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Filed under: Ethanol, GM, Saab
As promised, here is the second video from GM Europe for the day, this time highlighting the Saab BioPower 100 concept vehicle. This car differs from standard Saab cars sold today by being powered by 100% ethanol. Again, like the hydrogen fuel cell vehicle we showed you earlier today, ethanol is another of the controversial suggested solutions to our dependence on petroleum as our main motive fuel source. As you probably already know, ethanol is an alcohol fuel that is derived from plant matter. In the U.S., that plant is usually corn, and in other parts of the world, such as Brazil, sugarcane is used. There are many plants which would be better than corn, but that is another posting for another day.
Kjell ac Bergström, CEO GM Powertrain Sweden, here suggests that a smaller engine would suffice for any particular vehicle if it were powered by ethanol as opposed to gasoline. This is because ethanol burns cooler and at a higher octane level, allowing a greater amount of power to be generated at any given engine size over gasoline. Smaller, more efficient engines are certainly a step in the right direction, and the fact that performance would not be diminished is icing on the cake.
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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.
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Filed under: Hydrogen, Chevrolet, GM
Here is the first of two videos that we will be bringing you today highlighting some of General Motors new green technologies. In this case, the GM Sequel, their latest effort into making a practical vehicle which is powered from a hydrogen fuel cell which generates electricity to power the electric motor which in turn powers the wheels. Dr. Lars Peter Thiesen, GM Europe Manager Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Deployment Strategy, calls hydrogen the answer to our automotive fuel needs for the future. This is certainly a controversial topic, but one cannot argue that pure water vapor out of the exhaust is about as green as you can get. What is debatable is whether a method exists or will ever exist of collecting the hydrogen needed to power the fuel cell in a practical, economically feasible way.
[Source: Youtube via Hugg]
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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.
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Filed under: Ethanol, EV/Plug-in, Flex-Fuel, Hydrogen, Solar, Toyota
In reporting on the trend in the automotive market to add dashboard electronics to non-luxury cars, PhysOrg points out that "pimping your ride" is now virtually mainstream. Regular consumers are reportedly ignoring engine size and other traditional benchmarks for a vehicle's value in preference for a burgeoning fascination for gadgets such as heated cup holders, rear parking cameras, iPod integration kits and voice-activated navigation systems. Well if that's the case, let's push the auto makers to trick out their hybrids and other green vehicles to help drive even more sales.
Analysis: If hybrid, plug-in electric, fuel-cell and flex-fuel technologies are the 'next generation' of automotive technology, then surely vehicles based on them should be next generation too? Load them up with so many gadgets you'd need extra fuel-cells on board to run the show. I don't know about you but I'd love to see a pimped Prius.
Related:
- ZAP releases details and drawings of their impending 644 horsepower ZAP-X electric SUV
- Toyota hybrids sell briskly in February; Prius sets all-time monthly record
- Geneva Motor Show: Toyota Hybrid-X concept
[Source: PhysOrg]
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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.
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Filed under: Diesel, Emerging Technologies, EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, Transportation Alternatives
Robert Q. Riley, who you may already be familiar with due to his past projects like the Tri-Magnum, is working on a new diesel\electric hybrid three-wheeled vehicle. Like other three-wheelers, this one will be a motorcycle when it comes to regulations in the U.S. Also, like his past projects, the plans for the vehicle will be for sale for consumers to purchase in order to build the vehicle themselves. Using fiber-reinforced-plastic, or FRP, the body shell will be constructed over the chassis, using the chassis as a jig to ensure a proper fit. Many people with the DIY spirit have already done this when building his past project vehicles. Check this site out for examples. And, check this site for more on three-wheelers.
Riley claims that the vehicle will be able to travel 40 miles on electric power only, and the vehicle offers plug-in capability. Lithium-ion batteries provide the power. Alternatively, the driver can choose to activate the small diesel engine, which, along with the electric motor, should be able to provide between 125-225 miles per gallon, depending on how much use the diesel powerplant gets. Interested in more? Good, because we plan to run a feature article next week after a visit to his shop.
[Source: Robert Q. Riley Enterprises]
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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.
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Currie to build advanced light electric bicycles using Dolphin's patented hybrid drive technology
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Toyota's styling theme is called J-Factor and Vibrant Clarity, both of which are expressed on the Hybrid X.
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Project Energy interview with Mary Beth Stanek, General Motors' Director of Environment and Energy while she was in town for the Minneapolis Auto Show.
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Baltimore Sun oped urges automakers to embrace the move toward cleaner, lower-cost cars and help Congress save them from themselves.
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