Autoblog

2010 Nissan Leaf electric car: In person, in depth - and U.S. bound [*UPDATED w/vids & live photos]

Chris Paukert — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 21:48:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Japan, Technology, Hatchback, Nissan, Design/Style, Electric

2010 Nissan Leaf EV - Click above for hi-res gallery

It would be easy to paint Nissan as late to the burgeoning U.S. green party, as the company essentially only counts the Altima Hybrid to sell among its alt-fuel offerings - and that sedan utilizes technology borrowed from Toyota, and it's only sold in a few states in small volumes. While that may be the case, Nissan says their near-term prospects are really quite different. While the company has admittedly been cautious in marketing alt-fuel vehicles in North America, they have been hard at work developing electric vehicles - as well as the advanced lithium-ion batteries to support them - since 1992. What's more, officials say they are now singularly well-placed to leapfrog "transitional" powertrain solutions like gas-electric hybrids in favor of genuine zero-emissions vehicles, and they are promising that their first pure-electric car will reach U.S. shores late next year.

That car, the Nissan Leaf shown here, is the reason we find ourselves in the company's brand-new Yokohama headquarters today. Designed as a four-to-five seat, front-drive C-segment hatchback, Nissan says the Leaf is not just for use as a specialty urban runabout, but rather, it was designed as an everyday vehicle - a "real car" whose 160-kilometer+ (100 mile) range meets the needs of 70% of the world's motorists. In the case of U.S. consumers, Nissan says that fully 80% of drivers travel less than 100km per day (62 miles), making the Leaf a solid fit for America's motoring majority, even taking into account power-sapping external factors like hilly terrain, accessory draw, and extreme temperatures.

We were afforded an advance look at the Leaf ahead of the car's unveiling today, and while it was a hands-off affair, we did have the chance to formulate some in-the-metal first impressions and take a deep dive into the car's technology. Click through to the jump to learn all about it.

Gallery: 2010 Nissan Leaf EV

Gallery: 2010 Nissan Leaf EV- Yokohama Introduction

Continue reading 2010 Nissan Leaf electric car: In person, in depth - and U.S. bound [*UPDATED w/vids & live photos]

2010 Nissan Leaf electric car: In person, in depth - and U.S. bound [*UPDATED w/vids & live photos] originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 01 Aug 2009 21:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A Call for Green: AT&T to add 15,000 alt-fuel vehicles to fleet

Sam Abuelsamid — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 15:56:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Green, Electric

Click above to watch video after the jump

Although AT&T claims it wants to be more sustainable, today's announcement from the telecom behemoth is more about cutting operating expenses as fuel costs climb. Whatever the reason, the addition of 15,000 alternative fuel vehicles to the company's fleet over the next decade is a good thing. The phone company will be spending as much as $565 million over that time period to turn over much of its fleet of service and support vehicles. The lucky automaker who will get this big order hasn't been named yet, but AT&T has said it will be a domestic automaker and a domestic supplier will be used to convert the vehicles to run on CNG.

Approximately 8,000 compressed natural gas fueled trucks and vans will be deployed, starting mainly in California where there are already a significant number of CNG filling stations available. AT&T will also work with suppliers to install up to 40 more CNG stations in the areas where it operates.

Passenger cars that are used by customer service personnel will also be replaced with new hybrid vehicles. The first 800 vehicles will be put into service this year. Check out the video and press release after the jump.

UPDATE: The Detroit Free Press reports that Ford will be the lucky recipient of AT&T's large order of vehicles. Thanks for the tip, Fadi!

[Source: AT&T]

Continue reading A Call for Green: AT&T to add 15,000 alt-fuel vehicles to fleet

A Call for Green: AT&T to add 15,000 alt-fuel vehicles to fleet originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 Mar 2009 15:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota seriously considering separate Prius brand

Chris Tutor — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 11:19:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Green, Scion, Toyota

This isn't the first time we've heard that Toyota might spin off the Prius as a separate brand much like Scion. But we now have the most concrete news about the automaker's plans we've seen yet.

Micheline Maynard of The New York Times talked with James E. Lentz, president of Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. recently who said he was actively lobbying Toyota for the Prius brand spinoff and that the company was working on future models to expand the lineup. Lentz said he was pushing for a Yaris-sized Prius and a "Prius on steroids." He wouldn't comment on rumors of a Prius crossover, however. Lentz also said the new line would be sold alongside Toyota vehicles instead of separately like the company's Lexus brand.

When might this new Prius brand be approved by Toyota? Lentz would only say that he has a meeting in Japan next month.

Maynard writes that in all her years covering Toyota, "...I can say that executives rarely talk this much about an idea unless it is under active discussion, so the chances of a Prius brand are probably pretty good."

[Source: The New York Times]

Toyota seriously considering separate Prius brand originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 11 Oct 2008 11:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Could U.S. become net exporter of gasoline?

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 17:32:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Etc., Green

A number of factors are conspiring to create a situation that recently would have been unthinkable: the United States as a supplier of gasoline to world markets. According to Booz & Company, those factors are the rise of biofuels in the West, the introduction of plug-in electric and other alternative fuel vehicles, and the growth of the really cheap car, like the Tata Nano.

The United States imports oil to feed its gasoline habit, but the U.S. has refining capacity that developing nations cannot match. The U.S. is also lowering its reliance on traditional gasoline due to the price, states' mandates on switching to biofuels, and the dawn of mass market alternative fuel vehicles. This adds up to the United States importing oil, and then selling it to nations like India and China to feed their larger appetites for gasoline.

In the middle of all of this are the refineries, who made predictions for today's business plans two decades ago. Sure, no one is crying for them -- they need extra pages to include the zeros on their profit statements -- but they have to start figuring out who's going to need which products and how they are going to deliver them. And, by refining company standards, they need to do it quickly, which is a method of operation they aren't well versed in.

[Source: Green Car Congress via Kicking Tires; Photo CC 2.0 - National Archives]

Could U.S. become net exporter of gasoline? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 28 Aug 2008 17:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ronn Motors' Scorpion: 450 horses, 40 miles to the gallon

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 17:58:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Green

Hydrogen has been touted as a viable fuel source for decades, and seemingly every day, some new or upcoming hydrogen-powered milestone is reached or discussed. However, in nearly every case, hydrogen is being touted as a standalone fuel source. But what about using pure hydrogen mixed with gasoline to increase fuel economy and reduce emissions?

Ronn Motors, of Texas, has built a car it claims will do does just that. Called the Scorpion, the engine is a 3.5-liter, six-cylinder VTEC from Acura, equipped with two turbos and an intercooler to take it from 280 hp to 450 hp. The turbo'd six is connected to an on-demand hydrogen system that breaks down water molecules and holds them in a non-pressurized tank which doesn't necessitate the need for a hydrogen refueling station. The hydrogen is drawn through the intake manifold and between 30 and 40 percent hydrogen is mixed with the gasoline. As less gas is used, Ronn Motors says the Scorpion can do 40 mpg.

DuPont Registry just named the Scorpion a Publisher's Choice as "one of America's first premium eco-exotics." True, the Tesla might be more eco, but to our eyes the Scorpion (rendering) has got the exotic thing properly nailed. But when can you get one? According to Ronn, the car will be out this fall. And when you want to get it off the lot, the 2,100-pound Scorpion will supposedly take you to 60 in no more than 3.5 seconds. Ronn will probably even throw in a full tank of gas... and water. You'll need to provide the take-home money: $150,000. Click the link to get the full story, and check out the gallery of hi-res images below.

Gallery: Ronn Motors Scorpion

[Source: Ronn Motors]

Ronn Motors' Scorpion: 450 horses, 40 miles to the gallon originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 Jul 2008 17:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM tells the Feds that the Volt and plug-ins aren't going to help with CAFE

Michael Harley — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 17:56:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Government/Legal

With the Feds eager to keep raising the bar on CAFE standards, and apparently doing so based on proposed future technologies, General Motors Corp. bluntly told federal regulators not to count on the Chevrolet Volt, or other planned plug-in hybrids, when proposing new rules. GM is maintaining the position that those vehicles will be built in such low numbers through 2015, that they won't make a significant enough impact on the fleet. As it stands, Chevy plans to be build 10,000 Volts in 2011 (the first year of production), and 60,000 the following year... and meeting those numbers is highly dependent on outside suppliers for battery and technology delivery (let's hope they don't mimic the problems Toyota is having with the Prius battery supply). It was earlier this year when the NHTSA proposed a 25 percent increase in fuel economy rules from 2011 through 2015. It has been estimated that meeting those standards would cost GM about $17.3 billion. Although GM isn't trying to skirt tougher regulations, it is their goal to set "reasonable perspectives" with regulators. At a time when GM is struggling to survive (and they are not alone), the CAFE noose just may need to be loosened a bit.

Gallery: 2011 Chevy Volt - spy pics

[Source: Freep]

GM tells the Feds that the Volt and plug-ins aren't going to help with CAFE originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Jul 2008 17:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VW working on internal combustion 2.0

Dan Roth — Sat, 16 Dec 2006 13:21:00 EST

Filed under: Trends, Etc., Technology, Volkswagen

Picture this: we're no longer beholden to energy resources from unstable regions and we're no longer burning petroleum-based fuels in our cars. Despite the radical change in fuels, engines are largely the same, as is the fuelling infrastructure. While it sounds like a nice dream, Volkswagen has been hard at work making it reality. They've combined aspects of diesel and gasoline engines into their Combined Combustion System, realizing efficiency gains and emissions reductions.

Using Bosch piezo injectors that operate like those in diesel engines, providing multiple squirts of fuel directly into the cylinder prior to top dead center and after ignition, the CCS engine can achieve a long burn while keeping cylinder temperatures and pressure at bay. Holding the cylinder temps down also reduces oxides of nitrogen in the exhaust, the main problem with lean-burning engines' emissions. VW also has plans to use this engine technology as part of a hybrid drivetrain.

The most exciting part of the whole project is the new fuel that Volkswagen co-developed with German firm Choren Industries. The new fuel is synthetic and based on a combination of planted crops, bio-degradeable trash and waste from forest industries. That's right, it runs on trash, gets better mileage, doesn't pay a power penalty, can be filled up from conventional-style pumps and doesn't help fund unstable tinhorns. Put that in your tank and burn it!

More pictures after the jump

[Source: Autocar]

Continue reading VW working on internal combustion 2.0

VW working on internal combustion 2.0 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 16 Dec 2006 13:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Paris Preview: methane-powered Fiats

Noah Joseph — Sun, 17 Sep 2006 19:03:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Budget, Hybrid, Green, Technology, Paris Motor Show

In addition to the higher-output Panda Sport, Fiat will be showing two new methane-powered vehicles at the Paris show at the end of the month. Over the past year, across Europe, Fiat has sold 24,000 methane-powered cars; the major advantage being reduced CO2 emissions.

The rather oddly-named Panda Panda (shown) is a flexible-fuel vehicle that can run on either methane or conventional gasoline, going on sale in Italy beginning January. Using the floor-plan from the four-wheel-drive Panda but driving only through the front wheels, the supplemental methane tanks are placed where the 4WD mechanicals would be, giving the Panda Panda the bonus of increased range.

The Multipla Multi-eco concept, meanwhile, runs on methane, gasoline or E85 bioethanol. Like the Panda Panda, the methane is stored in separate tanks, while the main tank takes either gas or bioethanol, leaving the ECU to switch modes automatically according to the fuel used.

We're still waiting for our flying DeLorean that runs on either plutonium or garbage, with a flux capacitor pumping out 1.21 gigawatts!

(More pics of the Panda Panda after the jump.)

[Sources: Fiat, Autocar]

Continue reading Paris Preview: methane-powered Fiats

Paris Preview: methane-powered Fiats originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 17 Sep 2006 19:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BP announces $500 million biofuels research center

Stuart Waterman — Sat, 17 Jun 2006 19:54:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid

BP plans to make a major investment in alternative energy sources, funding "radical research" at a new bioscience energy research lab. Outlining a ten-year program costing $500 million, BP chief executive Lord Browne said Wednesday that the company plans to site the lab at a major academic center in the U.S. or the U.K., with talks already underway with several universities.

The BP Energy Biosciences Institute intends to launch its first research programs by late 2007, with initial focus in three areas:

developing new biofuel components and improving the efficiency of petroleum/biofuel blends
more efficient extraction of biofuels from feedstock
developing plant species with higher biofuel yield, that can be grown on land not suited for food crops

[Source: BP]

BP announces $500 million biofuels research center originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 17 Jun 2006 19:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cadillac Escalade leading charge as gas guzzlers flourishing despite fuel prices?

Chris Paukert — Thu, 18 May 2006 11:32:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Trends, Hybrid, SUV, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GM, GMC

Despite all the carping about gasoline prices these days, sales of Cadillac's new Escalade and their ilk are boomin' louder than the gigawatt stereos they often house.

So says MSNBC, which points out that despite post-Katrina price shocks and media outlets trumpeting hybrids and new small car offerings, U.S. consumption of unleaded hooch is actually rising. In fact, fully one-in-four new cars sold in America houses a V8 engine under its hood. SUVs outpoint hybrid sales 23-1. The 'King of Bling,' Cadillac's Escalade saw its sales jump a whopping 127 percent last month.

So what gives?

While it appears that MSNBC is basing its assertions about the surprising resiliency of SUVs squarely on the load points of General Motors' massively improved GMT900 trucks, it has a point. For all of the hype surrounding the newer generation of crossover vehicles and more fuel efficient body-on-frame SUVs, conventional cars and wagons with smaller displacement engines remain significantly better when judged by a fuel gauge. And yet a good portion of American consumers won't touch them, despite their inherently superior driving dynamics and often greater cargo capacity.

So... has the death knell of the SUV been prematurely sounded? Is the American motoring lifestyle inextricably linked to large, high horsepower vehicles? Or are GM's revised full-sizers riding a wave soon to reach the shore? Have your say in 'Comments.'

[Sources: MSNBC.com; Skeptically.org]

Cadillac Escalade leading charge as gas guzzlers flourishing despite fuel prices? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 18 May 2006 11:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM, DaimlerChrysler, BMW debut new full hybrid system

Stuart Waterman — Thu, 27 Apr 2006 06:56:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Green, Technology, BMW, Daimler, GM

The Global Hybrid Cooperation partnership - a joint venture of General Motors, DaimlerChrysler and BMW - took the wraps off its new state-of-the-art "full hybrid" system Thursday.

The system integrates electric motors with a fixed-gear transmission into a unit comparable in size and complexity to a conventional automatic transmission. The magic happens via the unit's combination of four fixed gears with two electric continuously variable transmission (ECVT) modes, granting a total of six distinct operating modes:

Input-split ECVT mode, or continuously variable Mode 1, operates from vehicle launch through the second fixed gear ratio.
Compound-split ECVT mode, or continuously variable Mode 2, operates after the second fixed gear ratio.
First fixed-gear ratio with both electric motors available to boost the internal combustion engine or capture and store energy from regenerative braking, deceleration and coasting.
Second fixed-gear ratio with one electric motor available for boost/braking,
Third fixed-gear ratio with two electric motors available for boost/braking.
Fourth fixed-gear ratio with one electric motor available for boost/braking.

In comparison to conventional hybrid systems, the GHC design is claimed to provide better combined city/highway fuel economy, better performance, and better towing capability.

More details in the full press release after the jump.

[Source: DaimlerChyrsler]

Continue reading GM, DaimlerChrysler, BMW debut new full hybrid system

GM, DaimlerChrysler, BMW debut new full hybrid system originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Apr 2006 06:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota to venture into E85

Erin Mays — Thu, 20 Apr 2006 07:06:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Green, Marketing/Advertising, Toyota

Could it be? Toyota is taking a page from a book by General Motors and other U.S. automakers by announcing plans to offer flex-fuel vehicles that run on E85 fuel or gasoline by 2008. Toyota had resisted the urge up until now, due to the risk of fuel corroding the rubber engine seals, but the company isn't exactly one to stay out of an alternative fuel party for very long. Initially, the Japanese carmaker will offer the models in ethanol-happy Brazil, and rather than announce plans to expand into the U.S., Toyota suggested that Americans switch to blends of fuel with 10 percent ethanol (which most traditional gasoline engines can handle), making the gasoline savings more widespread.

Toyota to venture into E85 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 20 Apr 2006 07:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Transcontinental with a little help from Daryl Hannah, cow patties and corn whiskey

Chris Paukert — Mon, 17 Apr 2006 10:02:00 EST

Filed under: Trends, Hybrid, Etc., Green, Technology

Cable network Outdoor Life Network (OLN) is set to debut a 13-part television series featuring actress Daryl Hannah, a modified Chevrolet S-10, hemp oil, and an AstroTurf-covered 1982 Volkswagen Jetta that runs on bio diesel. Coolfuel: Roadtrip charts the journey of Australian Shaun Murphy (and his Jack Russell terrier, Sparky) as he traverses 30 states on 30 unique vehicles, running solely on alternative fuels.

Highlights include a bio diesel Hummer limousine, an Electra Cruiser electric Harley-Davidson motorcycle, and a BMW Z3 that runs on corn whiskey.

Coolfuel: Roadtrip premieres Tuesday on OLN at 8 pm Eastern.

Check out the link for the show's website, which includes video clips, images, and alternative fuel educational resources.

Transcontinental with a little help from Daryl Hannah, cow patties and corn whiskey originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Apr 2006 10:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SAE puts a timeline on powertrain futures

Joel Arellano — Sat, 08 Apr 2006 09:03:00 EST

Filed under: Trends, Hybrid, Green, Technology

At the annual Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) World Congress this week, speakers and members outlined what powertrains and alternative fuel sources will move tomorrow's vehicles.

All agreed the gasoline engine will continue to dominate the North American market, the world's largest, until at least 2020. However, with technologies such as direct injection and turbocharging, the future gasoline engine may scarcely be recognizable as it delivers fuel economies nearly equal to today's best diesel. As for diesel, panelists noted such engines, which already dominate in Europe, will constitute around 25-percent of cars sold in the U.S. within 15 to 20 years.

Interestingly, everyone was in agreement that hybrids such as the Toyota Prius would probably never go fully mainstream in the market. Even Toyota representative Dave Hermance stated that a 25-percent share would be 'optimistic.'

Other powertrain technologies discussed were BMW's lean-burn engines and hybrid types.

Where do you see future powertrains? Fire away in Comments.

[Source: The Car Connection]

SAE puts a timeline on powertrain futures originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 08 Apr 2006 09:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rapeseed of War between food industry, biodiesel advocates

Joel Arellano — Fri, 07 Apr 2006 18:03:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Government/Legal, Green

According to the Nutraingredients.com, there is currently a heated debate between the food industry and biodiesel advocates in Europe over the use rapeseed oil. The European Union seeks to increase the percentage of biofuel used in transportation from the current 2.5-pct to 5.7-pct by the year 2010 and rapeseed oil is a major source for the alternative fuel.

It's also a source for many food products such as margarine and sauces. Food industry organizations, such as the International Margarine Association of the Countries of Europe (IMACE), point to the already high price commanded by rapeseed oil in the marketplace. They argue that increasing the biodiesel requirement will negatively impact them and consumers. The biodiesel industry replies that the food industry has the ability to replace rapeseed oil in their products. As for the high price, the industry goes on to say that legislation will have to be implemented anyway to keep biodiesel prices comparable to regular diesel.

Consumer reluctance to purchase imported rapeseed oil has only served to compound the issue.

[Source: Nutraigredients.com]

Rapeseed of War between food industry, biodiesel advocates originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 07 Apr 2006 18:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Podcast #28

John Neff — Fri, 07 Apr 2006 12:25:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts

Boom shalaka-laka, the 28th Autoblog Podcast is here. On today's episode, the intrepid Christopher Paukert and myself go over Audi's ostentatious debut of its new TT coupe, observe a moment of silence for the industry's loss of MPH Magazine and finally, we get all green up in this thing talking about my experience with a 2003 Volkswagen Jetta TDi that runs on grease from a dumpster. Good times... hope you enjoy.

Get the podcast
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Hosts
John Neff and Chris Paukert

Producer
John Neff

Length
34:08

Autoblog Podcast #28 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 07 Apr 2006 12:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Alternative Fuels Act introduced in Congress

John Neff — Sun, 26 Mar 2006 11:41:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Government/Legal, Green

Senators Barack Obama (D-IL) and Richard Lugar (R-IN) introduced the American Fuels Act of 2006 to the U.S. Senate last week, a bill designed to promote bio and alternative fuels in the hopes of reducing the nation's dependence on foreign oil.

The bill includes some interesting ideas, including an Alternative Diesel standard that requires 5-percent of the nation's annual diesel pool be comprised of alternative diesels, a tax credit for automakers of $100 per flex-fuel vehicle produced, allowing the public access to alternative fueling stations on federal property and, this one's a biggie, the establishment of the Office of Energy Security, complete with its own cabinet member, the Director of Energy Security.

We're curious to know if you think this new bill has teeth or if its another case of a pair of politicians flapping their gums.

[Source: GreenCarCongress]

Alternative Fuels Act introduced in Congress originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 26 Mar 2006 11:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hybrid vehicles to gain same tax deductions as large SUVs

Joel Arellano — Sun, 05 Mar 2006 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Trends, Hybrid

Senate Finance Committee chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, and Sen. Max Baucus, D-Montana, have submitted a bill that would give tax deductions available for large SUVs (those weighing more than three tons) used by businesses to those companies using hybrid vehicles in their fleets. The bill adds up to an additional $25,000 deduction to already existing $100,000 available deductions for hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles. Finally, all owners of hybrid vehicles get up to $3,150 in tax credit as well.

More details at the link.

[Source: Associated Press via Monterey Herald]

Hybrid vehicles to gain same tax deductions as large SUVs originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 05 Mar 2006 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Does the U.S. face dependence on foreign ethanol?

Stuart Waterman — Thu, 23 Feb 2006 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Trends, Hybrid

Well, not exactly, but President Bush's current fascination with E85 fuel aside, problems with widespread adoption of high ethanol content fuels go far beyond the lack of special pumps at your corner gas station-- the U.S. has an E85 shortage, and we're importing ethanol from Brazil to make up the shortfall.

The reason? Too much demand, and not enough supply, a conondrum that leads to shortages and high prices.

Oil companies that still use MTBE (Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether to you chemists) to oxygenate gasoline are rapidly shifting to using ethanol instead, to avoid the public health hazard created by the additive (and the attendant lawsuits). While much of the U.S. already uses E10 blended gasoline, the East Coast and Texas region still depend on MTBE-blended fuel.

Unfortunately, U.S. ethanol production is running at capacity, and there isn't enough U.S. ethanol to replace all that MTBE. U.S. capacity will increase as new facilities eventually come on line, but that isn't solving this year's problem.

Already, ethanol prices have been driven high enough that E85 is selling for as much or more than gasoline, even though its energy content is lower (leading to comparatively lower fuel efficiency). Things will get worse before they get better, with CNN/Money reporting that the ethanol shortage will affect regions depending on it to replace MTBE... leading to high prices and possible fuel shortages on the East Coast and in Texas.

Does the U.S. face dependence on foreign ethanol? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 23 Feb 2006 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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