In a challenge to app and web developers, Ford aims to help drivers get the best, most reliable, personal fuel economy data so they can optimize their fuel usage.

At the New York International Auto Show, Ford announced a $50,000 Personalized Fuel-Efficiency App Challenge, asking software developers to create the best apps to help customers easily access their personal fuel-economy performance data.

The Challenge is designed to “create an app to improve everyone’s fuel economy”, according to Jim Farley, Ford Executive vice president of global marketing. The independent developer that produces the best application for measuring fuel economy in the real world (as opposed to stock EPA test data on MPG) will receive $50,000.

To help build the applications, Ford is giving developers full access to both their hardware and software running the OpenXC platform, allowing them to integrate their own creations with the data-gathering and interactivity possible with that architecture.

“Ford Motor Company is challenging software developers to create the best mobile or web-based apps that will help customers easily access their personal fuel-economy performance data. With this data, using on-road personalized experiences, customers can share, compare and learn how to optimize their fuel usage. Developers must use data via the OpenXC platform. Winners will receive $50,000.”

The Challenge opens for submissions on Wednesday, April 24, 2013, and details and guidelines will be available to registered users at that time. Find out more at ChallengePost.

Coca-Cola Enterprises is set to roll out a fleet of renewable biogas-powered delivery trucks in London depot as part of a drive to cut its greenhouse gas emissions and fuel costs.

The investment follows a successful 12-month trial with low carbon vehicle technology advisor, the Centre of Excellence (Cenex), to evaluate and compare the emissions, fuel consumption, economics, reliability and operability of a 26 tonne Iveco Stralis biomethane gas vehicle with that of a diesel Stralis vehicle.

It concluded that the gas vehicle achieved emissions savings of about 50%, compared to the diesel vehicles. Cenex has predicted this saving could rise to 60% if Coca-Cola Enterprises installed a more efficient permanent filling station at its depot. The gas vehicle using biomethane was also found to reduce fuel costs by 12.8%.

Coca-Cola Enterprises logistics asset manager Darren O’Donnell, said: “Our primary reason for selecting compressed biomethane is that it has the lowest carbon intensity of all commercially available alternative fuels, allowing us to benefit from the best possible well-to-wheel saving. “

“Gaining independent trial support and results verification by Cenex has helped give us the confidence needed to make step changes in emissions performance through switching vehicle technology and fuels.”

As a result, Coca-Cola Enterprises has invested in a fleet of 14 gas powered Iveco Stralis vehicles and a gas station. Cenex has predicted that the new gas fleet will result in a saving of more than 300 tonnes of CO2 per year.

Cenex head of technical support and consultancy Chris Walsh, said: “The success of this trial shows gas vehicles provide similar if not better, drive performance and reliability levels than incumbent diesel technologies, while significantly reducing CO2 emissions.”