#242 – Felix Leach & Nick Molden | Why Mass and Distance Are the Most Important Variables for Sustainable Transportation

In this episode of Building Better with Brandon Bartneck, Felix Leach, Associate Professor at the University of Oxford, and Nick Molden, CEO of Emissions Analytics, join the discussion on sustainable transportation. The conversation emphasizes the critical role of mass and distance in determining the environmental impact of transportation, highlighting these as the most important variables for sustainability.

Felix and Nick also advocate for a radical reset in public policy and taxation systems to simplify and better align with environmental realities. They discuss the interconnectedness of the transportation ecosystem, the role of consumer choices, and actionable steps toward a more sustainable future.

About Building Better:

Building Better with Brandon Bartneck focuses on the people, products, and companies creating a better tomorrow, often in the transportation and manufacturing sectors. Previously called the Future of Mobility podcast, the show features real, human conversations exploring what leaders and innovators are doing, why and how they’re doing it, and what we can learn from their experiences. Topics include manufacturing, production, assembly, autonomous driving, electric vehicles, hydrogen and fuel cells, leadership, and more.

Key Takeaways:

• Mass and distance are the two most important variables in determining transportation sustainability.

• Simplicity on the far side of complexity is crucial for effective policies.

• Current vehicle taxation systems are overly complex and need a reset.

• Transportation policy must reflect true environmental costs.

• Consumer choices significantly influence environmental outcomes.

• Public engagement and education are vital for achieving change.

Chapters:

• 00:00 Introduction to Critical Mass and Its Importance

• 05:29 Understanding Vehicle Mass and Environmental Impact

• 08:32 Navigating Complexity in Transportation Decisions

• 11:29 Proposed Solutions for Vehicle Taxation

• 14:31 The Role of Mass in Vehicle Technology Comparison

• 17:42 Resetting the Transportation Policy Framework

• 25:56 Rethinking Vehicle Taxation

• 32:52 Simplifying Consumer Choices

• 39:06 The Moral Debate on Driving

• 42:52 Defining System Boundaries

• 46:13 Closing Thoughts and Future Directions

About the Guests:

Felix Leach is an Associate Professor at the University of Oxford, specializing in emissions and efficiency in thermal propulsion systems. Felix is the author of Racing Toward Zero and co-author of Critical Mass, which advocates for a simplified understanding of vehicles’ environmental impact.

Nick Molden is the CEO of Emissions Analytics, a company he founded in 2011 to assess the holistic environmental impact of vehicles. Nick co-authored Critical Mass and chairs multiple European standardization groups on vehicle emissions and air quality. He is also an Honorary Senior Research Fellow at Imperial College London.

Links & Resources:

• Learn more about Felix Leach: University of Oxford Profile

• Learn more about Nick Molden: Emissions Analytics

• Critical Mass: SAE Book Details

• Critical Mass on Amazon: Amazon Link

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