SUPPORTING INFRASTRUCTURE AND ACCEPTABILITY ISSUES FOR MATERIALS USED IN NEW GENERATION VEHICLES

This report identifies infrastructure and acceptability issues associated with the transition to new-generation vehicles that are three times more fuel efficient (3X vehicles), being developed under the Partnership for a New Generation of Vehicles program. The targeted fuel consumption will be achieved by substituting lightweight materials to reduce weight and by changes in vehicle design. Three models were implemented and demonstrated that no major difficulties are likely to arise during the transition to either composite- or aluminum-intensive 3X vehicles. However, the transition would slightly increase labor requirements and require a less than 1% increase in intermediate materials, resulting in an expansionary boost to the economy. The recycling of aluminum-intensive vehicles will probably have a positive effect on the recycling industry. On the other hand, the cost of automobile shredder residue disposal and its effect on the industry's profitability is the primary threat resulting from composite-intensive vehicles. The most significant barrier to market acceptance is public concern about safety. Other, less significant issues include the availability of fuel and qualified service personnel, which could affect adoption in the short term.

• Corporate Authors:

  Oak Ridge National Laboratory

  Center for Transportation Analysis, P.O. Box 2008
  Oak Ridge, TN  United States  37831

  Department of Energy

  Office of Transportation Technologies
  Washington, DC  United States  20585
• Authors:
  • Das, S
  • Curlee, T R
  • Jones, D W
  • Leiby, P R
  • Rubin, J
  • Schexnayder, S M
  • Vogt, D P
  • Wolfe, A K
• Publication Date: 1999-4

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: 88 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aluminum; Composite materials; Costs; Economic analysis; Fuel conservation; Fuel consumption; Glass fiber reinforced plastics; Infrastructure; Input output models; Labor; Life cycle analysis; Lightweight materials; Mathematical models; Motor vehicles; New products; Polymers; Public opinion; Recycling; Safety; Solid waste disposal; Vehicle design
• Identifier Terms: Partnership for a New Generation of Vehicles
• Subject Areas: Design; Economics; Energy; Finance; Highways; Safety and Human Factors; Society; Vehicles and Equipment; I10: Economics and Administration; I91: Vehicle Design and Safety;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00792433
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: ORNL/TM-13731
• Contract Numbers: DE-AC05-96OR22464
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: May 28 2000 12:00AM