When will the Perfect Storm come?

This week I have made preparations for the launch of Podcar.org. A large part of that is to research what is going on in the world of sustainable transportation. It is obvious that a lot of energy is going into Podcar development and interest - but also that we still have a rather long way to go before we reach critical mass. I am encouraged by news such as the continued success of the Heathrow system -  http://www.reuters.com/video/2012/04/04/heathrow-moves-forward-with-pod-cars?videoId=221945131&videoChannel=2602 and even more excited when I in January read about the India project - http://www.cnngo.com/mumbai/life/pods-future-urban-transport-india-409090. These are important actions and news for us, yet still not strong enough to drive the industry forward into stronger research & development. So, when will the Perfect Storm come? My guess is that the combination of high energy prices, increased demand of efficient transportation, unsustainable congestion as the cities get more and more dense and not least the issues with Global Warming will all together reach a critical point in a near future. None of the existing modes of transportation can alone answer the call for a better and sustainable way to get around. The time for Podcar technology as a general transportation system is not now - but in a nearer future than many realizes.

New Start - 2012

It is almost four years since I started this blog - with very few updates. Since the last four years a lot has happened - Encitra is doing very exciting stuff in the Uppsala Simulation Project, The City of Uppsala is very close to starting a full study and procurement process for Podcars,



I have had the honor to assist and work through the Memorandum of Cooperation between Sweden and United States on Podcar Technology (and High Speed Rail) and much more.

 
Porcari and Zetterberg, Swedish US MoC Signing

From March 2012 I look forward to a more outgoing work with news about how to get away from fossil fuel in transportation, the importance of virtual modeling tools for birds-eye view of projects for sustainable change and growth and not least exciting meetings in Sweden, Germany, USA and elsewhere where people are starting to understand that we actually can completely change the way we move around - into a better, safer, efficient and not least fun world of transportation.

Link to Encitra Technology at Youtube (low res): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPklr_PFn-s

Link to the Swedish-US MoC: http://www.dot.gov/ost/ogc/OST_DOT/Sweden.pdf

My dear Center Party and the Ethanol discussion

Today the official spokesman for my own Party - Claes Vasterteg at www.centerpartiet.se - defends the Ethanol industry, as he in the same time seems to support the criticism of Ethanol production and it's consequences. "Anyone fueling their car with Ethanol in Sweden does a good thing", and then states "It would be wrong giving Ethanol the entire blame for increasing food prices in the world". Mr. Vasterteg even promotes Ethanol as a good crop for hungry people in the third world! I think they would like to grow food first, dear collegue...

I am amazed that basic physics and math don't work with some people. Even one of the most positive Ethanol enthusiasts - Sekab CEO in Sweden - clearly states that Ethanol never can replace fossile fuels as primary source for transportation. A vast number of research done by independent institutes clearly states that production of Ethanol will no matter how much better the technology gets still only provide a fraction of the world wide need for inefficient cars.

The only way out of the car is promoting something better than the car. I don't know if Podcar technology is the best answer, but it will use ZERO fossil fuel and/or any other bio fuel. It seems to be safer, faster, more convienient and much more energy efficient than enything else around. To argue against evaulation of this technology makes me suspicious that Sekab and other supporting organisations are taken over by the car industry. Let's hope that I'm wrong.