Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies and Fisker Automotive have been partnering to produce powertrains for Fisker’s luxury plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.

Gasoline-electric hybrid transit buses are a rarity, but thanks to a Calstart joint purchase agreement, several U.S. states are about to get them.

Having just won U.S. EPA’s “Clean Air Excellence Award” for its “D7E” track-type tractor with diesel-electric hybrid drive, Cat now plans to roll-out the hybrid dozer commercially in fourth-quarter 2009.

A steady increase in natural gas production and stock levels, coupled with crude oil growing in stature as a global commodity, has resulted in the traditional U.S. crude oil to natural gas price ratio expanding.

The global economic recession continues to sap demand for middle distillates, which in turn hurts refiner margins, International Energy Agency found in its latest monthly survey report.

While biofuel mandates may or may not increase the price of fuel, biofuel tax credits always reduce the price of fuel, which could lead to more use and therefore more dependence on oil resources, two Cornell researchers argue in a paper to be published next month.

Lackluster gasoline demand and lowered 2009 projections for global oil demand contributed to the price of the August NYMEX crude falling to $59.89/bbl.

U.S. Gulf Coast spot aromatics prices saw little activity last week, although spot product prices generally fell as crude prices also declined during the week.

For the week of July 2, the 3-2-1 crack spreads the U.S. Gulf Coast and New York saw spreads increase to $6.99/bbl and $11.98/bbl, respectively.

Traders described Friday’s ethanol spot market “choppy,” with some speculating that blenders will wait until the last minute to make orders.

Chronic shortages of diesel fuel have prompted Argentina’s government to delay (in part) deadlines for fuel desulfurization until 2012.

Concerned that blends of ethanol higher than 10% might damage vehicle’s on-board diagnostic systems, New York urged the Environmental Protection Administration to deny the request of Growth Energy and 52 ethanol producers to increase the blend wall to 15%.

Even while President Obama was touting the recently passed House bill on “cap and trade” at the G-8 Summit in Italy, the U.S> Senate delayed the date it plans to have the legislation ready for consideration by a month, which will make it difficult to act on before the end of the year.

With no firm greenhouse gas reduction targets in sight after last week’s G8 Summit in Italy, the International Energy Agency urged world governments to increase investments in energy supply, low-carbon technologies and energy efficiency.