2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI

The initial batch of 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDIs are now arriving at Volkswagen dealers across North America. Diesel Forecast dropped by a local Volkswagen showroom to take a look and a quick test drive. According to sales people the high current high price of diesel fuel is not deterring buyers from placing orders for the new high-mileage Jetta.

With the cost of vegetable oils and waste grease - the primary feedstocks for biodiesel - rising along with the price of food and the fuel to produce it, the new B20 standard won't have much impact on biodiesel prices. But some analysts see non-food sources, such as algae, as the key to increasing fuel supplies and lowering prices.

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announces at a press conference today that Tesla Motors next product a sedan to be called the Model S will be manufactured in California. The new four door lithium ion battery powered sports sedan will be assembled at a factory in the San Francisco Bay area beginning in 2010.

Sigmar Gabriel, Federal Minister for the Environment, Dr. Klaus-Dieter Maubach, Chairman of the Board of Management of E.ON Energie AG (on the left) and Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn, Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG

At a press conference with Germany's environment minister, Volkswagen Chairman Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn announces the automaker will soon begin field testing a fleet of plug-in hybrid electric Golfs. The Golfs will be equipped with lithium ion battery packs and powertrain labeled as TwinDrive. The TwinDrive Golfs will be evaluated for vehicle technology as well as the viability of vehicle-to-grid technology and renewable electricity supplies for electric vehicles.

Scott Atherton, CEO of the American Le Mans Series announces details about the series' new Green Challenge. Beginning in 2009, competitors in both the prototype and GT classes will be competing for victory on the track while vying for the lowest environmental impact.

2009 Mercedes-Benz ML320 BlueTec

Mercedes Benz intends to be the first automaker to market with 50-state legal clean diesel SUVs when the new BlueTec ML, GL and R-Class go on sale. The Stuttgart automaker held a preview drive in rural Vermont this week to let the world's media sample its latest compression ignition technology.

The American Society for Testing and Materials this week approved new standards for commercially available biodiesel. The new rules define minimum requirements for biodiesel blends of up to 20 percent, as well as the inclusion of up to five percent biofuel in standard pump diesel fuel.

Mazda's Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid Minivan

Mazda Motor Corp. announces it will begin leasing its Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid Minivan to governments and other public fleets in Japan in March 2009 after finishing a series of road tests set to begin soon.

The eagerly awaited 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI now has an official price tag for its August on-sale date. The first new 50-state legal diesel car to come to market will be priced from $21,990 for the sedan and $23,590 for the SportWagen.

A PHEV Prius model that Toyota is currently testing. The model shown was not the vehicle involved in the fire.

The first reported incident of a plug-in hybrid vehicle catching fire occurred recently in Columbia, SC - highlighting the safety concerns of battery-powered vehicles. An aftermarket converted Toyota Prius was destroyed when an on-board battery charger appears to have burst into flames.