What a Gas!

And now for something really big. We all know the problems with natural gas for transportation-lack of refueling, the big cost difference over diesel trucks, and a fluctuating cost differential between natural gas and diesel fuel prices. Yesterday, a savvy coalition including Navistar, Clean Energy and Swift Transportation announced a plan to jumpstart the widespread conversion of the U.S. truck fleet to natural gas. Here’s the kicker, the model doesn’t rely on government incentives. Fleet Owner reports that Clean Energy will invest in 170 more fueling stations this year and next, and guarantee fuel prices 50 to 60 cents less than diesel. For their part, Navistar will offer vehicle leases comparable to diesel units. Fleet customers agree to buy the fuel from Clean Energy, and voila-an innovative model is born.

Now, if someone could only think of something that fancy for electric trucks. Wait, just maybe some brainiacs at the MIT Center for Transportation and Logistics did. After collecting data from the Staples delivery truck fleet of 53 all-electric Smith Electric trucks, they found that EVs can cost 9-12% less to operate than trucks powered by diesel engines when used to make deliveries every day in big cities.  There’s more, says Phys.Org. A vehicle-to-grid system can reduce operating costs by 7-11%, saving $900-$1400 per truck per year. Then, along comes a Stanford research team aiming to do for charging what Clean Energy is doing for NG fueling. They’ve designed a high-efficiency charging system that could wirelessly charge cars and trucks as they drive down the highway.  Goodbye range anxiety.

Fuel efficiency is key to dollar savings if you know how to do it and GM has an app game for that. Wanting to raise consumer awareness of the hybrid drivetrains on the Buick LaCrosse and Regal, Autoblog Green says they are out with games that reward players for fuel efficient driving.  Former GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz isn’t playing around as he recently lashed out at fellow conservatives who he thinks are playing politics with their criticism of NHTSA’s Volt battery investigation into post-crash-test fires. The agency has endorsed the safety of the Volt.

Mr. Lutz is in interesting company with his criticism of Fox News. Kermit and Miss Piggy were so exasperated by the news channel calling out “The Muppets” movie as delivering liberal, anti-oil messaging to children, that they called their premier press conference. YouTube shares the rebuttal where Kermit is cool and calm and Miss Piggy is ticked off. It isn’t easy being green.

Ambitious Natural Gas Conversion Alliance, Fleet Owner
http://bit.ly/zsgfWr

New Study Says Electric Powered Trucks Save Money for Business, PhysOrg
http://bit.ly/zPBik4

Wireless Power Could Revolutionize Highway Transportation, Phys.Org
http://bit.ly/ziXSer

Buick:  Fuel Efficient Driving Game App, Autoblog Green
http://aol.it/wk0Fqt

Lutz Lashes Out at Critics of Volt, Detroit Free Press
http://on.freep.com/xzTBfC

The Muppets Premier Press Conference, YouTube
http://bit.ly/zFwPUt