EnviroCar

BMW Vision EfficientDynamics

2008-03-01T01:58:00.008Z

BMW will unveil its new Vision EfficientDynamics concept at the Geneva Auto Show next week. Featuring a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder diesel engine mated to an electric generator - BMW calls the system a ‘mild hybrid’ version of its ActiveHybrid system - the concept enhanced efficiency and is the first diesel in the world with a specific power output of over 100bhp per liter of capacity.

The Vision EfficientDynamics is based visually and technologically on the BMW X5 but it has a 12mm lower body height due to chassis modifications. An innovative 19-inch wheel rim design optimizes aerodynamics and aids in reducing drag and fuel consumption, while a specially designed load compartment recess reflects the compact design of the lithium-ion battery. The generator and high-power electronic system are invisible from the outside.

The compact generator, integrated in the lightweight, 8-speed aluminum gearbox housing, sources power through brake energy regeneration and high-power solar cells covering the roof. The latter pre-heats the gear oil – shortening the inefficient warm-up phase – and supplies energy for the ventilation, audio equipment or mobile phone charger and charges the battery when the car is at a standstill.

Vermont laws could pave the road to cleaner vehicles

2007-05-11T19:38:00.000+01:00

Nearly a dozen states could limit emissions from cars and light trucks thanks to a Vermont judge, according to an article published by Reuters. In 2005 Vermont followed California's lead in calling for a 30 percent cut in the amount of CO2 emitted from automobiles starting with 2009 models. U.S. automakers have sued both states seeking to have the rules overturned, but Vermont's suit was the first to go to trial.

After nearly a month of testimony arguments finally concluded on May 8, with legal experts expecting U.S. District Court Judge William Sessions to file his ruling by September the article states.

The Vermont trial began shortly after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in an unrelated case that CO2 can be regulated as a pollutant, rejecting a 2003 argument by the federal Environmental Protection Agency that it did not have authority over CO2 emissions. That ruling has weakened the auto industry's claim that the that the 10 states that have already adopted the regulations are overreaching, and that fuel efficiency in vehicles is meant to be federally regulated.

GM and DaimlerChrysler said they could not meet the Vermont standards and would be forced to stop doing business in the state as a result. Vermont has countered, saying the standards were realistic and crucial for maintaining the stable climate the state depends on.

U.S. automakers have been slow in adopting energy-saving technologies compared to their Asian rivals, claiming hybrid technology raises manufacturing costs to levels that would negatively affect their businesses. Japanese automaker Toyota has been building the Prius hybrid at a loss but expects cost-cutting on hybrid production to make the cars as profitable as traditional petrol-powered models by 2010, when the automaker expects to sell a million hybrids annually.

California created its stricter emissions laws beleiving the national government was doing too little to regulate CO2 from cars. Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon and Washington adopted the California laws and Arizona, Maryland and New Mexico are also considering imposing the regulations.

Tesla will open 'stores', not dealerships

2007-05-11T11:51:00.000+01:00

Tesla Motors is planning to sell its electric roadsters through factory-owned stores rather than franchised dealerships, according to Automotive News.

"We can't hand over the car to an independent franchiser," said Darryl Siry, Tesla's vice president of marketing, in an interview with AN. "A traditional dealer would spend his time apologising for the car's shortcomings rather than talking up the benefits."

The all-electric vehicle could see decreases in performance over its lifetime, as the lithium-ion batteries lose their power-retaining ability.

Tesla's sales approach would be more akin to that of buying a computer from an Apple Store than a traditional dealership experience. The company expects to have an adequate retail presence by mid-2009, when its 'Whitestar' electric saloon is anticipated to go on sale.

The company has arranged for $45 million in venture capital to invest in stores accross the U.S., including New York, San Francisco, Chicago and Miami. In a second batch of openings, Tesla plans to target the San Diego, Seattle, Denver and Boston markets.

About 400 of the 1,200 roadsters Tesla plans to build annually have already been pre-sold. The first deliveries are scheduled to take place in November, right around the time the first store will open in Santa Monica, California.

BMW’s Efficient Dynamics

2007-05-05T10:43:00.000+01:00

We put them to the test in a 120d

With EU emissions regulations imminent, automakers are struggling to find ways of meeting the requirements. While some are opting simply not to import certain vehicles into the EU - as is the case with the new Subaru WRX STi - others are busy scouring through technology manuals to see what can be done to make their ever-increasing line-ups more efficient. And though hybrid powertrains and clean diesel technologies appear to be all the rage, BMW is not one to jump on any bandwagons.

At the multi-car launch in Highclere last week, BMW was touting their new Efficient Dynamics powertrain systems, which makes their vehicles more efficient without diluting the renowned driving experience. Featuring advanced technologies and intelligent energy management systems, Efficient Dynamics works in parallel with current engine and transmission technologies like HPI (high precision direct injection) and, specifically on six-cylinder petrol models, use piezo injectors in the direct vicinity of the spark plugs for a lean burn and efficient consumption process. The obvious benefit is fuel savings and a reduction in emissions.

Continue reading full road test

Saab’s new 9-3 BioPower

2007-03-02T11:42:00.000Z

Swedish automaker’s new 9-3 powerplant will run on E85

Saab is keen to demonstrate that it has become the first car manufacturer to offer an alternative fuel engine choice in every model in its line-up. With the launch of a new four-cylinder engine in Geneva, the 9-3 range follows the path blazed by its larger stablemate, the 9-5.

All three derivations of the 9-3 model will be powered by the Saab’s flex-fuel engines thanks to a new 1.8-litre turbocharged four-cylinder pot optimized for duty. The BioPower engine is claimed to emit 50-70 per cent less CO2 when running on eco-friendly bioethanol E85 than its 1.8t petrol engine equivalent.

The fuel is also said to be instrumental in creating 17 per cent more power and 10 per cent more torque in the engine. Maximum power for the 1.8t climbs from 150bhp to 175bhp, and torque output is raised from 177lb.ft to 195lb.ft when running on E85. Saab claims this translates to a 0-62mph acceleration time of 8.4 seconds with 50 to 70mph stints (in fifth gear) achieved in 13.9 seconds; effectively shaving a second off the petrol version.

This engine is the third Saab BioPower powerplant launched in the UK since the initial offerings went on sale within the Saab 9-5 shell last year. Saab has apparently seen the sales figures for the 9-5 model soar and aims to increase its range in Europe with the BioPower 9-3.

The cars will be available with manual or automatic transmissions and will go on sale in the UK, Ireland and Nordic markets following their Geneva debut. Sales across Europe are scheduled to start later this year.

Honda Racing’s F1 Environmental Concept

2007-02-27T10:42:00.000Z

Honda's F1 Team will race cars adorned with image of planet earth.

Honda has launched a new 2007 F1 racer which is devoid of characteristic sponsorship stickers. Instead, the RA107 is shrink-wrapped in a satellite picture of the world, showing the company’s dedication to raising awareness of environmental issues facing the planet.

Called the F1 Environmental Concept, the livery change of Honda’s F1 challenger harks back to a time when teams raced without sponsorship, in cars that were decked out in national colours. Honda claims to be representing the entire world.

In fact, anybody can have their name on the RA107 car by making a donation to an environmental charity through a specific website Honda launches today: www.myearthdream.com.

Under the concept of "our car is your car", each name will form a tiny individual pixel which will help build the image of planet earth on the car and be visible on the website (or under a microscope on the car).

Nearly 40 firms – including Universal Music, Gatorade, Fila and IBM – have already joined the roster of team partners, pledging support for the novel idea.

The Honda Racing F1 Team vows to work closely with global environmental charities to develop Honda's existing environmental ethos within the world's most high profile motor-sport.

"Climate change is probably the single biggest issue facing the global community and F1 is not immune from it,” said Nick Fry, Chief Executive Officer of Honda Racing’s F1 Team. “We believe that F1, with its huge global profile and cutting edge technology, can play an important role in not only highlighting the issues but also playing our part in developing solutions.”

“The FIA recognises the opportunity for F1 to showcase innovative technologies for the benefit of society for the long term” he added, stating that devices for energy recovery will be in place on the cars by 2009.

Jenson Button and Brazilian Rubens Barrichello will pilot Honda’s F1 cars in the 2007 season, starting 18 March in Melbourne, Australia.

Eco-friendly Volkswagens arrive in Geneva

2007-02-22T16:16:00.000Z

Volkswagen’s new forward-looking green technology is BlueMotion.

Volkswagen recently announced plans to commence selling its Polo BlueMotion in the UK by this summer. In another environmentally-friendly push, the company will also unveil a Passat BlueMotion at the upcoming Geneva motor show. These latest BlueMotion offerings promise to radically boost fuel efficiency and further reduce CO2 emissions.

Meaning the colour of air and water (elements to be protected) and the aspect of forward-looking mobility, BlueMotion is now the seal of quality for Volkswagen model derivatives with the lowest rate of fuel consumption.

The BlueMotion-equipped Passat employs a 1.9-liter four-cylinder turbodiesel engine, fine-tuned to produce 105bhp and 184 lb.ft of torque. It enables the car to achieve a claimed top speed of 120mph in saloon form and 118mph in the estate variant. These aren’t particularly remarkable figures, but that’s just the start of it.

Volkswagen claims the Passat BlueMotion saloon will return a significant 55.4mpg (5.1 litres per 62 miles) on the Combined Cycle, consuming far less fuel than any other similarly-sized vehicle. In the estate derivation the figure is slightly lower at 54.3mpg, but no less impressive.

Claimed to have a driving range of up to 838 miles with a full tank of fuel, Volkswagen estimates a prospective Passat BlueMotion owner would only have to refuel 11 times a year at an annual driving distance of 9,315 miles.

Environmental benefits don’t stop there. The car’s CO2 emissions are also extremely low, with both the saloon and estate variations producing just 137g/km of the global warming gas. This is achieved through the BlueMotion’s high-efficiency. A diesel particulate filter and a catalyst system also reduce emissions of nitrous oxides.

The Passat is the second model to feature the company’s BlueMotion clean diesel technology. Last summer, the German automaker began selling the Polo BlueMotion in its home market, and production figures for the car have since increased threefold to meet demand throughout Europe.

The Polo BlueMotion features an extremely frugal 79bhp 1.4-litre three-cylinder turbodiesel powerplant claimed to return 72mpg and emit only 102g/km of CO2. The transmission also features taller gear ratios to keep fuel consumption in check at higher speeds. Considering its relatively low power the car is still an adequate performer, said to reach 109mph and complete 0-62mph stints in 12.8 seconds.

These figures are largely accomplished through various aerodynamic improvements to the grille and front spoiler, which have been revised to lower wind resistance. The side mirrors are also smaller to decrease drag, and narrow 165-section tyres mounted on lightweight 14-inch alloy wheels have been specially constructed to decrease rolling resistance. This combination of subtle alterations and superior engine efficiency facilitate very economical motoring.

Pricing for the Polo BlueMotion has yet to be announced, and VW has not disclosed the expected UK launch date for the Passat BlueMotion. We assume Volkswagen will continue to feature the clean diesel technology across its product range in the future. Stay tuned.

Yokohama's Eco-Friendly Tyre

2007-02-21T14:11:00.000Z

Japan-based Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. (YRC) has created a new eco-friendly tyre made from citrus oil.

The manufacturing process for the new E-Spec passenger car tyre combines citrus oil with natural rubber to form a new compound called 'Super Nanopower Rubber’ (say that three times quickly). It features citrus instead of petroleum and apparently cuts petroleum use in tyre manufacturing by 80 percent. The company claims the citrus oil makes 'better tires for consumers and the environment', and is part of YRC’s global EcoMotion environmental program to create more environmentally-friendly products.

According to Jim MacMaster, executive vice president, Business Division, of Yokohama Tire Corporation, YRC’s U.S. subsidiary, the fuel-saving E-Spec tyre features an air permeation suppression film. “This new polymer inner lining is designed to reduce air from seeping out from the tyre, which helps maintain appropriate inflation levels. Underinflated tyres consume more power, thus using more fuel.

“The E-Spec is also a lot lighter and conserves gasoline by reducing rolling resistance by 18 per cent. Low rolling resistance tyres improve fuel efficiency by minimizing the energy wasted (as heat) as the tyre rolls down the road.”

The E-Spec tyre featuring the SNR compound will be available in Japan later in the year, but MacMaster said no date has been determined for release in the US market.

http://www.yokohamatire.com/.

Saab BioPower 100 concept

2007-02-20T16:40:00.000Z

Saab’s innovative new concept runs on plant fuel, and boosts power.

CO2 emissions and environmental pollution are serious issues, garnering placement on the front page of every major newspaper in recent months. No other industry is feeling the strain of eco-awareness more than the auto industry, but Saab believes it has found the solution for guilt-free motoring: the BioPower 100 concept.

The Saab BioPower 100 concept is the first dedicated bioethanol powered vehicle. Building on the Saab 9-5 BioPower estate car revealed and subsequently sold in the European market in 2005, the BioPower 100 concept employs a 2-litre in-line 4 cylinder engine optimised to run on 100 per cent bioethanol (E100).

With the high octane ethanol fuel streaming into Saab’s turbocharged engine, power output soars to a claimed 300bhp – or 150bhp per litre. This is substantial increase over the previous 2.0t BioPower which ran on E85; a mixture of 85 per cent ethanol and 15 per cent petrol, and only produced 180bhp.

Torque levels have also been raised to a claimed 295lb.ft for the BioPower 100 concept, and the new fuel is said to enable the optimized engine to propel the car to 62mph in 6.6 seconds. 50-70mph stints in fifth gear are alleged to be accomplished in an equally impressive 8.2 seconds.

Saab claims the boost in power has been possible through modifications to the engine management system and internal components, allowing the use of greater boost pressure with a raised compression ratio.

The BioPower 100 concept illustrates how a small, high output engines can deliver high energy savings with ethanol fuel. With the car’s impact on the environment being a top priority in today’s car buying market, the 9-5 2.0t BioPower estate has been selling quite well in the company’s home market of Sweden, with over 10,000 9-5 BioPower vehicles sold in 2006.

Saab currently has two BioPower engines available for sale in the UK: the Saab 9-5 2.0t BioPower and the Saab 9-5 2.3t BioPower. Both cars enjoy substantially-reduced fossil CO2 emissions and benefit from power increases when running on bioethanol E85 compared to their petrol-powered counterparts. And since the cars are flex-fuel vehicles, they can also be topped up with conventional petrol if a bioethanol filling station is not available when needed.

It’s no surprise Saab is leading the way toward the development of bioethanol technology, Sweden is one of the largest bioethanol producers in Europe. The fuel is produced commercially from agricultural crops and cellulostic materials such as forest waste, and when consumed the CO2 absorbed by the crops is re-released into the atmosphere. Saab claims ethanol use in cars can reduce fossil CO2 emissions by up to 80 per cent.

The only major drawback to running bioethanol is a reduction in range, as the fuel is consumed at a more rapid rate than conventional petrol. But if the UK is going to meet the 120g/km limit proposed by the EU by 2012, the Saab BioPower 100 concept seems to be the car with which to attain those goals.

Honda’s innovative new concepts for Geneva.

2007-02-09T11:11:00.000Z

The second-largest Japanese automaker set to unveil a

Toyota FT-HS rival and a driveable fuel cell saloon.

Honda has been at the forefront in hybrid powertrain development for years. It plans to continue driving innovation when it unveils the latest Small Hybrid Sports Coupe at the Geneva motor show, alongside a working prototype of its FCX fuel cell concept first seen at the Tokyo motor show in 2005.

Honda has not provided many details regarding the Small Hybrid Sports Coupe (HSC) concept. Suffice to say that the Toyota FT-HS, which won the acclaim of many automotive journalists when it was unveiled by the company in Detroit, has competition. Rival automaker Honda won’t sit idly by an let Toyota reap the benefits of environmentally-conscious consumers seeking a bit of fun in the drivers seat.

The HSC is not an entirely new direction for Honda however; the company unveiled another HSC at the Tokyo motor show of 2003 under the Acura nameplate. The name stood for “high performance sports concept” and was powered by a mid-mounted 3.5-litre V6 engine good for 300bhp. Increased awareness concerning global warming and resource depletion has made Honda fit an alternative propulsion system to this HSC coupe concept, and we’ll now see what awaits.

This HSC coupe concept, as the name accurately describes, will achieve momentum through a hybrid powertrain and has been designed by the company’s European centre based in Offenbach, Germany. The company claims it was developed to “explore the idea that a car can have a low environmental impact yet still deliver all the driving enjoyment expected of a compact sports car”.

The Honda FCX, showcasing the company’s advanced fuel cell technology, will also be unveiled for the first time at a European motor show. The working prototype features a newly developed compact and efficient Honda fuel cell stack which will power the sleek, low-slung saloon to a claimed (and limited) top speed of 100mph, with a range slightly over 356 miles. The large cabin and futuristic styling complement the concept’s powerplant and promise to offer practical utility in non-polluting form.

Limited marketing of a new fuel cell vehicle based on the FCX concept is set to begin in Japan and the US in 2008.

Lotus technology will propel ZAP-X

2007-02-06T16:20:00.000Z

Electric vehicle pioneer ZAP (an acronym which stands for Zero Air Pollution) has teamed up with Lotus Engineering to create the ZAP-X, an electric version of Lotus’s advanced APX concept car unveiled at the Geneva motor show last year.

ZAP and Lotus Engineering will begin the first phase of an engineering project which will utilize Lotus Engineering's Versatile Vehicle Architecture as the basis for the high performance ZAP-X crossover electric car, but will employ revolutionary in-hub electric motors instead of the conventional V6 petrol engine found in the APX technical demonstrator.

The electric motors are said to be capable of delivering 644bhp in all wheel drive mode and allow the electric vehicle to attain a potential top speed of 155mph. An advanced battery management system is expected to enable a range of up to 350 miles between charges, with a rapid 10-minute recharging time. An auxiliary power unit to support longer distance journeys is in the pipeline.

Lotus Engineering's advanced body structure and chassis technology is ideally suited for an electric powertrain implant. The lightweight aluminium architecture with exceptionally strong structural rigidity provides ample space for additional battery capacity and promises a very consumer-oriented electric car concept. The design features of the APX shell stands to give the ZAP-X crossover an attractive power-to-weight ratio, storage potential and range that has yet to be achieved by any electric vehicle.

“We believe that the ZAP-X will become the most advanced, most practical and most appealing flagship electric vehicle to date,” said ZAP CEO Steve Schneider. “[It] will revolutionize the industry, providing the driver with the enjoyment of a sports car and the practicality of an SUV."

Lotus Engineering and ZAP have a bit of circuitous history already. The British technology consultancy is currently developing a new ‘Trybrid’ eco-flex engine management unit for Brazilian micro-car manufacturer OBVIO!, and ZAP has plans to begin distribution of the micro-cars in the US in 2008.

Though not yet definite, the development programme for the ZAP-X project may be managed from a new centre of excellence for research and development of environmentally-friendly vehicle designs and technologies, with engineering input coming from Lotus Engineering Inc, and the British technology consultancy's other R&D centres in the UK, Malaysia and China.

Germans oppose EU mandate

2007-02-02T14:55:00.000Z

Just as the Bush administration pulled out of the Kyoto agreement set forth in 1997, the German government is following suit. Like the Americans, Germany will oppose new EU proposals to lower average CO2 emissions from cars said German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Autocar reports that the German government is worried about the potential damage to the German car industry and to the fragile German economy caused if fleet carbon dioxide emission targets are made law. VW, DaimlerChrysler, BMW and Ford have sent a letter to the EU objecting to the limits, which they call ‘massive industrial policy intervention that will burden the entire European automobile industry’.

The EU wants to impose a compulsory limit of 120g/km by 2012 as an average across a car maker’s range. It claims that car makers have done little to meet the voluntary 140g/km limit and that legislation is needed. In the UK, the average new car sold falls way below the target, emitting an estimated 167g/km.

Source: Autocar

Chevrolet Volt concept

2007-01-12T14:48:00.000Z

General Motors was the first manufacturer to offer its EV1 electric vehicle for lease in the United States back in 1996. Poor range, costly battery packs and limited passenger space ultimately caused the vehicle to find a place in the automotive graveyard, but GM has continued to showcase concepts built around alternative propulsion systems.

The Volt concept is Chevrolet’s most recent take on the next generation of alternative-fuelled vehicles. It employs a system called “E-flex” which uses petrol, ethanol, bio-diesel or hydrogen to produce electricity. Under the sweeping four-door concept’s skin lies either a lithium-ion battery — with auxiliary petrol-powered 1-litre three-cylinder turbocharged engine — or a hydrogen-powered fuel cell with storage tanks at the rear.

With the electrical hardware the Volt achieves 160hp and 236lb-ft of torque and is able to travel on electricity alone for up to 40 miles, completely negating the use of fuel. Recharging of the battery is accomplished either by the engine spinning at constant speed or by plugging the car into a 110-volt outlet for 6 hours. When running on E85, the Volt concept’s 150mpg fuel economy translates into more than 525 miles per petroleum gallon.

GM’s new propulsion architecture allowed greater flexibility for the interior design team from England. Four individual bucket seats and a clean minimalist dashboard combine with a transparent upper roof section to provide an airy, spacious cabin with ample natural light, enhanced by thin pillars. Current or near-term technologies and materials join extensive use of indirect LED ambient lighting around the roof periphery and highlight the storage areas. The roof, side glass and beltline are constructed of a transparent, glazed polycarbonate material that delivers the scratch resistance and gloss surface appearance of glass, combined with the formability of a plastic composite and decreased weight.

The Chevrolet Volt is certainly a glimpse into the future and GM expects upcoming concepts to incorporate diesel generators, bio-diesel and pure ethanol (E-100) as it strives to create alternatives to conventionally-fuelled vehicles.

Toyota FT-HS Hybrid Sports Car

2007-01-05T14:30:00.000Z

The world’s second largest carmaker is poised to show the FT-HS hybrid sports concept at the 2007 NAIAS, pairing a potent hybrid powertrain with essential sports car fundamentals.

Toyota’s expansive lineup has had a void in the sport car segment since the departure of the Supra, a car that was placed on a much-deserved pedestal by auto enthusiasts the world over. Speculation by automotive hacks is that the Toyota FT-HS concept may be the replacement.

The FT-HS is a front-engine, rear-drive sports car with a projected 0-62mph acceleration in the four-second range. A 3.5-liter V6 engine is coupled to Toyota’s parallel hybrid system (the same system used in the Prius and Lexus RX400h) to generate a claimed power output of approximately 400bhp. The system allows the FT-HS to boost performance while retaining green credentials sought by today’s buying public.

The two-plus-two layout of the show car employs an exposed cross-car architecture made from high-tech materials like carbon-fibre and titanium to keep weight down. The roof is made from carbon fibre Kevlar and features a distinctive scooped-out section, designed to reduce aerodynamic drag and provide head room above the driver and passenger. The roof also retracts to transform the FT-HS into a targa, but doing so forgoes use of the rear seats.

Toyota hopes this ‘21st century’ sports car’s eco-friendly benefits will appeal to an emerging buyer who grew up eco-conscious and sees technology as a necessity rather than a luxury.

London motoring costs set to rise

2006-12-02T02:54:00.000Z

The UK government, in an effort to decrease emissions further to meet EU targets, is set to impose additional charges on motorists in the Capitol - beginning with an extension of London’s congestion charge in 2007. An increase in carbon emissions charges for vehicles in Band G is also scheduled to go into effect by 2009.

In February 2007, London's £8 daily congestion charge will be extended westwards to include Kensington, Chelsea and Notting Hill for cars in Bands C, D, E and G. Vehicles in Band G - which emit more than 225g of CO2 per kilometre - will also be required to pay an additional £25 per day from 2009. This latest idea follows Richmond Council’s plans to introduce emission-based residents' parking charges on Band G vehicles.

Mayor of London Ken Livingstone believes the changes are an ‘important step towards encouraging people to take into account the impact of their choice of new car on the environment and planet.’ The RAC and AA however, have expressed concern that the 'blanket charge' will penalize larger families which require bigger cars.

There is some good news for motorists who drive cars that produce less than 120g per kilometre of CO2. Vehicles in Bands A and B will become except from the charge in 2008.

But don’t breathe that sigh of relief just yet. Road pricing schemes which charge motorists per mile driven are also said to be on the horizon.

M25 users could also be the first to pay up to £1.34 a mile to use the London ring road under a proposed pilot scheme. The ‘pay-as-you-drive’ charges are likely to be based around satellite tracking devices in cars and will charge motorists different amounts depending on the route they take and the time of day they travel.

If the trial is successful, a national charging scheme could be introduced on roads across the country by 2015.

BMW Hydrogen 7

2006-11-16T11:19:00.000Z

BMW, maker of the "Ultimate Driving Machine", has not been particularly present in making vehicles powered by alternative energy. The company doesn't offer any hybrids in their expansive lineup and hasn't touted the fuel efficiency of their vehicles either. Still, that doesn't mean that they haven't been exploring new technology. In fact, the BMW Group has been committed developing hydrogen technology to reduce car emissions for over 20 years.

Now, the company has announced they will start production of a new 7 Series powered by hydrogen: the Hydrogen 7. Scheduled to make a public appearance at the Los Angeles Motor Show at the end of this month, the Hydrogen 7 will be built in limited numbers and offered to selected users in 2007. It won't be available to the general public however.

Costing roughly the same as a typical 760i, the Hydrogen 7 is equipped with a 260hp 12-cylinder engine capable of running on liquid hydrogen or petrol, either of which can be selected by pressing a steering wheel-mounted button. The dual power technology means the car has a cruising range in excess of 125 miles in the hydrogen mode and a further 300 miles under petrol power. To make this possible, the car is fitted with two tanks: a conventional 74-litre petrol tank and an additional hydrogen fuel tank which can store up to 8kgs of liquid hydrogen at a pressure of 3-5 bar and a consistent temperature of –250°C.

The company promises the car will retain the same driving characteristics, engine power and torque BMWs are known for, albeit with the added benefit of running on hydrogen fuel - thereby emitting only water vapour. The car always gives priority to the use of hydrogen but can automatically switch to petrol power should the primary fuel become unavailable.

The Hydrogen 7 is heralded as being the first full production-ready luxury vehicle, having met all the stringent processes and final sign-off criteria that BMW models must undergo. A total of 100 Hydrogen 7s will be built in 2007.

Mitsubishi to launch electric car in US

2006-10-09T15:50:00.000+01:00

Every once in a while there comes an automaker who manages to consistently remain resilient even amidst scandals and financial issues. Mitsubishi Motors is one of those automakers. As the smoke settles once again over the company, it now plans to offer the environmentally underserved US market a new electric car.

According to Automotive News, Mitsubishi's small electric car will become available for sale in the United States sometime in the near future, though the exact timeframe has not been determined. It will not however resemble the MIEV Concept it unveiled in Detroit and Geneva in early 2006.

The vehicle will be powered by a lithium-ion battery but may also spawn a gasoline-hybrid version after initial introduction in Japan. Mitsubishi has been testing electric and hybrid vehicles in Japan for some time now but has not yet exported any of its models to the US.

According to the article, Mitsubishi Motors President Masuko believes electric vehicles are the obvious solution to environmental and emissions woes. For the moment, diesel vehicles have not found worldwide acceptance, and fuel cell technology is still far off in future.

Electric vehicles are successful in Japan and have slowly begun to gain acceptance in the UK as it enables their owners to navigate within the congestion zone and park at metered spaces free of charge. Emissions and traditional fuel costs also become a non-issue.

If Mitsubishi is right in believing these vehicles will find buyers in the US, it would certainly be a big step forward in decreasing pollution caused by idling cars in congested urban environments. Let's hope the Americans approve.

Venturi unveils Eco-friendly concepts in Paris

2006-10-02T23:52:00.000+01:00

Having just returned from Paris and seen the superb creations on display at the Mondial de L'Automobile, the stand which was laden with the most futuristic concepts and which had the greatest forsight toward creating solutions to the detrimental environmental impact associated with automobiles was Venturi. The small Monaco-based automaker had not one but three radical designs which incorporated not only electricity, but also solar power to propel their creations.

The Astrolab vehicle (pictured) uses 3.6 cubic metres of photovoltaic cells covering the entire upper body structure of the car. It is said to use the lowest (16kw) energy of any vehicle in the world, and is simultaneously capable of recharging the latest generation NiMH Venturi NIV-7 batteries on the move due to the extensive solar panel usage. The company claim this is the first ever electro-solar hybrid vehicle.

The car is fabricated around an ultra lightweight carbon monocoque chassis, has a top speed of 120 km per hour, and is able to travel 110 km without needing a recharge. It will be made to order at a cost of €92,000 with the first vehicles scheduled for delivery in January, 2008.

Venturi also unveiled a new version of the Fetish, first unveiled at the 2004 Paris Motor Show. Since then the company has made significant strides in technological innovation, particularly with respect to their exclusive batteries.

This year's Fetish, powered by a mid-mounted electric induction engine placed atop its composite carbon-aluminium honeycomb chassis, produces roughly 241hp and 162 pound-ft. of torque. The car’s body panels are also made entirely of carbon fiber in an attempt to keep weight of the Lotus Elise-sized vehicle down, but the 31 Lithium-ion LIV-7 batteries strategically placed within its frame means it still weighs nearly 2200lbs. Despite this, Venturi claim the car will reach 62mph in under 5 seconds and hit a top speed of 100mph.

Though it has never garnered huge sales, the Fetish is one of the most exclusive cars to own, electric or not. Only 25 will be built with an expected price of nearly 300,000 €.

CO2 Emissions Targets Not Met says EC

2006-08-28T20:38:00.000+01:00

European and Asian automakers must do more to meet voluntary targets to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from new cars or face possible legislative action, the European Union's executive arm said today.

The European Commission said average CO2 emissions from new cars in the 15 "old" EU member states in 2004 were down 12.4 percent from 1995 levels, far off the target of a roughly 25 percent cut by 2008/09.

"The situation is not satisfactory. I urge industry to step up their efforts," Industry Commissioner Guenter Verheugen said in a statement.

The 2004 figures showed a slight improvement from 2003, when new car emissions were down 11.8 percent from 1995 levels.

European carmakers have agreed to reduce C02 emissions from new cars to an average of 140 grams per kilometer by 2008, while Japanese and Korean manufacturers have agreed to meet that goal by 2009. The target represents a cut of around 25 percent from 1995 levels.

Verheugen and Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas said in the statement they would consider taking legislative measures if automakers did not meet those commitments.

The European Automobile Manufacturers Association pledged to keep working on the problem but described consumer demand for "safer and larger cars" as having a counterproductive effect on reducing car pollution.

It called on policy makers to create tax incentives to prod consumers to buy less-polluting cars.

"There is now a need to link the taxation of cars and of alternative fuels more vigorously to CO2 emissions," ACEA Secretary General Ivan Hodac said in a statement.

BMW said in March it will start serial production within two years of cars that burn hydrogen in modified engines, beginning with a few hundred cars that can switch between gasoline and hydrogen so drivers are not stranded seeking a hydrogen pump.

Within Europe, vehicles with hybrid motors -- which combine a standard engine to electric motors and a battery -- are on the rise but still represent well less than 1 percent of new cars registered.

The auto industry's CO2 agreements make up part of the 25-country EU's efforts to meet its commitments to fight climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions under the Kyoto Protocol.

Under Kyoto, the EU's 15 "old" member states must reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 8 percent below 1990 levels by 2012.

The Commission said cars were responsible for more than 10 percent of the EU's CO2 emissions.

Carmakers are in no hurry to see CO2 targets bundled into mandatory legislation. PSA/Peugeot-Citroen said the company found it too premature to speak about new laws because the voluntary targets applied for 2008.

"In general we are against legislation because it is a free market and in the end the consumer decides," said spokesman Marc Bouque, adding carmakers cannot force consumers to buy more environmentally-friendly cars.

Big Oil

2006-08-16T17:54:00.000+01:00

Big Oil has a vested interest in not developing alternatives, lest they contol the alternatives. This is the reason Shell and BP are heavily researching renewable energy sources such as hydrogen and biofuels.

Shell already blends of biofuels like ethanol into vehicle fuel and is currently developing a biomass-to-liquid processes, in which a woody feedstock is first gasified and then converted into high-quality diesel fuel components. Through a partnership with CHOREN Industries who has developed its patented Carbo-V biomass-gasification process, Shell is creating ultra clean tar-free synthetic gas to be used as an advanced bio-component for use in diesel fuel.

Shell is also working on the development of fuel cell vehicles through a partnership with automakers in California. The California Fuel Cell Partnership as it is called includes automakers like GM, Ford, Honda and DaimlerChrysler and others but also includes BP, Chevron and Ballard Power Systems, one of the leading developers in fuel cell technology.

Aside from working toward developing fuel cells, BP is also looking to diversify on its energy supply. The company has been investing heavily in solar power and plans to continue harnessing the sun's energy over the next three years. In a field where technology improvements and higher productivity are causing costs to decline, BP currently has 10 percent of the global market which is growing at 30 percent a year, faster than any other form of renewable energy.

Building on the success of BP Solar, BP started its own Alternative Energy initiative last year which will manage an investment program in solar, wind, hydrogen and combined-cycle-gas-turbine (CCGT) power generation.

Biodiesel Benefits

2006-08-14T00:00:00.000+01:00

One surefire way to decrease dependency on foreign oil is to find a substitute. Biodiesel can be used outright in diesel engines with little if any modification or can be blended with conventional petrodiesel fuel. Pure biodiesel is nontoxic and allows farmers to contribute to our energy needs. In pure form or even blended to create B30 (30 percent biodiesel 70 percent petrodiesel) the fuel is actually better for diesel engines because of its viscosity.

The fuel also decreases, by significant levels, soot and particulate emissions as well as CO2, the leading contributor to global warming. The plants grown to produce biodiesel absorb CO2 which is later released into the atmosphere when the fuel is consumed. Blended or neat biodiesel has the potential to reduce diesel CO emissions and measured HC emissions, though there may be an increase in NOx emissions for biodiesel fuel when compared to diesel fuel. The higher NOx emissions from biodiesel-powered engines are partly due to the higher cetane number of biodiesel, which causes a shorter ignition delay and higher peak cylinder pressure.

Hybrid Taxi Fleet

2006-08-08T18:28:00.000+01:00

In NYC, taxis are everywhere. Convenient and practical for getting around the metropolis, they are nonetheless contributing to the city's adverse air quality and consuming vast quantities of fuel through their eight cylinder powerplants. With hybrid technology making headlines, it seems only natural to try them in the grueling real world scenario that is the life of a taxicab.

We'll see how well they fare.

Flex Fuel vehicles

2006-08-03T19:08:00.000+01:00

Flex Fuel vehicles are no more difficult to build than regular cars and they enable the vehicle to run on either ethanol or conventional gasoline, so why aren't all automakers building every single car with this capability? Unfortunately I don't have the answer to that question. To me it seems that a few hoses and a bigger reinforced tank would be a simple solution to America's hunger for oil all while creating jobs for local farmers.

In Brazil, 90% of cars produced can run on both gasoline and ethanol. The fuel is produced from sugarcane because it is plentiful, but it could just as easily be created with corn, switchgrass, potatoes, or any other biomass. Watch the video below to find out what is causing the increasing interest in biofuels and flex fuel vehicles.

Toyota: A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing?

2006-08-03T01:06:00.000+01:00

Toyota became a big hit in the United States after the oil embargo of the 1970’s sparked an interest in more frugal vehicles that the company was importing. Since then it has fared extremely well in both quality and reliability surveys and finds more repeat buyers than any other automaker. And now, with surging oil prices and a change in American customer buying habits, the automaker has just surpassed Ford to become the second largest manufacturer in the world. The company has also been given credit for pioneering hybrid technology in the form of the Prius gasoline-electric vehicle (even though it did not) and has licensed this technology to the Ford Motor Company and collaborated with rival Nissan to produce its own vehicles using the patented technology.

The benefits of hybrid technology are not applicable in all driving scenarios, and many hybrid buyers have not seen the mileage figures claimed by the company. That is largely because the US, with its expansive highway system and greater travel distances, does not do the technology justice. So Toyota began countering this by producing vehicles (such as those in its Lexus luxury division) that would use the electric motor to supplement power rather than economy. This has led to some environmental groups portraying the manufacturer as “a wolf in sheep’s clothing”, stating that the automaker is building cars under the pretense that they are better for the environment when they offer no significant gains over a traditional ICE counterpart (Bluewater, 2005).

But even a Toyota Prius, the now iconic ‘green’ motor vehicle who has attracted celebrities and environmentalists worldwide, does not surpass the environmental accreditation that the Volkswagen Golf TDi garners while running on biodiesel. According to the Green Car Company, the CO2 emissions from the Prius (whose 1.5 liter 4 cylinder 76hp motor mated to a 500 volt permanent magnet AC synchronous motor) creates 267 grams per mile, while a biodiesel fuelled Volkswagen TDi emits only 61 grams per mile.

Alternative Fuels Service Station

2006-08-02T16:25:00.000+01:00

The future of fuel remains to be written, but it seems clear the rate of petroleum consumption is only increasing the world over. As developed and developing countries increase their demand for crude oil and energy, we will notice a demand induced price spiral on gasoline prices. Not only will costs increase, but we will also become increasingly dependant on foreign oil imported from some less than stable parts of the world.

In order to decrease our dependency and 'addiction' - as President Bush so aptly referred to it in his State of the Union Address in Tennessee - we must continue our quest to implementing renewable fuel stations and locally produced energy to fuel the ever-increasing number of vehicles on our roads. One gentleman in North Carolina (who also happens to be a Ford dealer) has the right idea. He's opened a service station that sells alternative fuels, and sold out of biodiesel on his first day!

The Real 'Way Forward'

2006-07-27T04:38:00.000+01:00

Ford has been criticised for building large SUVs and trucks which made them a huge profit. The demand for these vehicles were so great and the profit magins so lucrative that the company could not simply opt not to build them. But that was ten years ago, when gasoline prices and environmental awareness we nowhere near as elevated as they are today.

The Way Forward plan at Ford which proposes to make approximately 30,000 workers redundant in the next six years also incorporates another plan: The increase of hybrid vehicle production, which CEO Bill Ford deems the 'Future for Ford'. But is it? Hybrid technology may be the 'way forward' in large cities which suffer from congestion, but it certainly is not the answer for Farmer Steve or Long Haul Truck Driver Bob. For them the advantage is renewable biofuels. And Ford should be incorporating real solutions to petroleum derived fuel dependency.

Driving Cross Country on E-85 - Part 2, 3 and 4

2006-06-30T10:28:00.000+01:00

This is the continuation of a documentary we brought you a few days ago, and things are looking up for this duo (and dog). Though they still have no car that will run on E-85 they have found an E-85 station, it was just closed for the holiday.

Later in Oklahoma, they encountered a health club owner who spelled out the disadvantages of ethanol. He claims an almost 40 percent reduction in mileage!! At least the crops used to make methanol are locally produced from renewable sources, and they have cleaner burn characteristics than gasoline and diesel.

Decrease emissions, give a farmer a job. Seems win win to me. Now there just needs to be more cars available to run on the fuel, and more customers demanding it be produced and sold.

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Driving Cross-Country on E-85

2006-06-28T22:33:00.000+01:00

Tom Malloy (AP) decided to drive from LA to NY and see how many E-85 stations he could hit without deviating from his route. Problem was, he didn't have an E-85 compatible car. Novel idea. Poor implementation...

The Biodiesel Alternative

2006-06-07T17:48:00.000+01:00

Biodiesel is an alternative fuel that can be used in any diesel vehicle without any technical modification. Produced from renewable resources, such as vegetable oil or animal fat (found in used restaurant grease), biodiesel contains no petroleum. It is simple to use, biodegradable, nontoxic, and essentially free of sulfur and aromatics. Biodiesel is currently available in pure form called B100, but can also be blended with petroleum diesel to create B30, (a 30% percent biodiesel and 80% petrodiesel blend), B20 or B10.

Depending on the climate, pure (B100) biodiesel may need to be warmed with an engine block heater before it can be used in diesel engines. That is a simple task requiring you switch to the fuel after starting your vehicle and back to regular diesel before you stop it. Other than that your car can run on pure biodiesel, reducing CO2 emissions by around a fifth.

Biodiesel could have an overall whole life-cycle effect of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 40-60% over ordinary diesel engines, taking account of the combined reduction in emissions as well as the energy used in the extraction or growing of the fuel.

The high profile promotion of 30% bio-fuel comes at a time when the EU is pressing hard for increased production of plant-derived products. Brussels has tasked the motor and oil industries with collectively reducing CO2 emissions to 120g/km by 2012, compared to the current average of 160g/km. Meanwhile, the Government’s Renewable Transport Fuels Obligation is targeting sales of bio-fuels to account for 5% of all fuel by 2010 – a twenty-fold increase over today’s sales.

To further incentivise production and sales, lobbyists and industry experts are calling on the Government to introduce additional measures to encourage its use, ensure production is tied to quality standards and improve availability to the end user.

Global Warming

2006-05-14T17:49:00.000+01:00

Global warming is a very realistic threat affecting our weather patterns and causing global climate change.

The average surface temperature of earth has increased more than 1 degree Fahrenheit since 1900 and the rate of warming has been nearly three times the century-long average since 1970. Almost all experts studying the recent climate history of the earth agree now that human activities, mainly the release of heat-trapping gases from smokestacks, tailpipes, and burning forests, are probably the dominant force driving the trend.

The gases add to the planet's natural greenhouse effect, allowing sunlight in, but preventing some of the resulting heat from radiating back to space. Drawing on research on past climate shifts, observations of current conditions, and computer simulations, many climate experts say that without big curbs in greenhouse gas emissions, the 21st century could see temperatures rise 3 to 8 degrees, weather patterns sharply shift, ice sheets shrink and seas rise several feet. Any and all of these events could have catastrophic implications on our way of life.

This blog is dedicated to those of us who are environmentally concious and who also love our cars. In order for the ever-increasing world population to overcome this looming threat, the transport industry must continue to strive towards sustainable fuels and decreased emissions.

That is the way of the future of automotive transport.

New York Auto Show

2006-05-10T17:27:00.000+01:00

Every year auto manufacturers showcase the latest in technological innovation and gimmicks in the form of ‘concept cars’. From vehicles that have the capability of parking themselves, to safely innovations that sense an imminent crash, technology has also enabled the manufacturers to push the envelope in fuel efficiency and emissions.

At this year’s motor show circuit the alternative fuel and sustainability theme reached new heights, with the advent of several key innovations making their public debuts. These vehicles will not only improve efficiency, but they may be the stepping stone towards decreasing our reliance on imported oil.

The vehicles showcased in the video below, unlike their concept car siblings, are actually available at your dealership today.

The Project

2006-05-04T04:32:00.000+01:00

Welcome to what will be the final phase in my acheivement towards a Masters in Automotive Journalism. My thesis project will revolve around the industry's development of alternative fuels, air quality in the world, and the different legislation surrounding the implementation of cleaner transport models.