Fuel

President Joe Biden is poised to sign an executive order Sept. 12 to help expand U.S. biomanufacturing and reduce reliance on China.

RALEIGH, N.C. — A North Carolina-based semiconductor company announced Sept. 9 it will build a $5 billion manufacturing plant in its home state to produce silicon carbide wafers, which is emerging as a favored part for renewable energy products and electric vehicles.

Hydrogen is rising as an eventual clean alternative option for fueling trucks but the feedstock used to produce it — by steam methane reforming, using coal or with solar panel-generated electricity — affects its carbon impact.

Officials within President Joe Biden’s administration are hunting for ways to head off a feared spike in oil prices later this year, including the possibility of an additional release from the nation’s emergency crude reserves.

Nikola Corp. won a court order preventing founder Trevor Milton from using certain company communications in his defense against criminal charges that he lied about the company’s products to mislead investors and prop up the stock.

GM expects to make the electric model of its popular Chevrolet Equinox SUV available for sale in about a year with a $30,000 price tag.

Mercedes-Benz AG and Rivian Automotive Inc. plan to jointly manufacture electric vans in Europe as both companies try to share the rising costs of churning out battery-powered vehicles.

Diesel demand in California is soaring as the risk of blackouts in the state spurs big power users to load up on fuel for generators.

Public comment on a proposed federal regulatory and funding road map for setting up a national electric charging station infrastructure received mixed comments from a wide variety of interested parties.

Revenue from Louisiana’s gasoline tax is insufficient to meet the state’s road and bridge needs, Legislative Auditor Michael Waguespack said in a report issued Sept. 6.