Category Archives: Transport
The hydrogen industry’s 1.2 billion US dollar boost given by President Bush has been axed partially by President Obama as a part of the several budget cuts. This move is in contrast to Obama’s green image and green sanctions. The primary reason because, the industry to not close enough to market hydrogen fuel cells and the probability of deploying hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles in the next 10 or 20 years is very low. Despite the advances made in hydrogen production storage and transportation, there are still many obstacles in the way. Moreover the infrastructure necessary will be very expensive. These cuts will reduce the 169 million US dollars per year to 68.2 million US dollars and the US tax payer saves 100.8 million US dollars. The cuts will virtually eliminate the automotive fuel cell research grants. The remaining funding will be used to investigate non-automotive fuel cell uses.
[Dailytech]
Continue reading 
Imagine travelling from Tuscon to Phoenix at a speed of 220 miles per hour in a bullet train. You must be thinking it’s really cool and you will reach your destination in like 30 minutes. But what is even cooler is that the train you will be travelling in will be solar powered 100%. This is based on President Obama’s policy of bringing High Speed rail in the US. The Arizona-based Solar Bullet LLC is proposing a new 220 miles per hour bullet train that will be entirely powered by none other than our Sun. The adoption of high speed rail in the states is to considerably reduce the greenhouse gas emissions. The train would require 110 mega watts of electricity which would be generated entirely by solar panels mounted on the tracks. The project is still in its early stages of development and the cost is estimated at 28 billion dollars.
[Inhabitat]
Continue reading
The original DARPA funding of the development of the Tactical Electric No Signature (TENS) Mountain bike for Marines and paratroopers is now more than a decade old, but there is good news. The design has been upgraded and it will be sold in limited quantities with a 1000-watt propulsion system. The TidalForce M-750 x2.0 is based on the commercially available Montague Paratrooper folding bike and has a 30 mph speed and can travel 25-28 miles on a single charge using only the electric power. The E+ advanced propulsion system features nine forward power modes, nine resistance (exercise) modes, cruise control and this will definitely put your mind at peace, comes with anti-theft too. It folds to 3 x 3 ft, which means storage is not a problem, and the components that come along with it is first class with RockShox Tora 302 Forks, Shimano XTR brakes, FSA Gossamer 30/38/52 tooth crank set, Crane Creek Thudbuster ST seat suspension and a WTB Speed-V Seat. Highly desirable isn’t it! The new TidalForce M-750 x2.0 is limited to 240 units. Each unit is numbered and will include the owner’s name engraved for a truly one-of-a-kind personalized x2.0.
Continue reading
Washington DC is preparing to see a very green future with major companies preparing to bring a huge reduction in the city’s CO2 emissions. Automotive company, Nissan North America, and AeroVironment, an industry expert in battery and charging systems, have signed a deal that could bring hundreds of Electric Vehicles (EVs) and charging stations to the District. This is part of the Obama Administration’s and the District’s initiatives in progressive transportation programs, reducing C02 emissions and improving the environment.
Continue reading
French carmaker Renault’s environmentally friendly, high-end cross-over concept car, the Ondelio, produced in collaboration with .MGX, was on display from April 22 to 27th in Milan at via Tortona 35, as part of the Salone Internazionale del Mobile. The Ondelios, ‘designed for lovers of long-haul travel who set store by comfort and refinement, was inspired by nature and the way it solves problems with elegance’. .MGX techniques were used to produce a number of specific elements for the car, including the dashboard and roof, which emphasize the vehicle’s airy look and feel and in the case of the latter, bathes the interior in natural light. The concept vehicle has a maximum speed of 130 km/h, can carry 6 passengers and their luggage, and burns only 4 litres of fuel per 100 km thanks to the hybrid technology and aerodynamic efficiency. The concept, efforts and vision is all applaudable, but honestly, the car looks terrifying! It looks as though it was sent o scare the living lights off naughty kids who just refuses to eat that spinach.
Continue reading
Spanish automaker GTA is following the Doge Viper’s footsteps in creating a kick ass engine with ethanol in lieu of gasoline. It will be borrowing the Viper’s V10 engine from Dodge for use in its new $670,000 Spano supercar. Alternate engine mapping allows the flex-fuel engine to put out a ridiculous 840 horsepower when running on ethanol. The Spano goes to an estimated top speed of 217 miles per hour, while the run to 60 mph is expected to take a scant 2.9 seconds.
Continue reading
The above picture says it all. It is obvious that Toyota Prius (hybrid) leads the green race by offering 48 MPG within city limits and 45 MPG on highways. It is closely followed by Honda Civic Hybrid with 40 MPG in city and 45 MPG on highways. Nissan Altima Hybrid is third on the list but sadly it doesn’t render fuel efficiency any close to the top two Fuel Economy leaders for 2009. It gives 35/33 MPG on city/highway. Such a list will give drivers a more accurate estimate of the fuel economy they are likely to achieve on the road.
Continue reading
Pedaling your way around the town or city is considered to be the most eco-friendly and health-friendly option of commuting. No doubt about that. However Philipp Guenther intends to pep this two-wheeled ride with more comfort and style too. And the result is 24/7 City Pedelec. It is designed to be a temporary vehicle for transit commuters and tourists in urban areas. A supportive hybrid motor (Bionx) helps to relax the otherwise effortful pedaling. Also boosting the concept of bike sharing traveling, this bike is fitted with an integrated RFID chip. Such a user-friendly RFID technology also makes payment and customization easier. Shaped out of eco-friendly thixomoulding technology, the process will help to roll out a lightweight magnesium structure. Also it earns more green brownie points as the magnesium parts are also 100%-recycleable.
Continue reading
Normally, if you heard something like Kangoo be bop Z.E, its only natural to think that it is another fictitious character that can run through walls and walk on water types. But this is a true product. It’s a new prototype electric vehicle by Renault. The Z.E., stands for zero emissions. Renault will bring the be bop Z.E. through Europe this July, offering test drives and more information on the electric power train inside. The Kangoo be bop Z.E. uses a 44kW (60hp) electric motor and a 15kWh lithium-ion battery pack made by the Nissan-NEC joint venture AESC (Automotive Electric Supply Corporation). Instead of a gearbox, the be bop Z.E. uses a reducer that has a single, constant output ratio.
Continue reading
Spanish designer Miguel-Angel Iranzo Sanchez has designed the Seat Brisa’s successor, the Duna, which looks more like a car and has cleverly embedded the solar panels in the hood. It is a beach buggy running on electricity and is based on the Volkswagen Up! Platform. It is propelled by an electric motor which is fed by nano-photovoltaic cells scattered throughout the buggy’s translucent elastomere shell. The lightweight mesh seats and laminated cedar rocker panels are inspired by vintage surfboards. It is quite suitable for the beach environment, lots of sunshine, meaning no worries of running out of fuel and fun!
Continue reading
