How can we make cars more efficient?
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About the video: ‘How can we make cars more efficient?’
Dr. Lovins first had the idea to make cars a great deal more efficient in 1991. Here he describes how his initial idea for the ‘Hypercar’ has developed. During the 1990s he discovered that the weight of an average car can be cut in half using advanced ultra-light materials. In 1999 he and two auto companies manufactured a prototype SUV made of carbon fiber. The car could do 66 miles per gallon on a hybrid petrol/electric engine, or the equivalent of 144 miles per gallon with a fuel cell engine. By 2000, Lovins says, the motor industry has spent over US$10 billion developing similar cars, many of which are between 3-6 times as efficient as the average car on the road today. Dr. Lovins ends by suggesting that hyper-efficient lightweight cars will be a reality within the next few years.
Total views: 2,279
Filmed: San Raphael, USA on 17 October 2004
Credits: Interviewer - Nick Hart-Williams Camera - Cody Harrington Editor - Marcus Morrell
Copyright © 2004 Big Picture TV
About Amory Lovins
Amory Lovins is one of the world’s foremost energy consultants and is the Chairman and Chief Scientist of Rocky Mountain Institute, based in Colorado.
His work focuses on developing advanced resource productivity and energy efficiency.
His many innovations have won major awards around the world and Newsweek Magazine has praised him as “one of the Western world’s most influential energy thinkers.”
He has published 29 books, including “Factor Four” (1997), “Natural Capitalism:Creating the Next Industrial Revolution”(2000), “Small is Profitable” (2003), “Winning the Oil Endgame”(2005).
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