Latest news with #RenewableFuelsAssociation
Time Business News
07-07-2025
- Automotive
- Time Business News
Alternative Fuel Vehicles Gain Momentum Amid Climate Push and Policy Support
The vehicles that operate on energy sources that aren't traditional diesel or gasoline, such as electricity, biofuels, hydrogen or natural gas are referred as alternative fuel vehicles. Major objects of AFVs are to lower the environmental impact by reducing the greenhouse gas emissions and its reliance on fossil fuels. Alternative fuel vehicles is experiencing rapid growth with increasing awareness of climate change and air pollution has pushed governments to implement stringent emission regulations and offer incentives such as zero emission zones, tax benefits and government subsidies. Other growth factors consist of growing fuel prices, charging and refueling infrastructure expansion and active funding by automotive manufacturers in electric and hybrid vehicle lines. Key Growth Drivers and Opportunities Infrastructure Expansion: The factors responsible for growth consist of charging infrastructure expansion for electric vehicles (EVs) and refueling stations for other alternative fuels crucial for enabling large scale adoption of alternative fuel vehicles. Given refueling points and accessible and reliable network of charging supports shifting from traditional internal combustion engine vehicles. Major investments are growing in public and fast-charging stations, hydrogen refueling infrastructure, and biofuel distribution hubs meeting the growing need. Challenges Raw materials such as lithium and cobalt are majorly disrupting the EV production and elevating the cost with global shortages and geopolitical tensions. The manufacturers and automakers are facing challenges with export restrictions on key materials such as rare earth elements and battery components with China dominating in processing these material-refining approximately around 70% of global supplies. Innovation and Expansion RFA Showcases Ethanol-Powered Hybrid at D.C. Auto Show In January 2024, the Renewable Fuels Association showcased the Plug-in Hybrid Electric Flex Fuel Vehicle (PHEFFV) at the Washington, D.C. Auto Show. RFA conducted various tests for the converted 2022 Ford Escape, including tailpipe emissions analysis, life cycle greenhouse gas assessment, cost of ownership analysis, and convenience testing. Findings indicated that, in comparison with standard gasoline-powered cars, the PHEFFV operating on high-level ethanol blends considerably reduced lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions. In terms of fuel economy and total cost of ownership the vehicle also showed competitive performance. National Fuel Launches ANG Pilot to Cut Fleet Emissions In June 2023, an alternative fuel vehicle pilot program was initiated by National Fuel Gas Distribution Corporation (National Fuel) officials. The program utilizes an Adsorbed Natural Gas (ANG) platform developed by Ingevity Corporation, known as NeuFuel. This platform has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 125 percent, according to the Natural Gas Vehicles of America (NGVA), when combined with renewable natural gas (RNG). National Fuel aims to contribute for decarbonizing transportation sector and accelerate operations for broader fleet adoption. Relative to traditional compressed natural gas systems, early testing suggests gains in fuel economy and ease of refilling. Alternative Fuel Shift in Global Market The key players operating in the alternative fuel vehicles manufacturing include, Honda Motor Co., Ltd, Toyota Motor Corporation, BYD Company Ltd., VERRA, Daimler AG, and others. To meet the demands of changing consumers, the companies aim to boost the transition to low-emission mobility by expanding their electric and hybrid product portfolios. Vehicle affordability, enhancing fuel efficiency and reliable infrastructure are major aims for given key players. About Author: Prophecy is a specialized market research, analytics, marketing and business strategy, and solutions company that offer strategic and tactical support to clients for making well-informed business decisions and to identify and achieve high value opportunities in the target business area. Also, we help our client to address business challenges and provide best possible solutions to overcome them and transform their business. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
The Independent
28-04-2025
- Automotive
- The Independent
The EPA is allowing the sale of cheaper, higher-ethanol E15 gasoline across the US this summer
Consumers across the U.S. still will be able to buy higher-ethanol blend E15 gasoline this summer, the Environmental Protection Agency announced Monday, saving them a little money at the pump but risking potential damage to the air and water. The emergency waiver issued by the EPA prevents retailers in most states from having to stop selling E15 gasoline on May 1. While the waiver remains in effect only through May 20, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin signaled that he plans to keep issuing waivers through Sept. 15, the date when the federal government typically would allow E15 sales in all states again. Most gasoline sold across the U.S. is blended with 10% ethanol, but 15% blends are becoming increasingly common, particularly in the Midwest, where most of the nation's corn is grown. E15 gasoline generally costs at least 10 cents less a gallon than E10 gasoline, but the EPA had previously prohibited its sale during the summer over concerns that its use during the summer driving season could increase smog. But the EPA has relaxed restrictions on E15, granting a series of short-term waivers in 2022, 2023 and 2024 to allow its sale nationwide through the summer. And last year, the EPA issued a rule allowing year-round sales in eight Midwestern states — Iowa, usually the nation's top corn producer, as well as Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin. Trump administration officials said Monday's action will lower consumers' costs and give them more choices at the pump while also increasing the demand for corn. They also described it as reducing America's reliance on imported energy. 'Our nation's great corn growers are critical to helping the U.S. achieve energy independence, which is essential to national security,' Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said in a statement. While the ethanol industry and Iowa officials praised the EPA's action, the Renewable Fuels Association, a trade group for ethanol producers, argued that Congress should approve legislation allowing year-round E15 sales across the U.S. 'For the economic and energy security benefits of E15 to be fully realized, the marketplace needs long-term certainty,' President and CEO Geoff Cooper said. The biofuels industry and politicians in both major parties argue that ethanol helps farmers, lowers prices at the pump and reduces greenhouse gas because the fuel burns more cleanly than straight gasoline. But ethanol consumes about 40% of the nation's corn crop, and environmentalists argue that higher corn production leads to higher use of fertilizers that are a leading source of water pollution. Zack Pistora, Kansas lobbyist for the Sierra Club, said ethanol plants also use high amounts of water, and states like Kansas are worried about the depletion of aquifers. He said it's 'hypocritical' to portray ethanol as environmentally friendly and said the Trump administration should promote renewable energy, electric vehicles, public transportation and sustainable agriculture. 'We need to dramatically reduce our fossil fuel dependence, but relying on corn-based ethanol doesn't put our country on the path it needs,' Pistora said in an interview.
