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Problem with ProgressionThe Story behind the absence of alternate energy vehicles in the automotive market

by: Daniel Larson and Evan Robinette

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A Little History About theAutomotive Industry

The first Diesel engine was created byRudolph Diesel in 1897

The Diesel engine was created to replace

the slow and inefficient steam engine

By 1910 most submarines, ships, largetrucks and power plants all contained theDiesel engine

In the 1930s the Diesel engine slowly

started being used in some automobiles

Henry Ford opened The Ford MotorCompany in 1903 with $28,000 from 12investors

In 1908 Ford produced only a few cars aday with 2 or 3 workers on each

automobile

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Did you know the first Diesel engine ran on peanut oil?

y The Diesel Engine makes its firstappearance at the Paris Expeditionin 1900

y The Diesel Engine is rewarded withthe Grand Prix, the expeditions mostcoveted award

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The

Disappearance

In 1913, Rudolph Diesel boards the SS

Dresden and travels to the opening of a Dieselengine factory in England. While crossing theEnglish channel, Rudolph goes missing andhis body is found floating by fisherman a few

days later.

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Introduction of Oily Shortly after the death of Rudolph Diesel,

Standard Oil introduces a dirty bi-productcalled Diesel Fuel that is compatiblewith the Diesel engine.

y This begins the control and regulation offuel, thus the total control of thetransportation industry.

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So why would oil interfere with production of alternate fueledautomobiles?

y Money. It should not be a surprise toknow how much of it is involved in the oilindustry.

y

Profits in 2007

y Exxon Mobile $40 Billion

y Shell $28 Billion

y Chevron $19 Billion

y

Bp $17 Billion

y Oil companies spent morethan $420 Million dollarsbetween 1998-2004 onlobbyist and political parties

y Exxon Mobile spent $60million

y Chevron spent $40 million

y Bp spent $30 million

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Popular Demandy Car companies have a hard time

investing in the research andproduction of electric cars becauseother than Hybrids like the ToyotaPrius, they do not sell or there is nota large market.

y Car companies also do not want tostray away from top selling gasguzzlers like hummers and largeSUVs, which have a large buyersmarket.

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Back to the MoneyAnother large reason car companies are not

quick to produce electric cars is due to the lack ofmoney coming in after the car is purchased.

Electric cars do not have engine repairs and thebattery is the only real issue as far as

maintenance.

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Media and Politics

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Setbacksy Another contributor to the

lack of alternate fuelautomobiles in the automarket is due to the

influence of media and itssometimes dark outlook onalternate fuels.

y In 2008 Time Magazinereleased an article titled TheClean Energy Myth which tookthe progression of biodieselback significantly. Other articles

followed the anti-alternate fuelscampaign including ScienceMagazine and the New YorkPost

y Some claims were as extreme

as to accuse bio-fuels fordeforestation, causing globalwarming, and even starvingkids.

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Medias DamageThe negative articles (overAmerican 600 newspapers)

caused many biodiesel

stations in Europe to closeand so were the few stationsin the US.

The progress of biodieselwas almost eliminated over

night due to press.

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Increase in Productiony Ownership of Hybrid vehicles

are at an all time high andare slowly growing more andmore popular.

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Fuel Cell Vehicles

by 2015

y Recently Ford Motor Companyand Toyota have committedthemselves to bring hydrogen-

powered fuel cell cars into themarket. A Toyota representativestated that Toyota is planning togo ahead with its program incertain world markets by 2015, ifnot sooner. Most companies

agree with the 2015 dateincluding Ford and GM. Hondais being more specific as tohave the FCX Clarity ready by2018.

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Increased Popularityy In 2009, the Toyota Prius became the

best-selling car in Japan

y In 2011 Toyota plans to sell one millionworldwide this year

y Toyota also plans to add 10 new hybridsin the next coming years

y Due to its success Toyota has producedcars in places far as Australia, Thailand,and China

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For More Informationhttp://www.biodiesel.org/resources/biodiesel_basics/http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/biodiesel.html

http://www.hybridcars.com/

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Slideshow Presentation by :Daniel Larson and Evan Robinette

Thank You