A Whole new World of Electric cars - very exciting!
In my last column I wrote about the phenomenal development of Vislab’s driverless cars that covered 15,000 kilometres driving themselves. Now we need to turn our attention to serious advances in electrically driven cars, and cars that drive on compressed air.
Many columns ago when I was addressing yet another crisis at the pump, I assumed that there were all manner of new developments under wraps somewhere. After all, there are huge investments in the fossil fuel driven industry, and it was my suggestion that there are probably some very good ideas that are collecting dust because their time had not yet come.
Now we are seeing the toll on the atmosphere caused by the damage from burning fossil fuels, and that is bringing forward the need for “new” technology. It’s about time, and I think we are in for some mind-boggling developments.
We already have the hybrid, and in spite of some teething problems the idea is very practical, especially for taxis. A large proportion of their jobs take them within the city, and city driving is perfect for electrical motors. The first big advantage is the reduction of contamination from exhaust fumes. For the driver, it is a cheaper cost to make the trip, and that allows for a greater share of the fare to remain in his pocket.
The thing that excites me is that so many companies are now rolling out their concept cars. If you check the picture gallery on the internet you will find seventy pages, each containing twelve pictures of various designs, some of which are very futuristic. Some of the names I saw were: Toyota, Nissan, Honda, Ford, that may offer three models; Mitsubishi, Chrysler, that may offer a version of its Dodge Ram truck as an electric; Volkswagon, General Motors, and companies called BYD, CODA, THINK, and Fisher Karma.
Many of the models are hybrids that are important for people who do long distance driving. The electric motor will carry you within the city, saving the gas guzzling for
Out of town. But many are pure electric, and they are often designed for parking in very confined spaces. Frankly, it is for this reason alone that I would buy at least a hybrid if the car were small enough to allow me to park downtown.
Another thing that is exciting is that of driving a car that is powered by compressed air. It surprised me that this technology was around even before the internal combustion motor, but is now starting to be given the respect it deserves.
As a pure green machine it does not meet the mark because in order to obtain compressed air the burning of fossil fuels is necessary to produce the electricity. However, while running it produces absolutely no emissions at all, and helps tremendously in the air that we breathe.
So, the good news is that a whole new host of new stuff is coming down the pike and the world of motoring just got a big kick where it matters. Standby to watch the passing parade, and hopefully be a part of the mission to lower the pollution rate of our world.
It’s the only world we have!
In my last column I wrote about the phenomenal development of Vislab’s driverless cars that covered 15,000 kilometres driving themselves. Now we need to turn our attention to serious advances in electrically driven cars, and cars that drive on compressed air.
Many columns ago when I was addressing yet another crisis at the pump, I assumed that there were all manner of new developments under wraps somewhere. After all, there are huge investments in the fossil fuel driven industry, and it was my suggestion that there are probably some very good ideas that are collecting dust because their time had not yet come.
Now we are seeing the toll on the atmosphere caused by the damage from burning fossil fuels, and that is bringing forward the need for “new” technology. It’s about time, and I think we are in for some mind-boggling developments.
We already have the hybrid, and in spite of some teething problems the idea is very practical, especially for taxis. A large proportion of their jobs take them within the city, and city driving is perfect for electrical motors. The first big advantage is the reduction of contamination from exhaust fumes. For the driver, it is a cheaper cost to make the trip, and that allows for a greater share of the fare to remain in his pocket.
The thing that excites me is that so many companies are now rolling out their concept cars. If you check the picture gallery on the internet you will find seventy pages, each containing twelve pictures of various designs, some of which are very futuristic. Some of the names I saw were: Toyota, Nissan, Honda, Ford, that may offer three models; Mitsubishi, Chrysler, that may offer a version of its Dodge Ram truck as an electric; Volkswagon, General Motors, and companies called BYD, CODA, THINK, and Fisher Karma.
Many of the models are hybrids that are important for people who do long distance driving. The electric motor will carry you within the city, saving the gas guzzling for
Out of town. But many are pure electric, and they are often designed for parking in very confined spaces. Frankly, it is for this reason alone that I would buy at least a hybrid if the car were small enough to allow me to park downtown.
Another thing that is exciting is that of driving a car that is powered by compressed air. It surprised me that this technology was around even before the internal combustion motor, but is now starting to be given the respect it deserves.
As a pure green machine it does not meet the mark because in order to obtain compressed air the burning of fossil fuels is necessary to produce the electricity. However, while running it produces absolutely no emissions at all, and helps tremendously in the air that we breathe.
So, the good news is that a whole new host of new stuff is coming down the pike and the world of motoring just got a big kick where it matters. Standby to watch the passing parade, and hopefully be a part of the mission to lower the pollution rate of our world.
It’s the only world we have!
Copyright © 2010 Eugene Carmichael
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