RMI Outlet
Plug Into New Ideas
What’s Lighting Up the Web: Carbon Fiber
Carbon fiber may not yet be a household term, but it is certainly present in many of our lives. Chances are your bicycle or tennis racket contains a composite made up of thousands of thin strands of this extremely light and durable material. Eventually our vehicles may contain greater quantities of carbon fiber as well.
Cars 2: Disney Brings Electric Cars & Biofuels to Our Kids
As a mother of two young children I work hard to instill strong values and good behaviors. So teaching them the preciousness of our natural resources and how to use them wisely is something I take seriously. That’s why I was so pleased with the plot and new characters in "Cars 2", Disney’s second movie of the successful franchise. The story introduced an electric car, the concept of solar power, and the use of biofuels to mobilize the beloved Radiator Springs crew.
Solutions Journal: Spring 2011—Plug-in Pioneer: Is Raleigh Ready for EVs?
Raleigh is the East Coast leader in Electric Vehicle (EV) readiness, and its journey is one every American city will have to follow if we are to meet President Obama’s goal of one million EVs on the road by 2015. So far the city of Raleigh has installed three EV charging stations, two in front of City Hall and one by the convention center that will become a pilot solar-charging station.
Charging Ahead
Over the past year, the term “range anxiety” has burrowed its way into the electric vehicle lexicon. But another may soon join it: “gas anxiety.” “Gas anxiety is the fear of a plug-in hybrid turning on the gas engine,” says Michael Rowand, director of technology development for Duke Energy, “No matter what, I will find a way to charge the car before it switches over to gasoline.” Rowand is currently driving the Chevy Volt as part of a pilot project Duke is conducting with General Motors, charging stations manufacturers and various city partners.
A Transportation Success Story (Video)
RMI’s Project Get Ready is focused on preparing cities around the country for the arrival and growth of the electric vehicle (EV) industry. Watch Ben Holland, PGR project manager, explain more about the way PGR convenes everyone from government leaders to electrical contractors in cities around the country to tackle some of the thorny questions around EV infrastructure...