Yes folks, we've packed our bags and headed on!
Please come and visit the new and improved blog... click here!
Please come and visit the new and improved blog... click here!
Tuesday 27 November 2007
Friday 23 November 2007
Electric powered cars.. of a different kind
On a slightly different scale to yesterdays story, todays offering to the future of electric powered automobiles is not undergoing a multi-billion $ launch. In fact, is the Sunzeecar Electrotrike a car at all? Well perhaps not but you can't argue with a vehicle that can go 40 miles on just an afternoons sunshine..
Not designed to replace the gas-guzzling, go anywhere cars we drive today - the trike (brainchild of former University of Utah bioengineering prof. Andrew Schoenberg) is more likely to appeal to those who sit firmly on the green side of the fence. Still, where practicality is lacking (and indeed, aesthetics) the Ekotrike more than compensates in just the same way as the Honda FCX.. it is clean, very clean. Zero emissions! This time, not from a billion £ r+d budget either... just Mr. Schoenbergs garage and 12 years of his time and own money.
It may not be conventional (even by electric car standards) but could small electric vehicles like these be our future? If you live in a city (and lets face it, a LOT of us do) then it has to make sense. Though, from the reaction Mr. Schoenberg gets when he goes to the shops, it is clear that before we can change car there needs to be a change in attitude from more than just curiosity.
Technorati Tags: electric car, electric car kits, solar power, diy electric car, sustainable, eco-friendly, environmentally friendly, Univeristy of Utah
Not designed to replace the gas-guzzling, go anywhere cars we drive today - the trike (brainchild of former University of Utah bioengineering prof. Andrew Schoenberg) is more likely to appeal to those who sit firmly on the green side of the fence. Still, where practicality is lacking (and indeed, aesthetics) the Ekotrike more than compensates in just the same way as the Honda FCX.. it is clean, very clean. Zero emissions! This time, not from a billion £ r+d budget either... just Mr. Schoenbergs garage and 12 years of his time and own money.
It may not be conventional (even by electric car standards) but could small electric vehicles like these be our future? If you live in a city (and lets face it, a LOT of us do) then it has to make sense. Though, from the reaction Mr. Schoenberg gets when he goes to the shops, it is clear that before we can change car there needs to be a change in attitude from more than just curiosity.
Technorati Tags: electric car, electric car kits, solar power, diy electric car, sustainable, eco-friendly, environmentally friendly, Univeristy of Utah
Thursday 22 November 2007
Zero-emission car: Honda FCX Clarity
Clarity... added to encourage visions of clear blue, emission free skies? Perhaps, but underneath the marketing, this new offering from the Japanese technology giants (who's standard engines aren't exactly 'dirty') might just be something a bit interesting.
Although set for an initial release in the US only, the FCX could be the shape of things to come for the UK market - provided we sort out our act and increase the number of Hydrogen fuelling points. The current tally of 2 Hydrogen filling stations, combined with the sub-300 mile range of the FCX, would not a UK success make as far as this particular model is concerned. Luckily, Honda have (in their customary way) thought of this and are looking in to the logistics of bringing their 'Home Energy Station' to this country. This is a technology which is already distibuted in the US and can be used to heat your home as well as power your car.
Regardless of the fact that none of us are likely to be driving one of these in the UK anytime soon, you can't argue with the technology. ZERO emissions - all by combining the FCX's Hydrogen Fuel and Lithium Ion Battery with (fresh) air to create electricity and a power source so clean that Captain Kirk would be jealous. The FCX even recaptures and reuses its own mis-spent energy (which more conventional cars just lose) from braking and deceleration.
Sounding too good to be true? Well, apart from thedrawback of the predicted £50k price tag (if it were to come to the uk) there is ONE emission.... water. Knowing Honda, they've probably built in a filter and a cooler so you can drink it when you get to work!
Technorati Tags: electric car, hydrogen car, hydrogen powered, honda, FCX, FCX clarity, sustainable fuel, economic, environmentally friendly
Although set for an initial release in the US only, the FCX could be the shape of things to come for the UK market - provided we sort out our act and increase the number of Hydrogen fuelling points. The current tally of 2 Hydrogen filling stations, combined with the sub-300 mile range of the FCX, would not a UK success make as far as this particular model is concerned. Luckily, Honda have (in their customary way) thought of this and are looking in to the logistics of bringing their 'Home Energy Station' to this country. This is a technology which is already distibuted in the US and can be used to heat your home as well as power your car.
Regardless of the fact that none of us are likely to be driving one of these in the UK anytime soon, you can't argue with the technology. ZERO emissions - all by combining the FCX's Hydrogen Fuel and Lithium Ion Battery with (fresh) air to create electricity and a power source so clean that Captain Kirk would be jealous. The FCX even recaptures and reuses its own mis-spent energy (which more conventional cars just lose) from braking and deceleration.
Sounding too good to be true? Well, apart from thedrawback of the predicted £50k price tag (if it were to come to the uk) there is ONE emission.... water. Knowing Honda, they've probably built in a filter and a cooler so you can drink it when you get to work!
Technorati Tags: electric car, hydrogen car, hydrogen powered, honda, FCX, FCX clarity, sustainable fuel, economic, environmentally friendly
Wednesday 21 November 2007
Environmentally friendly?
Environmentally friendly? Perhaps not, but still an interesting development none the less. Is this a vision of the future - in that car manufacturers will continue to sate our lust for big engined, over-powered saloons and sports cars - but drinking lpg this time?
What you are looking at might just be that future, this is BMW new record beating 198mph LPG 3 series coupe.... spot the odd word in that sentance?
What you are looking at might just be that future, this is BMW new record beating 198mph LPG 3 series coupe.... spot the odd word in that sentance?
In combination with their long running tuning partner AC Schnitzer
(responsible for some of the fatest, meanest and most awe inspiring
BMW's to date) BMW smashed the LPG speed record at the Nardo test track
in Italy.
The power in this 3 is from a different animal all together - an M5.
Except, i naddition to the normaly quite adequate 500bhp in the M5, ACS
have taken it upon themselves to INCREASE the power to 544bhp in this
LPG model. Alternative fuel AND a 10% increase in power? Believe it.
Now, all this may be still in the big vat of concept that BMW and ACS
keep bubbling away somewhere in Germany - but it does look encouraging.
Yes, this car with all its impracticalities and gigantic power unit may
fly in the face of trying to find alternative, more sustainable,
greener fuel sources..
BUT, if the development of LPG cars such as this can continue the switch-on of manufacturers to this alternative fuel.. surely it has to be a good thing for all of us.
(responsible for some of the fatest, meanest and most awe inspiring
BMW's to date) BMW smashed the LPG speed record at the Nardo test track
in Italy.
The power in this 3 is from a different animal all together - an M5.
Except, i naddition to the normaly quite adequate 500bhp in the M5, ACS
have taken it upon themselves to INCREASE the power to 544bhp in this
LPG model. Alternative fuel AND a 10% increase in power? Believe it.
Now, all this may be still in the big vat of concept that BMW and ACS
keep bubbling away somewhere in Germany - but it does look encouraging.
Yes, this car with all its impracticalities and gigantic power unit may
fly in the face of trying to find alternative, more sustainable,
greener fuel sources..
BUT, if the development of LPG cars such as this can continue the switch-on of manufacturers to this alternative fuel.. surely it has to be a good thing for all of us.
Tuesday 20 November 2007
European Car of the Year 2008
And the winner is...small, economical, and very, very environmentally concious.
The identity of the winner may have been leaked a week or 2 earlier, but for those who don't know, its the Fiat 500. Here's a picture of the supermini in question..
The 500 seals Fiats 9th win of the prestigious ECotY award and furthers the companies 'peaoples-champion' comeback from near dissapearance only a few years ago.
Building on a strong safety compliment (5-star Euro NCAP score) the 500 has gone green by aiming for and achieving the stringent forthcoming Euro 5 emissions regs. This approach and the overall simple, clean efficiency of the 500 is bound to win consumers hearts in these times of rocketing petrol prices and socio-environmental kudos.
Coming in to the UK from £8,000 this little mini-ite is going to prove a hard nut for other manufacturers to crack in the increasingly competitive small-car (Euro 'A' sector) marketplace.
Small, safe, trendy, stylish and affordable.. dont be surprised if the awards keep on coming in 2008.
Technorati Tags: fiat, car, car of the year, 2008, NCAP, 5-star, economical, safe, cheap, winner, awards, ECotY, Euro 5
The identity of the winner may have been leaked a week or 2 earlier, but for those who don't know, its the Fiat 500. Here's a picture of the supermini in question..
The 500 seals Fiats 9th win of the prestigious ECotY award and furthers the companies 'peaoples-champion' comeback from near dissapearance only a few years ago.
Building on a strong safety compliment (5-star Euro NCAP score) the 500 has gone green by aiming for and achieving the stringent forthcoming Euro 5 emissions regs. This approach and the overall simple, clean efficiency of the 500 is bound to win consumers hearts in these times of rocketing petrol prices and socio-environmental kudos.
Coming in to the UK from £8,000 this little mini-ite is going to prove a hard nut for other manufacturers to crack in the increasingly competitive small-car (Euro 'A' sector) marketplace.
Small, safe, trendy, stylish and affordable.. dont be surprised if the awards keep on coming in 2008.
Technorati Tags: fiat, car, car of the year, 2008, NCAP, 5-star, economical, safe, cheap, winner, awards, ECotY, Euro 5
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