Green Racing Exhibits at the Washington Auto Show

February 7, 2011

The Department of Energy always welcomes the opportunity to bring new clean, renewable technologies to the public’s attention. Fortunately, DOE’s Vehicle Technologies Program recently had the chance to exhibit at the Washington Auto Show’s “Advanced Technology Superhighway” from Jan. 28 to Feb. 6. The exhibit focused on the Green Racing initiative which was created by DOE, Environmental Protection Agency and SAE International to recognize and reward automotive industry leaders that go the farthest and fastest with the smallest environmental footprint. The exhibit highlighted many of Green Racing's successes, such as the incorporation of hybrid powertrains and alternative fuels like cellulosic ethanol into racing vehicles, which are helping make the motorsports industry and, consumer markets greener.

The Green Racing team displayed three vehicles demonstrating advanced technologies: a 2010 Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid, a 2011 Corvette ZR1 modified to run on E85 ethanol and a Dyson Racing Mazda Lola coupe prototype. The Mazda coupe drew crowds of attendees, not only because of its flashy and fittingly green color but also because it races on an isobutanol-ethanol blend derived from biomass and cellulosic feedstocks. Biomass, plant-derived sustainable materials, produces transportation fuels, products and power. Most free-growing plants contain the cellulose needed for this production, without any additional agricultural effort or cost needed to make it grow. Cellulosic ethanol blends reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions significantly over reformulated gasoline while also decreasing the dependence on petroleum use.

Members of the Washington D.C. community and surrounding areas experienced firsthand how the racetrack has been transformed into a testing arena for manufacturers and an outlet for education and outreach. From race fans and general car enthusiasts to children of all ages, visitors had the chance to get a close look at the cars and an opportunity to strike a pose with each one.

In addition to the Green Racing exhibit, the Vehicle Technologies Program also displayed a Chrysler Plug-in Hybrid Electric Dodge Ram that uses technologies the Program helped develop, and an EcoCAR demonstration vehicle. EcoCAR: The Next Challenge is a three-year competition established by DOE and General Motors which challenges 16 universities across North America to reduce the environmental impact of vehicles while retaining their performance, safety and consumer appeal. The technologies used in the EcoCAR challenge are designed to meet the demands of improved energy efficiency and dramatic reductions in GHGs and include full-function electric vehicles, hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and fuel cell hybrid vehicles.

The Washington Auto Show was a terrific way to kick off the 2011 Green Racing season, which officially begins mid-March in Sebring, Florida. Check out www.greenracingcup.org for more information on the upcoming season.

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