It's Electric! Rhode Island's New Transportation System
Hosted by the University of Rhode Island. Transportation accounts for 35 percent of Rhode Island's total greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing vehicle emissions requires investment and innovation in the electrification of Rhode Island's transportation sector. How will Rhode Island get there? What impacts will this transition have on consumers? How will electrifying the transportation sector impact the state's goal of achieving a net-zero emissions economy by 2050? A panel of experts will address these concerns and others in the first lecture of the 2022 series, moderated by Hank Webster, senior policy associate and Rhode Island director of the Acadia Center.
Speakers:
John-Paul A. Verducci
Chief economic and policy analyst, R.I. Department of Transportation
Electric vehicle infrastructure is at the epicenter of the transition to an electric transportation system. With Rhode Island expected to receive approximately $23 million over the next five years through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Verducci will give an update on the efforts to develop an electric vehicle charging network in Rhode Island.
Yue Qi
Joan Wernig Sorensen Professor of Engineering, Brown University
Transitioning to an electric transportation system is needed to combat climate change but comes with its own technological and environmental challenges. With batteries set to become a cornerstone of our electric system, Qi will provide an overview of her research supporting the development of high-performance and sustainable materials for battery production.
Gregory Nordin
Chief of strategic advancement, Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA)
An effective public transportation system has been considered a means to reduce emissions significantly, and RIPTA is leading the way in its efforts to electrify the state's fleet of buses. Greg Nordin will give an update on RIPTA’s plan for electrification and some of the challenges and opportunities presented during the pilot phases of this transition.