A Farewell to Fossil Fuels: Answering the Energy Challenge

In this article published in Foreign Affairs, Amory Lovins describes a U.S. transition from fossil fuels--a blueprint detailed in Reinventing Fire-- that requires pursuing transformational change in automotive efficiency, design of buildings and factories, and the electric system.

 

Reinventing Fire Transportation Sector Methodology

This document provides RMI's methodology for the analysis of the transportation sector in Reinventing Fire.

 

Ultralight Vehicles: Non-Linear Correlations Between Weight and Safety

Development of dramatically lightweight and fuel-efficient vehicles has been slowed by perceptions that lighter vehicles are less safe. This conference paper describes RMI's virtually modeled ultralight concept vehicle that met NHTSA safety requirements, and shows how lightweighting the fleet can accelerate progress towards “Triple Safety”—protection from climate change, drivers themselves, and other road users.

 

Preface to the Chinese Edition of Winning the Oil Endgame

In the preface to the Chinese edition to Winning the Oil Endgame, Amory Lovins puts the book in context for the Chinese audience. Winning the Oil Endgame offers a strategy for ending US oil dependence.

 

Triple Safety: Lightweighting Automobiles to Improve Occupant, Highway, and Global Safety

Automobilesʼ negative impact on human health and welfare includes traffic-related deaths and injuries as well as the deaths and injuries caused by automobilesʼ contribution to climate change and other global environmental degradation. This paper explores solutions that both enhance vehicle performance and reduce environmental impacts, and focuses on demonstrating the ability of lightweight vehicles to provide such a solution. Some controversy exists around the question of whether lighter and more fuel-efficient vehicles can be as safe as traditional vehicles. Recent research reviewed in this paper indicates that several solutions exist that can both improve efficiency and thereby global safety, and maintain (or even improve) highway safety. SAE Paper 2008-01-1282 © 2008 SAE International. This paper is posted on this site with permission from SAE International. As a user of this site, you are permitted to view this paper on-line, and print one copy of this paper at no cost for your use only. This paper may not be copied, distributed or forwarded to others for further use without permission from SAE.

 

Dust to Dust's Assumptions About the Prius and the Hummer

In 2007, CNW published a study called "Dust to Dust" in which they report the results of a life cycle analysis that compared the environmental impact of a Toyota Prius and a Hummer H3. The report claims that the Prius has a greater environmental impact than the H3. In response to this report, RMI authors performed a life cycle analysis using the widely-accepted GREET model established by Argonne National Laboratory. The results of the RMI analysis show that even in conditions favorable to the H3, the environmental impact of the Prius is still lower than that of the H3. This report describes the findings in detail.

 

Legislative Options to Improve Transportation Efficiency

Traditional policy prescriptions for transportation efficiency have been largely misguided. With smarter legislation, the auto industry can restore competitiveness, boost profits, and displace oil use. The economic burden of high oil prices, concerns of supply and security, and environmental impact are justifiable reasons for state governments to act now. This report lays out several plans for state governments to pursue profitably. These plans include providing incentives to drivers of alternative fuel vehicles and hybrid vehicles, mandating state procurement of efficient vehicles, adopt a labeling program for low rolling resistance tires, requiring pay-at-the-pump insurance, and the establishment of a feebate program.

 

Follow-up to Oral Testimony at Hearing to Examine the Rise of Domestic Energy Prices

This letter was written as a follow up to the oral testimony by Amory Lovins to the Congressional Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. The letter outlines measures that would have a significant effect on U.S. demand for conventional petroleum. Lovins' proposed measures would add up to between a 5% and 9% reduction in the U.S. demand for conventional crude oil, and do so with little or no interruption of our way or quality of life. Lovins' measures target consumption by eliminating gas and diesel use by changing policy to make vehicle trips more efficient. The recommendation letter also includes proposed measures to increase the supply of energy.

 

Winning the Oil Endgame: Executive Summary

The Executive Summary of Winning the Oil Endgame briefly outlines RMI's strategic plan to end oil dependence by the 2040s.

 

Winning the Oil Endgame

This independent, peer-reviewed synthesis for American business and military leaders charts a roadmap for getting the United States completely, attractively, and profitably off oil. Our strategy integrates four technological ways to displace oil: using oil twice as efficiently, then substituting biofuels, saved natural gas, and, optionally, hydrogen. This route for the transition beyond oil will expand customer choice and wealth, and will be led by business for profit. In order to download a complimentary PDF of the complete book, please sign in or register now to receive your username and password.

 

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