RMI Outlet
Plug Into New Ideas
How Can Advanced Autos Improve Their Value Proposition?
It’s hard not to feel a bit underwhelmed by the hybrid vehicles being offered up by automakers today after reading a recent New York Times assessment of the time it takes for buyers of alternative technology cars to recoup the higher sticker price in fuel savings. But what about cars that offer an attractive payback?
Easing the Pain at the Pump
The United States uses a tremendous amount of oil each year—enough to fill a large football stadium more than 350 times. More than half of this oil is imported, partly from volatile Middle Eastern countries. Why do we consume so much? We drive the kids to soccer games. We ship orange juice from Florida to Maine. We make business trips from Denver to Houston. More than 70% of U.S. oil in 2009 was used to the transport of people and goods. Such a heavy reliance on oil to sustain our modern lifestyles leaves us defenseless when gas prices soar to over $4 per gallon.
EV Readiness: Let’s Walk Before We Run
The term, “coopetition” is often thrown around RMI. It describes a spirit embraced by innovative companies to set aside their differences and collaborate toward a common goal—one that is often much bigger and more ambitious than what an organization could reasonably achieve alone.
Feebates: A Key to Breaking U.S. Oil Addiction
Guest authors Bennett Cohen and Cory Lowe are RMI alumni. Oil addiction, in particular, is a habit RMI would like to help the U.S. kick.
The Secret to Hurdling Barriers for Electric Cars
In a signal that the demand for fuel-efficient and clean vehicles continues to gain momentum, the Obama administration convened a meeting of automakers and utility executives last month to explore how these two historically separate industries will work together to roll out electric vehicles. And, even though Obama’s ambitious pledge to have one million electric vehicles on the road by 2015 will be supported by $2.4 billion in grants, numerous studies have pointed out multiple barriers to widespread EVs adoption.