Our emphasis here at eCycleGroup is to share different perspectives on all kinds of sustainable and  eco-friendly subjects; this is the second of two stories intended to identify some pros and cons of the alternative engine choices available now and promised to come to market in the future. (Click here to read part one,  which focused on emerging automotive technologies, such as hydrogen, electric, and hybrid electric/gasoline powerplants.) Part two focuses on the variety of alternative fuels currently in production. You can find a list of that operate on these fuels by searchng at fueleconomy.gov

Diesel
Diesel is produced as a byproduct of the distillation procedure that produces gasoline. Both gasoline and diesel are produced from the same crude oil. As part of the production process, crude oil is heated, releasing different hydrocarbon compounds at different boiling temperatures. The lightest components — such as ethane and propane — evaporate first. The next components, called naphtha, are used for making gasoline. Finally, the heaviest portion of crude oil is used to make diesel fuel.

Diesel engines are known for their high strength and durability, and today’s modern diesels are typically much cleaner and more fuel efficient than their predecessors. Thanks to today’s high-tech direct injection diesel engines, the days of smelly, sooty diesel discharge are long gone.

Some diesel engines have been modified to burn biodiesel,  which is a domestically produced, renewable fuel derived from natural oils like soybean oil. Biodiesel is produced without petroleum, though it can be blended  with petroleum diesel to create a biodiesel blend. Biodiesel blends of up to 20 percent can be used in any diesel engine without requiring any modifications to the engine or the fuel system. Some specially prepped vehicles are even able to use post-consumer oil products recycled from restaurants — like old french fry cooking oil! You can find out much more at www.biodiesel.org » Read more

Be Green with AskPatty.com

As a female friendly business, AskPatty.com trains automotive dealerships and retailers to create a safe and comfortable environment where women feel welcome; these businesses are then held to a high level of customer satisfaction for their women consumers. However, AskPatty.com is also an automotive website that recognizes its responsibility to the world around us, encouraging its employees and affiliated dealers and retail businesses to continually strive to reduce their environmental impact.

AskPatty.com’s President and CEO Jody DeVere launched the BE GREEN initiative last year to help affiliated automotive dealerships and retail locations become more environmentally friendly.  As part of their training, AskPatty provides business with the information and tools they need to utilize green marketing and to highlight earth friendly vehicles in their inventory.

AskPatty developed an Earth Friendly Logo that dealers can place on any vehicles in stock that are earth friendly, allowing consumers to easily identify vehicles that qualify for the program.  How are vehicles defined as “Earth Friendly”? Under the Be Green program any vehicles that utilize hybrid gasoline/electric power plants, are powered by clean-burning natural gas, produce the lowest emissions possible thanks to PZEV and ULEV engines, or promise more than 28 miles per gallon qualify as Earth Friendly. The AskPatty BeGreen program also helps dealerships highlight vehicles that they sell that are Earth Friendly.

AskPatty.com also educates its Certified Female Friendly dealers and retail businesses on things they can do to become more environmentally friendly in their day-to-day operations, such as: » Read more