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FUTURE TRANSPORTATION ENERGY REQUIREMENTS

The potential reduction in energy use in the transportation sector through the year 2010 is studied in the context of a strong national policy of conservation. A baseline case in which there is little shift in the type of fuel used by the various modes showed a reduction in energy use from 21.7 EJ in 1978 to 13.9 in 2010. A minimum oil case, based on a maximum practical substitution of electricity for oil gave a reduction in oil demand of less than 1.0 EJ. Further large reductions in energy use, on the order of 1.5 to 2.0 EJ, could result from major technology improvements and another 1.5 to 2.0 EJ at the expense of speed, convenience, and comfort. Electric vehicles are projected to be limited to short-range (less than 150 km) applications. Although battery technology will probably advance to the point that longer range (200 to 300 km) vehicles are practical, the additional weight and cost of the batteries will probably offset any energy or cost advantage for the vehicles. If coal is the primary fuel, there appears to be little, if any, energy savings from using electricity as compared to converting coal to synthetic liquid fuels.

  • Supplemental Notes:
    • Tthis paper is from Energy in the Man-Built Environment: the next decade specialty conference Vail, Colorado, August 3, 1981.
  • Corporate Authors:

    American Society of Civil Engineers

    345 East 47th Street
    New York, NY  United States  10017-2398
  • Authors:
    • Samuels, G
  • Publication Date: 1982

Media Info

  • Features: References;
  • Pagination: p. 453-460

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00387342
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Source Agency: Energy Research Abstracts
  • Contract Numbers: W-7405-ENG-26
  • Files: TRIS
  • Created Date: Sep 28 1984 12:00AM