Car Show, Talk and Panel Discussion to Look at Future of Energy-Saving Automobiles, April 21
Carnegie Mellon Today

Carnegie Mellon Today

Carnegie Mellon News Services Home Page



Car Show, Talk and Panel Discussion to Look at Future of Energy-Saving Automobiles, April 21


Carnegie Mellon President Jared L. Cohon drives the electrically powered Ford Think, one of the university's service vehicles. Vehicles like this one and the hybrid below will be on display in the Merson Courtyard April 21.
In recognition of Earthweek, Carnegie Mellon will host "Cars of Today . . . Fuels for the Future" from 1 to 5 p.m., Thursday, April 21 in the Merson Courtyard outside the University Center. The event will showcase several vehicles that run on alternative fuels, such as the Ford Escape SUV; the Toyota Prius; the Honda Accord, Insight and Civic; a biodiesel Volkswagen; and biodiesel, natural gas and electric vehicles from Carnegie Mellon's service fleet.

Those in attendance will be able to informally discuss with owners and dealers what it's like to drive various models of hybrid electric vehicles. Information about federal tax deductions and state rebates for hybrid electric vehicle purchases, and college student dealership discounts will be available.

Following the car show, Isaac Porche III, a Rand Corporation analyst, will discuss "Fuels for the Future" at 5 p.m. in the University Center's Connan Room. Porche will draw from his training and experience in car manufacturing, California's zero-emissions vehicle program, electric and hybrid gasoline vehicles, and natural gas and hydrogen as alternative fuels to explore the future of energy-saving automobiles.

Porche received a doctor's degree in engineering and computer science from the University of Michigan and his master's degree in electrical engineering from the University of California at Berkeley. He worked on the design team for the General Motors electric battery-powered car and on electric ship design for the U.S. Navy. Porche has also been employed by the Environmental Institute of Michigan as a research engineer on traffic and transportation studies, and has analyzed California's clean air zero-emissions efforts for the Rand Corporation.

After Porche's remarks, several users of alternatively fueled vehicles will engage in a panel discussion. Panelists will include Jim Skees, building facilities manager for the School of Computer Science, and Mike Griffin, executive director of Carnegie Mellon's Green Design Initiative.

"Cars of Today . . . Fuels for the Future" is co-sponsored by the Sustainable Students of Carnegie Mellon, the university's Steinbrenner Institute for Environmental Education and Research, and the Group Against Smog and Pollution.

Properly Inflated Tires Save Gas

During Earthweek (April 18-22), Carnegie Mellon students will be stationed in university parking lots to measure the air pressure in your tires if you wish. The goal is to estimate how much fuel we could all save if our tires were properly inflated. Results of the weeklong study will be posted at http://www.cmu.edu/environment

Bruce Gerson
April 18, 2005



Carnegie Mellon Home