OR, WA Seek To Juice Electric Car Sales With More Incentives

KPLU, December 22, 2014

A coalition in Oregon and the Democratic governor of Washington want to juice sales of electric cars by providing more state incentives. But some critics say more taxpayer giveaways for those drivers are unnecessary. One of the new subsidies that Washington Gov. Jay Inslee proposed earlier this week is a bill credit on the electronic toll accounts of electric car drivers to cover a yet-to-be-determined number of free ferry trips or toll bridge crossings. 

Fast Company, December 15, 2014

At the moment, people charge electric vehicles one of three ways: at home, at a public charging station, or on a company network like Tesla's cross-country Supercharger system. In Europe, there'll soon be another way: mobile charging. This is when drivers carry their own charging kits, enabling them to use public outlets instead of the sophisticated charging posts you normally see.

Obama Signs Tax Act Reinstating Biodiesel Credit Through 2014

Biodiesel Magazine, December 22, 2014

President Obama signed the Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014 into law Dec. 19, which reinstates the $1 per gallon biodiesel and renewable diesel tax credits from Jan. 1, 2014, through the end of the year. 

Honda's Hydrogen Fuel Car To Make U.S. Debut

Air Force officials unveiled the Department of Defense's first non-tactical vehicle fleet composed entirely of plug-in electric vehicles. The rollout of the 42-vehicle fleet marks a milestone in the DOD's demonstration of emerging technology and the vehicles will serve as a resource to the electrical grid when they're not being driven.

How To Boost Efficiency: Lighter Cars That Carry More People

Green Car Report, December 22, 2014

Efficiency is a many-splendored thing, and cutting vehicle weight has multiple beneficial effects. A lighter car requires less energy to move, meaning engine output can be lower. A recent article argues that vehicles still weigh far too much - and it analyzes vehicle-to-passenger weight ratios over history to make the case.

DOE Releases Report Evaluating EV Charging Impacts On Grid

Royal Society of Chemistry, December 19, 2014

A sustainable method to synthesise platform chemical lactic acid from waste glycerol, a byproduct of biodiesel production, has emerged from research in Switzerland. The increasing demand for biodiesel means an oversupply of glycerol and, currently, any excess glycerol must be disposed.