Three reports examining efforts to overcome America's gasoline addiction with current technology.
Alternative
fuels like ethanol and hydrogen are being touted as a way to reduce
crude oil imports and cut greenhouse emissions, but they may not be
practical for another 5 to 10 years. In this series, reporter Jonathan
Silvers examines efforts entrepreneurs, scientists, and automakers
are making to address these energy issues more immediately by improving
technology that uses regular gasoline.
Watch
Jonathan Silvers' NOW
on PBS report on the state of the auto industry, airing Friday,
May 18 (check local listings).
The
Reports:
Part
1: Gasoline Addiction
Premieres
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
In
this report, Jonathan Silvers heads to the International Auto Show
to explain the fuel debate raging in America. He also examines Toyota's
efforts to improve fuel efficiency. The segment includes interviews
with Csaba Csere of Car and Driver and Daniel Yerace of Toyota.
Car
and Driver
In addition to offering a car reviews, Car and Driver magazine
also reports on auto shows and the latest in auto technology.
The magazine's editor, Csaba Csere, is interviewed in Jonathan
Silvers' report.
Freedom
from Oil
Freedom from Oil is an advocacy campaign "working to end
America’s oil dependence, reduce oil related conflicts,
and stop global climate change." As Jonathan Silvers explains
in his report, members of the campaign make an unexpected appearance
at the International Auto Show.
New
York International Auto Show
A portion of Jonathan Silvers' report takes place at the 2007
New York International Auto Show. The website offers information
about exhibitors and vehicles at the next edition of the auto
show.
Research
Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry (RIETI)
RIETI is an administrative agency of the Japanese government that
promotes "creative and innovative policy debates based on
world-class research, analysis and policy studies. " This
links to a REITI article that looks at innovation in the auto
industry. The article is titled, "Environmental Issues and
Technological Innovation - The Relevance the Porter Hypothesis
has Today."
Toyota
This links to information about Toyota's R&D division, which
includes the Toyota Technical Center (TTC). Daniel Yerace, a TTC
Senior Principal Engineer, is interviewed in Jonathan Silvers'
report.
University
of Michigan (PDF
document)
This links to a September 2006 report by the University of Michigan's
Transportation Research Institute. The report is titled, "Can
Proactive Fuel Economy Strategies Help Automakers Mitigate Fuel-Price
Risks?"
The
White House
This links to the White House's "Energy Security for the
21st Century" website. The site includes information proposals
for new CAFE -- corporate average fuel economy -- standards and
other U.S. energy initiatives.
*Clicking
these external links will take you off the NBR web site on PBS.org.
NBR has no affiliation with these sites.
Part
2: Fuel Technology Gamble
Premieres
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
In this report, Jonathan Silvers profiles GM's efforts in the fuel
efficiency arena, which mirror the efforts of rival U.S. automakers.
The segment includes interviews with Brett Smith of the Center for
Automotive Research and Mark Maher of GM.
American
Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
ASME is an organization that promotes the art, science, and practice
of mechanical engineering. This links to ASME's Internal Combustion
Engine Division.
"A
Student's Guide to Alternative Fuel Vehicles"
This transportation energy website was created by the state of
California. It offers information about all types of alternative
fuel vehicles and is a solid resource for students and readers
of any age interested in learning the basics about these types
of vehicles.
California
Fuel Cell Partnership
This group is a partnership of government agencies, automakers,
and fuel cell manufactuers dedicated to developing fuel cell vehicles
and promoting their use. The efforts are focused on getting the
vehicles on California roads, but members include national and
international firms.
Center
for Automotive Research (CAR)
CAR is a nonprofit organization that follows "important trends
and changes related to the automobile industry." Brett Smith,
Assistant Director of CAR's Manufacturing, Engineering & Technology
Group, is interviewed in Jonathan Silvers' report.
General
Motors (GM)
This links to the "Innovation & Technology" section
of GM's website, which includes information about FlexFuel vehicles,
powertrain engines, and more. GM's Executive Director of Powertrain
Vehicle Integration is interviewed in Jonathan Silvers' report.
National
Highway Traffic Saftey Administration (NHTSA)
NHTSA is an agency of the U.S. Department of Transportation. This
links to information the agency offers about CAFE -- or corporate
average fuel economy -- standards. The site includes information
about CAFE rule changes as well as lists of the fuel economy performance
of vehicles sold in America.
U.S.
Department of Energy (DOE)
This links to information about the DOE's FreedomCAR & Vehicles
Technologies Program. The program is focused on "developing
more energy efficient and environmentally friendly highway transportation
technologies that will enable America to use less petroleum."
Among other things, it offers information about hybrid vehicles
and advanced combustion engines.
*Clicking
these external links will take you off the NBR web site on PBS.org.
NBR has no affiliation with these sites.
Part
3: Ethanol Boost
Premieres
Thursday, May 17,
2007
In
this report, Jonathan Silvers explains why ethanol is already a winner
in the eyes of IndyCar racers and what the fuel could do for consumer
vechicles. The segment includes interviews with Bobby Rahal of Rahal
Letterman Racing and Dan Cohn of MIT.
American
Coalition for Ethanol (ACE)
ACE is a non-profit organization composed of farmers, businesses,
and other "groups in support of ethanol." This site
contains info about ethanol manufacturing and use.
Ethanol
Boosting Systems (EBS)
EBS is a firm founded by MIT scientists who created a more efficient
engine that uses a boost of ethanol to increase torque. Dan Cohn,
one of the engine's developers, is interviewed in Jonathan Silvers'
report.
IndyCar
Series
As Jonathan Silvers reports, the IndyCar Series now runs on ethanol.
This links to information about the technology behind these ethanol
racing engines.
National
Corn Growers Association (NCGA)
This NCGA is an organization that represents the interest of corn
growers and farmers. This links to information about a 2005 forum
hosted by the NCGA titled, "Ethanol's Return on Energy Investment."
In addition to a written summary of the forum, the site offers
a link to listen to the complete audio recording of the event.
Rahal
Letterman Racing
Rahal Letterman Racing is the car racing team co-owned by Bobby
Rahal, a hall-of-fame IndyCar driver who is interviewed in Jonathan
Silvers' report.
U.S.
Department of Energy (DOE)
This links to the DOE's "Alternative Fuels Data Center."
Among other things, the site offers information about the market
for ethanol.
*Clicking
these external links will take you off the NBR web site on PBS.org.
NBR has no affiliation with these sites.
