SEAS FEATURE
DRIVING THE FUTURE OF SUSTAINABLE MOBILITY BY DENISE SPRANGER
In the sustainable mobility space, there is no shortage of innovation. And as the old barriers begin to fall, we must navigate the choices—with a clear eye on the road ahead. For real direction, not detours, we look to the leaders in research. For 30 years, the Center for Sustainable Systems (CSS) at SEAS has focused on sustainability assessments of products and emerging technologies, and transportation has been a critical part of that research since its inception. CSS led life-cycle analysis research for the U.S. Council for Automotive Research, U.S.-China Clean Energy Research Center Clean Vehicle Consortium, and Lightweight Innovations for Tomorrow (LIFT). Recent CSS transportation research includes studies of Electric Vehicles (EVs), Connected and Automated Vehicles (CAVs), Vertical Takeoff and Landing Aircraft (VTOLs), vehicle lightweighting, road and charging infrastructure, and automobile circular economy, to name but a few. Among the latest papers published, CSS researchers addressed EV battery degradation and charging strategies, stationary and dynamic wireless charging technology, last-mile parcel delivery by automated vehicles and robots, shared mobility and taxi fleets—as well as the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for natural gas vehicles and hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles in China. So, what are the most viable solutions? CSS Director Dr. Greg Keoleian emphasizes that sustainable mobility solutions must address time, comfort, convenience, safety, cost, and importantly, equity and access. We asked Keoleian for a quick take on where we’re headed—and which routes are on the fast track to get us there. ELECTRIC CAR CHARGING STATION IN THE NETHERLANDS
22
S T E W A R D S
>
F A L L
2 0 2 1
