Hydrogen Powered Turbine Test Successful

Turbine Truck Engines, Inc., is reporting that the company has successfully operated its full scale, fifth generation prototype engine utilizing compressed hydrogen as the fuel source. Testing produced zero emissions and required absolutely no modification to switch the Detonation Cycle Gas Turbine Engine from propane to hydrogen. The betting line for success for those with jobs in Las Vegas has just tightened up a bit.

Michael Rouse, CEO of Turbine Truck Engines, said: “This is another major milestone for TTE. The company is moving forward in a significant way that is catching the eyes of serious investors. Clean air technology of this magnitude is something the world urgently needs.”

Mark Johnson, President of HGenerators, the hydrogen gas-from-water electrolysis generator company added, “One hundred percent renewable hydrogen gas-from-water technology would literally enable anyone to make their own fuel and power their Turbine Truck Engine using water as the basic ingredient. The test results prove that turbine engine technology, utilizing hydrogen as a fuel source, has the least environmental impact due to zero emissions resulting in a truly green application."

Take a look at the video demonstration that they have released:

Energy Bill Could Accelerate Growth of NGV Fueling Infrastructure

One of the issues of this presidential election year is certainly that of fuel. Not just alternative fuels, but that of things like more drilling. A new House Energy Bill introduced is expected to expand natural gas fueling infrastructure. Also, saying that they are going to require at least one natural gas, and one other alternative fuels pump at retail gas stations.

The energy bill introduced today by the Democratic House Leadership -- the ‘‘Comprehensive American Energy Security and Consumer Protection Act’’ – could play a major role in expanding the natural gas fueling infrastructure in the U.S., according to NGVAmerica. Specifically, the bill would: (1) extend and expand the existing income tax credit for installing natural gas fueling stations (including doubling the income tax credit for natural gas home fueling appliances); (2) create Energy Security Bonds for grants and low-interest loans to place natural gas refueling property at retail motor fuel stations; and (3) mandate that, by 2018, each retail fueling station owned by a major integrated oil company shall have at least one natural gas or other alternative fuel pump (and necessary infrastructure and storage facilities).

All of these provisions were originally part of the New Alternative Transportation to Give Americans Solutions Act , introduced in July by Reps. Rahm Emanuel (D-IL) and Dan Boren (D-OK). “The NGV industry is deeply indebted to Reps. Emanuel and Boren for their leadership in supporting the growth of natural gas vehicles in America,” said NGVAmerica President Richard Kolodziej. “The industry is in discussions with auto manufacturers to produce and sell more NGVs here. A rapidly growing natural gas fueling infrastructure will facilitate those decisions.”

So...does this bill actually do anything for you? Will there be small business for sale in the fueling sector because they don't want to deal with the regulations? All in all I don't see a huge impact here for anyone. I am always of the opinion that the market dictates what businesses need to do. Since Japan and other countries are killing us in alternative fuel vehicles, you have to believe that eventually our automakers will get on board and build the ones that we demand as well. At this point here is little going on that gives you hope for our auto industry. Will a bill like this help push them that way? You would think that to be the case, but our automakers haven't done anything to keep themselves from losing money the last decade so what makes us think that they will in this one?

2008 BMW 328i Hardtop Convertible Review

Never going to miss a BMW review. Like little girls play with their dream dollhouses, the little boys dream of cars like the BMW. In this case it is the 2008 BMW 328i Hardtop Convertible Review.

The reviewer in this case takes us along for the ride through the Blue Ridge Mountains. Here are a couple quotes and this is a link to the full review.

We managed a solid 28-mpg on premium fuel averaging 75 to 80-mph with the top up and AC on low.

The Steptronic automatic transmission accounts for $1,325 and the navigation system costs $2,100. The other big ticket is the Premium Package which includes the garage door opener, digital compass mirror, automatically dimming mirrors, lumbar support and BMW Assist with Bluetooth accommodation for $2,750. The $1,300 Sport Package includes 18-inch wheels shod with performance tires (225/40R18 Bridgestone Potenza), sport seats and a sport suspension.

Hella'sNew Generation of the Auxiliary-Spotlight Series "Luminator" with Xenon Light

Automechanika 2008 is a show that highlights (no pun intended) as an international meeting point for the automobile industry. This is where they show off automotive parts, components and systems, electronics, supply and maintenance, right up to environmental and recycling concepts will be featured. Pretty interesting show actually as it will give a look into all the new toys you can add to your vehicle, and the kinds of new standards for features on automobiles. I wouldn't even be surprised if you could find treadmills as an add on to a car while you are in a traffic jam...lol

Hella (Always think of Cartman from South Park when I hear it now) has always been a leader in the spotlight component for vehicles and plan to give a look at their new "Luminator" series with Xenon light this year. Their new series is no different. Take a look at the in depth preview of the new improvements of the Luminator series here.

New Porsche 911 Unveiled Today in New York

Today at the MOTOREXPO at the World Financial Center in New York the new edition of the Porsche 911 will be unveiled. The 911 is being touted as a sports car that has better fuel efficiency and better performance. Pretty big step I must say when you can lower fiel need and still increase performance.

Other cars that will make you scramble for an online auto insurance quote to be able to afford the coverage of a sports car will be revealed by Porsche as well at the MOTOREXPO. In addition to the new 911, Porsche Cars North America's comprehensive exhibit at MOTOREXPO, which runs September 15-19 at the World Financial Center in lower Manhattan, will highlight two versions of the company's mid-engine sports cars, a Cayman and Boxster RS60, the high-performance Cayenne GTS and the American Le Mans champion Penske Porsche RS Spyder race car.

Alternative Fueling Station Locator

While out on the road for business and handing out your personalized pens for a bit of marketing activity, you may wonder where you can find an alternative fueling station in the area. The U.S. Department of Energy has recently set up a page that gives the locations of all the stations in the United States as well as driving directions to them. You can also find a printable version of the list to take with you if you happen to be on a cross country road trip.

The following alternative fuels are included in the mapping application: compressed natural gas (CNG), E85 (85% ethanol, 15% gasoline), propane/liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), biodiesel, electricity, hydrogen, and liquefied natural gas (LNG).

Find the maps here.

Best Value SUVs and Crossovers

If you are even considering an SUV with gas prices right now you may as well at least do a little research to find something that gets more than 11 MPG. I know an SUV is needed at times to chug a family around, or a place to store 4 golf bags when you sneak out of the house on the weekends so let's take a looks at some of the better values out there.

Stas for these vehicles are available at Cars.com. Not only do they give you the standard MPG info, but they are also compared based upon lifetime fuel cost based on 15,000 miles driven per year. #1 is the Jeep Patriot.

2009 Hyundai Genesis Preview

I like to give a wide variety of auto reviews here to give people an idea of just the amount of different options they have. It seems as if many automakers aren't as good at adertising these vehicles as you would think they would be considering U.S. automakers pretty much spend more money advertising than alternative fuel efficient research *cough*. Hey...at least their offices are probably comfortable with a nice set of Air O Swiss humidifiers.

The 2009 Hyundai Genesis is just one of those cars that you probably haven't though much about, or maybe never even heard of. So...I included this video preview of it to take a quick look. Air O Swiss humidifiers

Japanese Lead Eco-Car Race

While presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama speak of the need for less reliance on foreign fuel, and for some odd reason even talking of off shore drilling that won't even help us for another 20 years, the Japanese automakers are producing cars that rely on alternative fuel already. The Detroit automakers are on the other hand acting as if someone needs to hit them on the head with a paella pan to wake up as they are trailing by miles in the development and manufacturing of Eco-friendly alternative fuel vehicles in the world market.

According to Newsweek, Japanese automakers are now going to the next level, entering the green-car mass market, in many cases years before their competitors.

Nissan plans to introduce an electric vehicle to the United States and Japan by 2010, with a global rollout in 2012. Toyota is road-testing a plug-in hybrid and plans to launch it in 2009. Honda is preparing for the launch of a new car highly anticipated for its innovative green technologies, including its state-of-the-art battery. Mazda will offer the world's first hydrogen-gasoline hybrid in Japan by next March. "Globally, Japanese companies are definitely at the top right now, and I expect them to remain No. 1 in the future," says Mike Omotoso, an auto analyst for J.D. Power and Associates. "It's definitely having a positive impact on the Japanese economy."

Ford Focus Sales up 23%

Although Ford sales figures look like they have been taking the best diet pills available this year, on car is still increasing in sales month to month. That is the Ford Focus.

“The Focus and Escape offer the features and fuel economy today’s consumers want,” Jim Farley, Ford’s group vice president for sales and marketing, said in a statement.

Ford does not see the market for new vehicles rebounding anytime soon.

“We expect the second half of 2008 will be more challenging than the first half,” Farley said, “as weak economic conditions and the consumer credit crunch continues.”

Honda Insight, the New Hybrid with the Old Name

Honda’s original Insight hybrid was introduced in 1999 but it was discontinued in 2006 after sluggish sales totaling a cumulative 17,000 worldwide. With the success of the Toyota Prius, Honda is looking to get back into the hybrid market after many hours of restful contemplation by the light of tea light candles

Tokyo-based Honda, Japan’s No. 2 automaker, will show a “concept model” of the Insight at the Paris Motor Show next month, Honda said in a statement Thursday.

It will be a five-door hatchback compact, whose design is based on the sleek FCX Clarity, Honda’s fuel cell vehicle, according to Honda.

“The name Insight was chosen to denote Honda’s ’insight’ into a new era in which hybrid vehicles come within reach of most car buyers,” the company said.