Hybrid and electric cars are sparing the environment. Critics say they’re hurting the roads.
The popularity of these fuel-efficient vehicles is being blamed for a drop in gasoline taxes that pay for local highway and bridge maintenance, with three states enacting rules to make up the losses with added fees on the cars and at least five others weighing similar legislation.
John DeCicco, a professor of practice within the Sustainable Systems field of study at SNRE and an expert on renewable energy, discussed fuel economy standards with Greenwire in the context of a second Obama administration.
John DeCicco, a professor of practice within the Sustainable Systems field of study at SNRE and a national expert on renewable energy, wrote an opinion column on the subject that appeared in the Detroit News.
U-M students in the Sustainable Energy Systems course (NRE 574/ESENG 599/PP 519) had two electrifying guests this past week, as a pair of 2011 Chevy Volts came to campus. The Volts, manufactured by General Motors, were used to demonstrate topics being discussed in the course taught by Greg Keoleian, the Peter M. Wege Professor of Sustainable Systems at SNRE and the director of its Center for Sustainable Systems (CSS). Students had a chance to sit inside the cars, look under the hoods at the battery system and learn more about the special monitoring equipment installed by GM to assess the car's performance. Nearly 40 GM engineers are also taking the course via distance learning.
John DeCicco has been appointed as a research professor at the Michigan Memorial Phoenix Energy Institute (MMPEI). DeCicco holds a joint appointment as a newly-named professor of practice at the School of Natural Resources and Environment (SNRE), where since 2009 he served as a senior lecturer and MMPEI faculty fellow.