NC State of Business

What if there was a McDonalds-like sign posted outside of every automotive manufacturer worldwide that said “Global Vehicle Parc at 1 Billion Cars – AND Climbing”. I guess the term “Global Vehicle Parc” denotes the total quantity of cars on earth. And as we near 1 billion, most experts agree - to be sustainable –they can’t all be gas powered.

At the recent Electrifying Transportation Conference held at NCSU on May 27, 2009; GMs Executive Director, Research & Development, Alan Taub – professed that we cannot sustain a 1-billion Vehicle Parc without the addition of several categories of “alternatively powered vehicles". A combination of vehicles powered by Fuel Cells (H2), Electric (Plug-in), ethanol fuels and efficiency improvements in existing engines and transmissions – will be needed to be developed in order to offset limited supplies of petroleum fuels

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Mr. Taub also stated that families may have to own several types of vehicles. One for commuting/shorter trips and a second vehicle for highway/longer trips. As you could guess, the alternative vehicle would be for commuting/short trips and the old conventional gas powered vehicle for longer trips (below). It is interesting to note that the majority of drivers (78%) travel less than 40 miles daily – which is well within the range of existing electric car technology!!!

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The Chevy Volt made an appearance at the conference as well. With overall car sales down 40%, this maybe a tough time to introduce alternative vehicles, but who can resist the Volt with the new Lithium-Ion battery (charge time in approx. 3 hours @ 220 volts and a 10-year life/150,000-miles).

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The price of ~ $40,000 maybe a little hard to swallow – but energy costs per mile - for an electric vehicle is a fraction of that for conventional gas powered vehicles (below)

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For those traveling very short distances, in an urban setting, the new GM acquisition of Segway will allow sales of a 2-person vehicle – all electric (below). The Personal Urban Mobility and Accessibility or PUMA carries two people, has a canopy cover and, most importantly, can reach speeds of 35 mph. Its battery has a range of 35 miles. GM says the cost would be about one-third of a typical car purchase.

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It is reassuring that alternative vehicle travel, specifically electric cars - are being developed. Let’s hope this technology can meet our growing demands from both our transportation needs as well as being environmental sustainable.