This year we're excited to once again be hosting the Auto
FutureTech Summit, an event that will run concurrently with GLOBE
2010. This "conference within a conference" will focus on sustainable transportation.
In 2010 the message is clear: the future of transportation is
green. A link between dirty transportation and climate change has
been proven time and time again, and there's no denying that
emissions from the traditional combustion engine as well as other
old school transportation methods pollute our air and waterways.
But gratefully, a paradigm shift towards sustainable transportation
is growing. And as it does, so too does the market for green
vehicles.
Evidence of this growing market is obvious as we start to see
large car manufacturers around the world rolling out their green
alternatives. Big names such as Toyota, Lexus, Nissan, Fiat, Chevy, and Mitsubishi have all
ascertained the way of the future. And it's not only the big names
who are playing in this space. Lesser-known manufacturers are also keeping up
with the transformation so as not to be left behind.
A recent January study by IHS Global Insight, estimated
that by 2030 nearly 20 percent of the global market for vehicles
will consist of plug-in hybrids and battery-powered electric cars.
Which is great news, but is this conversion happening fast enough?
The Auto FutureTech Summit will address this question amongst
others including:
- What is the current public perception of electric and plug-in
hybrid cars?
- What are the challenges and the most effective strategies for
installing recharging infrastructure?
- What is the latest research from universities, NGOs, and
utility companies regarding plug-in cars as a long-term solution to
climate change?
- Is the answer for a speedier integration of sustainable
vehicles to convert existing vehicles to run on electricity?
Some of the most knowledgeable people in the clean technology,
sustainable transportation, and greening cities sectors will be
speaking at the summit, including:
- Brian Beck, Project Manager, Low Carbon Vehicle Strategies,
City of Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Al Cormier, Executive Director, Electric Mobility Canada,
Mississauga, ON, Canada
- John Gartner, Senior Analyst, Pike Research, Boulder, CO,
USA
- Jay Giraud, Founder & CEO, Rapid Electric Vehicles (REV),
Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Donna LeClair, Chief Technology Officer, BC Hydro, Vancouver,
BC, Canada
- Ben Marans, Manager of Grants and Special Projects, Toronto
Atmospheric Fund, Toronto, ON, Canada
- John O'Dell, Senior Editor, Edmunds.com, Santa Monica, CA,
USA
- Sevag Pogharian, Principal & Founder, Sevag Pogharian
Design, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Constantine Samaras, Post-Doctoral Research Fellow, Climate
Decision Making Center, Department of Engineering and Public
Policy, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
- Marc Stuyver, Manger, Advance Technology and Powertrain Group,
Toyota Canada Inc., Toronto, ON, Canada
- John Thomas, CEO, ALTe LLC, Plymouth, MI, USA
- Luke Tonachel, Vehicles Analyst, Air & Energy, Natural
Resources Defense Council, New York, NY, USA
- David Trueman, Technical Consultant, Thor Lake, Avalon Rare
Metals, Richmond, BC, Canada
- John Waraniak, Vice President, Vehicle Technology, Specialty
Equipment Market Assoc. (SEMA), Detroit, USA
What are your thoughts about the future of sustainable
transportation? Let us know in the comments section below, and be
sure to join us at the Auto FutureTech Summit to hear the latest on
this evolving industry. To find out more click here.
And don't forget to connect with us on Twitter: @GLOBE_Series and join discussions about the business of the
environment with other GLOBE 2010 participants in our newly formed
GLOBE Conferences & Trade Fair LinkedIn
group.