The U.S. Department of Energy today took the wraps off of an online Alternative Fuel Station Locator that should make it a bit easier to find the right fuel if you need something other than gasoline or diesel. Just put in your address, the fuel you’re looking for, how wide a radius you’d like the database to include and presto. Instant results. As I still drive a gasoline-powered car (an efficient one, mind you), I can’t personally judge the accuracy of the information for local pumps, but if you’re knowledgeable about these sorts of things, give the online station locator a test and see how it does.

The DOE’s map includes pumps/stations that offer:

• Biodiesel (B20 and above)
• Compressed Natural Gas
• Electric
• Ethanol (E85)
• Hydrogen
• Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)
• Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Propane)

The database should be fairy accurate, as the DOE gathers it’s information “from trade media, Clean Cities coordinators, and the submittal form on the AFDC Web site.” Then, each station is contacted twice a year to make sure the fuel listed is still available at the site. Happy hunting.

Popularity: 1% [?]

General Electric has been building hybrids for many years. Its Evolution Series of locomotives are some of the most efficient currently on the market, and the giant company has plans for a replacement model using its own batteries soon. Also planned by GE is a move into the large truck market, where diesel hybrids are expected to become increasingly popular in the coming years. With all of this research and development already done for hybrid systems and the growing interest in the technology in the auto realm, Chrysler is looking to tap into some of that knowledge for an upcoming project for a “dual-battery energy storage system.”

Though we’re not entirely sure what this technology entails, we just reported that GE and Chrysler have gotten a bit of funding from the Department of Energy for further developments of the system. Considering the deep pockets that GE has, Chrysler seems wise to partner up with them, and the auto company already has ties to the energy conglomerate, as current Chrysler CEO Bob Nardelli has served as a GE executive in the past. We anxious to see what “good things” this tie-in can bring to life.

Popularity: 1% [?]