John DeCicco is a Research Professor Emeritus retired from the University of Michigan. His work addresses energy and environmental challenges through an interdisciplinary approach anchored in physical science while drawing insights from economics, other social sciences and public policy.
His area of specialty is transportation energy use and CO2 emissions, including vehicle efficiency, biofuels, electrification and consumer issues as well as the role of atmospheric carbon dioxide removal in offsetting the CO2 released from mobile sources that use liquid fuels. His past studies were influential in the development of automotive fuel economy and GHG emissions standards and his some of his most recent work addresses methodological challenges related to biofuels and atmospheric CO2 levels.
John also worked on many other facets of energy and the environment over the years. He was part of the strategy committee that helped develop the University of Michigan's Mcity research center on connected and automated vehicles, serving on its management committee through 2019. He co-chaired the university's Transportation, Economics, Energy and the Environment conference from its launch in 2014 until 2019; directed the University of Michigan Energy Survey 2013-2018; and was instrumental in the formation of U-M's 2015-2018 "Beyond Carbon Neutral" initiative on accelerating atmospheric CO2 removal.
He remains active in research; teaches the "Mobility and the Environment" module as part of the University of Michigan's Foundations of Mobility online course; and serves as a lecturer and speaker for both academic and general audiences.
Before returning to academia in 2009, he spent over twenty years working on energy and environmental policy at nonprofit organizations, including positions as senior fellow for automotive strategies at the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF, 2001-2009) and as transportation director at the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE, 1990-2000). He pioneered consumer-friendly green car ratings as the creator of ACEEE’s Green Book: The Environmental Guide to Cars and Trucks (originally published in 1998 as the Green Guide to Cars and Trucks), which is now available online at GreenerCars.org.
John has testified multiple times before Congress (recent testimony is available via this blog), is often cited in the press on transportation and environmental issues, and has more than 200 published papers, reports and formal public comments to his credit. He holds a doctorate in mechanical engineering from Princeton University where he conducted research at the university's Center for Energy and Environmental Studies.
