May 2, 2008

VIDEO: D.C. Project Driveway Participants Get Their Cars

Check out this video of Project Driveway participants in Washington, D.C. receiving the keys to the Chevy Equinox fuel cell vehicles they'll be driving as part of the program. It's nice to see drivers so excited about taking part in this groundbreaking project. -- Will Stewart, blog editor

Posted by Editor at 4:23 PM
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February 22, 2008

GM's Fuel-Friendly Fleet Goes to the Oscars

Christie Conti
Experiential Marketing Director, PR & Branded Entertainment

It’s that wonderful time in Hollywood when a massive red carpet is rolled out and workers are scurrying like ants to put up flowing white tents and eye-popping lights and bleachers for fans for the 80 th Annual Academy Awards extravaganza. Tinseltown will earn its name on Sunday, February 24 when celebrities put on their Prada, Harry Winston, Gucci and more – oh my – to attend the film industry’s premier awards show.

But it isn’t about just what you wear from head to toe that will cause a buzz on Oscars day, but also about the ultimate fashion accessory – what you drive to the awards. For the first time ever, Oscar presenters and performers are prime to be the most stylish thanks to GMC and Chevrolet. The duo has teamed up to roll up to the red carpet with the largest fuel-friendly fleet ever assembled of its kind at a major awards show. Hollywood’s hottest talent will be stylish and environmentally friendly when they step out of a GMC Yukon Hybrid, Chevy Equinox Fuel Cell or FlexFuel E85 ethanol-compatible GMC Yukon.

GMC and Chevrolet will bring hybrid and fuel cell technology to the forefront at the red carpet as well as other Oscar Week events like the prestigious "A Night Before" party. What’s more, is that this isn’t a shot in the dark. GM is making a major effort to bring “fuel-friendly” products to the entertainment industry in 2008 with presence at awards shows, film festivals and special events, as well as heightened product placement effort in movies and television. Just a few weeks ago I saw that effort while watching an episode of TV’s “Friday Night Lights” and it was so cool to see a Chevy Tahoe Hybrid on the show.

And I was lucky enough to have stood on the red carpet when the 50th Annual GRAMMY Awards were held in Los Angeles and see major music artists arrive in Chevy Tahoe Hybrids. Stars definitely appreciated arriving eco-friendly, but it was the Chevy Volt Concept car that really turned heads. Brad Paisley and his actress wife Kimberly Williams-Paisley were nearly late for interviews because they couldn’t get enough of the electric car and learning about when it would be out in market. The Foo Fighters were last-minute arrivals and had to head straight to their perch on the outdoor stage, but kept asking, “What is that car?” as their publicist ushered them down the carpet. And Cyndi Lauper proved that girls really do just wanna have fun as she hopped up on the Volt to pose for photographers.

But the Oscars are the big kahuna when it comes to awards shows. I’m anxious to see who ditches their limo for a fuel-friendly arrival. I’m hoping Cate Blanchett, Forest Whitaker, Denzel Washington, George Clooney, Cameron Diaz and Jennifer Garner arrive in a fuel-friendly GMC or Chevy. But I will have to wait along with everyone else and tune into the red carpet pre-shows to find out who goes “green” and fashionable – now that would be something to talk about on those fashion programs.

Check out what the celebrities thought about the Chevy Volt at the GRAMMY Awards celebration over at Flickr and be sure to check back next week for more about GM's trip to the Oscars.

Posted by Editor at 9:16 PM
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February 14, 2008

More On Cellulosic Ethanol

GM Technical Fellow Candace S. Wheeler, Ph.D. took a moment to answer a question from a reader about our recent post on cellulosic ethanol. Thanks for the questions. Keep them coming. -Will Stewart, Blog Editor

Q. I have something to add to that: based on what I learned from GM folks today, they aren't really interested in methanol, but I couldn't get a concrete answer (except it just isn't as efficient - which may be true since methanol is 50% the energy of gasoline, correct?) The Coskata process, though, makes cheap ethanol without the use of subsidies. That being said, it does seem like they could take their syngas and make methanol out of it, instead of ethanol. Do the GM guys have an answer to this? (Clayton B. Cornell)

A. The bacteria that Coskata use have been developed to specifically produce ethanol. This is an advantage since chemical catalysis of syngas gives a mixture of alcohols including methanol, which must be separated from one another. These other alcohols have some value as chemical co-products, but if made in large quantities would swap out the demand for these materials reducing their value and putting more of the processing cost onto the ethanol. China is looking at methanol as an alternative fuel, but besides the lower energy density that you mention, methanol poses some health risks if ingested or absorbed through the skin. It also has the same issues with absorbing water as ethanol, and therefore is not compatible with the existing infrastructure (pipelines). Butanol, a four carbon alcohol, does have a higher energy density and could be used in the existing infrastructure. There are bacteria which do produce higher alcohols such as butanol although, to date, the yield has not been as good as with ethanol and the butanol is often produced as a mixture of butanol and ethanol. Some strains of bacteria can even produce hydrogen which could be used as a source of renewable hydrogen for fuel cell vehicles in the future. As far as the Coskata process is concerned, they are currently focusing their efforts on ethanol production but do hold the patent on several other strains of bacteria for making other fuels.

Posted by Editor at 2:21 PM
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January 17, 2008

QUESTION: Aftermarket Air Filters

This comment from Wayne was posted to FYI not to long ago on "Looking for Your Input," and we've been working on an answer. Thanks to Kelly Wysocki, Product Communications Manager, GM Full-Size Trucks, for helping us out with this in-depth answer. -Alicia Dorset, blog editor

"im an owner of a 2006 silverado and like many today looking for better gas mileage with the gas prices being what they are $$$ everyone tells me that my 2006 silverado has a cold air intake is this true?? if so how would GM`s intake system on my truck go up against K&N air intake?? because i`ve been told by alot of people K&N cold air intake will give me way better performance along with better gas mileage is this true?? please help" -Wayne

From Kelly:

K&N is a brand of air filters. In some cases they sell air cleaner solutions. Per your comment, Wayne, I would be very careful in changing my air cleaner.

K&N filters are less restrictive, but they achieve this performance by differing filtering strategies (using oil on their filter media). Oil use on your filter element over time could damage your MAF sensing elements and result in service engine soon lights or driveability issues.
Changes to the air cleaner itself could affect both snow and water ingestion performance, which could damage your engine.

Therefore, I would strongly discourage any changes to the filter element and air cleaner assemble. The fuel economy benefits aren't worth the risk.

K&N is an aftermarket producer of high-efficiency air filters and high-flow air intake systems. Most auto parts stores (Murrays, Pep Boys, etc...) carry their products. Aftermarket air filters will not produce "way better" fuel economy. Furthermore, while some "cold air intake" systems reduce intake restriction, they also tend to generate more intake noise than the production air intake system, and yield little (if any) improvement in fuel economy.

However, maintaining proper tire pressure, and ensuring the air filter is free from debris or significant dust/mud/dirt collection will ensure the vehicle is operating with the best possible fuel economy. Additionally, driving behavior significantly affects fuel economy. Avoiding aggressive accelerations and lifting off of the accelerator pedal earlier when approaching stop signs or red lights can significantly improve observed fuel economy.

Apart from proper maintenance and good driving habits, it's up to the manufacturer of the vehicle to deliver a product with minimal mass, low aerodynamic drag, low tire, brake, driveline, engine and transmission friction, and with an efficient powertrain to maximize fuel economy. Most, if not all of these characteristics cannot be significantly changed by even a skilled customer... especially without voiding their warranty.

We're working hard on answering the questions we get here at FYI, so please keep them coming!

Posted by Editor at 5:04 PM
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