Open Fuel Standard - Good for EVers?

[AndyH]

What do you think, folks - is this something we should get behind or stay away from?

http://www.openfuelstandard.org/

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DvRKSlcmCeU[/youtube]

House Bill (HR1687):
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/112/hr1687

Open Fuel Standard Act of 2011 - Requires each fleet of a manufacturer of passenger automobiles (including light-duty motor vehicles) to comprise at least: (1) 50% qualified vehicles in model year 2014, (2) 80% qualified vehicles in model year 2016, and (3) 95% qualified vehicles in model year 2017 and each subsequent year. Defines "qualified vehicle" as: (1) a vehicle that operates solely on natural gas, hydrogen, or biodiesel; (2) a flexible fuel vehicle capable of operating on gasoline, E85, and M85; (3) a plug-in electric drive vehicle; or (4) a vehicle propelled solely by fuel cell or by something other than an internal combustion engine. Authorizes a manufacturer to request an exemption from such requirement from the Secretary of Transportation (DOT).

Senate Bill (S1603):
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/112/s1603

Open Fuels Standard Act of 2011 - Requires each automobile manufacturer's annual covered inventory to comprise at least: (1) 50% fuel choice-enabling vehicles in model years 2015-2017, and (2) 80% fuel choice-enabling vehicles in model year 2018 and each subsequent model year. Requires the Secretary of Transportation (DOT) to certify the type and blend of advanced alternative fuel blends that can be used in fuel choice-enabling vehicles, existing vehicles, and by new and existing components of the nation's transportation fueling infrastructure. Defines "fuel choice-enabling vehicle" to mean an automobile warranted by its manufacturer to be capable of operating on: (1) an advanced alternative fuel blend, if certified for its use, or a mixture of at least 85% denatured ethanol and gasoline or drop-in fuel, if not yet certified; or (2) natural gas, hydrogen, electricity, a hybrid electric engine, a mixture biodiesel and diesel fuel, or other fuel containing not more than 10% petroleum. Defines "advanced alternative fuel blend" as a mixture containing: (1) at least 85% (or lower percentage of) denatured alcohol as well as gasoline or drop-in fuel, (2) at least 70% menthol as well as gasoline or drop-in fuel, and (3) any other DOT-certified blend of alcohols or liquid fuels. Authorizes a manufacturer with an inventory of less than 10,000 vehicles to request an exemption from such requirements. Authorizes the Secretary to establish an open fuels standard credit trading program to allow vehicle manufacturers whose annual covered inventory exceeds the percentage requirements to earn credits, which may be sold to manufacturers that are unable to achieve such requirements. Directs the Secretary to: (1) develop a model label for pumps dispensing advanced alternative fuels to help consumers evaluate the expected automobile performance of a fuel blend, and (2) make it available for voluntary reproduction and adoption. Directs the Secretary to evaluate the need for standardized fueling equipment and facilities that: (1) dispense advance alternative fuel blends to fuel choice-enabling vehicles, and (2) prevent the dispensing of such fuel blends to incompatible vehicles.

 

[Smidge204]

What do you think, folks - is this something we should get behind or stay away from?

It's a valid argument in favor of getting off of oil, and one that I generally support, but I think they angled slightly too hard on the emotional response in that video. They could have made just as strong a point without invoking the "RADICAL ISLAM" boogeyman IMHO.

Then again, some people only react to that kind of nonsense so I suppose it's effective in the right situation.
=Smidge=

 

[Herm]

It is the pro ethanol bill, I'm all for that. I would also like to see a mandate to blend-in synthetic fuels made from coal and NG, so that we start growing the industry in the US.