’ve been waiting for.

Source: Chevrolet

Nissan Titan Could Get Cummins Diesel Engine With Thursday Announcement

It’s taken awhile, but Americans are warming up to diesel engines once again, compelling automakers to put these efficient oil-burners in a wider variety of vehicles. The Nissan Titan, one of just two full-size Japanese pickups sold in the U.S., is rumored to be getting a diesel engine option with an announcement scheduled for Thursday morning.

These rumors first started circulating a couple of years ago, with Nissan and Cummins co-developing a four-cylinder diesel engine for the faltering Titan. That 2.8 liter engine was rumored to deliver a combined 28 mpg, along with 350 ft-lbs of torque. The current 5.6 liter V8 in the Nissan Titan gets just 15 mpg combined with just a bit more (385 ft-lbs) torque, so a diesel-engine option would just about double the Titan’s fuel economy.

It would also be one of just two full-size trucks to offer a smaller diesel engine option, along with the Ram 1500 EcoDiesel, which uses a 3.0 liter V6 with 410 ft-lbs of torque on tap. While GM, Ford, and Chrysler all offer massive, and massively powerful diesel engines, motors like the 6.7 liter I6 in the Ram 3500 are overkill for 99% of jobs outside of ranches or regular hauling. The only glimmer of hope for a four-cylinder diesel pickup came from outside the U.S.,when Indian automaker Mahindra wanted to import its TR20 diesel pickups. But that whole plan fell down like a drunk at a stair climbing competition, leading to lawsuits, hurt feelings, and no small diesel pickup for America.

A smaller diesel engine option would give the Nissan Titan something to differentiate it from other pickups in this price range, and could deliver fuel economy even better than the Ram EcoDiesel. Keep your fingers crossed kids, because like many of you, I’ve been waiting for a legit four-cylinder diesel pickup for years…and we might finally have one. The Nissan Titan diesel is expected to debut in the fall 0f 2014.

 Source: The Truth About Cars

2014 BMW 328d Rated At 32/45 MPG

The popularity of diesel engines in new cars is rising in America, though over in Germany driving diesels is a way of life. The BMW 328d is the latest diesel-powered sedan that Bimmer will offer to Americans, and it will also be the most efficient, boasting a 32 mpg city rating and an outstanding 45 mpg on the highway.

That makes the BMW 328d one of the most efficient cars on the road, even with the optional all-wheel drive xDrive system, which reduces ratings to 31/43. A wagon version is also available on the four-cylinder turbodiesel, which boasts an equally impressive 180 horsepower and 280 ft-lbs of torque.

You may remember that BMW initially believed their diesel 3-series would get up to a 48 mpg highway rating, so there may be a few disappointed engineers scratching their head in wonder. America’s fuel economy standards aren’t exactly diesel-friendly, though diesel owners regularly blow away government estimations. That’ll certainly help offset the $7,000 premium BMW plans to charge for their oil-burning sedan, which is the first of many diesel BMWs coming stateside.

With diesel fans looking for a luxurious touch in a sporty car (the 328d accelerarates from 0-60 mph in just 7.2 seconds), the BMW 328d couldn’t have chosen a better time to enter the American market.

These are precisely the alternate energy vehicles needed in our world today that will make a huge difference when adopted en masse.

 Source: AutoGuide

Chevrolet debuts 2014 Cruze Clean Turbo Diesel for US and Canada

2014 Cruze Clean Turbo Diesel engine. Click to enlarge.

Chevrolet is entering the US and Canadian diesel car markets this summer with a 2.0L turbo-diesel version of the Cruze. Assembled in Lordstown, Ohio, the 2014 Cruze Clean Turbo Diesel has demonstrated an estimated 42 mpg (5.6 l/100km) on the highway. Final fuel economy ratings and power specs will be released closer to the on-sale date.

The compact sedan’s new Tier 2 Bin 5 2.0L turbo-diesel engine is based on a proven 2.0L architecture already used in European models, where approximately 40% of all Cruze models sold feature a diesel engine. The GM engineering team—comprising engineers from the US, Germany and Italy—altered the base engine to address four main areas: emissions; on-board diagnostics; operation in more difficult environmental conditions; and operation at higher altitudes. The engine is manufactured in Kaiserslautern in Germany.

This Cruze Clean Turbo Diesel represents a new era in diesel performance for American cars. We’ve adapted a proven engine from Europe, the world’s diesel capital, and married it with the emissions-reducing technology that was perfected in the United States. It’s a great example of how Chevrolet’s global resources work harmoniously to produce the right product at the right time and for the right market.

—Jens Wartha, GM chief engineer

2014 Cruze Clean Turbo Diesel. Click to enlarge.

The US Cruze diesel produces an estimated 148 horsepower (110 kW) and estimated 258 lb-ft torque (350 N·m ) with 0-60 performance of 8.6 seconds—better than the Volkswagen Jetta TDI automatic and competitive with German diesel cars that dominate the US market, GM notes. (GM anticipates going head-to-head with the Jetta TDI.)

Peak torque is achieved at a low 2,000 rpm for a sustained feeling of power on demand at almost all speeds – particularly when passing or entering a freeway onramp.

The engine also has an overboost feature capable of increasing torque to an estimated 280 lb-ft (380 N·m), for stronger acceleration periods of about 10 seconds.

“Chevrolet has had a lot of success globally with the diesel engines. Based on our technology capability, we wanted to bring diesel in to the US. We’re bringing it at small scale; we believe that this vehicle will be very competitive.” —Cristi Landy - Director, Chevrolet Small Car and Electrified Vehicle Marketing

Cruze models in the United States and Canada offer a 1.4L turbo, a 1.4L Eco model and 1.8L naturally aspirated engine. The 2.0L turbo-diesel engine provides greater fuel economy than a comparably sized gasoline engine through greater thermal efficiency, a higher compression ratio and an unthrottled combustion process. It features an iron cylinder block and a forged steel crankshaft, each designed to stand up to the greater cylinder pressures that come with a turbo-diesel engine.

A lightweight aluminum cylinder head and aluminum intake manifold contribute to the engine’s comparatively low weight of 408 pounds (185 kg), helping the Cruze Clean Turbo Diesel deliver a balanced ride with outstanding handling characteristics. Additional highlights include:

• Dual overhead camshafts with four valves per cylinder and maintenance-free hydraulic lifters with low-friction roller-finger followers.
• Quiet belt-driven cams/valvetrain with high-strength belt material and tensioner rated for 100,000 miles.
• High-strength aluminum pistons with reinforced top ring and integral combustion bowl design.
• Central direct injection, with the injector positioned in the middle of the cylinder, with the bowl in the piston serving as the combustion chamber. This enables a high 16.5:1 compression ratio that enhances power and combustion efficiency.
• Variable-swirl intake manifold design, which optimizes air charge mixture motion in the cylinders for a more-efficient combustion that enhances performance and reduces emissions.
• Common-rail fuel system with Piezo fuel injectors that create multiple injections per combustion for greater performance, combustion efficiency and quietness.
• Variable-nozzle turbocharger that broadens the engine’s torque curve, particularly at low rpm, and supports greater high-rpm horsepower. It is mounted close to the exhaust outlet of the engine for quicker spool-up of the turbine and faster light-off of the exhaust catalyst.
• Intercooling system produces a cooler, denser air charge for greater power.
• Piston oil jets that help reduce friction and optimize piston temperature for greater performance and efficiency.
• Turbocharger bearings are oil-lubricated and cooled via an oil cooler.
• Variable-displacement oil pump helps save fuel by optimizing the oil pressure, which reduces friction.
• Vacuum pump designed for lower engine friction.
• Ceramic glow plugs, which provide greater cold-start performance over conventional metal glow plugs (an engine oil heater is offered for cold climates).
• B20 bio-diesel compatibility.

Quiet, smooth performance is enabled by a number of features on and around the engine. There are also sound-absorbing features added to the Cruze, specific to the diesel model, including a unique dash mat, hood blanket and more.

A precise exhaust gas recirculation control system features a high-capacity cooler and bypass feature that enable the engine to meet US and Canadian emissions regulations. The exhaust after-treatment system is similar to what is used on Chevrolet’s heavy-duty trucks and vans equipped with the Duramax diesel, including a diesel particulate filter and SCR system for NO_xreduction. (The SCR system in the Cruze is specific to the vehicle.)

An approximately 4.5-gallon (17 liters) tank in the Cruze Clean Turbo Diesel holds enough diesel emissions fluid to provide at least 10,000 miles (16,000 km) of driving between refills. The system is also designed for servicing to coincide with oil changes, for greater driver convenience.

With a starting price at $25,695, including a $810 destination charge (excludes tax, title, license, and dealer fees) Cruze Clean Turbo Diesel comes with a six-speed automatic transmission, four-wheel antilock disc brakes, 3.20 final drive ratio, 140-amp alternator, 800 cold-cranking amps battery, 17-inch alloy wheels, ultra-low-rolling resistance all-season tires, rear spoiler, Aero Performance Package and leather-appointed seating.

Other standard features include Chevrolet’s infotainment system MyLink, a two-year maintenance plan, and a five-year 100,000 mile powertrain warranty.

Chevrolet is planning a limited roll-out initially for what it anticipates will be a lower volume vehicle, starting with 13 markets,followed by a national rollout. Cristi Landy - Director, Chevrolet Small Car and Electrified Vehicle Marketing, noted that the company has “found it to be a good thing” to do a focused launch on a lower volume vehicle.

This initial launch will include the West Coast, some cities in the central US, and a few cities in the East.

Source: Green Car Congress

Ford Confirms New 5-Cylinder Diesel For North America

While European automakers like Volkswagen have not been shy about importing diesel engines from Europe, Ford has been coy, even going so far as to say diesels don’t “make sense” for America. But the Blue Oval seems to have changed its mind with the announcement that the Ford Transit van will be available with a 3.2 liter 5-cylinder diesel engine right here in North America.

The press release doesn’t specifically say the U.S., though the engine will be installed in Ford’s Claycomo, Missouri assembly plant, which received a $1.1 billion investment to build the new Transit van. The Transit van will also be one of the only vans on the market available with a turbocharged engine in the form of an EcoBoost motor.

The 3.2 liter DuraTorq engine option is good news for Ford fans, who were limited to diesel offerings in Ford’s big Super Duty pickups. Rated at 197 horsepower and 347 ft-lbs of torque, in the global Ford Ranger platform this engine has enough power to tow a locomotive…literally.

Alas, Ford still doesn’t seem to have any plans on bringing the Ranger to America. Yet a fuel-efficient five-cylinder diesel engine is a great first step to re-introducing America to the potential of clean diesel. The engine is also expected to be B20 biodiesel compatible,and in the Ranger can deliver an average of 28 mpg, though some drivers have reported 35 mpg or more during testing.

Diesel is making a comeback in America…and even Ford is getting on board.

Source: Ford

EPA awarding $30M for clean diesel projects

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is awarding $30 million for clean dieselprojects as part of its ongoing campaign to reduce harmful diesel exhaust. The Diesel Emission Reduction Program (DERA) is designed to replace, retrofit or repower older diesel-powered engines in marine vessels, locomotives, trucks and buses.

DERA was enacted in 2005 and since it was first funded in FY 2008, EPA has awarded more than 500 grants nationwide.

Winners of this year’s awards were selected based on a proposal’s potential for maximizing health and environmental benefits by targeting areas that have significant air quality issues. New this year is an increased funding availability per award that will allow EPA to target larger engines used in marine vessels and locomotives, which will result in significant emissions reduced per engine.

Volkswagen Announces Beetle TDI Clean diesel Ahead of Chicago Auto Show

It's been six years since the last Volkswagen Beetle TDI was on sale in North America, but Volkswagen has now announced a brand new model.

Due to be launched at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show, the 2013 Volkswagen Beetle TDI is set to combine retro style with modern-day gas mileage.

VW is predicting fuel economy of 29 mpg city, and 39 mpg highway. That's slightly off the ratings for VW's own Jetta TDI, which manages 42 mpg highway, but the EPA's ratings have been quite conservative with that car so the Beetle could prove to be particularly frugal in real-world driving.

The Beetle's 2.0-liter, turbocharged clean diesel engine makes 140 horsepower and 236 pounds-feet of torque, so performance should be sprightly.

Counterweights on the crankshaft reduce that traditional diesel rattle and balancer shafts help further smooth out the engine.

A choice of six-speed manual or VW's DSG six-speed dual-clutch transmission will be available.

To differentiate the exterior from other models, the TDI gets a new 17-inch alloy wheel design, TDI badging and a chrome trim line along the side window line. Inside, TDIs gain a supplementary instrument pod with oil temperature and turbo boost gauges, and a stopwatch.

The 2013 Volkswagen Beetle TDI will join the 25 mpg, 5-cylinder and turbocharged gasoline variants from summer this year. The 2012 Chicago Auto Show gets underway in just under a week.



Source: Green Car Reports

Mercedes to Offer 2013 GLK Crossover with Diesel Powertrain

The Mercedes-Benz GLK crossover is fairly new to the U.S. market, launching in 2009 as a 2010 model. As the least-expensive sport-utility vehicle to wear the three-pointed star, the GLK is intended as a gateway vehicle to the brand for young families.

The compact SUV will get a refresh for the 2013 model year, and Automotive News (subscription required) quotes Mercedes-Benz USA CEO Steve Cannon as confirming a diesel-engine option for the next GLK.

That makes the compact crossover the sixth Mercedes-Benz model to be offered on these shores with diesel power.

While the other five use a 3.0-liter turbodiesel V-6, the GLK will get a more fuel-efficient and cost-effective four-cylinder--fitted, like the others, with the BlueTEC emissions aftertreatment system.

Motor Authority believes that Mercedes will use its 2.1-liter, four-cylinder turbodiesel engine, which is already emissions-certified for sale in the U.S. market.

Based on Mercedes’ current success with diesel-powered ML and GL models here, expectations are high for the diesel GLK. Cannon sees the new model pushing sales into the “high 30s,” compared to 2011 sales of 24,310 units.

Mercedes-Benz currently offers a much wider range of diesel options than either Audi (which currently sells the Q7 and A3 in diesel variants) or BMW (which offers its X5 and 3-Series with diesels).

Unlike Asian automakers, the Germans aren’t eager to write off diesels in the U.S. market. They're expanding their offerings as one way to meet increasingly stringent corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) rules.

And sales of diesel passenger vehicles are growing at a faster rate than those of hybrids--although from a smaller base.

Source: Green Car Reports

Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) switching to buses that run on natural gas

Enlarge Image

Dispatch File Photo

COTA began using hybrid buses that run on electricity and diesel fuel last year, but but officials say the compressed-natural-gas alternative looks more promising.

Central Ohio Transit Authority officials say they see little downside in a planned switch to buses that run cheaper, quieter and cleaner on compressed natural gas.

They plan to buy natural gas-burning buses as early as 2013 — new pumps must be installed first — and they think federal grants will be available to cover much of the cost. The new buses cost more to buy but less to fuel and repair.

“We’ve tested a good number of alternative fuels,” said Pat Stephens, COTA’s vice president for operations. “We believe it offers us the best opportunity to be responsible in reducing our fuel costs and to be responsible environmentally.”

Most buses now run on ultra-low-sulfur diesel, which has cost COTA an average of $3.10 per gallon this year. An equivalent amount of compressed natural gas costs $1.13.

COTA President and CEO Bill Lhota said the transit authority will continue to test hybrid buses that run on electricity and diesel fuel, but the compressed-natural-gas alternative looks more promising.

“It has a lot of things going for it,” he said. “I could see a mix.”

COTA has tested fuel alternatives in recent years in an effort to save money and reduce emissions. In 2007, the agency completed a federally mandated switch to the ultra-low-sulfur diesel but stopped buying a biodiesel blend when the cost got too high.

Six hybrids that hit the road in 2010 saved $3,600 a month on fuel, but they cost an extra $230,000 each.

Buses that burn compressed natural gas cost $40,000 more each but also require new fuel pumps and changes to maintenance facilities that would total $12.4 million. COTA officials said federal grants designed to steer agencies toward more-environmentally friendly fuels should pay most of that expense, as well.

Buses last about 12 years, so COTA will start buying natural-gas-burning buses as replacements. Stephens said the agency won’t retrofit any of its nearly 300 diesel buses.

Sam Spofforth, executive director of Clean Fuels Ohio, a group that promotes alternative fuels, said vehicles that run on compressed natural gas have come down in price in recent years.

Natural gas is neither toxic nor carcinogenic, and it doesn’t harm soil, surface water or groundwater. Clean Fuels Ohio encourages its use and is overseeing an $11 million federal grant to help convert fleets and install natural-gas fuel pumps.

Diesel has become cleaner, too, though, Spofforth said.

“Compressed natural gas used to be considerably better environmentally but not a good economic choice,” he said. “Today, compressed natural gas is significantly better economically and marginally better environmentally.”

The American Public Transportation Association estimates that 18.6 percent of the nation’s buses are powered by compressed natural gas, liquefied natural gas or blends. More than 65 percent still run on diesel fuel.

The Metro Regional Transit Authority in Akron stopped buying buses using compressed natural gas in 2008 after pipelines and processing plants in the Gulf of Mexico were knocked out by Hurricanes Gustav and Ike.

Prices fell in 2009, though, and the agency resumed plans to convert its fleet. About half its buses run on compressed natural gas.

The extra costs are recouped after about four years of fuel savings, said Dean Harris, the Akron authority’s director of finance.

Stephens said COTA’s research found natural-gas prices to be less volatile than those of diesel fuel. Also, the U.S. produces lots of natural gas, including in Ohio.

Source: Columbus Dispatch

US EPA awards $50M for clean diesel projects

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded $50 million for clean diesel projects. These efforts will replace, retrofit or repower more than 8,000 older school buses, trucks, locomotives, vessels, and other diesel-powered machines.

Diesel engines emit 7.3 million tons of smog-forming nitrogen oxides (NO_x) and 333,000 tons of soot annually. Diesel pollution is linked to thousands of premature deaths, hundreds of thousands of asthma attacks and millions of lost work days. While EPA’s standards significantly reduce emissions from newly manufactured engines, clean diesel projects funded through these grants will work to address the more than 11 million older diesel engines that continue to emit higher levels of harmful pollution.

From 2008 to 2010, EPA has awarded nearly $470 million to more than 350 grantees across the nation under the diesel emissions reduction program (also known as DERA). The grant-supported clean diesel projects have cleaned or replaced more than 50,000 vehicles and equipment nationwide. Grants under DERA, in addition to the clean diesel program grants, include:

• National Funding Assistance Program grants
• Emerging Technologies grants
• SmartWay Finance Program grants
• Direct State Allocations

Every state will receive funding for clean diesel projects through direct state allocations. Additionally, EPA plans to award more than 50 grants across the nation. This year for the first time, the following territories can now receive direct state allocation funds: Puerto Rico, Guam, the US Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. EPA’s National Clean Diesel Campaign works cooperatively with state and local air agencies, tribes, communities, environmental groups, and the diesel industry to help control diesel emissions.

Source: Green Car Congress