Common Resources

LNG As A Truck Fuel Just Got Cleaner

Replacing diesel fuel in heavy-duty (18-wheeler) trucks with liquefied natural gas has been getting more attractive with every drop in natural gas prices, to the point where the time it takes to pay back a $70,000 added investment cost is under two years (as these trucks are driven 125,000 miles per year). Yet, aside from […]

Advanced Technology Vehicles: The Chicken and Egg Conundrum

Over the past 30 years, the government has spent billions of dollars in attempting to promote the adoption and utilization of advanced-technology vehicles, including those that use alternative fuels (such as the ethanol fuel blend E85 and natural gas), hybrid and battery electric vehicles, and fuel-celled vehicles. The extensive list of policies includes tax credits […]

Is Hydrogen the Best Bet for Autos?

A rift has opened between the Department of Energy and Congress as Washington players place their bets on alternative fuel sources for automobiles. Energy Secretary Chu wants to cut programs that fund hydrogen fuel cell research and says funding could be better used to improve current combustion and plug-in technologies. Some members of Congress argue […]

Electric Cars Get Strong Support In Waxman-Markey

To cut American consumption of gasoline and greenhouse gas emissions, the Waxman-Markey climate change bill would give a powerful push to electric cars. The bill would require utilities to develop plans to support the use of plug-in vehicles. Among other things, the bills says, that might mean installing electric charging stations in homes, parking garages, […]