Green Options » Bio-Fuel

Revealed: Bentley’s New Flex-fuel GT Debuts Ahead of Geneva

Jo Borras — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 17:07:28 +0000

Bentley has released official pictures of the ethanol-powered GT we previewed a few weeks ago. This new car is the first flex-fuel vehicle in the company’s history, and Bentley is calling the 621 bhp bruiser the “Continental Supersports”. Bentley claims the GT’s owners will be able to accelerate from 0-60 mph in 3.7 seconds on their way to a top speed of 204 mph.

Are Biofuel-Powered Jets Next?

Rob Yunich — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 05:46:51 +0000

Even though gas prices have declined recently, there’s still no magical environment-friendly solution to the ongoing oil crisis. However, some progress has been made recently — and it has nothing to do with hybrid cars.

On Wednesday, Jan. 7, Continental Airlines tested a new brand of bio-fuel that is the airline industry’s first step in combating the extremely high cost of jet fuel. According to the airline, the bio-fuel blend includes components derived from algae and jatropha plants. Even before the nascent technology test, the Houston-based airline had shown a commitment to the environment by making an effort to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions throughout its fleet. The Continental flight is one of three currently being conducted.

And, according to a New York Times article, “In theory, people in the industry say, replacing petroleum in airplanes could be easier than replacing it in cars.”

This is certainly a concept that could gain some wings, so to speak.

Image Credit: Martin Rottler at Flickr under a Creative Commons license

Dow Chemical and Ford Motor Co. to Join Forces

Adam Shake — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 21:15:40 +0000

Editor’s Note: This post is a guest contribution by Adam Shake.

The symbiosis between cars and chemically-produced biofuels is growing closer as Ford Motor Company and DOW Chemical Company announced plans yesterday to hold a National Convention to discuss the future of manufacturing, technology, energy and the environment.

Ford Motor Co. Executive Chairman Bill Ford and Dow Chemical Co. Chairman and Chief Executive Andrew Liveris are scheduled to discuss “The National Summit,” which will take place June 15-17 2009, at Ford Field, the home of the Detroit Lions.

“The United States can no longer afford to take economic leadership for granted,” Ford said in a statement issued Monday by the economic club. “The National Summit offers a rare opportunity for leaders to come together to address the issues that impact our global competitiveness.”

DOW Chemical, who may be best known for its supply of Agent Orange to the U.S. Military during the Vietnam War, also made Chlorpyrifos, marketed as Dursban. Dursban was a home and garden insecticide (now banned for home use) and is also a nerve toxin that has been associated with reproductive and developmental toxicity. One study claims that Dow has contributed to 80% of the Chlorpyrifos burden of the United States.