Vehicles and Fuels Research News
The following news stories highlight vehicles and fuels research at NREL.
May 24, 2013
Middle Schoolers Shine in Electric Car Races 
Solar and lithium-ion powered vehicles blaze down the tracks despite clouds overhead.
May 18, 2013
Solar and Lithium Ion Car Race Winners Announced
Ninety-seven teams from 28 Colorado schools participated in today’s car competitions hosted by the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).
April 18, 2013
NREL to Showcase Renewable Electricity Generation Systems and Advanced Vehicles at Denver Earth Day Fair
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory will showcase two mobile renewable electricity generation systems and three advanced vehicles--a Toyota Highlander fuel cell electric vehicle, a plug-in Toyota Prius hybrid electric vehicle, and a Mitsubishi i-MiEV electric vehicle--at the Denver Earth Day Fair on April 22.
April 15, 2013
NREL Survey Shows Dramatic Improvement in B100 Biodiesel Quality
The latest national survey of 100% biodiesel (B100) "blend stock" samples by the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) found that 95% of the samples from 2011-12 met ASTM International fuel quality specifications. The ASTM standards serve as guidelines for industry and are designed to ensure quality at the pump for consumers – along with reliable operation of the nation’s vehicles powered by biodiesel blends.
March 27, 2013
2013 Vehicle Buyer's Guide Now Available
The 2013 guide features a comprehensive list of this year’s light-duty lineup, with model-specific information on engine size, price, fuel economy, and emissions.
March 15, 2013
Transportation Energy Futures Study Reveals Potential for Deep Cuts to Petroleum Use and Carbon Emissions
The U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) today announced the release of the Transportation Energy Futures (TEF) study, an assessment of avenues to reach deep cuts in petroleum use and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the transportation sector.
March 8, 2013
Maximizing the Benefits of Plug-in Electric Vehicles
Advancing electric vehicle charging options and grid readiness reduces oil consumption and vehicle emissions.
February 14, 2013
NREL Helps Communities Assess Their Readiness for Electric Vehicles
The U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has launched a new tool to help local and regional leaders assess the readiness of their communities for the arrival of plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs).
January 31, 2013
NREL Connects EVs and Grid Integration
Improved electric vehicle charging, increased range, and grid integration are focal points of research at the Vehicle Testing and Integration Facility.
January 16, 2013
NREL Teams Up on Three ARPA-E Projects to Optimize Electric Vehicle Battery Management and Controls
The U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has joined DOE and research partners in launching the Advanced Management and Protection of Energy Storage Devices (AMPED) program with a kick-off meeting in San Francisco. Over the next three years, NREL engineers will work with teams led by Utah State University, Washington University, and Eaton Corporation to optimize utilization, life, and cost of lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries for electric-drive vehicles (EDVs) through improved battery management and controls. The three projects are funded under the AMPED program with more than $7.4 million from DOE's Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E).
January 9, 2013
NREL Launches Interactive Tool for Developing a Cleaner Energy Future
The U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has created an energy analysis tool to help individuals and educators experiment with future energy use scenarios. The interactive Buildings, Industry, Transportation, Electricity, and Transportation Scenarios (BITES) allows users to explore how changes in energy demand and supply can impact carbon dioxide emissions and the current U.S. energy trajectory.
January 3, 2013
NREL to Help Convert Methane to Liquid Diesel
The U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) will help develop microbes that convert methane found in natural gas into liquid diesel fuel, a novel approach that if successful could reduce greenhouse gas emissions and lower dependence on foreign oil.
