Greetings

1. Greetings Foreign Petroleum Dependence Random thoughts concerning transportation energy use, the future of vehicle configurations, our dependence on petroleum imports and a sense of direction. Simply, food for thought. Frank K. Porter Jr. 20 April 2006

2. Overview 2005 United States Energy Policy Leaves much to be desired Falls short of needed vision Root cause of problem ignored

3. Ominous facts. The United States is consuming energy beyond its means. Energy consumption continues to increase. World energy reserves are finite. We are on a collision course with depletion. We add more vehicles each year to a finite network of roads and wonder why we have more “gridlock” and increasingly waste even more energy!

4. Current energy plan Conservation appears to be energy plan hinge pin. Conservation alone will not solve the depletion crisis. We must reverse the glut of energy consumption. Questionable answer………. “Freedom Car”

5. Root cause of problem Personal transportation observation in America. 95% of the energy is consumed transporting the vehicle. 5% of the energy consumed transports the occupant.

6. The Indelible ratio Average 175 pound human 5% Average 3600* pound vehicle 95% Total weight in transit 100% Energy consumption deficiency resulting from self-sufficient (fuel on board) vehicle becomes apparent. Vary the weights slightly and the overall result varies little. *Ford Foundation 1973

7. Problem solution? HONDA ACCORD HYBRID Vehicle type: front-engine, front-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan DIMENSIONS Wheelbase: 107.9 in Track, front/rear: 61.1/61.2 in Length/width/height: 189.5/71.5/57.1 in Drag area, Cd (0.29) x frontal area (25.3 sq ft, est): 7.3 sq ft Curb weight: 3513 lb Curb weight per horsepower: 13.8 lb Fuel capacity: 17.1 gal Estimated price as tested: $32,000 (estimated base price: $30,000) $8.54/pound 3513 LBS vs 175 LB person approximately 95% vs 5%

8. Problem solution? DIMENSIONS Wheelbase 106.3 in Track, front/rear 59.3/58.3 in Length/width/height 175.0/67.9/58.1 in Ground clearance 5.9 in Drag area, Cd (0.26) x frontal area (24.0 sq ft) 6.24 sq ft Curb weight per horsepower 20.9 lb Fuel capacity 11.9 gal FUEL ECONOMY EPA city driving 59 mpg EPA highway driving 51 mpg “Car and Driver”-observed 42 mpg TOYOTA PRIUS Vehicle type: front-engine, front-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 5-door sedan Price as tested: $23,668 $7.92/pound 2987 LBS approx. 95% vs 5% weights

9. Problem solution? Honda Insight Base price: $19,540 Vehicle type: front-engine, front-drive; 2-door 2-passenger coupe $10.56/LB---$10.02/LB Curb weight 1850 1950 lb 1950 lbs/175 lbs 91% vs 9% EPA city/hwy mpg 57-61/56-68 Fuel-tank capacity/range 10.6 gal/604–647 mi

10. Problem solution? Segway “Ginger” Base price: $4950.00 Curb weight 85 lb Vehicle type: two wheel drive, electric $59.64/LB 83 lbs versus 175 lbs ! but Limited speed 12.5 MPH Max Limited weather, city only no highway capacity Charged capacity/range 8-12 miles A very novel, engineered transport device. Still far short of a national transportation solution.

11. Real Problem! Base price: $109,834 Vehicle type: front-engine, 4-wheel-drive; 5-door 4-passenger wagon Interior volume, F/R (cu ft) 70/53 Cargo capacity, seats up/maximum (cu ft) 58/NA Wheelbase 130.0 in Length/width/height 184.5/86.5/76.8 in Curb weight 7150 lb $15.36 per pound 2.5% vs 97.5% weight ratio! EPA city/hwy mpg NA (Single digits!) Fuel-tank capacity/range 42.0 gal/NA mi Why does the general public need a vehicle developed for the Army? American gluttony!

12. Henry’s answer Ford Focus fuel cell powered “Freedom Car”

13. Still an Indelible Problem! Average 175 pound human 5% Average 3525* pound vehicle 95% Total weight in transit 100% Energy consumption deficiency resulting from self-sufficient (fuel on board) vehicle remains apparent. Vehicle remains dominant energy consumer! Vary the vehicle and the overall result is still same. *Ford Focus Freedom Car 2005

14. Focus on the right word! See it?

15. Final drive---Electric!* *As it should be. All fuel cells contain two electrodes - one positively and one negatively charged - with a substance that conducts electricity (electrolyte) sandwiched between them.

16. No solution As long as the vehicle is required to be self sufficient, energy consumption will not be diminished. Energy is energy! Conversion to, gas, oil, hydrogen, etc. carried by the vehicle will never be the most efficient we can accomplish! Hold this efficient thought: Fuel-less!

17. MPG Charade Some concrete benefit could be gained in the short term by raising the mandatory EPA requirements for more fuel efficient vehicles. Progress to date suggests that politics plays more part in this approach than science. Although there are real limits to what applied physics can achieve, other countries have accomplished more than us.

18. Root cause Henry Ford is the root cause of our problem. The industrial innovations he brokered into the mass production of low cost self-sufficient (fuel-on-board) vehicles has brought us to our present day dilemma. Henry’s genius should not be wasted! It’s long overdue for it to be re-directed!

19. Remember? -The Rural Electrification Act- Brought low cost energy to the rest of America. It made common (energy and safety) sense to do so. Instead of the efficient distribution of electricity to all of our nation that occurred in the last century, imagine America with millions of individual electric generators for each and every house hold. How energy efficient would that have been?

20. The beneficial result? Electricity use is “On demand” We tap into a national grid. We use what we need with efficiency. Electrical components continue to be improved. A certain national treasure, to be sure, ELECTRICITY! (Our national transportation values have no such practical objectives, it would seem.)

21. Foreign dependence?

22. Comparison Electric Power Multiple domestic energy sources, to national grid delivery, to “on demand utilization”. A very efficient arrangement. Transport Power Dominant foreign petroleum energy sources, to multiple refineries, to energy consuming national delivery system, to local dispensaries, to fuel-on-board vehicle consumption. A very in-efficient arrangement.

23. Honest Transportation Objectives Primary Eliminate wasteful energy consumption. Restore energy independence. Maximize travel safety. Secondary Retain individual travel freedom.

24. American Ingenuity The ever increasing consumption of finite world energy reserves will certainly reach a critical crisis point. The impending crisis can be defeated with a judicious application of American ingenuity if we so wish. A comprehensive re-thinking of our transportation requirements needs to be conducted and the best solution derived for our continued growth and prosperity.

25. Not solar powered Remarkable ingenuity has been realized with the self sufficient solar powered (fuel conversion) transportation form. It is on the right track but too far short of solving the problem. The excellent part is the obvious method of propulsion chosen. Again! Electricity!

26. 95+% efficient motors! Electric motors, today and tomorrow are the answer! Remember electric trolley cars. Remember trackless trolleys? Remember elevated trains? Remember Pennsylvania railroad? None carried fuel or converted it! (Diesel-electrics defeated steam, but none of the above)

27. Critical thinking needed. The afore mentioned transportation means were primarily developed for major metropolitan areas. Many still exist and operate as very efficient transportation systems. Henry’s industry overwhelmed the nation and limited or eliminated an extensive expansion of electric transportation. It’s time to re-think that electric option with the benefits that could be derived and re-direct our unique inventive energies.

28. Mandatory component? Americans relish the mobility and independence of their private vehicles, provided through Henry’s prodigious industry. Re-thinking our transportation system should include personal mobility and independence with the minimum of compromise. Most opportune would be the ability to maximize safety!

29. Transport Objectives. Safe Efficient Independent Mobility

30. Vehicle unit suggestion Weight…….TBD Fuel-less. Electric propulsion. Minimum HP Person capacity…….TBD. Programmable destination. Automated travel. (Safety) Ability to couple multiple units in tandem. Amenities with imagination.

31. Infrastructure suggestion Configuration………TBD Can use all of current national road rights of way. Dedicated energy generation and distribution. Cannot defeat current roadways and traffic. Short term, practical terminal points. Long term, personal terminal points

32. Development guideline Request industry and academic proposals. Down select and request best and final. Infrastructure must satisfy current and long term objectives. Vehicle unit must satisfy current and long term objectives. Issue proof of principal development contract. Issue proof of manufacture contract.

33. Fuel-less vehicle unit Establish reasonable cost to procure multiple basic vehicles. Issue multiple contracts to American manufacturers. Encourage future vehicle specifications improvements. Reward cost reduction proposals with contracts. “Safe and Efficient”

34. Infrastructure Establish reasonable cost to implement infrastructure. Issue multiple contracts to American manufacturers. Apply plan for infrastructure locations timeline. Encourage future infrastructure specifications improvements. Reward cost reduction proposals with contracts. “Safe and Efficient”

35. Fuel-on-board vehicles Fuel-on-board vehicles would eventually be penalized for using roadways which also had fuel-less vehicle infrastructure available for use. Goal would be eventual conversion of personal use of Fuel-on-board vehicles to fuel-less vehicles. “Safe and Efficient”

36. Ultimate question I have no doubt that a solution exists which will solve the impending energy crisis in America. The solution would also benefit the rest of the world also. Those who lack vision will wrap themselves around “special interests” and claim that no such solution will ever be found. Real vision would see a golden opportunity to develop a meaningful solution to a real problem. An opportunity for every American and industry to profit will be seen. “Safe and Efficient”

37. What will we do? The specification details I leave to those who might accept this challenge. The solicitation of proposal requests must come from the government. If the government does not tackle this proactively it will be forced later to face it (as it often does) reactively. That may indeed become a national disaster. The world is watching us, as always. What will we do? “Safe and Efficient”

38. Funding Funds for all great American under takings were always found. I have no doubt that a way to fund this can be found. The fuel-on-board vehicle is a relic of the past. Let’s not live in past, let’s live in the future! “Safe and Efficient”

39. Conclusion Energy consumption will continue. How efficient we really become is open to question. Our current path offers no meaningful solution. A conclusion in this matter will come to pass. Will it be the one we really want?

40. Your thoughts? What do you think? Make any sense? Have we waited too long to Address this problem? Thinking about it?