Refinery production down – pump prices up

Over the past five days, average retail gasoline prices have risen more than four cents per gallon in Oklahoma and even more dramatically in eight other Heartland states. Since the end of July, pump prices have jumped 13 cents in Ohio and 11 cents in both Indiana and Michigan. These increases can be traced back to refinery problems and maintenance issues at several facilities supplying the region: two in Kansas (HollyFrontier in El Dorado and the CVR plant in Coffeyville), BP’s refinery in Whiting, Ind., and ExxonMobil’s facility in Joliet, Ill.

 

Wireless charging key to electric cars

Various types of electric cars are gaining popularity all over the world as the next generation of eco-friendly vehicles. The key to the electric car’s commercial success is innovation in battery development, which is why major South Korean companies such as Samsung SDI and LG Chem are at the forefront of global efforts to develop high-capacity batteries for electric cars

 

National ‘Drive Electric Week’ Planned For September, With 100-Plus Events

In 2011, several organizers looking to promote electric cars started National Plug-In Day–but apparently one day is no longer enough to contain no longer enough to contain advocates’ enthusiasm for electric cars. National Drive Electric Week will take place September 15 to 21, with 113 events already scheduled in dozens of cities across the U.S. and Canada.

 

 

Report forecasts growth in Brazil’s ethanol output

An annual report on Brazil’s biofuel sector has been filed with the USDA Foreign Agriculture Service’s Global Agricultural Information Network, predicting Brazilian ethanol production will increase 5 percent next year, reaching a total of 26.9 billion liters (7.11 billion gallons). Ethanol exports are expected to increase 200 million liters next year, reaching 1.8 billion liters.