Bioethanol

Sales of bioethanol cars reach 100,000.

2008-05-28 -- The market for E85 flex-fuelled cars is booming. Saab, the largest seller of flex-fuel cars in Europe, recently delivered the 100,000th flex-fuel car in the Swedish market – a Saab 9-3 BioPower. In fact, Saab BioPower models have been the main contributor to Sweden’s leading position in the switch to renewable fuels within Europe.

It took seven years to sell the first 300 flex-fuel cars in Sweden. Six years later there were 50,000 on the roads. An additional 50,000 flex-fuel cars have been sold during the last 15 months alone – proof that the market is truly expanding. A joint strategy between central and local government, fuel producers, retailers and car manufacturers has been a key to this success.

Pilot Plant Gasification Technology Traces to GM Ohio Foundry

MADISON, Pa., 2008-04-25 – General Motors Corp.’s role in helping Coskata Inc. bring its next-generation cellulosic ethanol to market traces back a quarter of a century to technology developed for a GM iron foundry in northwest Ohio.

Coskata announced Friday that its pilot plant will be located at the Westinghouse Plasma Center in Madison, the current site of a pilot-plant gasifier.

Gasification is the first step in Coskata’s process to make ethanol out of practically any renewable source. Plasma torches are used to super heat source material, such as agricultural and municipal solid waste, to 1,600 degrees Fahrenheit, which creates a synthesis gas comprised of carbon dioxide and hydrogen.

Nissan Murano is Japan's first Ministry-authorized E10 vehicle

TOKYO, Feb. 6, 2008 -- Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. today announced that it will begin bio-ethanol trials through its participation in the Tokachi E10 project. The project, the first of its kind in Japan, aims to test the feasibility of E10 fuel, which contains 10% bio-ethanol mix. Early trials will be conducted in the Tokachi region of Hokkaido, beginning April*1.

Nissan is the first automaker in Japan to come forward with an E10 vehicle fully compliant with the safety, environment and technical guidelines issued by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. The >Nissan Murano E10 is officially recognized as Japan's first Ministry-authorized E10 vehicle.

Oct 11, 2007 -- Volvo Car Corporation has decided to develop a completely new racing car and to continue its work with bioethanol (E85) and Green Racing in the STCC (Swedish Touring Car Championship) for three more years.

"Our decision is based on the positive attention and the good results that the recently concluded STCC season has meant for Volvo's brand," says Derek Crabb, head of Powertrain and Engine at Volvo Cars and the man recently appointed to lead Volvo's Racing department.

"It is now time to take the next step for the coming STCC seasons, and to meet the growing international interest in green racing", says Derek Crabb.