The latest on US fuel economy

Just when you thought gas prices couldn’t go higher, they broke new records! When you’re a manager or business owner in the T&L industry, this is alarming news which consistently affects your bottom line.

Moving things around the world or around the block just got pricier and any new gas alternative out there will suddenly become a lot more interesting. That’s exactly how the US Department of Energy sees things. The spirit of their initiatives go something like “If it can be built, then let’s promote it… and perhaps even celebrate it.”

You should bookmark their Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy information web site for extensive reviews of technologies that apply to the T&L industry in part but may have significant impacts on several fronts on your business operations, such as:

• Biomass
• Building Technologies
• Distributed Energy
• Vehicle Technologies
• Geothermal Technologies
• Hydrogen, Fuel Cells and Infrastructure Technologies (Must Read)
• Industrial Technologies
• Solar Technologies
• Weatherization
• Wind and Hydropower

But that’s not all, the EERE operates the US Government’s Fuel Economy web site, dedicated mainly to consumer vehicles, which also apply to many commercial fleets. Many engaging themes are available, such as: gasoline prices, gas mileage tips, hybrid vehicles, alternative fuel vehicles and energy efficiency. The Fast Fuel Cost Calculator can also come in handy to see how much fuel efficient cars can save you and your company, over the course of several years of operation.

If you’re a fan of ethanol, the Alternative Fuels Data Center’s interactive Ethanol E85 map quickly shows where you can find refueling stations across the United States. Minnesota seems to have the lead, for now!

As expected, there’s a lot of activity going on for altertive fuels applied to consumer vehicles. Battery powered city buses and such have been successfully deployed but it’ll be a few years before you can replace your current fleet of large vans for alternative fuel equivalents. That’s fine because consumer vehicle progresses can often serve as tangible inspiration to companies who serve the transports and logistics operators.

Let’s not get overly enthusiastic. After all, commercial transportation is all about performance. Heavier loads, shorter delays. Nowadays, only fossil fuel can deliver in the face of such demanding standards. Even if you dream about going to your local Peterbilt truck shop to order a hydrogen fuel powered model, it’s just not possible.

So why should you care about all that’s going on in the consumer market?

Because the progress is real, on almost every front.

Never in recent history have we been closer to getting our hands on fully functional altertive energy cars that perform as well, if not better, than current gasoline comparables. Almost all auto makers are actively building tomorrow’s technology today and some models can help you save the environment, even if it’s in a small way, at first.

If you would like to know more about how you can “green up” your company’s vehicles and operations, you can also visit the US Environmental Protection Agency to get a bigger picture of how fuel economy fits in a greener future scenario.

For now, all eyes are on “alternative” solutions!

Tags: alternative fuels, greener cars, epa, hydrogen fuel, fossil fuel, transportation, economy