China joined Britain, India and France in a plan to eventually ban the sales of diesel and gasoline powered vehicles. The timetable for the ban has not been firmed up yet, but the Chinese vice minister of industry, Xin Guobin, said that [highlight style=”default”]vehicle manufacturers will need to adjust their strategies[/highlight]. China has been fully supportive of electric vehicles due to the high level of pollution.
Meanwhile, Mary Barra, [highlight style=”default”]GM’s Chief Executive, is pushing back on China’s plan[/highlight]. Barra stated that the company is making a big push with electric vehicles, but feels that consumers should make the decision as to how vehicles are powered. Currently, GM EVs have a range of about 100 miles and rely on gasoline-hybrid technology to extend vehicle driving ranges. China doesn’t have the same driving culture as the US, so EVs may have more appeal. Vehicles manufactures want to see China loosen the regulations to include gasoline-hybrids.
SoCal Gas is working to decarbonize its pipelines in order to accelerate the use of renewable natural gas (RNG). [highlight style=”default”]SoCal Gas will be building and operating more RNG interconnection facilties[/highlight] throughout California. RNG producers will then be able supply homes and natural gas vehicles. 60 percent of fuel used in natural gas vehicles is RNG and the company expects that to rise to 90 percent by 2018.