The Week in CleanTech, Saturday Edition: Drivers enjoy less pain at the pump; Pelosi mulls offshore drilling; and a small step toward hydrogen in Missouri.

Gasoline prices fall to lowest level in 14 weeks: Good news for motorists and consumers — gasoline prices continue to decline. The U.S. Energy Information Administration says fuel prices slumped another 6.9 cents last week, driving the price of gasoline to an average price of $3.74 a gallon. That’s the lowest since last spring, though still about a dollar higher than in August, 2007. While the pain at the pump is decreasing, Americans still have still driven 53.2 billion fewer miles so far this year. (USA Today)

Toyota wants hybrids across the board, remains dubious of plug-ins: Toyota’s “can’t do” attitude toward electric vehicles remains in full bloom. Toyota powertrain systems manager Justin Ward told a Michigan gathering last week that while the company plans on offering hybrids across its entire line, it remains deeply skeptical of the current capabilities of plug-in vehicles. Ward said an all-electric range of 40 miles — the target for Chevy’s upcoming Volt roadster — just isn’t enough range. He also questioned the effectiveness of EV vehicles in reducing overall carbon dioxide emissions, since most power in the U.S. is soarced from coal. (Autoblog Green)

House to Rethink Drilling, Pelosi Says: Bowing to election year pressure, House speaker Nancy Pelosi says Democrats will take another look at offshore drilling. Though new drilling will likely have no effect on fuel prices for at least a decade, public support is high. That’s giving Republicans an election year campaign issue. Pelosi’s office says Democrats will craft some sort of a drilling plan that would open sections of the Continental Shelf to exploration without granting tax subsidies to oil companies — whatever that means.

Missouri Opens First Hydrogen Refuelling Station: Hydrogen is coming to the heartland. Missouri University of Science and Technology will host the state’s first hydrogen fueling station. Linde will supply fuel cell-grade gaseous hydrogen for the facility. The hydrogen is sourced from water at a Canadian facility run entirely on hydroelectric power. (Green Car Congress)

GM May Reveal the Production Chevy Volt on it Centennial Webcast, September 16th: General Motors may reveal production-ready prototypes of the eagerly awaited plug-in vehicle next month. Engineers are finalizing the car’s showroom spec, and company spokespeople say mule test vehicles have enjoyed a successful summer of testing. The Detroit Press reported Tuesday that the most likely occasion for an official unveiling of the Volt’s final look will be the company’s Centennial webcast, now set for September 16th. It will be broadcast on the GMNext website.

Stories You Might Also Like: