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.

 

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

This paper explores how lightweighting vehicles can improve the safety of vehicle occupants and highway users as well as environmental health. The author posits solutions that enhance vehicle performance and reduce environmental impacts, and focuses on demonstrating the ability of lightweight vehicles to provide such a solution. 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.

 

Reforming the Automobile Fuel Economy Standards Program: Letter to the NHTSA

This letter was written in 2004 to the National Highway Safety Traffic Administration regarding the Automobile Fuel Economy Standards Program. In the letter, Lovins evaluates the NHTSA's proposed policies and suggests improvements based on vehicle efficiency and safety.

 

Hypercars: FAQ

In this document Amory Lovins responds to questions about the Hypercar, RMI's conceptual vehicle that combines ultralight and ultra-aerodynamic design, a hybrid-electric drivesystem, and other features to achieve very high fuel efficiency and very low emissions.