The SAE International Society Of Automotive Engineers Global Mission: To Advance Sustainable Mobility Knowledge And Solutions

SAE is a global association of more than 200,000 engineers and related technical experts in the aerospace, automotive, and commercial vehicle industries. Its core competencies are life-long learning and voluntary consensus standard development. SAE's Automotive Engineering International, Aerospace Engineering, and Off-Highway Engineering magazines, which are known all over the world, keep the transportation industry up to date on the latest innovations.

Speaking about the roads his career has taken, Menchaca says, "The intersection of marketing, transportation, and environment is maybe a little bit unusual. But on the other hand, it's quite natural, because, you know, I came to SAE about seven years ago from the information industry and that really brought me into transportation broadly. And then, as you come into transportation, there are so many unique innovations happening in transportation. You have automation, robotics, and telecommunications moving into the vehicle and over the last several years, you have seen a rising consciousness in the industry that talks about sustainable growth and sustainable development of technology, which has led us into electrification and other forms of sustainable energy. So to me, it's almost like planting the seed of transportation, which sprouted into automation and very naturally grew branches into some sustainability in the environment. Once you're looking at sustainability, you're really looking at the integration of systems like economics, social structure, equity etc. So, transportation connects everything."

Sharing his journey with SAE, Colson added, "My focus is always on the people I know and care about. I should add that I've never worked in the transportation industry before. While I spent several years at FedEx facilitating the shipment of products, I was never actually involved in transportation. To me, it all comes down to this association and this civilization we're constructing. That's the part I love, because the entire globe is concerned about climate change, and we need to figure out how to have an effect on it that will have repercussions for years to come."

With the Middle Eastern countries pushing the ‘circular economy’ agenda with varying timescales, Menchaca stated, "Every individual has their own unique perspective on how quickly or slowly events unfold. I can assure you, though, that the trend towards  greater use of electricity is inevitable. That's not the only green technology out there. On the other hand, that is the one that is happening right now. Therefore, in the United States, the national electric car infrastructure initiative is pushing around $7.5 billion into the state economy, encouraging electrification. There is also legislation in Europe pushing for electrification. But there's a distinct dynamic in the Middle East, as there aren't necessarily any vehicle manufacturers there. Due to its size and organisation, Dubai presents a perfect environment in which to implement electrification across the entire ecosystem. Different paths are being taken, yet everything is happening right now."

A recent PWC analysis found that the GCC governments, in particular, could unlock US$400 billion in socioeconomic value by enabling sustainable mobility. Frank opined, "To begin with, a system for delivering electricity must be in place. Thus, there must be an increase in the number of charging stations and a general campaign to raise awareness. 

"The importance of consumer education in shaping or altering user behaviour is something I now hold in the highest regard. I think that's a good place to start thinking about what we can do next. Achieving long-term viability requires educating the consumer; only when they have faith in the new technology will it be widely adopted. 

"The proliferation of sustainable infrastructure serves as a sort of logical conclusion. It's not hard to arrange for vehicles to be made available. I think you need to, because the first step is convincing people that this is something they should care about, something that will help them and their children, and that will lead to new opportunities and better lives. And then, I feel like the rest falls in underneath it. Large amounts of time and effort will need to be invested in planning the infrastructure."

The continually changing commuting habits of GenZ and Gen Alpha have put a premium on creating reliable, environmentally friendly public transportation systems. Elaborating further on the subject, Frank stated, "When considering the transportation preferences of persons in their twenties and thirties, or even earlier, I think you'll find some interesting dynamics at play. They might have somewhat dissimilar tendencies. This is something I've noticed in my own children, who fall somewhere in the middle of those demographics where transportation, particularly personal or owned vehicles, may not be as important.

"My guess is that a combination of factors is at play here, including a change in perspective across the generations about what makes for the best mode of transportation. In the end, perhaps practicality will triumph over property. 

"So, I think Dubai and the Gulf states are really ideally positioned to experiment in this area where you might have private transportation but transportation as a service mobility because of their organisation and ability to connect things at the state level."

By 2030, Etihad Rail plans to have passengers riding between Abu Dhabi and Dubai in under 50 minutes, an announcement that was made last year. Abu Dhabi and Oman will soon be connected thanks to a new agreement between Etihad Rail and Oman Rail, which was revealed last month. The Freight Rail service is now active and is used to move goods and commodities across the emirates, eliminating the need for large trucks to travel on UAE roadways. If the railway is finished quickly, it will soon be used to move workers and people from several emirates.

Sharing his views on this development, Menchaca said, "There's a lot of potential there, yes. Train travel from the Tokyo Metro to the station where you may catch the bullet train to Nagoya is highly convenient, fast, and fun thanks to Japan's impressive railway infrastructure. Plus, everything is neatly and efficiently put together. 

"Well-organized regions can see enormous success with a strategy that combines high-quality, environmentally friendly high-speed rail with Metro and, perhaps down the line, micromobility devices like scooters."

"I think it's incredibly intriguing and has potential in places like Europe and the Middle East, where the land space is relatively small and a coordinated relationship between Metro, high-speed rail, and micromobility is easier to establish."

"In my opinion, a holistic approach is required if we are to realise the goal of sustainable transportation. If you're just getting used to the notion of driving an electric vehicle, or aren't sure if you'll ever be close enough to a charging station to make it before your battery dies, a hybrid is a great option to get started.

"My opinion is that they play a crucial role in connecting different areas. Therefore, I believe that the recent approval of the Inflation Reduction Act in the United States has resulted in the reinstatement of incentives for consumers to acquire electric vehicles. That being said, I believe that the infrastructure will be the primary factor in shaping consumer habits. In my opinion, the electrification of the planet is an inevitable trend. However, I believe hybrids are an excellent starting point," he added. 

Menchaca believes that hybrid-electric propulsion will play an important part in the future of creating a cleaner environment, and he went into additional detail about this function, "Businesses in every sector of the global economy are starting to take the issue of their goods' and their own contributions to global warming very seriously. In favour of the Paris Climate Accords, I believe there is a drive to lessen the world's reliance on fossil fuels and achieve a goal of zero net emissions by the year 2050."

"Due to its size and organisation, Dubai is well-suited to adopt a truly integrated systemic approach to sustainable mobility, one in which infrastructure is placed everywhere cars are used and the government takes an active interest in this topic. We are now developing educational programmes in the States, to prepare individuals for entirely new types of employment. 

For example, service chargers are essential because of the wide variety of charging options available. As a result, a brand-new occupation—the service technician—is emerging within the sector of electric vehicle supply infrastructure. 

"Not only that, but there are several high-paying, newly created positions in the field of clean technology. I think this field has a bright future, and I think there is a big need to train new people to find and buy materials for batteries.

"According to what I've read, the demand for lithium-ion batteries will require a tenfold increase in the workforce over the next decade. This is an exciting time in the economy because, if the technologies are finally ready to be put into action, it will necessitate the creation of a whole new set of jobs and a whole new set of skills. Furthermore, I believe that Dubai serves as an excellent example of such a showcase state," Menchaca added. 

As renewable power increasingly depends on electricity, the battery storage system will become increasingly important. Because of this, the resources, finance, and production of these batteries will be confined to specific regions where these factors converge. Now, the bigger question is how the area plans to meet the high demand for systems that store and use electricity.

Answering that query, Frank commented, "In the United States, where the Inflation Reduction Act has placed a premium on bringing manufacturing processes back home (in particular, the production of batteries), this is a topic of intense debate. There is considerable enthusiasm for the United States to increase its role in the global mining and development of batteries containing rare earth minerals. 

"International politics are a driving force behind this development. As for the geographical aspect of your inquiry, I find it fascinating that so much effort is being put into producing hydrogen. Electrolysis is a way to make hydrogen that is not limited by the same geopolitical factors as, say, lithium, cobalt, or nickel.

"The idea that it is possible to create infrastructure for hydrogen fueling and energy storage in any region is also highly intriguing. You may observe the construction of European Gigafactories. In that regard, I anticipate the coming decade to be one of great excitement and change."

Sharing what he envisages the future holding by 2032, Frank points out, "As I stated, Dave and I travelled to Dubai in November to attend an aviation show. While there, we were struck by how much government and industry leaders had accepted the reality that the region's way of life would have to change if electrification wasn't embraced.

"The structure of the Middle East makes it an extremely promising region. And because of the interest and acceptance that sustainable energy must be implemented, I believe it will be in a fantastic position in ten years, with a refined transit system and a formed idea of urban metabolism, where you have the city that synchronises all of these different systems, and transportation is key.

"In the Middle East and Dubai, specifically, this kind of approach to this concept of sophisticated urban metabolism integrates all of these different systems that involve combining a number of distinct mechanisms."