Abstract :
The world´s automotive industry is on its knees, beaten up by the global financial crisis and demand for more environmentally friendly transport. Armed with credits, tax breaks and special investment schemes, OECD governments have come to the rescue of their automobile sectors. However, in return many are demanding the production of more energy-efficient engines and cars or giving incentives for the purchase of new cars. The article presents the global car initiatives involving research on a broad range of technological and smart energy infrastructures essential to achieve a breakthrough in the use of renewable and non-polluting energy resources.