Worldwide, motor vehicles are major sources of air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Growth in the global fleet has overwhelmed past efforts to reduce overall oil consumption and pollution emissions. Electric vehicles offer the most promising long-term option to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide and pollution, with the electricity and hydrogen for these vehicles eventually derived from non-fossil energy sources. A new form of electrified public transportation system called Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) is being developed in the United States. Based on small computer-operated 3-passenger electric cars riding on their own narrow guideways, PRT systems will be far less costly to build and operate than conventional heavy- and light-rail systems. The introduction of electric cars and trucks along with PRT systems for public transport will be an important first step in the evolution of a sustainable, global transportation system. (A)
Abstract