Monthly Archives: May 2009

Virtual tour of downtown Seattle’s biodiesel station

Check out VR Seattle’s 360-degree virtual tour of Propel’s downtown Seattle biodiesel station. Click image below.

Click to View Interactive Panorama

More interactive panorama’s from VR Seattle blog.

VW Jetta TDI meets Toyota Prius

Recent commercial from VW featuring the new Jetta TDI and the Toyota Prius. 

At the Pump . . .

Propel community members share their stories.

Rocklin, CA – Rocklin Clean Fuel Point – Friday, May 22nd

Mike_NorCalPool_biodieselRan into Mike Bradley, owner of Nor Cal Pool Productions, filling his rig with biodiesel at Propel’s Rocklin, California location. 

This was Mike’s first biodiesel fill up — low on fuel and thought he’d give it a try. 

“It’s better for the Earth and it’s about the same price as regular diesel–why not?” 

Located in Lincoln, California, Nor Cal Pool Productions specializes in the design and construction of custom pool and patio installations.

Find more businesses dedicated to fueling their fleet vehicles with low-carbon, domestically-produced fuel, see a list of Propel Clean Fleet Partners in California and Washington State.

Factoria CFP unharmed by two-alarm fire in Bellevue, WA

The McCarthy Building still smolders across the street from Propel’s Factoria Clean Fuel Point. Fire broke out Wednesday afternoon, burning a majority of the structure with damages likely to exceed 1 million dollars. Luckily, no injuries or damage to surrounding businesses have been reported.

factoria_fire

News report on McCarthy fire.

At the Pump . . .

Propel community members share their stories. 

Sacramento, CA - Folsom Blvd Clean Fuel Point – Wednesday, May 6th

Gam_FolsomWe met Gam filling her Chevy Tahoe with Flex Fuel at the Folsom Blvd Propel pump—located at the Shell station at the intersection of Power Inn Road and Folsom Blvd.

She usually fuels at the Elk Grove location, but as it happens, the Folsom pump is conveniently close to where she works! 

Gam appreciates the fact that Flex Fuel has been significantly cheaper than regular petroleum gasoline. 

 

At the Pump . . .

Propel community members share their stories.

Kenmore, WA – Bothell Way Clean Fuel Point – Tuesday, May 5th

brick_kenmore

We ran into Brick today at our Kenmore, Washington pump on  Bothell Way located at the very north end of Lake Washington. Brick has been fueling his Jeep Liberty CRD with Propel for 2 years.

The limited release Liberty “CRD” (2005 – 2006) stands for “Common Rail Diesel,” describing the 4-cylinder 2.8 liter turbo-diesel engine. CRD systems use high injection pressure to move fuel into the combustion chamber, resulting in higher fuel economy and cleaner burning diesel.

Brick also fuels his Chevy Duramax Diesel pickup with Propel, in both downtown Seattle and here in Kenmore.

Diesel hybrid, Peugeot engineers progress

peugeot_3008A step beyond conventional hybrids, Peugeot gears up for production of the new HYbrid4 hybrid diesel 4WD prototype. The 3008 HYbrid4 crossover vehicle is scheduled for release to the European market summer 2011. Similar to the Toyota Prius and Honda Insight concept, the 3008 HYbrid4 will use regenerative power from braking to charge a lithium battery pack for the rear wheels and the diesel engine to drive the front wheels.

Register Hardware‘s Car Tech explains, that “the benefits of this system are many: the electric motor can be used either as a power boost; as sole motive power when pootling around town at low speed; to provide four-wheel drive without the usual drive shafts and differentials; or to cut fuel consumption on the open road.”

The diesel-electric technology will not only provide better fuel economy with an expect 68 mpg, but also reduce carbon emissions by up to 35%, according to Peugeot

Read more about HYbrid4 technology from AutoBlog Green.

American Lung Association report shows “Biodiesel Key to Clean Air”

americanlungassocThe State of the Air Report recently released by the American Lung Association shows biodiesel is a key factor to keeping America’s air clean. The American Lung Association in Minnesota described the  report as a “wake up” call to further embrace fuels like biodiesel and is also participating in May 1 activities to kick off Minnesota’s increase to a B5 biodiesel blend. The report named Fargo, North Dakota as the cleanest city in the nation, and the lung association there gave credit to steps like biodiesel use.

Biodiesel is a sustainable, renewable alternative to diesel fuel that reduces most regulated emissions substantially, including carbon monoxide, particulate matter and unburned hydrocarbons.

“With biodiesel, America can produce its own cleaner-burning diesel alternative that helps clean up the air with existing vehicles,” said Joe Jobe, National Biodiesel Board CEO. “Biodiesel is a natural solution to help achieve lung associations’ goals to reduce air pollution and safeguard our health. We are grateful for their support and applaud their vision for a cleaner future.”

Biodiesel reduces air toxins by 90 percent, and significantly reduces the compounds linked to cancer. Breathing the smoke from diesel exhaust can trigger an asthma attack. The use of biodiesel reduces particulate matter up to 40 percent.

More information from NBB.