The following guide explains the visions, aims and principles of the various behaviour changes and propulsion technologies currently being developed to reduce our dependance on fossil fuels, cut congestion and reduce emissions in the hope of a better quality of life.
What if our cars changed shape to breathe and move faster.Active aerodynamics uses moving surfaces or parts to change the aerodynamic behaviour of a vehicle. The BMW Gina concept car takes this to the extreme. Certain road cars apply it in more subtle ways, i.e. retractable spoilers and air flaps to the engine that open or close depending on how much cooling air is needed.
What if GHG emissions could be recycled. What if our organic waste could be turned into fuel rather than going to landfill. This is the promise of biomethane and 2nd-generation biofuels.
What if your engine automatically switched off when idling for 10 seconds or more... and automatically started again when you put your foot down... Saving fuel and improving air-quality, especially in cities...
What if we wanted to drive the latest & greenest cars without the cost & hassle of ownership... What if there were more parking spaces and less cars on the road...
What if man-made carbon emissions could be offset by planting new trees, recycling or funding renewable energy projects... would this be guilt-free motoring?
Some believe that nothing beats the sound of a rumbling V8. The internal combustion engine (ICE) burns fuel (mostly commonly fossil-based) to turn pistons, turbine blades, or a nozzle - converting chemical energy into useful mechanical energy. Infineum expects the market for IC engines will continue to grow for at least another 30 years (from 2011). Combustion engines can be made more efficient through better lubricants, additives, fuel-blends and dual-fuel (i.e. biofuel or liquid H2) and...
What if we could cut costs and emissions without necessarily having to buy a new car...
What if our cars produced zero tailpipe emissions and could be charged anywhere in London... What if batteries could be swapped on the go... What if the electricity was renewable... What if the old batteries were re-used on wind farms, solar generators and stand-by power supplies...
What if bicycles were easier to ride up hills... What if you could ride to work in your suit without breaking a sweat... What if you could take a taxi through a pedestrianised shortcut... What if last-mile deliveries were silent and emission-free...
What if you could power your engine with hydrogen, bioethanol or other clean-burning fuels when available but also fill-up with normal petrol or diesel at any common filling station.
What if our cars were powered by hydrogen - the most abundant element in the universe, and water was the only emission.... What if this fuel was made from water and 'green electricity' at the point of use... What if we could suck out CO2 from the atmosphere and combine it with hydrogen to power direct methanol fuel cells...
What if our cars were zero emission for most trips plus we could use conventional fuel for long journeys at high speed. Hybrids use a combination of propulsion systems - commonly an electric motor + combustion engine - to get the best of both.
What if 'water' could fuel combustion engines... Jack Nicholson had an answer in the 70's.Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe. From the ‘well to the wheel’ the Hydrogen line currently generates around 25% less CO2 emissions per km covered than the classic fuel line. In terms of energy output, a fuel cell battery, using Hydrogen and an electric motor is currently twice as efficient as an internal combustion engine. 98% of the world‘s hydrogen is currently produced from fossil...
What if your car could think... What if it could help you drive efficiently, avoid traffic jams and prevent accidents... Today Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) are being used to make cars smarter... In the future, they may even be sentient and emotive.
What if car-makers could grow new body parts and upholstery just down the road from their factories...renewable materials >>What if modern cars didn't have to weigh several tonnes... composites and alloys have a great role to play, as do our expectations of driving comfort and style...lightweight materials >>
(Liquefied Petroleum Gas). LPG is produced as a by-product of oil production. In the past it has been considered waste and burnt off, remember seeing the flames on the top of north sea oil platforms? That was LPG! It is a mixture of propane and butane and is often called Autogas. The simple chemical make-up of the gases ensures that they are clean burning and so more environmentally sound than petrol and diesel. There are over 9 million drivers worldwide using LP Gas.
What if we could keep the engine roar and have even more powerful cars... What if we could divert CO2 from entering the atmosphere to make them carbon neutral... What if we could use existing fuel lines to distribute this new fuel... What if we could use it to top-up fuel cells...
Navigation, Guidance, Telematics
What if we stopped wasting time and fuel getting lost and stuck in traffic...GPS systems can help avoid congested roads, avoid toll roads and find the fastest, motorway-based routes for optimum fuel efficient driving. New units will also offer route planning based on energy consumption, driving style and available charging stations.
Biologically, cycles are the most efficient self-powered means of transportation. Mechanically, more than 98% of the energy delivered by the rider into the pedals is transmitted to the wheels. A fit cyclist can generate up to 250W of power... but not for long.
Petrol engines emit less particulates (soot) than diesel engines but sourcing these fossil-based fuels is increasingly scarce, environmentally-damaging and dangerous. However, experts expect the market for internal combustion engines will continue to grow for at least another 30 years (from 2011). Combustion engines can be made more efficient through better lubricants, additives, fuel-blends and flexi-fuel (i.e. biofuel or LPG) lightweight materials and clever turbo-charging. [ICE Diagram...
What if braking wasn't such a waste of energy...Energy recovery mechanisms store (recycle) kinetic energy to be re-used when needed. The most common regenerative brake uses an electric motor as a generator. In electric railways the generated electricity is fed back into the supply system, whereas in F1 cars, battery-electric & hybrid electric vehicles, the energy is stored in a battery or bank of capacitors for later use. Energy may also be stored mechanically via pneumatics, hydraulics or...
What if engines were silent - would they be safe?... What if cars didn't have to be so big and heavy...
What if vehicles were emission-free and re-charged by the sun... What if batteries could be swapped on the go... What if old EV batteries were re-used on wind farms, solar generators and stand-by power supplies...
What if electricity-generation was cleaner and more renewable... What if old electric car batteries were re-used on wind farms...
What if GHG emissions could be recycled. What if our organic waste could be turned into fuel rather than going to landfill. This is the promise of biomethane and 2nd-generation biofuels.
What if GHG emissions could be recycled. What if our organic waste could be turned into fuel rather than going to landfill. This is the promise of biomethane and 2nd-generation biofuels.
What if modern cars didn't have to weigh several tonnes... composites and alloys have a great role to play, as do our expectations of driving comfort and style...
What if car-makers could grow new body parts and upholstery just down the road from their factories...What if we could insulate our houses with sheep's wool...
Oliver Heath | Thu 28 Feb 2013
Zipcar | Wed 2 Jan 2013
steven.glaser | Wed 10 Oct 2012
Hyundai | Thu 27 Sep 2012
Ford | Sun 19 Aug 2012
