Category Archives: Transport
Italian electric Pininfarina Bluecar has become the first car in the world to have an iPhone as a remote control. The iPhone can be used to check up on the battery charge remotely or ‘pre-heat the car’s electric drive system’ before getting in. The LMP battery can store five times more energy than a traditional battery weight for weight and can be recharged in a matter of hours. A full charge will take 6 hours from a standard power socket but there’s also a fast charge which will offer 25 km of travel after a 5 mins charge. This car can travel 155 miles on a charge and has a top speed of 80 mph. The battery is combined with an array of super-capacitors for greater power for acceleration, a longer range due to recycling of braking energy and a longer lifespan for the battery because of the smoothing out of sudden power drains.
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When Ikea quotes ‘affordable solutions for better living’, it actually means it for almost every product on their shelves. Be it a home improvement products or an automobile, the company sticks to its motto of rendering affordable yet stylish and functional products. If you are re-reading the last sentence to understand whether the mention of automobile was an error, then hold on as it could be absolutely real. I trust the rumor mills with the latest buzz about IKEA’s new environmentally friendly car called the LEKO. Since there is no official information about IKEA’s green vehicle, here is what Jalopnik reports – Designed by Christophe Grozs, the car is a modular design which can operate as a coupe or as a convertible, and has the full backing of the World Wildlife Fund France. Wait and watch is all I can suggest at this moment, as it is intended to be unveiled on April 1st. I sincerely hope that this isn’t some cruel fool’s day joke.
[Autoblog]
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In an attempt to boost up social interaction as well as reduce the pollution on roads, designer David Raffai has conceived the BMW Snug. Since the current pace of life is deterring us from bonding with family and community, such a product is specially designed for people who realize personal relationships and are different from others in their feelings and opinions. Prepared in accordance with the BMW group, this project has been highly appreciated by the company itself. This four seater roomy vehicle has been distinctively designed to exhibit changeable graphics on the sides. That’s a fresh change from the standard, cold metallic shades. Apart from being able to transport four people to their destination and in turn reducing carbon footprint, the greenest feature about the BMW Snug is that it is powered by a fuel cell. A green, spacious BMW that snuggly fits all its commuters!
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If you make solar bikes, you should also have solar bike parking lots right? That’s what Sanyo thought by introducing it’s first Solar Parking lot for electric bike where you can recharge your bike without need to use any conventional power supplies. You park your bike, remove your battery, place it on the charging bay and you are ready to go. This is 100% independent of any power sources and can be built anywhere.
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As more and more car manufacturers are turning towards the alternative source of solar power, carmakers are racing to produce better ones and more efficient ones. Sweden’s Koenigsegg has designed their electric solar sports car NLV Quant in Geneva. It can go from 0 to 62 mph in just 5.2 seconds with 512hp. It also only takes 20 minutes to fully charge but not completely by solar power. Koenigsegg is also known to be the first of its kind to introduce solar panels on its cars. no price or launch date has been given as of now but one to look forward to.
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Something so beautiful and yet so humble… is what the Porsche car is. Recently Porsche Cars North America (PCNA) and Ontario, California Mayor Paul S. Leon along with representatives from HelioPower and Sharp Solar Energy Solutions Group unveiled an 80 kW urban solar power array at the Porsche Logistics, LLC facility, the first solar power system deployed at any of its U.S. locations. The solar power system was designed and installed by HelioPower at 5100 E. Ontario Mills Parkway will use 372 solar modules from Sharp and will produce 135,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) of renewable electricity per year. This project will help avoid emission of more than 50,000 pounds of carbon dioxide annually.
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As the new president was sworn into an office that had to deal with one of the worst global recessions since the great depression, motor companies are coming up with cheaper and fuel-efficient alternatives. President Obama has said that he is making available $2.4 million for the development of electric cars. Tesla Motors will soon launch a five-seat, zero-emission sedan Model S prototype with lithium–ion battery at its studio in Hawthorne. It will have a range of 225 miles per charge and the car makers say the new model is set to be ‘the world’s first mass-produced, highway-capable electric vehicle’.
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US President Barack Obama is boosting his green image by unveiling a 2.4 billion dollar boost for electric vehicle development. In an attempt to catch up with other greener nations, Obama also vows to improve economy by focusing on this green race of being the world leader on renewable energy. This grant will be used to develop next generation plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, advanced battery components and create tens of thousands of US jobs. All this will also liberate America, to a certain extent, from its dependence on foreign oil. The President also visualizes a million of the environmentally friendly vehicles on US roads by 2015. The plan would also give a 7,500 dollar tax credit to people who buy plug-in hybrid vehicles. Comparing his country with green leaders like Germany, Spain and Japan, Obama has his plans chalked out to lead ahead. He has rightly said, “The nation that leads on energy will be the nation that leads the world in the 21st century.”
[Physorg]
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Scooters are so much better than big cars, especially if you are single or really young. It’s fun to ride and very convenient during huge lines of traffic jams. Engineer and designer Tiam Chiem has invented the Movito. It is a 2-modular design consisting of an upper scooter chassis and a base which provides the drive via an in-wheel electric motor and hub-less front wheel. The design allows a range of possible morphs, including multiple bodies to be connected to the base or two bases to be connected in parallel to form a two-seater. The more attractive feature is that the scooter weighs very little (6kgs) and also boasts a dynamic shape. The scooter’s in-wheel motor is developed by CSIRO Australia, which is currently utilized in solar powered racing cars, boasts 98% efficiency. It is charged by li-ion batteries stored in the central body.
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Lightning Hybrids has come up with a design of a 90hp bio diesel fueled vehicle that they claim ‘will break the 100MPG barrier for a production sedan’. This hydraulic hybrid prototype will feature a 150 HP hydraulic motor/pump and accumulator system, a carbon fiber chassis and will be able to go form 0 to 60 in 5.9 seconds. The makers are hoping that this design will make them achieve the $10 million automotive x-prize. Team leader of Lightning Hybrids is reported to have said that ‘it is a unique and patent-pending bio diesel hydraulic hybrid vehicle which emphasizes thermodynamic and hydraulic system efficiencies, lightweight mechanical and composite structures, and clean sports car styling.
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