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Thursday, 22 April 2010
 Starting with the Geneva auto show where majority of car makers flaunted their electric cars, or even before that, everybody is talking about green cars. We now hear from a media report that high-tech electric cars will soon be a trend worldwide. By 2020 global sales of electric vehicles are believed to amount to around 470 billion euro or $635 billion or Rs 28,000 billion. Yes, this is the estimated figure. However, as usual, there is much more debate on the proper universal charging systems. These can be made only when policy makers, manufacturers, researchers and consumers make determined efforts through dialogue. Something needs to be thought over and discussed and then put into action to see electric cars turning into reality worldwide. Germany's Economics Minister Rainer Bruederle had something to say at the Hanover Fair. The Hanover Fair is the world's largest industrial trade fair for energy and power plant solutions. According to Rainer Bruederle, the German government has planned a fund of 500 million euro or $675 million for research and development of electric cars and charging systems. That seems to be a great and practical initiative and Germany expects to see around one million electric cars on its roads by 2020. The German minister added that Germany is looking at re-inventing the automobile. The country would not just change the appearance of the automobile, but also its driving mode and power-charging system. The Hanover Fair lured around 100 exhibitors who marked the event with their novelty on electric charging systems, mobile energy storage and alternative mobility technologies. During the fair, the spotlight sure was on the emission-free bus without a combustion motor. The propulsion system in the bus is combined by fuel cells, batteries and ultra-capacitors. A great idea, isn’t it? The driving power of the bus was derived from a hydrogen-powered fuel cell which could be recharged during driving. The energy generated through driving can be transformed and stored within the battery. The bus can move at a top speed of 65 kmph for a distance of 250 km with a completely filled tank of hydrogen gas. Electric mobility is very important to Germany's sustainable development and renewable energy industry. However, there are so many challenges for the manufacturers. They would have to invest lots and also develop the recharging standard. Long way to go! Germany’s dream will hopefully be fulfilled in the next ten years. It has been estimated that a high-capacity rechargeable battery will cost somewhere around 15,000 euro or $20,250. Any idea what this figure is going to cost? It amounts to two-thirds of the cost of the car. We sure know by now that the amount will prove to be unaffordable to car buyers. The European Union (EU) will put forward its standard for electric cars, hoping to coordinate with other countries on this significant issue in order to make sure that electric cars can be recharged everywhere in the future. More than 4,800 exhibitors from 64 countries presented revolutionary, cutting-edge technologies on renewable energy, industrial automation and alternative mobility solutions at the fair. Labels: Electric-Car-Technology, Electric-Cars, Electric-Vehicles, Geneva-Auto-Show, Green-Cars
Tuesday, 20 April 2010
 What comes to your mind when you listen to the name Citroen and French-made automobile? There’s no doubt that it’s going to be a small, funky, eco-friendly green car. Well, you needn’t be too embarrassed for stereotyping. We first judge cars and then we begin to love or avoid some of them. Some of them are not worth owning. But this new French car has so much in it that it is a real wonder. One will just love to ride through the countryside in this special car. It is so amazing, so appealing. Have a nice look and you will see future car lines present in every feature of its design and styling. Yes, we are talking about the new Citroen GT concept car. It's lustrous, sexy, the only one of its kind, and cent per cent exotic in this stage of its development. The all-new Citroen GT is sure not a boxy pedal-powered car. Running on the Ford V8 engine, the same one used in the Ford GT, speculation says that this exotic car can stir up around 500 bhp. We have also heard that Citroen plans to make just 6 units of the Citroen GT. Any guesses about the price? Well, it may be $1.8 million dollars a piece. The models are being tested right now and hopefully the car is only going to get even better. The car makers want to make an eco friendly version of this exotic sports car. Yes, the Citroen GT will be an inspired green dream car. Initially, news was that the design was inspired by an automobile in a video game. The automobile engineers then brought the idea to execution by designing the real life concept car. Last week, Joseph Eckhart, member of the Italianizzato Club, said that the video game Gran Turismo had inspired the design of the new Citroen GT. To add to the power rumors, we have this. Citroen is considering dropping in a 789 bhp X4 Hydrogen engine with a 6 speed sequential gearbox and this will truly make the Citroens popular as the makers of futuristic green exotics. But the question remains, will Citroen drop in the 789 bhp X4 Hydrogen engine with that gearbox? With the beginning of the new week, on the 18th of this month, we hear that the Hydrogen engines may take more energy to produce than the power they make. Everyone nods in approval. However, the emissions are cleaner than a carbon fuel based model and therefore greener. Green is the latest trend in the automobile world and we now know that Citroen is trying its best to fit in the amazing Citroen GT in the green exotics auto world in a spectacular fashion. The green light is flickering bright and we can all hope to see more and more eco friendly new cars. Labels: Citroen, Citroen-GT, Concept-Cars, Exotic-Cars, Green-Cars, New-Cars
Friday, 9 April 2010
In India, a few power cuts can drive us mad. We do nothing, but grumble. How many electric cars have we produced? We have launched new cars though. We need to take a few lessons from Africa. Ethiopia, an African with unpredictable power supplies, will be launching an electric car. This is just the second African country, after South Africa, to produce an electric car. Two variants of the Solaris Elettra will soon be produced in Addis Ababa of Ethiopia. The cost, $12,000 and $15,000, is also huge. The two cars will not only be sold in Ethiopia, but will also be exported to Africa and Europe. Africa is neither has reliable power supplies nor does it have the right infrastructure to produce electric cars. The personal wealth levels are not too great either. How is the country going to manage? Freestyle PLC produces the Solaris. This company is very optimistic and feels that the electricity shortage is not going to be a major hurdle in the electric car’s operation. It believes that Ethiopia will have abundant supply of power in future. Generators and solar power are enough to recharge the car. But again, how will the car survive in a country where taxes on cars are over a cent per cent? How will Ethiopians with low income levels afford the electric car? The company plans to solve this problem too by coming up with a credit system for less wealthy customers. In the next three months, Freestyle PLC will produce six Solaris Elettras every week. A little later, when the company’s factory becomes fully operational, it will produce 30 cars a month. Freestyle PLC wants to take the green car from a green country to a green world. The launch of this car has been thought over after launching the country’s first bio-diesel car, the Rwanda last week. Now, the electric car would be okay for the shorter trips, say 40 to 50 km. But, what about the longer trips? African nations do not have the necessary infrastructure. They do not have enough recharge points. Well, the company is positive. We can only wait and see how far the car and its sales go. Ethiopia is currently constructing a gigantic hydro-electric dam on the Omo River and hopes to become a major exporter of energy when that is completed. We too hope all goes well and Ethiopia with the car maker, PLC Freestyle, becomes successful in its initiative of creating a greener world. Labels: Africa-Cars, Bio-Diesel-Car, Electric-Car-Launch, Electric-Cars, Electric-Cars-In-India, Ethiopia-Cars, Green-Car-Technology, Green-Cars, New-Electric-Car, Solaris-Elettra
Friday, 5 March 2010
Think of unique and original electric automobiles. Think of CITROEN. Yes, the innovative car makers have now come with Survolt. The all-new Survolt is the 3.85m long, 1.87m wide and 1.20m high revolutionary car from CITROEN. Innovation is there in CITROEN’s genes and it has been shown yet again in the Survolt. The car with its chic, sporty and neat looks has disobeyed all existing rules.
Let me describe the car a little. It has a large oval grille and just above this is the unique vehicle badge which makes the Survolt look graceful. The headlamps are horizontal and are capable of pulling just anybody towards it; it will attract you like a magnet. Be a little careful! Then there’s the LED light signature that gives the vehicle the high-tech touch. The car can easily swallow any distance as the wheels smoothly grace the road. The vigorous wheels promise performance and the sculpted edges are simply amazing. The glamorous Survolt is highly charged and has a strong bonnet.
The Survolt’s flowing design can get anyone excited. The rear shows off the stylish light signature of Revolte together with a spoiler in an essential reference to motor sport. The Survolt is a perfect example of a power-and-performance package wrapped in a cover of shyness. Take it to the motor sport pitch and the true colors will come out. It creates its own stylish language at the stadium and proves itself to be the best. Two-tone paint and curves shifting from satin-smooth to shiny, breaking definitively with the characteristic masculine codes of the sports world are classic features of the Survolt. It maintains just the right balance between high fashion and serious car racing. The car, more or less, exhibits the same performance, cutting-edge technology and excellence of the Revolte. The Revolte is the concept car that was unveiled last year at the Frankfurt Motor Show.
Coming to the cockpit of the Survolt, it again wants to prove its presence in both the fashion and sporting world. Like a piece of jewelry, there is a hint of glass between the sporty chrome-finished roll bars. The cabin is an entire world, both flowing and technical from which the driver’s station springs ahead. This cabin is miraculous letting its two occupants experience ultimate bliss. The CITROEN’s Survolt is a long way ahead of any other sports car.
Green being the talk everywhere, especially at the Geneva motor show, Survolt has not forgotten this. The car is very much aware of the eco-friendly concept. Just like the Revolte, Survolt is powered by electricity. The electric-racing car technology was earlier thought of as impossible and CITROEN has proved everyone wrong. This is a brand completely focusing on innovation, creativity and new technology as well. CITROEN has kept up its word by bringing in new concepts every time for the past 90 years. Labels: Citroen, CITROEN sports car, CITROEN Survolt, electric-racing-cars, Frankfurt Motor Show, Geneva motor show, Green-Car-Technology, Green-Cars, Green-Racing-Car, Revolte, Sports car, Survolt
Now when most of the supercar manufacturers are busy showing off their hybrid concepts at the Geneva Motor Show, Ferrari stepped forward and did what was long overdue.
Ferrari unveiled its new experimental vehicle based on the 599 GTB Fiorano, which is equipped with an advanced new hybrid powertrain. Christened as HY-KERS, the hybrid two-seater uses modified version of Ferrari's Formula One Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) to recover the braking and decelerating energy in a state-of-the-art lithium-ion battery.
With an electric motor that assists the 6.0-litre V12, the hybrid KERS system provides instantaneous torque for enhanced performance and efficiency. The HY-KERS also features a dual-clutch transmission, the first time when such a gearbox has been combined to a V12-engine car.
The HY-KERS has been designed in such a way that its handling, chassis dynamics, braking abilities and performance remain unaffected by the added weight and complexity of the hybrid powertrain. While driving in the city, the car’s HY-KERS system can also function as a full-electric drivetrain, which reduces fuel consumption and emissions.
The tri-phase, high-voltage electric motor of the HY-KERS, which weighs about 40KG, is coupled to the car’s dual-clutch seven-speed F1 transmission. When braking, the electric drive unit acts as a generator, using the kinetic energy from the negative torque generated to recharge the batteries.
HY-KERS hybrid maintains the high-performance characteristics typical of all Ferraris while, at the same time, reducing CO2 emissions on the ECE + EUDC combined cycle by 35 per cent.
So here comes a 'green' one from the house of Ferrari which is world famous for its raging 'red' supercars. Never have we witnessed a green car revolution like this before from the supercar manufacturers. Other auto manufacturers who showcased their hybrid concept cars at the Geneva Motor Show are Porsche, Mini, Nissan, and Mercedes-Benz. Labels: 599 GTB Fiorano, Ferrari, Ferrari-Cars, Geneva motor show, Green-Car-Technology, Green-Cars, HY-KERS Hybrid, Hybrid-Cars, KERS, Kinetic Energy Recovery System, V12-engine car
Friday, 13 November 2009
The latest fad in the automotive world is green cars. These green cars are either the hybrid cars or the electric cars. The Frankfurt Motor Show was the centre of attraction for automobile fans who support the 'green cause'. Many car makers showcased their eco-friendly cars in an attempt to save the Earth.
But how environmental friendly are these cars?
You will be surprised to know the latest findings on electric cars. A new report by the European lobby group Transport & Environment says that electric cars could increase carbon emissions, could "speed climate change" and may not reduce oil dependency.
This is quite shocking, right?
The Transport & Environment lobby says that though electric and plug-in hybrid cars can help reduce CO2 emissions and oil consumption, but they do not play any role to solve the climate change problem.
Electric cars do not produce tailpipe emissions, but they are only as clean as their electricity supply. If the electricity used is derived from coal, then these electric cars cannot be termed as clean, eco-friendly cars.
Moreover, the electricity supply will have to be cleaned up by adding renewables to the power grid and the cars "must be more energy-efficient than state-of-the-art conventional vehicles on a 'tank to wheel' basis" in order to realize significant environmental benefits. Labels: eco-friendly-cars, Electric-Cars, Green-Cars, Hybrid-Cars, Plug-In-Hybrid-Cars
Wednesday, 22 July 2009
Everybody is talking about greener cars and fuel economy cars. Even the government has pitched in and has made it mandatory for car companies to go open with the fuel efficiency for every model on the date of its launch. That way the car buyers in India are informed about the fuel economy of the product they buy.
We give you here the list of cars with lowest fuel efficiency in the world. As per the Environmental protection agency (EPA), in United States, report on 2009 model cars, Lamborghini Murcielago and Lamborghini Murcielago roadster top the list with lowest fuel economy. It offers a mere 3.4 km/l (8 MPG) in city and 5.5 km/ (13 MPG) on the highway.
The lowest scorers in other categories include Aston Martin DB9 with 4.6 km/l and 7.2 on the highway in the mini compact sedan category while Bentley Continental GTC offers 4.2 km/l in city and 7.2 on the highway in the subcompact car category.
Bentley Azure in the compact car segment gives 3.8 km/l fuel economy in city and 6.3 km/l on the highway. Ferrari 612 Scaglietti automatic in mid size car delivers 3.8 km/l fuel efficiency in the city and 6.8 km/l on the highway. Bentley Arnage RL has the lowest fuel economy in the large car section has a fuel efficiency ratings similar to Bentley Azure.
All the car models mentioned above represent the best of engineering and car design in the world. They are the cars people dream to own someday but few can afford it. But what is baffling is that while they have revolutionised the car structure, little has been done on the fuel efficiency front.
They had the best of the knowledge, resources and people at their disposition and could have led the world to a greener future. They could have shown that man and machine can achieve great speed and fuel economy too.
If the best in engineering has failed to bring about a change in fuel efficiency after so many days, it is difficult to envisage that these cars will survive the new green wave sweeping the world.
Labels: Fuel-Efficient-Cars, Green-Cars
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Starting with the Geneva auto show where majority of car makers flaunted their electric cars, or even before that, everybody is talking about green cars. We now hear from a media report that high-tech electric cars will soon be a trend worldwide. By 2020 global sales of electric vehicles are believed to amount to around 470 billion euro or $635 billion or Rs 28,000 billion. Yes, this is the estimated figure.
