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China Cultivates Jatropha for Biodiesel
China is about to become the world leader in the cultivation of jatropha, a sustainable, perennially growing oil-seed crop that can be used to produce biodiesel. By 2010, the country plans to plant 13 million hectares of jatropha trees, from which a whopping 6 million tons of oil–nearly 2 billion gallons–can be extracted every year, according to government estimates. Some analysts believe the yield could actually be three times that amount.

First Compressed Natural Gas Plant Opens in Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic's first natural gas compression and distribution plant recently opened. The plant is expected to fuel 143,000 vehicles in the next three years. The country is encouraging conversion to CNG-fueled vehicles, and 140 CNG stations are already in development.

Survey Reveals Growing Interest in Hybrids among German Consumers
Nearly one third of consumers in Germany are planning to buy a hybrid vehicle as their second car, a consumer survey showed. According to the survey commissioned by Hannover-based tire producer Continental, 30.7 percent of the respondents said that next time they would certainly or most probably buy a hybrid car with both an electric motor and a combustion engine. Last autumn, only 24.7 percent said they would consider buying a hybrid car.

India To Run Trains on Biodiesel
Indian railways will run their diesel locomotives on biodiesel, according to Minister of State for Railways R Velu. The minister said initially the trains would run on B10 with plans to move to a B20 blend in the future.

Quantum To Push Alternative Fuel Products in India
Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide has signed an agreement for the marketing, sales, and distribution in India of its leading alternative fuel vehicle products and systems for compressed natural gas, blends of natural gas and hydrogen, and liquid petroleum gas. The Indian subcontinent is the fastest growing market for CNG and LPG systems and is projected to double its global market share by 2012, according to the company.

Indian Automaker To Offer Biofuel-run Vehicle by 2008
India's Mahindra & Mahindra will launch its first B100-fueled vehicle for commercial use by the end of the year. The company said it is confident that it will eventually offer the biofuel-run engines in all models.

India's Indus-Electrans Develops New Electric Vehicles
Indus-Electrans of India has announced successful development of prototype electric three- and four-wheel vehicles and hybrid-electric low-floor buses. According to the Indus-Electrans Operations Director, the company has submitted the prototypes to the Automobile Research Authority of India for approval.

University of Tokyo Investigates Rice-based Ethanol
Professors at the University of Tokyo are investigating an inexpensive rice-origin ethanol brew similar to sake, a fermented wine made from rice. Similar to the process in which American companies are using corn to produce ethanol fuel, Japanese farmers are donating the waste from rice farms, which is then turned into ethanol. According to the researchers, rice-based ethanol biofuel could gain widespread support across Japan if the project is successful. They plan to test the biofuel in flex-fuel vehicles.

UK Group To Promote Bio-methane
A new group dedicated to promoting bio-methane as a road transport fuel in the UK launched this month. The National Forum on Bio-Methane as a Road Transport Fuel developed from a study carried out on behalf of the National Society for Clean Air and Environmental Protection and a subsequent conference during 2006. The study concluded that a significant proportion of the UK's road transport fuel needs could be supplied by biomethane produced by the anaerobic digestion of organic waste. As additional benefits the process could reduce waste sent to landfill and also produce potentially valuable byproducts.

London To Test Fuel Cell Cars
The Mayor of London has approached a manufacturer of experimental fuel cell cars with the intent of establishing a trial of its low-emission vehicles. Mayor Ken Livingstone has asked Korean automaker Kia to provide a small fleet of its Sportage four-wheel drive vehicles with the hope that this vehicle will become the "car of choice for the mayor's staff." "If we decide to go ahead, it would be a small fleet of perhaps three to five vehicles," said Dr. Moon-Sik Kwon of Kia. If the two parties reach an agreement, London will join California and Michigan, as well as administrative authorities in Japan and Korea, in giving the vehicles a trial run.