The primary source of biobutanol will be the by-products of the paper industry, pulp, and food industry. Biogas on the other hand can be a good source of methane which has a great potential to be a fuel substitute.

Ulla Lassi who works as a professor in the University of Oulu is looking at the production process using microbiological techniques so raw materials can be turned into sugars first then fermented to become butanol. The project of Lassi also involves using chemical syntheis using catalyst materials to promote the conversion of methanol, ethanol, or glycerol into pentanol, butanol, and other alcohol mixes. The outcome of the microbiological and chemical processes are good as substitutes to liquid fuels. For example, glycerol, when used, is very cost effective since it is a biodiesel by-product.

There are several hindrances in the process of making butanol thru microbiological means. One big challenge is the raw material digestion to make it a fermentable form of sugars. The fermentation process is another issue since it is a very complicated process. Experts are already looking into solutions to address these challenges.

The biogas project is also looking into it as a good alternative transport fuel. With experts from Finland and Chile working together, they are looking into the process f making gas from landfill as fuel.

Methane from biogas is one alternative fuel option which has a good chain for sustainability. It also meets the standards set by the European Union as a sustainable biofuel.

The Kangoo be bop ZE is an improvement of the basic be bop. ZE stands for the zero emissions of the car. At first glance, it looks like it is a twin sibling of the Nissan EV-02 but it can be explained by the collaboration of Renault with the Japanese car maker.

The performance of the be bop ZE is very impressive. Its 60 horsepower engine can maximize the lithium-ion batteries and travel a distance of 100 kilometers or 62 miles in a single charge.

The test drive of the vehicle is limited to the confines of the city where it is also seen as a major contributor in reducing noise and air pollution. Electric vehicles may help make mode of transport a lot cheaper and decrease the dependence to petrol by as much as 90%.

The ZE’s efficiency can also be contributed to its excellent aerodynamic design which gives it lesser drag against the wind. The lines of the design have also combined to make the vehicle a lot smoother plus the fact that it is around 20 mm closer to the ground.

Nothing much has been revealed about the drive train of the vehicle but the battery that will be used for the production units is a product of collaboration between NEC and Nissan. The battery pack is expected to have a guaranteed capacity of 80% to 100% for the first six years of use.

Production of the Renault Kangoo be bop ZE will be by 18 months from now and the manufacturer is set to boost the capability of the car to bring passengers to 100 miles or 160 km in a single charge.

These three efforts are supposed to work towards Volkswagen’s goal this year, which is to produce safe, affordable, and emission-free large-scale electric vehicles. This was reported by Volkswagen’s Chairman of the Board of Management, Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn.

Eventually, Volkswagen will be producing lithium-ion power technology hand-in-hand with Toshiba Corporation. Based on the direction of the three projects, the Volkwagen AG is aiming for long-term plans that are bound to find their own niches in the production of affordable hybrid and electric vehicles a few years from now.

Toshiba is one of the world’s leaders in electronics and battery production, with their recent Super Charge ion Battery (SCiB) lithium-ion batteries. The SCiB is pegged to be used in hybrid and electric cars very soon. The battery line has only recently been commercialized in Japan.

The SCiB was launched last May 2008. Although it was designed primarily to power hybrid cars, this battery line was also chosen by Cannondale Sports Group as a new power module for their new eco-bikes. These electric bicycles are pegged for commercial distribution in European and North American markets.

Toshiba’s SCiB will also be installed in the Tailwind, an electric bicycle also produced by Cannondale Sports Group. This unit will be carrying the brand of Schwinn Bicycles.

The commercial introduction of the tailwind is set early this year. More on Volkswagen at Volkswagen Talk!

The latest FOA has four areas of interest:
1. Refueling Infrastructure for alternative fuels
2. Additional costs of alternative fuel vehicles
3. Outreach an educational programs for reduction of petroleum fuels and technologies
4. Pilot Programs for Alternative Fuel and Advanced Technology Vehicles

The funding program may support up to 30 geographically distributed projects. The recipients may include local and state governments, and transportation administrations, provided that they are affiliated with a committed Clean Cities Coalition(s).

Marine functions and machineries are not entitled to receive the grant of this FOA. Other than that, sports vehicles or recreational locomotives are also not part of the potential beneficiaries.

Vehicles that are entitled under interest number 4 is comprised by the Light, Medium, Heavy Duty Vehicles (LMHDV) that utilizes EPACT alternative fuels, LMHDV electric vehicles, LMHDV electric hybrid cars, LMHDV Plug-in hybrid electric cars, Light-duty electric cars, Light-Duty vehicles operated by diesel, Medium and heavy duty hydraulic hybrid cars and a range of off-/non-road advanced technology cars.

This FOA will be supervised as a part of the prestigious National Energy Technology Laboratory’s project, in support to the Vehicle Technologies Program, under the wing of the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.