CEE Seminar: Alternative Energy Vehicles & their Supporting Infrastructure

Abstract:  This is the third edition of the Hyundai Motor America seminars offered at UC Irvine, and given the high interest expressed by previous audiences in environmentally friendly technologies, the focus will be on the newly introduced IONIQ product line, including Battery Electric (BEV), Hybrid Electric (HEV) and Plug In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV), along with the Sonata HEV and PHEV. Hyundai Motor America has also continued the deployment of Tucson Fuel Cell Vehicles in the U.S. The seminar will provide an overview on these initiatives. In addition to the advanced vehicle technologies, the emphasis will be on the efforts related to providing the proper supporting infrastructure, including electric chargers and hydrogen fueling solutions.

Mircea Gradu joined Hyundai Motor America in May 2014 as director of engineering and quality. Gradu leads the development and implementation of product strategy to improve both the initial quality of Hyundai models and vehicle durability. He has more than 23 years of automotive experience, most recently serving as vice president and head of transmission powertrain and driveline engineering for Chrysler Group LLC. His distinguished career includes being the recipient of the 2008 Edward Cole Award for Automotive Innovation, the 2005 Forest McFarland Award and the SAE-Timken Howard Simpson Innovation Award from the Society of Automotive Engineers. He holds a doctorate in mechanical engineering from the University of Stuttgart.

Eric Bondus is senior group manager, new technologies, at Hyundai Motor America. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in automotive technology in 1978 from the University of Wisconsin, where he led a team of more than 50 technical students to construct a 4-door compact car running on hydrogen fuel. A long career in automotive development followed, starting with Chrysler, then Toyota and now Hyundai. In addition to his professional career, Bondus has participated in snowmobile, sports-car and off-road-car racing, navigated the Caribbean Islands via sailboat, and finished 3rd in class at the Mexican Baja 500 off-road race on a motorcycle.

Chrystine Kim is senior associate in new technologies at Hyundai Motor America. She has more than 20 years of sales and purchasing experience in various industries. Since the introduction of alternative powertrains, she has supported the research and selection of chargers for the PHEV, and future planning for the release of the EV.

ITS-Irvine is delighted to partner with Hyundai Motor America to present the 2015-16 Seminar Series on Technology Innovations and the Future of Transportation. Co-Sponsored by the University of California Center on Economic Competitiveness in Transportation