The main concern of legislators, farmers and families about ethanol subsidies around the world is the accompanying rise in prices. Many observers are concerned that increasingly large percentages of crop yields given to fuel instead of food production will negate savings at the pump for ethanol-enriched fuels. Sioux Falls, South Dakota-based Poet Energy has recently received funding from the Department of Energy to solve this problem by using corncobs and kernel fibers for ethanol production.

Frequent readers of HybridMile have read plenty of articles about all-electric, hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles. These stories rarely touch on the American public’s broader knowledge of electric vehicles. The assumption that every American household is familiar with all-electric and hybrid options is challenged by a recent report from the UC-Davis Institute of Transportation Studies.

The Secretary of Transportation unveiled a plan to “refocus, reform and renew” the federal government’s approach to federal highways and transit. Secretary Mary Peters spoke to a crowd at the Georgia Tech Research Institute about program consolidation and flexible funding for state highway programs. The underlying theme of Peters’ speech was that the federal government would improve safety and efficiency in the nation’s interstate highways without enforcing draconian policies on state governments.

We have posted several stories on HybridMile about all-electric vehicles that are emerging in markets around the world. Each story has noted that one of the problems with all-electric cars and trucks is the strain placed on existing utility grids. Electronic Transportation Engineering Corporation (eTec) has received funding from the Department of Energy’s Idaho National Laboratory to take a step toward solving the electric grid issue.

Every driver knows the feeling of dread when dealing with fellow motorists operating at different speeds. The flow of traffic depends on the slowest and fastest vehicles on the road, which can lead to frustration for drivers in the middle. It is important for every motorist who is abiding by the speed limit to know that this adherence to state and federal law can relieve stress at the gas pump.

The recent announcement that General Motors is partnering with 30 utilities throughout the United States to develop stations for electric vehicles may seem self-serving at first. Readers of HybridMile are likely aware that General Motors has plans to unveil its all-electric Chevy Volt in 2010. The initial reaction that GM is looking at its bottom line as it works with utilities in 37 states on an electrical infrastructure overlooks the overwhelming challenges to this project.

Ford Motor Company has been involved in a public-private coalition called the Crash Avoidance Metric Partnership with General Motors, Toyota and other motor companies along with road commissions over the last 13 years. Ford’s representatives announced the first “smart” intersection in the nation as the initial fruits of this collaboration. This Ford-funded intersection is located near the corporation’s headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan and has produced positive results in terms of reduced traffic incidents.

The Congestion Relief Index was released this past week amidst news of oil exceeding $145 per barrel. This study shows that a shift of 25 percent of the nation’s freight from trucks to trains by 2026 would remedy several transportation issues. The essential benefit for the typical commuter in this hypothetical scenario is improved commuting time. The average driver would save 41 hours of travel per year by the time trains take over freight deliveries in 2026.

Innovative Transport Solutions and the Cooperative Research Center for Forestry have unveiled their efforts to improve fuel efficiency in the Australian forestry industry. This mixture of private dollars and academic knowledge are geared toward production of retrofitting kits for 6x6 trucks used by lumber companies. Innovative is also working toward a kit that can convert common 6x4 vehicles into 6x6 trucks as well as a truck conversion kit for distribution in America by 2009.