Eco Factor: Zero-emission car powered by electricity.
BRUSA Elektronik has developed a new electric roadster, The Spyder, which offers speed, performance and styling without polluting the environment with even a gram of CO2 emission. The Porsche 550-inspired roadster comes with two real-wheel-mounted 100KW electric motors which churn out an amazing 270HP and 324 foot-pounds of torque.
The car, with a 16KWh lithium-polymer battery pack, does zero to 62 in less than five seconds and can power the car for 100KM on a full charge. The company claims that its enormous battery pack can be recharged in just four hours when plugged into a 16-amp 220V line. Since the car’s power house is mounted on the rear wheels which eliminates the need for a differential lowering the weight of the car to just 2,000 pounds for maximum efficiency.
A hybrid electric test vehicle equipped with a CSIRO UltraBattery system recently passed 100,000 miles (161,000 Km) on the test track. The UltraBattery combines an asymmetric super-capacitor and a Lead Acid Battery in a single unit, creating a hybrid car battery that lasts longer, costs less and is more powerful than current technologies used in hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs).
In comparison to conventional Valve-Regulated Lead Acid (VRLA) batteries, the UltraBattery shows superior input and output power through a wide state of charge (SOC) range and partial state of charge (PSOC) life. The UltraBattery has a life cycle that is at least four times longer and produces 50 per cent more power than conventional battery systems. It’s also about 70 per cent cheaper than the batteries currently used in HEVs.
Is it a car or a motorcycle? Something so small yet powerful that it seems too good to be true. A first look at it, tells me it’s a car, but when I go into the details, it gives me the impression that makes it much more than just a motorcycle. A car, that is as compact and efficient as a motorcycle in the busy traffic, only superior to it in safety and performance. Meet Tango, an urban automobile solution that is being offered with zero emissions and high speed performance, well suited for the city.
With over 1000 pounds of torque, it can leap from zero to 60 mph in four seconds without any differential, it finishes a standing quarter-mile in about twelve seconds at over 100 mph. Tango may easily belong to the race car category, the only difference is that this small but mighty car is much safer and its four pint harnesses are much easier to get into. The side protection is estimated at 4 timed higher than that of a typical SUV.
Normally, Global Electric Motorcars or GEM battery electric vehicles are classified as low-speed vehicles, or neighborhood electric vehicles. Chrysler was the first major automaker to offer vehicles in the zero-emission, low-speed vehicle class, but here are some models to think about - The Special Edition Package is available on the GEM e2, GEM e4, and the GEM e6 models and features polished aluminum wheels, chrome headlamp bezels, front and rear chrome bumpers, a deluxe steering wheel, tilt steering, premium carpeted floor mats, and premium two-toned seats among many other options and accessories. Special edition emblems and the premium Glacier Blue hood color complete its look to make the vehicle truly green and unique.
The Land Rover LRX is set for a big Detroit debut next month as the company prepares to celebrate its 60th anniversary during 2008, the three-door LRX, with its more compact size, lighter weight and sustainability focused technologies, clearly addresses the needs of a changing world. The LRX is described as a cross-coupe, and dramatically extends the scope of what Land Rover stands for. Though smaller than the LR2, the LRX is conceived as a premium car, designed to appeal to new customers in the luxury and executive sector – those who want many of the benefits of a 4×4 (reflect LRX’s more on-road bias, Terrain Response also gains a new ‘Eco’ mode for lower emission urban driving) and the visual presence of a larger vehicle, but in a more compact package. Its compact size is one of its greatest assets, which will appeal to anyone who wants the versatile ability of an agile SUV with the cachet of the Land Rover name. Here are some green elements added to the name - Its lower weight and the reduced aerodynamic drag resulting from the smaller frontal area give significant gains in fuel efficiency and reduced C02 emissions. (more…)
To perk up the cruising range of FCHV per charge to 500km, which is on par with that of the gasoline vehicles, Toyota Motor Corp held a lecture titled ‘Development of Fuel Cell Hybrid Vehicle-Cruising Range’ at EVS23. The company focused on enhancing the fuel tank pressure and improving its fuel efficiency. The pressure in the fuel tank was increased from 35 to 70MPa so that the tank can store about 6kg of fuel, which is 1.9 times that in the existing tank.
Have you heard of the Morgan Motor Company? Yes? Then you definitely must be an avid lover of British sports cars. For those not aware, the Morgan Motor Company is a British automobile manufacturer.
The specialty of the cars that are made by the Morgan Motor Company is that, they are all assembled by hand, and this is the reason the waiting list for a car can be up to a year. Production is nine cars a week and each car takes three months to build.
Plans on the anvil by Morgan to build a commercial car which can successfully run on hydrogen fuel cells – and it will be known as the Morgan LIFECar (Lightweight Fuel Efficient Car). They would definitely need to improve their production rate if they want to achieve success, what do you think?
It’s now official. Eco-friendly vehicles can win in the long run. Literally. A LeMans prototype vehicle powered by cellulosic E85 (85 percent ethanol, 15 percent gasoline) has finished second overall at the longest race (25 consecutive hour-long race) in the world: the United States Air Force-sponsored 25 Hours of Thunderhill at Willows, California.
Green Alternative Motorsports was formed by Stephen Zadig, VP Operations at Silicon Valley-based semiconductor company Telegent Systems, with the goal to promote E85 in both racing and consumer use as an alternative fuel to gasoline.
The car operates by converting biomass to cellulose ethanol using enzyme technology, done by Canada-based Iogen.
The battery-powered Tesla is based on a modified Lotus Elise chassis. Its maker, Tesla Motors, of San Carlos, California, claims it’ll zap 60 mph in four seconds, juice it to 130 mph, and spin the meter for up to 250 miles between charges. This car has no compromises: style, luxury, high speed, energy and efficiency. If you think that’s green, think again! The super swift all-electric Tesla Roadster goes ‘greener’. Nothing electric to deal with, it’s solar, making its way through this masterpiece. This photovoltaic enclosure, topped with solar panels, takes Tesla Roaster completely off-grid. The roof is a complete car port, which acts a power station for your electric vehicles, turning it into a high-tech, self-sustaining green wonder. The solar cover will be available as an option with Tesla Roadster as well as sold separately to be used for other electric vehicles.
The XR-3 Hybrid is all set to take the eco-friendly vehicle field by storm. It is a super-fuel-efficient two-passenger plug-in hybrid that achieves 125 mpg on diesel power alone, 225 mpg on combined diesel and electric power, and performs like a conventional automobile. Alongside, it conserves energy. The design idea is inspired by Robert Q. Riley’s book, Alternative Cars in the 21st Century.
This 1300 pounds wonder, distinguished by its clam-shell canopy and three-wheel platform, dishes out lightening-fast acceleration, a maximum speed of 85 mph, and fuel economy of 125- to over 200-mpg. The vehicle’s hybrid power system, diesel engine, and low curb weight jointly contribute to make this amazingly fuel-efficient. Individuals would find themselves capable of building a duplicate of the XR-3 Hybrid prototype, or convert their own car into a significantly more fuel-efficient vehicle, thus cutting down on oil import and environment degradation. (more…)
