Jump start: The new automotive revolution

Journal Article · Sun Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1993 · World Watch; (United States)

OSTI ID:6277879

Flavin, C

For half a century, automotive technology has been subservient to the demands of performance and style. Now,the first generation of environmentally responsible cars is on the way. Experimental low-emission cars that run on methane, hydrogen, or electricity and have exceptional fuel economy are being build by more than a dozen companies. Growing numbers of automobiles in recent year have offset cars made cleaner by air pollution laws, and small modifications have not met the needs to have a major technology change. The plan to reduce air pollution in the Los Angeles basin has engineering minds beginning to take up the challenge. This article discusses new automobile technology as it is evolving: solar cars; light-electric vehicles; manufacturing of electric vehicles; light weight composites for vehicle bodies; hybrid gasoline-electric cars; other transportation modes. The critical role of governments and financial incentives in encouraging the development of new auto technologies is also discussed.

• OSTI ID: 6277879
• Journal Information: World Watch; (United States), Journal Name: World Watch; (United States) Vol. 6:4; ISSN 0896-0615; ISSN WOWAEE
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320200* -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Transportation
AIR POLLUTION
ALKANES
AUTOMOBILES
AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY
CALIFORNIA
COMPOSITE MATERIALS
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
EFFICIENCY
ELECTRIC-POWERED VEHICLES
ENERGY
ENERGY SOURCES
ENGINEERING
FINANCIAL INCENTIVES
FUEL SUBSTITUTION
FUELS
GASOLINE
HYDROCARBONS
HYDROGEN FUELS
INDUSTRY
LAWS
LIQUID FUELS
LOS ANGELES
MANUFACTURING
MATERIALS
METHANE
NORTH AMERICA
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
POLLUTION
POLLUTION ABATEMENT
POLLUTION LAWS
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
SOLAR ENERGY
STANDARDS
SYNTHETIC FUELS
URBAN AREAS
USA
USES
VEHICLES