Alternative Cars In The 21st Century

The rapidly changing landscape of alternative car technologies created the need for the second edition of Alternative Cars in the 21st Century: A New Personal Transportation Paradigm. This essential publication provides an abundance of critical knowledge for engineering professionals and consumers alike, offering a brighter alternative future through better alternative cars.

As technology and engineering advance, the automotive industry moves right along with them. In fact, one might argue that the cars of the twenty-first century are a little ahead of the curve. Readers will learn all about the most innovative cars, whether they are eye-opening concept cars or environmentally friendly, fuel-efficient green cars that help people get from place to place with a minimal environmental impact. This fascinating read covers the safe, fast, furious, and fun aspects of automotive engineering that is always on the cutting edge.

As technology and engineering advance, the automotive industry moves right along with them. In fact, one might argue that the cars of the twenty-first century are a little ahead of the curve. Readers will learn all about the most innovative cars, whether they are eye-opening concept cars or environmentally friendly, fuel-efficient green cars that help people get from place to place with a minimal environmental impact. This fascinating read covers the safe, fast, furious, and fun aspects of automotive engineering that is always on the cutting edge.

This book includes an in-depth analysis of the environmental and energy security impacts of replacing the internal combustion engine vehicle with various forms of electric vehicles and replacing gasoline and diesel fuel with alternative fuels including electricity, hydrogen and biofuels. In addition to a detailed “well-to-wheels” analysis of local air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions and oil consumption for each alternative vehicle, the book estimates the market penetration potential of each fuel/vehicle combination to determine the most likely societal impact of each alternative vehicle pathway. To support the market penetration estimates, the book analyses the likely cost of each alternative vehicle in mass production and the cost of installing the necessary fuel infrastructure to support each option. The book provides sufficient detail to allow decision makers in governments and industry to choose among the alternative vehicle/fuel combinations that will lead to a truly sustainable transportation system.

Reimagining Alternative Technology for Design in the 21st Century presents a new approach to design that harnesses still-valuable alternative, traditional and abandoned technologies alongside the creation of new ones to address contemporary global problems. It focuses on design opportunities that reduce energy and material consumption to tackle issues such as climate change and pollution in industrialized economies. The book takes the reader on a journey surveying different facets of human activity to identify underused and discarded technologies that could be indispensable today. It critically addresses newer approaches to design and technology by comparing them to existing alternatives, unpacking examples including air conditioning with smart thermostats, electric lighting, durable reusable products, domestic maintenance tools and methods of transportation. Written for practicing designers and students in industrial design, architecture, sustainable design and human-centered design, this book provides new ideas and tools for creating more useful, energy-and-resource-efficient product designs and systems.