An open source car?

Presentation by Riversimple at NESTA, 4th December 2009

Who are we?

Our backgrounds are in motorsport, business and strategy

What are we concerned about?

Road transport represents 10% of global CO2 emissions

Fuel economy of the 1908 Model T Ford is similar to the average 2008 vehicle

Vehicles of the future will increasingly have to be…

• Very energy efficient and low in CO2 emissions, meaning electric motors powered by – batteries or– hydrogen fuel cells

• Designed to minimise resource use, therefore durable and recyclable

• Currently hydrogen fuel cells are by far the best solution for long-range vehicles (more than 150 miles)

The first step – a demonstrator vehicle

Network Electric Platform

Hydrogen fuel cell powered

300mpg equivalent

Two seater, top speed 50 mph

Range 240 miles

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Riversimplevehicle

Honda FCX G Wiz Smart Polo BlueMotion

The result is very low emissions

CO2 per km well to wheel

Plan

• 2010 and 2011 – test and develop.

• 2012 - Pilot project in the UK

• 2013 – First Urban vehicle delivered.

• Later – more plants built, other models developed.

Other elements

• Cars will be leased not sold– Encourages durability not obsolesence– More sustainable business model

• “Open source” development• Vehicle recyclable• Small, distributed factories• Multi-stakeholder ownership model

Open source development - what we’ve done

• The 40 Fires Foundation established as an independent entity, with independent trustees

• Signed a license with 40 Fires and uploaded schematics for the rear suspension in 2D and 3D

• We intend Riversimple will eventually be treated the same as other participants in the community

• 40 Fires is free to host other, transport or non-transport related projects

40 Fires website established

400 skilled collaborators signed up

Discussion forums live

Current challenges

• Collaboration tools

• Licensing framework

“The conservation of natural resources is the fundamental problem. Unless we solve that problem it will avail us little to solve all others”

Theodore Roosevelt 1907