Connectivity and Convergence: Transportation for the 21st Century

Drivers across the nation are powering up at electric charging stations, and gas-fueled cars are getting an average of 16% more miles to the gallon than they did just five years ago. However, as the world?s population continues to grow, transportation demands and petroleum consumption steadily increase. A 21st-century transportation system not only needs vehicle technology capable of meeting fuel economy goals of 54.5 mi/gal, a truly sustainable transportation future will rely on the widespread adoption of multiple solutions, including alternative fuels, electric-drive vehicles, a grid powered by renewable energy sources, new approaches to fueling and charging, and innovative ?systems of vehicle connectivity?as well as more fuel-efficient gasoline-powered vehicles.

Bumps in the Road: Barriers to Consumer Adoption

In the last five years, the number of electric-drive vehicle models has jumped from three to 23, including fully electric PEVs. HEVs have become increasingly affordable and can now be found on roads across the country. And although PEVs currently command an even smaller share of the automotive market than electric-drive vehicles as a whole—less than 1%—they continue to grow in popularity. Despite all of this, multiple barriers remain in making electric-drive vehicles truly competitive with conventional vehicles.