A car Delphi brought to showcase at the forum.

In today’s society, companies are finding new ways to bring energy efficient products to consumers. Attendees at the June 4 and 5 Sustainable Energy Forum at Youngstown State University were able to see first-hand some of the new technologies that are driving sustainability efforts in the automotive sector. Presenters from the hydraulics division of Delphi, in Champion, Ohio, hosted a panel to discuss how the company is introducing innovative technologies into the hybrid market. Delphi is a global manufacturer that develops parts for the growing demand of greener vehicles. Randy Sumner, director of global hybrid electric vehicle business and technology development, said that in a standard car, there is more computing than a space shuttle. In one innovation critical to the success of the electric vehicle, Delphi is developing a wireless charging system. The system would be placed on a garage floor, or paved parking spot, and consumers would not have to worry about plugs or cords. Currently, the company has 12,400 customers, and 120,000 employees. Sumner noted that Delphi has a 95 percent flawless launch rate and invests substantially in research and development.