Kelly Senecal - Racing Toward Zero: The Untold Story of Driving Green

Moving toward a much more sustainable transportation system is a really big challenge. There arent easy-to-implement, environmentally benign, large-scale options readily available given where we are today. We need help wherever we can find it, and this book is an important resource. It is titled (in part): the untold story of driving green . Yes, we dont yet have a broad, robust, fact-based review of our real-world transportation options and their enabling technology: Why not? Advocates have claimed much of the discussion playing field, and more thoughtful rationalists have been left behind. So, the reality-based hard and soft systems discussion that is this book is both timely and very welcome. The authors write well, keep their narrative flowing, and add a modicum of lightly sardonic humor to make it lively.

The books 13 chapters move steadily, in the appropriate sequence, through the topics we need to understand better to make more responsible choices. First comes a review of the basic sustainability issues that we will eventually have to resolve. A comprehensive summary of the promising and potentially available technology then follows: the propulsion systems and vehicle options followed by a broad overview of the low-carbon fuel and energy sources these vehicles (the focus is on cars, SUVs, and light trucks) will need as they are actually used. Next comes an in-depth review of the past and future fuel economy and emissions regulatory situation by major world region and country by country, which underlines the global scope of our challenge. Costs and their impacts are also factored in.

With the current state of dominance of vehicles with internal combustion engines using gasoline as fuel, the future potential and benefits of electrified vehicles are a very important topic that is thoroughly discussed. And its not just the battery-driven electric vehicle thats the focus; its all the other electrified vehicle options as well. Also reviewed are the anticipated broader manufacturing resource impacts, the infrastructure requirements, and the electricity generation needs and environmental impacts. This ICE/EV topic is handled in a realistic, even-handed way. What we know is described, and what we dont know is also spelled out, illustrating how effectively this book addresses such complex issues.

The authors then explore the broader transportation system topics that must be included in any thorough consideration. The vehicle users needs and wants are crucial and, of course, diverse. So are the economic and operational impacts on the individual user and more broadly at the transportation system level. The consumers perspectives are obviously important and are kept in mind throughout. How convenient will the more promising of the greener technology options be for vehicle users, and will these options become a compelling choice for the individual consumer and at a more aggregate level?

Transportation is at a crisis point and needs robust policies and decisions that will provide attractive services for all of us and produce substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. Thats a big agenda, and the authors really do give readers the detailed information they will need to move their own thinking and assessments in this arena forward. The authors explain their own views and perspectives clearly and openly. The book will appeal to those who already have knowledge in the relevant areas and also to those who want to learn the needed knowledge to better understand these challenges. Its an informative, insightful, and fun read; and remember, we dont yet have definitive answers.

It is an honest book that lays out several promising future options. Some of these already look robust; some, as yet, less so. Thus, there is an urgent need for more exploration of such solutions in a real-life setting before the best path forward becomes clear. The book ends with We Have Some Suggestions: these embody a justified yet cautious optimism as to what we need to do next.

John B. Heywood
Sun Jae Professor of Engineering, Emeritus, MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA