Alternative Fuels around the World

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International Battery, Hybrid and Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle Symposium & Exhibition (EVS 24) to be held in Norway in 2009
The International Electric Vehicle Symposium and Exposition (EVS) series organized by the World Electric Vehicle Association (WEVA) will be hosting its 24 th International Battery, Hybrid and Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle Symposium & Exhibition in Stavanger, Norway on May 13 th – 16 th 2009. The EVS series is recognized as the global electric transportation industry's premier and largest forum. The event will attract academic, government, and industry leaders from all over the world who are interested in contributing to a paradigm shift toward use of electric transportation technologies.

EVS 24 Norway Symposium Poster. Photo Courtesy of EVS 24

Workshops and tutorials will cover topics including plug-in electric hybrids, healthy low-carbon cities, lithium ion technology, and battery management systems. In addition, three special themes will be highlighted for the 2009 event. The "Towards Zero Emission" theme will focus on clean buildings and transportation systems covering air, sea, and land. The "Youth" theme will emphasize the importance of creating interest of electric technology among grade school, high school, and college students. Finally, the "Health" theme will emphasize between health and clean transportation. In addition to the topics and themes, people will be given a chance to drive electric vehicles.

London hybrid bus fleet to reach 300
In a bid to reduce the environmental impact of London’s 8,000 diesel-powered buses, 300 single- and double-deck hybrid models are to be introduced to the city’s streets by 2011. By the end of January 2009, the number of hybrid buses in the capital city will more than quadruple to 56 buses, making it the largest fleet of hybrid buses in Britain. The hybrid vehicles are expected to generate 40% less carbon dioxide than their diesel-powered forebears.

A spokesperson for the Environmental Transport Association said, "Hybrid buses are cleaner and greener than their diesel counterparts and do a great job of promoting the environmental benefits of public transport." Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, added, "A wonderful alliance of fuel efficiency and fume deficiency make hybrid engines the way to go for buses in our city."

The importance of hybrid bus use can be explained through the outcomes of their application. Conventional diesel-powered buses are responsible for high levels of particulate, soot. These are emissions that are damaging to our health. In a hybrid bus a much smaller diesel engine runs constantly, but at peak efficiency, to produce power for clean and quiet electric motors. To date, buses fitted with the "HybriDrive system" are estimated to have dramatically reduced particulate emissions. They can also be attributed with saving five million gallons of diesel fuel and 50,000 tons of carbon emissions.

Tough Economy Converts 100,000 Egyptian Drivers to Natural Gas
On the streets of Cairo, Egypt, a growing number of taxis are joining a fleet of roughly 100,000 vehicles that have been converted to run on cheap natural gas after the Egyptian government cut petrol subsidies and pushed for more reliance on greener energy. Compressed natural gas (CNG), which produces fewer harmful emissions than gasoline or diesel, is catching on in Egypt’s smog-shrouded cities. However, it is the tough economy that is leading a growing number of drivers to make the switch as the cost of petrol rises beyond what many Egyptians can afford. Earlier this year, the Egyptian government decided to slash petrol subsidies due to rising inflation, forcing consumers to pay up to 57% more for their petrol. An equivalent amount of compressed natural gas, however, sells for a quarter of the price. "I am interested in the environment, but it [CNG] is also cheaper," said taxi driver Mohamed Daoud, who switched his taxi to run on natural gas five years ago. "I can bring in more profit."

Egypt is working to diversify its energy resources to combat a projected energy crunch in the future. Experts have said their supply of fossil fuels, especially crude oil will only last for approximately 30 more years. The plans of conservation include the generation of electricity from renewable sources. Cairo is also making plans to construct several nuclear power stations, for which they have already received backing from the U.S. There are multiple wind farms along the country’s Red Sea coast. El Sewedy Cables, one of Egypt’s largest industrial firms, expects sales of 435 million euros by 2011, generated from a wind energy subsidiary they launched in the fall.

The energy crunch is allowing for major expansion plans. The state-owned natural gas company Egas had projected the number of natural gas vehicles to rise to 300,000 by 2012. Fueling stations will invariably increase to provide availability throughout the Nile Valley and Sinai peninsulas. The conversion for the vehicle costs approximately $1000 and can be completed in a relatively short time - half of a day.