Hosted in the United States for the first time, the fifth summit of the International Environmentally Friendly Vehicle Conference offers a unique opportunity to showcase progress and innovation in transportation.  This conference will bring together industry leaders and representatives from around the world to share the latest innovations and experience on how to shape the market for clean and fuel efficient vehicles. Associated with the United Nations, the results of the conference will be used to continue an international dialogue on harmonization of global standards for and promotion of advanced vehicle technologies.  Help chart the future of clean and fuel efficient vehicles at this unique gathering of industry, government and environmental organizations.    READ MORE

 

American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón President Scott Atherton will speak and moderate a green racing forum at the
International Environmentally Friendly Vehicle Conference this week at the Baltimore Convention Center.

The fifth annual convention, which is being conducted in the U.S. for the first time, focuses upon the progress and future of greener and cleaner vehicles, large and small.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and Environment Canada host this year’s event, which features direct involvement from nearly all of the major automobile manufacturers and leading suppliers. The American
Le Mans Series is the only motorsports organization involved with the event.

On Wednesday, Atherton will lead a forum entitled, “The Race to Future Technologies,” which will address collaboration with government and industry to accelerate solutions to the future of sustainable transportation. Joining him on the panel will be Mazda North American Operations Director of Motorsports John Doonan, Audi Motor Sports Head of Engine Development Dr. Ulrich Baretzky, General Motors Director of Racing Mark Kent, Michelin North America Executive Vice President Scott Clark, and DeltaWing Concept Originator and race car designer/engineer Ben Bowlby.

The panel’s discussion will center on motorsports’ increasing role as a research and development laboratory for technology transfer to the consumer automobile industry. Atherton also will address how the American Le Mans Series spearheads that role in today’s racing environment and maintains its position as the recognized Global Leader in Green Racing.

“Being at the global forefront in the development of Green Racing initiatives is at the very core of what the American Le Mans Series represents to its teams, manufacturers, marketing partners and fans,” Atherton said. “The Series is fully invested in the development and promotion of consumer-relevant alternative fuels and related green automotive technologies. It is incumbent upon us to not only lead the way in the entertainment value we bring to sports car racing enthusiasts, but to be in a key leadership position to encourage and enable the development of more sustainable transportation solutions.”

Atherton will address how the ALMS has consistently welcomed ideas and environmentally friendly involvement with the series – including cellulosic and biofuels as well as cleaner-burning diesel fuels; gas-electric hybrid prototype race cars; smaller, turbocharged engines operating on alternative fuels; flywheel energy storage technology; and the visionary Nissan DeltaWing prototype race car.
At this summer’s prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans event in France, the DeltaWing delivered a competitive, proof-of-concept performance. It continues to draw rave reviews for its innovative racing platform that features half the weight, horsepower, aerodynamic drag, fuel consumption and tire wear, yet produces all the performance of a conventional international prototype sports car.

The IEFV panel will provide expert insight into sports car racing’s future development of bio-based renewable fuels, reduction of total energy consumption, hybrid power trains and electric engines. Discussion topics will also include future technical guidelines which will focus on energy allocation as the primary means for managing performance – an ideal situation for manufacturers to develop breakthrough technologies focused on maximum energy efficiency, high performance and sustainability.