Problem with Progression

The Story behind the absence of alternate energy vehicles in the automotive market
by: Daniel Larson and Evan Robinette
  The first Diesel engine was created by
Rudolph Diesel in 1897

A Little History About the  The Diesel engine was created to replace the
slow and inefficient steam engine
Automotive Industry
 By 1910 most submarines, ships, large trucks
and power plants all contained the Diesel
engine

 In the 1930’s the Diesel engine slowly started

being used in some automobiles

 Henry Ford opened The Ford Motor

Company in 1903 with $28,000 from 12
investors

 In 1908 Ford produced only a few cars a day

with 2 or 3 workers on each automobile
 Did you know the first Diesel engine ran on peanut oil?
 The Diesel Engine makes its first
appearance at the Paris Expedition in
1900

 The Diesel Engine is rewarded with the

Grand Prix, the expeditions most
coveted award
The Disappearance

In 1913, Rudolph Diesel boards the SS Dresden

and travels to the opening of a Diesel engine
factory in England. While crossing the English
channel, Rudolph goes missing and his body is
found floating by fisherman a few days later.
 Introduction of Oil
 Shortly after the death of Rudolph Diesel,
Standard Oil introduces a dirty bi-product
called “Diesel Fuel” that is compatible with
the Diesel engine.

 This begins the control and regulation of fuel,

thus the total control of the transportation
industry.
So why would oil interfere with production of alternate fueled automobiles?
 Money. It should not be a surprise to know  Oil companies spent more than
how much of it is involved in the oil industry.
$420 Million dollars between
1998-2004 on lobbyist and
 Profits in 2007… political parties
 Exxon Mobile $40 Billion  Exxon Mobile spent $60
 Shell $28 Billion million
 Chevron $19 Billion  Chevron spent $40 million
 Bp $17 Billion  Bp spent $30 million
 Popular Demand
 Car companies have a hard time
investing in the research and production
of electric cars because other than
Hybrids like the Toyota Prius, they do
not sell or there is not a large market.

 Car companies also do not want to stray

away from top selling gas guzzlers like
hummers and large SUVs, which have a
large buyers market.
 Back to the Money
Another large reason car companies are not quick to
produce electric cars is due to the lack of money
coming in after the car is purchased. Electric cars do
not have engine repairs and the battery is the only real
issue as far as maintenance.
Media and Politics
 Setbacks
 Another contributor to the lack
of alternate fuel automobiles in
the auto market is due to the
influence of media and it’s
sometimes dark outlook on
alternate fuels.
 In 2008 Time Magazine released an
article titled “The Clean Energy
Myth” which took the progression
of biodiesel back significantly.
Other articles followed the anti-
alternate fuels campaign including
Science Magazine and the New
York Post
 Some claims were as extreme as to
accuse bio-fuels for deforestation,
causing global warming, and even
starving kids.
 Media’s Damage
The negative articles (over
American 600 newspapers)
caused many biodiesel stations
in Europe to close and so were
the few stations in the US.

The progress of biodiesel was

almost eliminated over night
due to press.
Hope for the Future
 Increase in Production
 Ownership of Hybrid vehicles
are at an all time high and are
slowly growing more and more
popular.
  Recently Ford Motor Company and
Toyota have committed themselves
Fuel Cell Vehicles by to bring hydrogen-powered fuel
cell cars into the market. A Toyota
2015 representative stated that “Toyota is
planning to go ahead with its
program in certain world markets
by 2015, if not sooner.” Most
companies agree with the 2015 date
including Ford and GM. Honda is
being more specific as to have the
FCX Clarity ready by 2018.
 Increased Popularity
 In 2009, the Toyota Prius became the best-
selling car in Japan

 In 2011 Toyota plans to sell one million

worldwide this year

 Toyota also plans to add 10 new hybrids in

the next coming years

 Due to its success Toyota has produced cars

in places far as Australia, Thailand, and China
Click icon to add picture

For More Information

http://www.biodiesel.org/resources/biodiesel_basics/
http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/biodiesel.html
http://www.hybridcars.com/
Slideshow Presentation by :Daniel Larson and Evan Robinette

Thank You