DoE releases charging station and alterative fuel locator mobile app

Whether you drive a Tesla Model S, a Nissan Leaf, or a CNG-powered Ford F-150, there is now an app that drivers of all electric and alternative fuels will find useful. The Department of Energy has just released a mobile app version of its Alternative Fueling Statin Locator, available for download at the iTunes store, that will allow users to find public and private electric charging stations and alternative-fuel station all across the nation. The app displays different types of refueling stations, including biodiesel, CNG, electric, ethanol, hydrogen, LNG, and propane.

BMW recalls 132,000 cars for fuel-pump fixes

BMW is recalling about 130,000 cars fitted with its N54 twin-turbo six-cylinder engine to repair a faulty high-pressure fuel pump. The recall covers the 2007-10 335i; the 2008-10 135i, 535i and X6 xDrive35i, and the 2009-10 Z4 sDrive35i. BMW says about 40,000 of those cars will need a new fuel pump.

Volkswagen hits back, weighs making a bid for Porsche

Volkswagen is considering an audacious reverse-takeover bid for its majority shareholder, Porsche, in a twist in the drawn-out struggle for control between the two German carmakers. The Volkswagen Group's supervisory board is said to be weighing the possibility of purchasing Porsche AG, in a move that would relieve its holding company, Porsche SE, of massive debt that industry analysts suggest the company may not be able to fund should the world's financial crisis drag on well into 2010--a scenario put forward this week by the International Monetary Fund. The secret plan emerged as shareholders were set to convene at Volkswagen's annual meeting on Thursday, and it comes after Porsche revealed that it is carrying some 9 billion euros ($11.73 billion) in debt, most of it owing to interest on loans taken out to purchase its 50.8 percent stake in VW.