Alternative Fuel News Highlights
Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit Recap
The Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit took place in Altoona on January 11, 2024. Over a dozen states, attendees represent every sector of the biofuels industry and beyond – including biofuels producers and supporters, policy experts, elected officials and media. In case you missed the event in person, visit the Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit webpage for a recap and sign up for notification of future events.
Two New Public EV Chargers Installed; EV Infrastructure Continues to Increase
The City of Ames and Ames Electric Services are celebrating the fifth anniversary of public EV charging stations with the announcement of two additional public charging locations. The newly installed chargers are at Inis Grove Park and Stanton Avenue Lot Z in Campustown. “Ames Electric Services incentivizes our customers to consider EVs for transportation through programs and rebates,” said Energy Services Coordinator Joel Zook. “By continuing to add vehicle charging stations across Ames, we are reinforcing our commitment to ensuring EV charging is easy and accessible to all.” The electric charging stations are part of a broader City of Ames effort to electrify transportation. Recently, the City committed to purchasing two electric pickup trucks, in addition to the electric and hybrid vehicles already in the City fleet.
Carbon Reduction in Harsh Weather with Biodiesel
In a pioneering move toward sustainable transportation, the cities of Ames, IA, Madison, WI, and Washington, D.C. are adopting 100% biodiesel (B100) as the decarbonization solution for their heavy-duty fleets. This decision marks a significant milestone in these cities’ commitment to reducing carbon emissions and transitioning towards renewable energy sources today. The City of Ames has taken advantage of the positive environmental and societal impacts of the transition to biodiesel, as it continues to lead the way in promoting sustainability initiatives and reducing its carbon footprint. “If you’re waiting around for something that’s going to save you money or make things easier, you’re making things worse. You’re emitting more carbon into the environment, and you don’t have to. You can get started with a reasonable amount of money, and it has a lasting impact.” Rich Iverson, Fleet Support Manager, City of Ames. Read the full press release here.
Clean School Bus Rebate Program Returns
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced it has opened the 2023 Clean School Bus Rebate Program, which offers at least $500 million in rebate funding for clean school buses and zero-emission school buses with the potential to modify this figure based on the application pool and other factors. Applications for the program are due on February 14, 2024.
IRS Released Additional Guidance for Clean Vehicle Tax Credits and Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Tax Credit
Under the Inflation Reduction Act, consumers can choose to transfer their new clean vehicle credit of up to $7,500 and their previously owned clean vehicle credit of up to $4,000 to a car dealer starting January 1, 2024. This will effectively lower the vehicle’s purchase price by providing consumers with an upfront down payment on their clean vehicle at the point of sale, rather than having to wait to claim their credit on their tax return the next year. Additional information regarding the Clean Vehicle Credit was released by the IRS. Also, the U.S. Department of Energy released a map to assist in determining location-based eligibility for the Alternative Fuel Tax Credit.
EV Planning and Zoning Code Guidance Document
As charging infrastructure continues to expand across a variety of building and location types, zoning codes can be one of the barriers to installing publicly accessible chargers. Local code officials have the unique opportunity to impact deployment through proactive planning and zoning discussions regarding local priorities of placement. Consider this resource to help explore zoning and planning efforts.
2024 Fuel Economy Guide Now Available
The U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency have just released the 2024 Fuel Economy Guide. It provides detailed fuel economy estimates for model year 2024 light-duty vehicles, along with estimated annual fuel costs and other information for prospective car buyers.
The Average EV is Now $14K Cheaper Than a Year Ago in the U.S.
Kelley Blue Book released its new vehicle average transaction price report, and it shows the average price paid for an EV in September was $50,683, down from more than $65,000 a year ago.
Study Showing the Benefits of Using Biodiesel
Clean Fuel Alliance America and The Trinity Group published a new study that reveals major health benefits of biodiesel over petroleum diesel fuel. The research and data show that clean fuels are better for the environment, smarter for consumers and healthier for communities at the local level.
NREL Releases 6th Edition of Biodiesel Handling and Use Guide
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) recently released the sixth edition of the Biodiesel Handling and Use Guide for individuals who blend, distribute or use biodiesel. It supplies essential information on the proper and safe use of biodiesel and aims to assist fleet blenders, distributors and others in understanding how to handle and use these fuels effectively. Additionally, the guide emphasizes the environmental and performance benefits associated with biodiesel.