T. Boone Pickens Attends Broken Arrow Alternative Fuels Center Ribbon Cutting
16.09.11
Tulsa Tech says this program is the only one in the state and will give students hands-on-learning with state-of-the-art equipment.
Students are already in the new classrooms at Tulsa Tech's Broken Arrow campus.
Here they can learn everything about car maintenance- from the basics of brakes on cars - to the latest on alternative fuels for large trucks.
It's that focus on the emerging field of alternative fuel maintenance that attracted the attention of new fuel crusader T. Boone Pickens.
"I've been talking about, but now you see the vehicles, you can see what they do. There's no doubt, the fuel will work, it's abundant, it's cheap and it's available to us," Pickens said.
Pickens is working with Congress, including Tulsa's John Sullivan on legislation to push the change to a new fuel.
He says the shift requires new infrastructure like the new TTC Training Center.
"Tulsa Tech is turning out these vehicles. This is just the start. There will be so much activity in the next two or three years, it's incredible," he said.
The eStar vehicles have zero tailpipe emissions, and can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 10 tons annually.
Coca-Cola said the introduction of the eStar vehicles into its fleet is part of its commitment to energy efficiency and the use of alternative fuel vehicles.
"Coca-Cola is committed to investing in alternative fuel vehicles and innovative fleet technologies. This recognition is validation of our efforts to date and motivation to do even more in the future," Steven Saltzgiver, Director of Fleet Operations, Coca-Cola Refreshments said.
Mark Aubry, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Electric Vehicles, Navistar said each eStar can save a company up to 60 percent in fuel costs 50 percent of the vehicle is recyclable at the end of its life cycle.
"The eStar is a smart option for businesses that are looking to positively impact the environment through energy efficiency and sustainability," Aubry said.
In North America, Coca-Cola is also evaluating light-duty propane and natural gas options and is training its drivers in eco-driving techniques, such as minimal braking and early gear changes, through the Company's proprietary Smartdriver program.
Alternative Fuel wind power green energy biofuel vegetable oil biofuels water car hydrogen fuel hybrid car gas conversion alternative fuel fuel ...
Alternative fuel vehicles...?
Jan 05, 2007 by mvas800 | Posted in Other - Cars & Transportation
What happed to the big push to get alternative fuel vehicles out to the consumer at affordable prices? I remember there was a big push for electric cars and other alternative fuel vehicles then it seemed to have died down. Do you think the oil companies are "road blocking" them so they continue to make their hugh profits?
The economics don't work out yet, if they ever will. Plenty of people will say they do, but the alternative technologies all have huge issues. Meanwhile the US still wants to drive 12mpg SUVs so where's the market over here?
Europe is driving around in 50mpg diesels that pull like trains, why would they want to change their 600 mile range cars for a hydrogen or electic car that will go 150 or a hybrid that costs a fortune and gets no better economy.
Chris H | Jan 05, 2007
That is certantly a possible theory. But who knows what is going on ? :S
Dan!! | Jan 05, 2007
Do you think car companies are holding back fuel alternative vehicles?
Mar 26, 2007 by snitzelgrooven | Posted in Other - Cars & Transportation
Car companies are big business and famous for stiffling innovation. In the 1950s the held back on safety glass and seat belts. They avoided disk brakes for many decades. Many people were maimed and killed as a result.
But car companies don't benefit from avoiding alternative technologies if they are cheaper. They are simply not really cost effective.
In the 1970s the US car companies had a lot of trouble from small Japanese and European cars, because that is what the customer wants.
Customers buy SUVs because that is what they want, me I have never owned a car because I think they are a stupid way to get around.
flingebunt | Mar 26, 2007
Why would they do that? They want to sell cars, believe me. They respond to markets.
timo_10143 | Mar 26, 2007
Hmmmm....
Yes.
yellowjeff | Mar 26, 2007
no.. that would not make good dollars or cent$ they respond to the market... if the market wants SUVs.. thats what you get... if they want small cars that crush to the size of a coke can when they hit an insect... thats what you get...
the market sets everything... anyone that thinks different... well lets just say they are special and leave it at that
Larry M | Mar 26, 2007
No , I think oil companies are holding back fuel alternative vehicles.
metcalfmaintenance1 | Mar 26, 2007
I think if the gas companies would stop convincing brilliant people from selling out on their ideas, we would have had gas alternatives long before now.
Tabatha | Mar 26, 2007
http://www.whokilledtheelectriccar.com/
J Hsuya | Mar 26, 2007
Everyone seems to think hydrogen is the solution. Automotive companies promise hydrogen, but most agree it is off in the future (10 years). I've heard that Honda promises one much sooner. Industry insiders scratch their heads about that.
The fact is it is more effective (and efficient) to improve the internal combustion engine to a point that makes hydrogen energy look dirty (at least the energy used to create hydrogen).
As far as "unheard of" alternative fuel vehicles, I can't imagine that. The automotive industry is extremely competitive, and I think William Clay Ford (a virtual hippy compared to any other high level auto exec.) would bust it out to save his family fortune/name/reputation/history...
Answer: No.
T L | Mar 26, 2007
Yes and no. They don't want to make them because there isn't the infrastructure to support them yet (seen hydrogen at your local gas station lately?), so they will have trouble selling them. This means a lot of money being spent designing, with low returns - they stand to make a loss.
Of course, the opposite is also true. Gas companies don't want to spend the money developing the infrastructure because there aren't cars on the road that need it. It's a catch-22 situation, and will probably require legislation to force the companies to invest the capital needed to make it work.
Aussie Bloke | Mar 26, 2007
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Holding back may be the wrong term - it is more likely that big automakers just have little incentive to take big chances on alternative technologies.
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Example: I will show you a car made by a very small company. This is an electric truck:
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http://phoenixmotorcars.com/models/fleet .html
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The Phoenix electric pickup truck - this completely gas-free vehicle, using new, advanced Altairnano batteries (based on research from MIT) - can:
-Travel up to 250 miles per charge
-Carry 5 passengers plus cargo at 95mph.
-Charges batteries in as little as TEN MINUTES.
-Has batteries that last 250,000 miles (never need replacement.)
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This is a real car, being built for fleet customers like PG&E right now. Electric cars are very cheap to drive, since electric motors have only one moving part, and can run decades with no maintenance. The electricity to drive is only a penny or two per mile.
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So why don't big car companies make these? Because they will make lots more money from less reliable cars that break more often, and need more regular service. From the automakers' point of view, electric vehicles would require massive restructuring of engineering personnel, factories, and dealerships, so why take the risk?
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What can you do? You can buy an electric car. They are hard to find, but they are out there. The Phoenix above will be for sale to the general public next year. It will be expensive, but you can make it up in gas and maintenance savings. The only way these cars will get cheaper is if lots of people buy them.
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Or, buy an old technology electric car for as little as $5000. Here's a link:
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http://www.squidoo.com/cheap-electric-ca r/
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apeweek | Mar 26, 2007
Driving electric wouldn't be possible in California. There's allready an electricity shortage here supposedly, where is anyone gonna plug in a car during rolling blackouts? Where does that electricity come from, coal pehaps, and is that better for the enviroment? My point is that there are problems with all the alternative fuels that need to be worked out. Thats not car company's problem they just build and sell what people will buy. After all they're car companies, not electric co or gas co. The green people who make the government make the manufacturers build alternative cars should go and figure out the answers to the problems slowing the evolution of alternative fuel if they want these cars built, do something to help rather that sit and wait and pester. So the question about car companies holding ALT fuel back; in my eyes they're the only ones doing anything for that cause!!!
not | Mar 26, 2007
what automotive companies are designing alternative fuel vehicles?
Apr 22, 2007 by brian p | Posted in Other - Cars & Transportation
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Electric is the solution that is with us already. Practical electric cars are indeed here. Much battery research has been done, and is being done. Here is the newest electric car for sale:
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http://phoenixmotorcars.com/models/fleet .html
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The Phoenix electric pickup truck - using new, advanced Altairnano batteries (based on research from MIT) - can:
-Travel up to 250 miles per charge
-Carry 5 passengers plus cargo at 95mph.
-Charges batteries in as little as TEN MINUTES.
-Has batteries that last 250,000 miles (never need replacement.)
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Yes indeed, it is a real car, being built right now for fleet use. PG&E is one of the customers. It's not alone either. There's the Tesla electric sports car:
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http://www.teslamotors.com
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The Tesla can out-accelerate a Ferrari, and does nearly 250 miles per charge.
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And if you want to get your 'feet wet' in electric vehicles, here's how to find an EV for as little as $5000:
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http://www.squidoo.com/cheap-electric-ca r
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Any EV can be solar powered, with the addition of a small solar panel for charging (driving for FREE is fun!)
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Also check out the above link for info on how cheap it is to drive on electricity, and how several well-to-wheels studies show how much less pollution EVs create over their lifetimes.
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apeweek | Apr 23, 2007
Toyota, Honda, and Ford have hybrid cars in production, GM has some Bioflex cars, meaning they can use a mix of 70% ethanol and 30% gasoline, and many companies are testing hydrogen-powered cars, such as BMW. however, the hydrogen-powered cars cost hundreds of thousands of dollars and are not going to be in production anytime soon.
VodkaAndPickles | Apr 22, 2007
Ford, Honda, Toyota. Nothing will be available in this country for a while, though.
briankerr38 | Apr 22, 2007
all of the manufacturers and many of the automotive related companies are helping with various systems and parts.
Bruce L | Apr 22, 2007
What kind of alternative fuel vehicle should I get?
Apr 28, 2007 by prekinpdx | Posted in Other - Cars & Transportation
I'm looking into biodiesel, hybrid, natural gas or anything else. I don't think electric will work for me since I live in an apartment. I'm leaning towards a VW Jetta TDI that is 2001 or older. Anyone have any input on tne VW TDIs? Anyone drive the Honda natural gas Civic? Are there better options to reduce my carbon footprint? I've heard the hybrid batteries break frequently and cost thousands to replace. True? Or is this mosly in the older versions of hybrids? Thanks!
david you have no clue extensive tests have been run on running veggy oil and guess what... it runs just as good as diesel,will not harm the engine, runs cleaner, and can be had for free from local resturants, just needs filtered.
natural gas is too expensive, there is an article floting around somewhere how the prius uses nickle in their batteries which is mined in canada thus actually harming the enviroment. go with the v dub diesel and convert it to veggie oil.
cuervo25_1 | May 01, 2007
how can i convert my 1993 Eagle vision to run on e85 or some other alternative fuel?
Apr 23, 2007 by khrisie2003 | Posted in Maintenance & Repairs
I have a 93 eagle vision and boy does it guzzle gas! I need to know how to convert it to an alternative fuel vehicle.where can i get a kit or a book to tell me how to do this?
Converting an old car such as yours really doesn't make much sense. You say its a gas guzzler, you will actually get less miles per gallon then gasoline even if you convert to e85.
I suggest for your car, sticking with regular gasoline with ten percent ethanol.
Fleet operators can be more willing to invest in alternative fuels because, as big fuel users, they can benefit from lower fuel costs. Seen here are some of the fleet vehicles at the AltWheels Fleet Day here. In front is a gas-electric Chevy Volt and Fleet vehicles blazing the alternative energy trailall 3 news articles »
Lodi Unified School District plans to apply for a $100000 grant to cover roughly two-thirds of the cost of purchasing five new alternative fuel vehicles. The balance would come from the district's transportation equipment replacement budget and will and more »
Often companies started work on alternative fuels because of a corporate sustainability or environmental initiative. But fleet operators said that the economics have to make sense. At Staples, alternative vehicles have to be equal or less than the cost
It also will place us at the forefront in training men and women for careers in the rapidly expanding field of alternative fuel vehicles.” Hansen said he has big plans for his Alternative Fuels program. In addition to the one-year certificate,
Although the automotive industry continues to insist that fuel-cell vehicles will be retail-ready in the next few years, hydrogen is simply not the alternative fuel of choice, even for companies seeking to burnish their image.
Although the automotive industry continues to insist that fuel-cell vehicles will be retail-ready in the next few years, hydrogen is simply not the alternative fuel of choice, even for companies seeking to burnish their image.
