Autopia Simulation Game

About Autopia

Autopia is a serious game developed by Joel Bremson at the University of California, Davis, designed to simulate the complex market dynamics of transitioning to alternative fuel vehicles. By modeling interactions between consumers, vehicle producers, and fuel producers, Autopia provides insights into economic and technological factors influencing the adoption of alternative fuels.

Key Findings

• Market Bifurcation: High fuel prices result in a split market, with small, affordable gasoline vehicles dominating lower-income segments and well-equipped electric vehicles prevalent among the top 30% income bracket.
• Challenges for Alternative Fuels: Selling alternative fuel vehicles comparable to conventional ones is difficult due to price differences, posing a significant market barrier.
• Gasoline Demand Reduction: Improved average fuel economy leads to a decrease in gasoline demand, prompting fuel producers to adapt production strategies.

Images from the Dissertation

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MPG Payoff Calculator

Use the Payoff Calculator to compare the costs of two vehicles based on their prices, fuel efficiency, and gas prices. This tool helps determine the break-even point for fuel savings. This is a simple calculator I built using AI coding, AWS API Gateway, and Lambda.

Dissertation

For a detailed exploration of the Autopia project, including its methodology and findings, refer to Joel Bremson’s dissertation.