KIVI NIRIA RAI Symp.: Biofuel cars
During AutoRAI on 3 April 2009, KIVI NIRIA's vehicle technology section, in collaboration with RAI Vereniging, organised a symposium entitled "Are biofuel cars overtaken by electric ones?". Although attendance was somewhat disappointing, the topic was very topical and the lectures and discussions were particularly enlightening and engaging.
A few years ago, biofuels were the solution to the climate problem and the scarcity of fossil fuels. When it turned out that there were considerable drawbacks to biofuels after all, the hype was quickly over. Now electric vehicles are the solution. But won't this also show that there are disadvantages to electrifying the car fleet?
The symposium showed that the truth lies in the middle. Biofuels can indeed be produced sustainably. They will certainly be part of the solution to the energy problem. And electric transport still seems to be very expensive at the moment and in the coming years, but it will certainly eventually make its contribution to making society more sustainable.
The topic of biofuels was highlighted by several speakers from their own profession and insight. This resulted in a particularly fascinating and inspiring meeting. For instance, it was explained which new technologies will become available in the next few years from the car industry and which fuels fit best with them, when will the biofuels come onto the market and what will be the ultimate benefit in terms of CO2 reduction. It also looked at the market. Once we have those cars running on biofuel, how do we sell them to the usually very conventional and conservative car buyer.
These presentations painted a complete and broad picture around biofuels.
And finally the question: Have biofuel cars been overtaken by the electric?
The answer turned out to be "No". Both have a place in making road transport more sustainable. In doing so, biofuels appear to be a simpler and cheaper alternative to fossil oil for now. But electric is coming, although its large-scale deployment will take longer than everyone thinks.
Once again, we would like to thank the speakers for their presentations and we hope to be able to organise another interesting symposium at the next AutoRAI.
Description
The KIVI NIRIA RAI Symposium is organised every two years by KIVI NIRIA Department of Vehicle Technology and RAI Association on the occasion of AutoRAI. The symposium is intended for employees of vehicle manufacturers, suppliers, importers, governments, research institutes, engineering firms and students. After the symposium, one can visit the AutoRAI free of charge until 8pm.
Theme: "Have biofuel cars been overtaken by electric vehicles?"
It is only four years since the industry came up with the first biofuel vehicles. They were fairly quickly embraced by politicians as the solution to CO2 problems and dependence on oil. But growing the necessary quantities of rapeseed and other crops requires a lot of space and, again, energy. It soon turns out that this will cause prices of maize and other food sources to rise. The love for the biofuel car seems to have cooled while the electric car is now claiming all the attention and seems to be the solution to all problems. But are electric vehicles really the short- and long-term solution? Or do new developments also give biofuel vehicles an important role in the near and also distant future?
Four lectures between 09.00 and 12.30 h
Reception from 8.30 h
PROGRAMME
09.00: Reception, registration, coffee/tea
09.30: Opening of the symposium, ir. Fons Hoeberichts, chairman KIVI NIRIA Department of Vehicle Technology
09.40: Mr Ewald Breunesse, Shell; A Scramble of Blueprints future for the car
10.10: Prof.dr.ir. Rik Baert, "What will be the fuel for the Car of the Future
10.40: Break with coffee and tea
11.10: Dr.ir. Richard Smokers, TNO, Sustainable lasts the longest
11.40: Ing. Raymond Gense, PON; Sustainable mobility, how to sell it
12.10: "Overview of novelties AutoRAI 2009", ing. Jaap Tuinstra, RAI Association
12.30: Closing, followed by lunch and the opportunity to visit the AutoRAI 2009, open until 20:00
Speaker(s)
AutoRAI 2009 (now also with motorbikes and scooters)
This year, the RAI has opted for a new format for the exhibition. All vehicles belonging to a catergorie are shown by world, ideal for quickly comparing cars.
The six car worlds are: Luxury & Sportcars, City & Compact, Green Innovations, Convertible, Family & Travel and Adventure. In addition, for the first time this year, you can also check out motorbikes and scooters at the new event GoMotor!
We recommend coming to Amsterdam RAI by train. If you come by car, you can park, for €14, at Amsterdam Arena, from where a shuttle bus will take you to the RAI.
Parking in RAI car parks is also possible but you must order preferred parking tickets in advance via autorai.nl at €20 each.
Location
RAI Convention Centre, Hall L, Amsterdam
Organiser
Vehicle Technology
RAI Association
Name and contact details for information
More information from Fons Hoeberichts, phone: 06 - 1502 4774, or via the e-mail address below, or from Jaap Tuinstra, phone: 020 - 504 4965, e-mail: j.tuinstra@raivereniging.nl.