Green and Connected: A White Paper for the Michigan Department of Transportation
Two of the most important developments in automotive technology currently underway are the introduction of vehicle communications and the electrification of the powertrain. While these two technologies largely have evolved separately, their future evolution will not be in isolation. Furthermore, these two technologies reinforce one another, each making the other more effective. Recognizing this potential, the Center for Automotive Research (CAR), with the support of the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), a recognized leader in connected vehicle technology, has investigated the linkages and synergies between these two technologies and their coincidental development. This document presents CAR’s observations on the potential of these two technologies to make each other stronger in the market. Ultimately, the goals of this paper are to raise awareness of the potential added benefits of being “green and connected” and to begin a dialogue on how best to achieve these benefits