In Chrysler Deal, Cellulosic Ethanol Firm Gets a Prominent Partner

The New York Times Automobiles Section
August 16, 2011, 6:00 am
By JIM MOTAVALLI

Chrysler entered into a memorandum of understanding with the cellulosic ethanol producer ZeaChem, it was announced Monday. But though the automaker builds so-called flex fuel vehicles that run on an E85 ethanol formulation, it is unclear exactly what might come of the new partnership.

Vince Muniga, a spokesman for Chrysler powertrain operations, said in a telephone interview that Chrysler “is looking at a lot of alternative fuels, including compressed natural gas, diesel and ethanol,” but did not say that future Chryslers would run on ZeaChem-produced biofuels.

Read more

Diesel-gasoline hybrid engine in the works at Chrysler

Biodiesel Magazine
By Luke Geiver June 15, 2011

The Chrysler minivan’s engine may look, or at least act, a lot different by 2013. Argonne National Laboratory is trying to combine the positive elements of the gasoline engine and the diesel engine for use in such vehicles as Chrysler’s popular Town and Country minivan. Steve Ciatti, a mechanical engineer at Argonne, is leading a team that is attempting to construct and test a hybrid engine that will employ the properties of the diesel engine, mainly the ability of the diesel engine to use compressed air without a spark to ignite the fuel into energy. Argonne isn’t alone in the effort to bridge the properties of the diesel and gasoline engines. The U.S. DOE is partaking in the effort, along with partners Chrysler, Delphi, FEV and the Ohio State University.

Read more

General Motors reaches full B20 biodiesel capacity for its heavy-duty trucks

Biofuels Digest
April 08, 2010

In Michigan, General Motors joined Chrysler and Ford among major US automakers in announcing compatibility with B20 biodiesel for its full line of heavy-duty vehicles. The automaker announced that the Duramax 6.6L turbo diesel engines will be B20 compatible commencing with the 2011 model year, joining the Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, Chevrolet Express, and GMC Savana. Ford, GM and Chrysler hold 80 percent of US market share in the heavy-duty category. The National Biodiesel Board and NREL spent $10 million+ testing B20 biodiesel since 2005 to ensure compatibility.

Read more

Big Three Auto Makers Re-Pledge 50% Flex-Fuel Vehicle Production by 2012 in New Bailout Appeal

GrainNet.com
Date Posted: December 8, 2008
The following article is reprinted by permission from the National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition FYI Newsletter for December 8, 2008 (14.20).

On December 2, 2008, the Detroit 3 automakers (Chrysler, Ford, and General Motors) submitted plans to the Congress which seek bridge loan funds in order to sustain business operations during a period of unprecedented decline in demand for new motor vehicles.

As part of each of their business plans, the Detroit 3 restated their previous commitments to the production of 50% of their fleet as Flexible Fuel Vehicles (FFVs) by 2012.

Read the full story

Ethanol Fuels Big Three Bail Out Caravan

Domestic Fuel - Alternative Fuel News
Posted by Cindy Zimmerman

The Big Three auto makers traveled to Washington this week to ask for a bailout in fuel efficient, high mileage cars, including flex fuel vehicles that run on up to 85 percent ethanol.

Read the full story

Ethanol Makers Seek Political Advantage In Detroit Bailout

CNN Money.com
November 25, 2008: 01:28 PM EST

WASHINGTON -(Dow Jones)- U.S. ethanol makers are asking the Detroit automakers to demonstrate "with certainty and specificity" their commitment to biofuels, seeking to gain political advantage at a time when the car industry is struggling to line up support for an emergency $25 billion loan.

The call came in a letter from a coalition of ethanol trade groups to the chief executives of General Motors Corp. (GM), Ford Motor Co. (F) and Chrysler LLC. The executives flew to Washington on corporate jets last week to plead for the $25 billion, only to return empty-handed after Congress demanded specific details about how they would become profitable and develop a new generation of more environmentally friendly cars.

"To avert dire economic consequences, we implore you to bring resourceful, innovative and practical solutions as you develop the comprehensive plan requested by the U.S. Congress to transform your industry," the groups wrote Tuesday. "Such a plan should embrace and support implementation of the congressional mandate for use of ethanol."

Read the full story