• Category Archives: Transport

    Nissan unveils a 100% electric emergency response vehicle concept – Nissan RE-LEAF

    Nissan today unveiled a 100% electric emergency response vehicle concept- RE-LEAF1, designed to provide a mobile power supply following natural disasters or extreme weather. The Nissan RE-LEAF1 working prototype is based on the world’s first mass-production electric car -Nissan LEAF. Alongside modifications to navigate roads covered in debris, the RE-LEAF features weatherproof plug sockets mounted directly to the exterior of the vehicle, which enable 110- to 230-volt devices to be powered from the car’s high-capacity lithium-ion battery.

    The RE-LEAF can be driven into the center of a disaster zone and provide a fully mobile power supply to aid the recovery process. The integrated energy management system can run medical, communications, lighting, heating and other life-supporting equipment. The RE-LEAF uses the LEAF’s bidirectional charging ability, a standard feature of the model since its introduction in 2010. This means the LEAF can not only “pull” power to recharge the high-capacity battery, but also “push” it back to the grid through V2G (Vehicle-to-Grid) technology, or directly to electric devices through V2X (Vehicle-to-everything).

    Natural disasters are the biggest cause of power outages. A 2019 World Bank report found natural shocks and climate change caused 37% of outages in Europe between 2000 and 2017, and 44% of outages in the U.S. over the same period. When a disaster hits, the time for electricity supply to be restored is typically 24 to 48 hours, depending on the severity of the damage. During that period, electric vehicles like RE-LEAF1 can provide zero-emission mobile emergency power.

    Nissan created the RE-LEAF to demonstrate the potential of electric vehicles in disaster recovery. Nissan EVs can also act as mobile storage batteries to supply homes and society with electricity during non-emergency situations through Nissan Energy Share, creating a distributable energy model that can be used to help stabilize supply and demand. Acting as a portable power station, the latest generation Nissan LEAF e+ with a fully charged 62 kilowatt-hour battery can provide enough electricity to power the average European household for six days.

    As a disaster recovery vehicle, the RE-LEAF can power multiple devices simultaneously like Electric jackhammer, 10-liter soup kettle, 100-watt LED floodlight etc for 24 hours. Once electricity is restored to the area, EVs can be recharged and provide zero-emission transport – up to 385 kilometers2 on a single charge of a LEAF e+ battery.

    Posted in Transport on September 30, 2020
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    Hyundai Motor Launches Eco-friendly Electric Minibus for Korean Market

    Hyundai Motor today introduced its first electric minibus for the Korean market – Country Electric. The Hyundai electric minibus provides an economical, eco-friendly, safe, and convenient alternative to diesel-powered buses. The 7,710-mm-long County Electric is equipped with a high-efficiency and high-power 128-kWh lithium-ion-polymer battery that provides a range of 250 km on a full charge. The 128-kWh battery can be fully charged in 72 minutes using a standard Combo 1 DC system(based on 150kW charging), which helps ensure reliability. The bus can be charged using a household 220V outlet, which takes 17 hours (220V charger is provided as an option).

    County Electric’ Minibus has equipped the bus with the latest safety technologies to prevent accidents when passengers get on and off. Various sensors located near the middle door, including an ultrasonic sensor, prevent the door from closing while the passenger is getting on and off. The sensors also trigger an alarm when a body part gets caught in the door and automatically opens the door to prevent injury. The ultrasonic sensor is also connected to the bus’s acceleration pedal, which prevents the bus from moving forward from a stop when passenger movement is detected. County Electric also comes with a virtual engine sound system and rear parking assist system to warn pedestrians and prevent accidents.

    Not only is Country Electric economical and eco-friendly, but it is also powerful. Within the 50 to 80 km/h range, Country Electric provides a 30-percent faster acceleration compared to diesel models. In addition, the bus is equipped with an electronically controlled, air-over-hydraulic(AOH) brake system with more robust brake discs to handle increased vehicle weight due to the battery. Hyundai Motor will offer the bus in configurations with 15 to 33 seats. The bus is available with a twin swing-type rear emergency door, seats with a 220-mm-higher backrest, and a new seat belt system that can reduce abdominal pressure during emergency braking.

    Posted in Transport on June 29, 2020
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    Honda Plans to Begin Sales of BENLY e: Series of Business-use Electric Scooters in Japan from April 2020

    Honda today announced plans to begin sales of BENLY e: Series business-use electric scooter models to corporate customers in Japan from April 2020. Developed with the concept of a “Business e: scooter perfect for everyday delivery services,” BENLY e: Series is equipped with a compact EV system that fits inside an easy-to-handle body size required for scooters used for various types of delivery services in Japan. BENLY e: models were developed as business-use electric scooters while giving consideration to user-friendliness in use for various pick-up/delivery services such as newspaper and package delivery services. 

    BENLY e: models are powered by two units of the Honda Mobile Power Pack (MPP) detachable and easily-swappable battery. In addition to outstanding environmental performance, which can be achieved only by clean and quiet electric mobility products which emit no CO2 in use, BENLY e: models demonstrate powerful and smooth starting and hill climbing performance even when carrying cargo by leveraging the unique characteristics of their motor which generates ample torque even from a low rev range. All BENLY e: models feature a meter panel which displays various information about the EV system in an easy-to-understand manner.

    In addition to the speedometer and a clock, the meter panel has settings to display the remaining battery level of MPPs, the reverse indicator which comes on when the scooter is put into reverse and the side stand indicator which comes on when the side stand is in use. BENLY e: models feature a large and flat rear deck which makes it easier for users to load items they will deliver, and a reverse assist function was adopted to increase user convenience in case the scooter needs to be turned around to face in the opposite direction in a narrow space or on an inclined surface. Price starts from (all Inclusive) 737,000 yen ($6721).

    Posted in Transport on December 19, 2019
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    3 New Tech Features That are Making Cars Eco-Friendly

    The future of cars is dependent on eco-friendly solutions. With climate change soon upon us, and pollution in cities around the world at an all-time high, it’s no wonder why so many automakers are devoting research and investment into greener solutions. From novel ways of powering personal vehicles to reimagining your morning commute, there are many amazing solutions on the drawing board. In this post, we’ll cover 3 new tech features that are changing the way Americans drive for the greener. Check them out!

    1. Electric and hybrid cars

    Electric cars have moved from mere novelty to viable transportation solution in just a few short years. With so many new models on the market from the Fiat 500e to rumors of a new GM electric Hummer, there’s a lot to look forward to on the horizon. Electric cars are cleaner than regular internal combustion engine cars for a few reasons.

    • First, they don’t rely on burning fossil fuels. Fossil fuels are made primarily of carbon, which, when burned, turns into CO2 and ends up in the atmosphere. As you probably know, an excess of CO2 in the atmosphere is the biggest driver of global warming, or climate change. By eliminating the emissions put out by cars on the road, car companies are significantly reducing the amount of C02 in the atmosphere, which helps slow climate change.

    • Second, because they don’t burn fuel, they don’t contribute to pollution. Not only is the general addition of CO2 to the atmosphere bad for the planet, cars belch out all manner of noxious fumes from smoke to carbon monoxide. Electric cars, once again, do not emit anything, so they’re much cleaner for cities.

    • Third, electric cars as well as hybrids are very quiet. Noise pollution can be every bit as damaging to wildlife and human wellbeing as atmospheric pollution, so reducing the amount of noise on the roads is huge eco-win. You won’t need Bose noise cancelling headphones just to hear yourself think while walking around town anymore. 

    2. Ridesharing

    Ridesharing isn’t exactly an onboard tech, but it’s still a tech change that’s making cars eco-friendlier. How? For the simple reason that people are using them less. Right now, the standard way that people in the US get around is with their own personal vehicle. Instead of browsing new Audi cars for sale for themselves, as ridesharing gets more popular and cheaper, people will start to ditch their personal cars in favor of a shared ride to work. How does this help the environment? Two ways:

    • First, not only do cars themselves contribute to pollution and climate change when they drive around burning fossil fuels, but the manufacturing of cars is also extremely environmentally damaging. As fewer people buy cars because they’re using a ridesharing app to get to work, fewer cars will need to be made. 

    • Second, with more people sharing rides, there will simply be fewer cars on the roads. This is great for the environment because of the outright reduction in the number of cars people own, and also because drive-times will be shorter due to less traffic. That’s a huge win for noise pollution, city pollution, and the carbon footprint that commuters are responsible for. 

    3. Self-driving cars

    This one seems far out there, but Uber self-driving cars are already being tested in cities across the US. Soon, driving yourself around may be a thing of the past, as autonomous vehicles dominate the market due to their superior safety and efficiency. While boosted safety features are usually touted as the benefit of autonomous cars, one huge benefit is actually the fact that they will be eco-friendlier than the current human-driven cars. Why?

    • First, because self-driving cars will be able to better regulate their own fuel or electricity usage. You waste a lot of gas driving at sub-optimal speeds, speeding up and slowing down, and making evasive maneuvers on the road. By optimizing all these systems, self-driving cars stand to be much more fuel efficient.

    • Second, self-driving cars won’t get in accidents as often and won’t slow down just because there are many other cars on the road. With all the cars operating in perfect sync, self-driving cars won’t often burn gas sitting in stand-still traffic. That’s a huge eco-plus.

    There’s a lot to look forward to in the near future, with these cutting-edge features that are sure to make cars much friendlier to the planet!

    Posted in Transport on November 22, 2019
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    NCV Concept Car Made of Cellulose Nanofiber Cuts Vehicle Weight by 10%+

    A consortium consisting of industrial, academic and governmental institutions in Japan completed the NCV Concept Car, a concept car made of cellulose nanofiber, in the NCV (Nanocellulose Vehicle) Project of Japan’s Ministry of the Environment (MOE). The consortium, which consists of 22 institutions including Kyoto University, used as many CNF-based parts as possible and realized a weight reduction of higher than 10%. CNF is a plant-derived material.

    The consortium developed a sports car equipped with gull-wing doors, which open upwards. CNF and resin materials using CNF as a reinforcing material (CNF-reinforced resins) were applied not only to interior parts but also to outer panels, which require a higher strength, higher rigidity and higher appearance quality.

    For the concept car, CNF was proactively applied to large-size outer panels, and a high weight reduction effect was realized. The front hood is made only of CNF and does not contain even CNF-reinforced resin.

    For the transparent roof and back window, resin glazing using CNF-added polycarbonate (PC) was used. When CNF is added, the strength and rigidity of PC increase, enabling to reduce thickness and, thus, cut weight. CNF with a small diameter transmits light and does not reduce transparency. This characteristic was utilized for the transparent roof and back window.

    The outer panels of the gull-wing doors were made of CNF-reinforced polypropylene (PP). The NCV Concept Car is not a mock-up, as it can travel at a speed of 20km/h (approx 12.4mph). The consortium plans to further increase the maximum speed in the future.

    Posted in Transport on November 5, 2019
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    Most Eco-Friendly Luxury Car Choices for Your Rental

    Throughout the years, there have been increasing concerns about protecting the environment. Emissions from cars have been found to have adverse environmental effects including climate changes. This was the main motivations towards the creation of the eco-friendly cars. These cars minimize emissions while saving fuel at the same time.

    At first, most of the eco-friendly cars were not luxury brands. Eco-friendly cars were thought of as cars with anything but luxury. Consumers started demanding classy, hybrid, luxurious, and high-performing vehicles. Luxury auto companies have now created eco-friendly luxury cars. You can now find great-looking, fuel-efficient, and high-performing sports cars on the market.

    Luxury car rental businesses have not been left behind, either. They have also acquired eco-friendly cars that have the same power and prestige of any luxury car brand. If you are planning to rent a luxury car, you can consider an eco-friendly one. Below we have compiled a list of the most eco-friendly luxury cars.

    2018 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid

    Currently, every automobile company is racing towards producing eco-friendly vehicles. The luxury car companies have not been left behind, either. They are all working towards producing high-performing luxurious electric cars. The 2018 Porsche Cayenne e-hybrid is a very good example.

    This car is a hybrid but it is still the most powerful of all the Porsche Cayenne cars. The car comes in various colors and has a five-passenger capacity. The 2018 Porsche Cayenne is an SUV, but its performance can be likened to that of a sports car. With cutting-edge assistance systems and great comfort for the occupants, there is no better eco-friendly luxury car than this.

    If you want to rent an eco-friendly luxury car, then you can opt for this beast. You can hire luxury cars at https://milanirentals.com.

    Acura NSX

    This is one of the newest NSX models by Acura. The car is ranked as one of the best luxurious sports cars, and guess what, it is eco-friendly. Experts have given it a rating of 8.6/10 based its performance and features. The car has an excellent ability to negotiate corners and has strong accelerations that beats similar cars on the market.

    Additionally, the Acura NSX contains a multi-angle rear view camera, heated seats, and perhaps the best feature is the Alcantara-trimmed upholstery and perforated leather. The seats offer great comfort and support and the driving conditions are as comfortable as ever.

    2018 Volvo XC60 T8 Plug-In Hybrid

    The Volvo XC60’s luxurious look and sport appeal makes many people wish to own or even just ride in this car. Volvo redesigned this luxury SUV to improve its performance and comfort and now it ranks as one of the top eco-friendly luxury automobiles.

    The car is a plug-in hybrid powered by twin engine powertrains. Just like the Porsche Cayenne, the car is very spacious with a 5-passenger capacity. Just like the other Volvo XC60 models, the car has a high-gloss black finish, a longer hood, and the distinctive momentum grille, giving it a luxurious appeal.

    There has been a huge rise in the number of eco-friendly cars on the global car market. This can be attributed to the need for conserving the environment. After the first powerful luxury eco-friendly cars were created, there was an increase in the demand. The previous myth that eco-friendly cars do not have elegance or a strong performance has now been refuted.

    Posted in Transport on August 24, 2019
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    Yamaha to Launch EC-05 Electric Scooter in Taiwan on August 1

    Yamaha Motor today announced that it will launch the EC-05 electric scooter in Taiwan on August 1, 2019. In September 2018, Yamaha Motor began a study with Gogoro Inc., working towards collaboration in the EV business in the Taiwan market. The EC-05 electric scooter has been developed as a result of that collaboration. Designed by Yamaha Motor based on the platform of a Gogoro production vehicle, the EC-05 will be sold under the Yamaha brand through the sales channels of local subsidiary Yamaha Motor Taiwan.

    The EC-05 will be able to use the more than 1,200 GoStation battery-swapping stations installed in Taiwan by Gogoro Energy Network. Production of the EC-05 will be undertaken by Gogoro.

    Yamaha aims to reduce CO2 emissions from their products by 50% by 2050 compared to 2010 levels, and are promoting the manufacture and sale of compact electrically-powered products as one method of addressing this issue. The EC-05 represents the first launch under the electric product strategy in this Medium-Term Management Plan period, with more releases to come Yamaha Motor. The EC-05 will be launched in Taiwan on August 1st for approximately $3,220. The EC-05 is the fifth electric motorcycle launched by Yamaha Motor, after the Passol in 2002, the EC-02 in 2005, the EC-03 in 2010, and the E-Vino in 2014.

    Posted in Transport on June 28, 2019
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    Honda’s first fuel cell car, Clarity, goes on sale

    honda-car
    There was much talk when we first heard about Honda’s very first fuel cell car last year. The car, with its promise of a cleaner, greener future has already made in-roads to customer segments. It has gone up for sale in select markets across Japan. The hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicle has impressed many with the technology in the drive. Over the years it has been enhanced to meet the demands of the millennial and can now drive to a range of 460 miles on a single tank of 70MPa compressed hydrogen. The early challenge that the car’s owners may face is the fact that there are very few hydrogen fuelling stations. This shouldn’t be a deterrent though. Electric cars once faced the same problem but the number of electric charging points have gone up significantly in the last couple of years.

    Posted in Transport on May 16, 2018
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    Are new models greener? How to make your car more eco-friendly

    car-driving-on-nature-road
    We all know that cars aren’t exactly kind to the environment, which is why it’s normally the first place we look to change when we’re trying to make our lifestyle a little bit greener.

    For most of us, the answer to more environmentally friendly travel seems easy –swap your old petrol-guzzler for a sleek hybrid model.
    Your instincts tell you to go for a Prius, the ones all the celebs in LA drive. It’s bound to be greener than a bog-standard Vauxhall Corsa, right?
    New isn’t always greener

    Posted in Transport on March 22, 2017
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    Thousands of taxis to be replaced by electric cars – Beijing’s attempt at combating rising pollution levels

    taxis to be replaced by electric cars
    Another one of Beijing’s commendable attempts at tackling its persistent pollution problem – Approximately 70,000 petrol-fuelled taxis in China’s capital to be slowly replaced with electric vehicles. Also, new taxis on roads must be electric, say reports.

    Posted in Transport on February 28, 2017
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