USCAR's Winter 1999 Mileposts Newsletter - Auto Shows, Clean Fuels
18 February 1999
USCAR's Winter 1999 Mileposts Newsletter Highlights Auto Show Stories, PNGV's Need for Clean FuelsSOUTHFIELD, Mich., Feb. 17 -- For all of you automotive gurus, USCAR's winter 1999 Mileposts newsletter is bursting with stories about the advancements made and challenges that exist with several advanced technologies. All USCAR (United States Council for Automotive Research) newsletter stories may be accessed at http://www.uscar.org. Top stories include: * When it comes to automotive fuels and emissions, what goes in must come out. Partnership for a New Generation of Vehicles (PNGV) researchers are investigating new and reformulated fuels in their quest for high-efficiency, low-emission technologies for the next generation of vehicles. While research into direct-injection engines and advanced aftertreatment devices have been given much attention since PNGV's inception in 1993, new and reformulated fuels are now being recognized as key enablers for meeting PNGV goals. For complete coverage of PNGV's need for new, cleaner fuels, visit http://www.uscar.org/pngv/newfuels.htm. * While the technology exists to successfully recycle automotive windshields, the cost penalty to vehicle dismantlers is currently too great to make it feasible. While the glass and plastics in windshields could be recycled into such items as fiberglass, glass beads, match striker strips and decorative tile, it currently costs more to collect and transport windshields to the recycling infrastructure than it does to send them to landfills. Read more about this study at http://www.uscar.org/techno/windshieldresults.htm. * Two suppliers were each awarded $10-million contracts by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to develop a family of electric power modules that will manage the generation, storage and use of electric power in hybrid gas- electric, diesel-electric and fuel cell vehicles. These systems will help meet PNGV's challenge of developing highly efficient, non-polluting and affordable passenger vehicles by 2004. To find out the names of those suppliers, and for full details, visit http://www.uscar.org/techno/contracts.htm. * At the 1999 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, DaimlerChrysler, Ford and General Motors showed a variety of high-tech concept vehicles that are more environmentally friendly than conventional vehicles. For full coverage, visit one of the following: * DaimlerChrysler: http://www.uscar.org/techno/daimlerchrysler1999.htm * Ford: http://www.uscar.org/techno/ford1999.htm * GM: http://www.uscar.org/techno/gm1999.htm The information provided on USCAR's continually-updated Web site is useful for many different people -- journalists, engineers, suppliers, environmentalists, and even students seeking information for term papers. USCAR was formed in 1992 by America's car companies to further strengthen the technology base of the domestic auto industry through a variety of cooperative, pre-competitive research. USCAR research deals with safety, emissions, electrical connectors, alternative power sources, lightweight materials, recycling, and -- under its Partnership for a New Generation of Vehicles effort with the government, suppliers and universities -- technologies that can lead to more fuel-efficient vehicles.
