Zoomi Life

This is a very cool and much-needed idea.  The National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) and the Department of Energy (DoE) have partnered on a project they’re calling TransAtlas (Transportation Atlas).  It’s a Google Maps-based map for finding information on alternative fuels nationally.

So if you’re Neil Young cruising in your LincVolt and are wondering where you can get a recharge, you can use the TransAtlas to narrow your search by location and fuel type and BINGO!  There’s a Big Jim’s Burger right over there that has a plug-in recharging station in their lot!

Right now, TransAtlas covers biodiesel (all grades), compressed or liquified natural gas (CNG/LNG), ethanol (all grades), electric vehicle charging stations, hydrogen, and propane. It lists both currently available/active fueling stations and future planned stations, delineated as such by color.

Using the map, you can also see where some types of fuel are made.  Focusing mostly on ethanol, the map also includes many biodiesel manufacturers as well.

Once you find your station(s) of choice, you can find the exact location, contact information, and whether it’s publicly accessible and when.

Each fuel type uses a different symbol, so looking for multiple fuel sources (like Neil’s LincVolt can use) is easy.

Cool idea!

Source: NREL