With the Challenge X Competition, GM posed university students across the US with a challenge: How do you re-engineer a Chevrolet Equinox Crossover SUV to maximize fuel efficiency and minimize pollution? Their answer: direct-injection diesel engine fueled by B20 biodiesel. In fact, all three of the top placing teams in GMs Challenge X Competition employed B20 biodiesel. Read more at the daily green.
The team’s turbocharged direct-injection diesel engine fueled by B20 biodiesel was 38% more fuel-efficient than the original, produced 44% less pollution but managed to improve quarter-mile acceleration by 1.6 seconds.
Categories: Biodiesel · Climate Change · Emissions · Green Business · Green House Gases (GHG) · Propel Biofuels · Vehicles · blog
New York Times outlines pros and cons of new diesels coming to the US market in 2008 – 2010. Article notes new arrivals from VW, Audi, Mercedes, Acura, Nissan, Jeep and others.
A snapshot below. Read more
Pros
- Mileage is 25 percent to 40 percent higher than gasoline.
- Carbon dioxide emissions are lower.
- Highway mileage and performance are better than hybrids’.
- High torque is well suited to large pickups and S.U.V.’s.
- Extended driving range means less frequent fill-ups.
- Engines are robust, often lasting 300,000 miles or more.
Cons
- Engines and emissions systems can be costly.
- Diesel fuel currently costs far more than gasoline.
- Like gasoline, diesel is a petroleum product from foreign suppliers.
- Though outdated, image as a dirty technology lingers.
- Only 42 percent of American filling stations have diesel pumps.
- Some companies’ latest emissions controls require refills of urea.
Categories: Biodiesel · Emissions · Green House Gases (GHG) · Vehicles
