# Jim Motavalli

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American journalist

Jim Motavalli Motavalli at Web Summit 2017 Born 1952 (age 73–74) Occupations Author journalist

**Jim Motavalli** (born 1952) is a [journalist](/source/Journalist), author, and speaker who specializes in environmental issues, particularly green cars, climate, transportation,[1] and various aspects of [sustainable energy](/source/Sustainable_energy).[2]

He writes for *[E–The Environmental Magazine](/source/E%E2%80%93The_Environmental_Magazine)* as a senior writer, *[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times)* as a blogger and columnist, and for various other publications including *TheDailyGreen*, [NPR](/source/NPR), and Mother Nature Network.

## Biography

After serving as its editor for 14 years, Motavalli became a senior writer for *[E–The Environmental Magazine](/source/E%E2%80%93The_Environmental_Magazine)*, a bi-monthly publication which aims to bring attention to environmental problems. He currently writes and blogs for *[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times)* as a member of its "Automobiles" section and has a [syndicated](/source/Print_syndication) column called "Wheels", hosts a show on [WPKN](/source/WPKN),[3] and speaks often on [National Public Radio](/source/NPR)'s (NPR) Car Talks program.[4]

He also contributes to [Environmental Defense Fund](/source/Environmental_Defense_Fund), *TheDailyGreen*, and Mother Nature Network works, and he has twice won the Global Media Award from the Population Institute.[1]

Motavalli has authored four books – *Naked in the Woods: Joseph Knowles and the Legacy of Frontier Fakery*, *Forward Drive: The Race to Build "Clean Cars" for the Future*, and *Feeling the Heat: Dispatches from the Frontlines of Climate Change* – and edited three others. He previously served as a professor of journalism at [Fairfield University](/source/Fairfield_University) and the [University of Connecticut](/source/University_of_Connecticut);[3] the latter is his [alma mater](/source/Alma_mater).[5]

He lives in [Connecticut](/source/Connecticut).[6]

## Works

### Forward Drive

*Forward Drive: The Race to Build the Clean Car of the Future* is a 2001 publication[7] that explores the interlinking history of [sustainable energy](/source/Sustainable_energy) and the automobile industry. It analyzes modern dependency upon oil.[8]

### *Feeling the Heat*

*Feeling the Heat: Dispatches from the Frontlines of Climate Change* was published in 2004; it tracks the phenomenon of global warming and its effects on the environment and in communities.[9]

### *Naked in the Woods*

*Naked in the Woods: Joseph Knowles and the Legacy of Frontier Fakery*, published in January 2008, is a biography that follows the sensation surrounding Joseph Knowles and his alleged survival in nature alone without resources. Knowles was later debunked for having stayed in a log cabin with food for two months.[10]

### *High Voltage*

*High Voltage: The Fast Track to Plug In the Auto Industry* was published in November 2011 and examines the market competition for electric cars as well as the changes in the automobile industry.[11]

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-wpkn_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-wpkn_1-1) ["Host profile: Jim Motavalli"](http://archives.wpkn.org/host/profile/1171). [WPKN](/source/WPKN). 2009. Retrieved July 28, 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-home_2-0)** ["Jim Motavalli: Home"](http://www.jimmotavalli.com/). Retrieved July 28, 2013.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-about_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-about_3-1) ["Jim Motavalli"](https://web.archive.org/web/20130729081456/http://www.jimmotavalli.com/aboutus.html). Archived from [the original](http://www.jimmotavalli.com/aboutus.html) on July 29, 2013. Retrieved July 28, 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-yale_4-0)** ["Yale Environment 360: Jim Motavalli"](http://e360.yale.edu/author/Jim_Motavalli/24/). *Yale Environment 360*. [Yale University](/source/Yale_University). 2013. Retrieved July 28, 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-link_5-0)** ["Jim Motavalli"](http://www.linkedin.com/pub/jim-motavalli/5/708/906?_mSplash=1). [LinkedIn](/source/LinkedIn). 2013. Retrieved July 28, 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-indie_6-0)** ["Jim Motavalli Interview"](http://www.indiebound.org/author-interviews/motavallijim). *[Indiebound](/source/Book_Sense)*. [American Booksellers Association](/source/American_Booksellers_Association). 2008. Retrieved July 28, 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Motavalli, Jim (2013). *Forward Drive: The Race to Build "Clean" Cars for the Future [Paperback]*. Sierra Club Books. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1578050727](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1578050727).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Motavalli, Jim (June 17, 2013). [*Forward Drive: The Race to Build the Clean Car of the Future*(Google E-Book)](https://books.google.com/books?id=HYwefgJAFKUC&q=forward+drive++jim+motavalli). Routledge. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9781136534102](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9781136534102). Retrieved July 28, 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Gelbspan, Ross (2013). *Feeling the Heat: Dispatches from the Front Lines of Climate Change [Hardcover]*. Psychology Press. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0415946551](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0415946551).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Rob Hardy (February 4, 2008). ["The Fabulous, Forgotten Nature Man"](https://www.amazon.com/review/RAUV4RE3CG3ZG/ref=cm_cr_dp_title?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B001G7R9KA&channel=detail-glance&nodeID=283155&store=books). Amazon. Retrieved July 28, 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** *High Voltage: The Fast Track to Plug In the Auto Industry [Hardcover]*. 2013. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1605292632](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1605292632).

## External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Jim Motavalli](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Jim_Motavalli).

- ["Seeking a Smoother Ride, Whether You Drive or Your Autonomous Car Does"](https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/03/business/digital-chassis-autonomous-cars.html). *New York Times*. May 3, 2018.

- ["The Rolls-Royce Ghost: Driving the Pinnacle of Luxury"](https://www.barrons.com/articles/the-rolls-royce-ghost-driving-the-pinnacle-of-luxury-1530043233). *Barrons*.

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