Recharge Wrap-up: Elio presentation, Duke energy funds EV charging infrastructure

A recent presentation from Elio Motors is available for viewing on-demand. CEO Paul Elio talks about the lightweight, three-wheeled car his company is developing, as well as business plans. Elio discusses the "let your gas savings make your payments" program aimed at drivers of aging vehicles. Elio customers will get a credit card with a $300 limit on it with which to buy gas. Fuel charges on the card are charged triple, with the extra charges serving as car payments. Elio plans to sell through a direct model (like Tesla), and won't be packaging vehicle options. Additional features can be ordered, though, after manufacture through customization studios. Check out the full presentation at Virtual Investor Conferences.

Duke Energy is providing $1 million in funding for public EV charging infrastructure. The North Carolina-based company is offering up to $5,000 per charging port, 20,000 per site, or $50,000 per city for the installation of EV chargers. It is also providing $500,000 to cities for the installation of electric bus charging infrastructure. Duke Energy is offering the program as part of a settlement with the EPA over violations regarding illegal modifications to coal-fired power plants. Read more at Green Car Congress.

Malaysia is considering using B10 biodiesel. The Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities is meeting with automakers, many of which expressed concerns about the effects of biodiesel blends on engines. While the Malaysian Automotive Association said that anything above B7 could lead to sludge buildup in engines, Malaysian Palm Oil Board claims studies show that blending 10 percent palm methyl ester in petroleum diesel fuel was safe for all vehicles. Switching to B10 from B7 could also help raise crude palm oil prices by reducing Malaysia's stockpile. Read more at The Sun Daily.