The demise of the Auto industry may mean a rebirth of US Technology
Posted on Thu, Aug 13, 2009 @ 03:16 PM
By Joe Caliri, Industrial Account Manager
Since the announcement of a new harmonized national policy intended to reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for all new cars and trucks sold in the US. The resulting new standards will cover model years 2012-2016, and will require an average fuel economy standard of 35.5 mpg in 2016 (39 mpg for cars, 30 mpg for trucks), or approximately 250 grams CO2/mile.
Meanwhile, a new generation of auto entrepreneurs is rising, committed to building greener models of transportation in new ways. They’re scrambling for billions in government aid intended to jump-start production of vehicles that burn little to no gasoline.
The proven technology has been the advent of the lithium ion battery in use for what we now know as the hybrid-vehicle, essentially pioneered by the Toyota Prius. This chemistry of battery has a very high energy discharge, can be re-charged hundreds of times, and as important as the goal of less emissions, these batteries can be recycled.
Prior to GM’s bankruptcy announcement they had named Korean manufacturer LG as the maker of the lithium ion batteries to anchor the “Volt” line of hybrid vehicles. However, it is an exciting time forbattery technology companies to align with other car makers to launch this new and necessary breed of vehicle in the next few years. Some of the most innovative technology companies like A123 Systems and Johnson Controls are poised to develop and domestically manufacture these batteries for the next generation of American vehicle. The legislation and stimulus foundation has been laid, will U.S. companies have a second “industrial revolution”, or will the foreign technologies dominate as they have since the 1980’s?