More than 100 people turned out at Pearson Fuels in City Heights to hear award winning author and filmmaker Josh Tickell make the case for biofuels. The August 11st event at one of the California’s premier alternative fuel stations brought together fuel providers, fleet managers, and drivers together to learn about the performance benefits, cost advantages, incentives, and availability of renewable fuels in Southern California.

Attendees enjoyed an inspiring and engaging talk from Tickell as well as presentations from Brendan Reed of the City of Chula Vista and Lisa McGhee of San Diego Airport Parking Shuttles both of whom are using biofuels. Jake Millan of Propel Fuels also spoke about expanding infrastructure for biodiesel and E85. Participants then had the chance to network with a happy hour sponsored by Stone Brewing Company who fuels their delivery trucks with Biodiesel.

More pictures are available here.

The event was sponsored by:

Event Review: Biodiesel and Flex Fuel for Fleets – Just the Facts is a post from: San Diego Clean Fuels Coalition

From Edison2.com Press Release. Photos courtesy Edison2.com.

Washington DC – September, 16, 2010: Edison2, a Lynchburg, Virginia, automotive innovation company led by Charlottesville developer and racing entrepreneur Oliver Kuttner, was presented a $5 million prize at the Progressive Insurance Automotive X PRIZE awards ceremony today at the Historical Society of Washington, DC. Edison2’s Very Light Cars – unprecedented combinations of light weight and low aerodynamic drag – were the only vehicles to survive the grueling Mainstream Class of the X PRIZE, in which cars were required to seat 4 passengers, go at least 200 miles on a tank or charge, and meet stringent performance, handling and emissions standards, all while achieving over 100 MPGe.

“The X Prize has shown that business as usual will not solve our dependence on foreign oil. All of the teams here today – the X Prize finalists – are departures from the ordinary”.

“Facts are stubborn things” continued Kuttner. “We named our company Edison2 because we accepted the conventional wisdom, that an electric or hybrid drive is the key to efficiency. But our analysis showed that the only two absolute virtues in auto efficiency are light weight and low aerodynamic drag. So we avoided the hundreds and hundreds of pounds of batteries needed for an electric and chose a conventional internal combustion engine running on E85”.

For the competition Kuttner assembled a top‐tier team of racing and aerospace engineers, designers and mechanics, including Chief of Design Ron Mathis, Aerodynamicist Barnaby Wainfan and Crew Chief Peter Kaczmar.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkAQkV16CXI

Mathis, who came to Edison2 from Audi Sport North America, was responsible for the groundup design of the Very Light Car. “Almost all components of the Very Light Car were re‐designed with an eye toward function, strength and light weight” said Mathis. He credited racing experience and knowledge for enhancing safety in a low‐mass car: “The same design principles that allow a driver to walk away from a high‐speed crash can make a light car a safe car.”

Kuttner believes the adoption of Very Light Car principles is a necessity if America is to address energy independence and climate change. “We need cars that simply take less energy to push, whether electric, hybrid, ethanol or gasoline.” But he also sees the development of a new market segment in the auto industry: lightweight, safe, aerodynamic cars, with the US as the focal point.

Currently Edison2 is actively seeking a new round of private financing as well as bolstering research and development capacity through federal and state funding opportunities. Kuttner is considering the purchase of a large facility to create a “technology cluster” surrounding the development of the next generation of the Very Light Car and serving as a launching point for manufacturing.

“The X Prize is only the beginning.” said Kuttner. “We need to demonstrate that low‐mass cars can be safe and meet FMVSS safety standards. We need to show how our Light Car principles can dramatically improve efficiency for electric, hybrid, diesel and natural gas systems. And we need to create cars to fit the wide needs of consumers: SUV’s, family sedans, sports and utility models – all light, aerodynamic, safe and incredibly efficient.”

Edison2 Wins $5 Million Mainstream Class Prize in the Progressive Insurance Automotive X PRIZE is a post from: San Diego Clean Fuels Coalition

National AFV Day Odyssey

The Journey Continues

National AFV Day Odyssey

• A biennial event dedicated to promoting cleaner choices in transportation!

The National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium (NAFTC) undertook this project because of the critical need to support the alternative fuel vehicle (AFV) industry. More public awareness is necessary to help ease our dependence on foreign oil, and we must support those manufacturers that are making AFVs a viable option for individuals everywhere. With everyone joining together on one day, working toward the same goals, we cannot help but compound the effect of our individual efforts. Such unity will further increase the impact of each individual site’s program and will catalyze the momentum for the advanced transportation movement nationwide. Together, we will bring national attention to AFVs and advanced technology vehicles and promote them as a cleaner and more efficient choice for transportation.

• Has something for everyone!

Odyssey events are held in numerous locations nationwide and are tailored to the specific needs of the audience. Site coordinators are encouraged to be creative and host events that are fun, interactive, and educational. Past event formats have included ride-and-drives, vehicle displays, and workshops. Additionally, industry experts are often on hand to answer questions that attendees may have while educational seminars provide detailed information about viable alternative fuel options. In 2008, a rock concert, custom paint demonstrations, stock car racing, and an E-85 station fueling event were some of the unique Odyssey events hosted by local site coordinators.

• Guarantees Results!

Odyssey feedback proved that the 2002, 2004, 2006, and 2008 events were tremendous successes. Sponsors, partners, National Training Centers (NTCs), Clean Cities Coordinators, and attendees alike have seen how valuable the program can be for promoting energy independence and supporting the environment. They have also seen the proven results of Odyssey and the millions of individuals reached by its message. We hope that you will become part of the solution and join us on Friday, October 15, 2010. Together, we can make a difference!

Odyssey; October 15th 2010 is a post from: San Diego Clean Fuels Coalition

The 2010 San Diego Clean Fuels Coalition Survey is currently underway, we are gathering data regarding many organization’s alternative fuel/advanced technology fleets in order to complete our 2010 annual report for the Department of Energy (DOE) Clean Cities Program. The DOE uses this data to report to Congress, as required by the Energy Policy Act, on the success and benefits of the program and to calculate the millions of gallons of gasoline and diesel displaced in the nation due to the conversion of fleets from gasoline and diesel fuels to alternative fuel/advanced technologies.  The survey will ascertain the number and types of alternative vehicles currently in use, their various fuels and the frequency of use, the fueling station availability for both public and private entities, the idle-reduction and fuel economy improvements for fleets, vehicle miles traveled reduction and incentive programs, and other general information such as operational, stakeholder, and outreach activities of the Clean Fuel Coalition.

The survey will span various city governments of San Diego County, School Districts, Transit Systems, Private Enterprises, and many other fleet types. If you are a fleet manager in San Diego County please take some time to complete the linked survey; your most accurate information is truly appreciated.

Click here to take survey

As part of this years San Diego Clean Cities Survey there will be an updated list of the contributors, collaborators, and companies that have completed the survey and would like to be noted for their efforts in reducing petroleum fuel use. Thank you to all whom have put forward your efforts in transportation sustainability:

Private:

Allied Waste Services, Cloud Nine, EDCO, Kick Gas Co-op , TerraMoto Transportation , Port of San Diego, San Diego Zoo,

Public:

City & County:

Carlsbad , Chula vista , Coronado , Del Mar ,  El Cajon , Encinitas , Escondido , Imperial Beach , La Mesa , Lemon Grove , National City , Oceanside , Poway , San Diego , San Marcos , Santee , Solana Beach , Vista

State & Federal:

Airport Authority, Air Pollution Control District, Camp Pendleton,  California Highway Patrol, CalTrans, Olivehein Water District, Valley Center Water District, US Navy, US Postal Service,

Educational:

Transit Systems:

Chula Vista Transit, MTS, North County Lifeline Transit, North County Transit, SD Transit Authority

Non-Fleet Contributors:

NewLeaf BioFuels

2010 San Diego Clean Cities Progress Report is a post from: San Diego Clean Fuels Coalition

San Diego EarthWorks will be presenting their annual Earth Fair on Sunday April 18th at Balboa Park from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Clean Fuel Coalition and San Diego Regional Sustainability Partnership will be in attendance on the west side of the Cleaner Car Concourse. There will be information on various clean fuel organizations and the Clean Car Concourse will feature vehicles of all descriptions that run on alternative fuels (hybrids included). This isn’t just “the future”: these are vehicles being used on the road today. The vehicles will be on display in the Pan American Plaza next to the San Diego Automobile Museum.

As part of San Diego State University’s Annual GreenFest / EarthDay event there will be a “Clean Fuel Car Zone” on Wednesday April 21st from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Campanile walkway in front of Hepner Hall.  The showcasing of alternative energy vehicles will include various types of vehicles in categories ranging from full electric, PHEV, CNG, Biodiesel, to Ethanol, with more to be announced.

The University of California San Diego will also be making Thursday April 22nd an “Alternative Transportation Day” starting with a Bicycle Breakfast from 7–10 a.m. at the Gilman Information Booth (Free breakfast snacks and safety information). Then the “Green Machines” will be displayed from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. at Warren Mall. The green vehicle exhibit will be featuring Gidget the Smart Car, UCSD green fleet vehicles, Tesla Roadster, biodiesel Mercdes, MTS natural gas-electric hybrid bus, UCSD’s Greenline biodiesel bus, hydrogen converted car, diesel hydrogen hybrid pickup truck and more. Learn how to compute your carbon footprint and see how you can reduce it by using alternative transportation.

EarthDay Clean Fuel Vehicle Showcases is a post from: San Diego Clean Fuels Coalition

AFV2010.com:

In its sixteenth year, AF&V 2010 is the industry event representing all fuels, vehicles and technologies that provide an alternative to petroleum. This fuel and technology neutral Conference brings industry experts, transportation leaders and policy makers together to help fleet managers and other decision makers sort through which fuels and vehicles make the most sense for them.

AF&V 2010 showcases natural gas, ethanol, biodiesel, propane, electricity, and hydrogen, and their companion vehicles. The Conference embraces advanced technologies that result in fuel efficiency, petroleum displacement and emissions improvements. Included are hybrid-electric and plug-in hybrid technologies; blends, including hydrogen; fuel cells; and, idle-reduction devices. All of these are featured as part of the diverse program, Expo Hall and Ride-n-Drive.

Alternative Fuels & Vehicles National Conference + Expo 2010
May 9-12, 2010
The Rio All-Suite Hotel; Las Vegas, Nevada

Alternative Fuels and Vehicles Conference is a post from: San Diego Clean Fuels Coalition