Shell’s US head says Americans will not give up their SUVs

The president of Shell Oil (US) said that Americans would not give up their SUVs despite new laws requiring US automakers to increase fuel efficiency by as much as 40 percent. John Hofmeister said that a tour by Shell executives had uncovered deep hostility to oil companies and deep loyalty to SUVs and big cars in general.

He added that new vehicle fuel efficiency standards would have only a “modest” impact on overall fuel consumption.

In other Shell activity in biofuels, the company and HR Biopetroleum have been constructing an algae-oil production facility to produce feedstocks for biodiesel.

The two companies created a joint venture, called Cellana, to construct a pilot plant in Hawaii, but the production capacity and location was not disclosed.

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