Recently, in a press conference convened by the Chemical Research Society of India, revealed the dream of Tata Group Chairman Ratan Tata.
Ratan Tata's dream is to see cars fueled by only water, simply water which may be toilet water, sea water or drinking water. In order to make it happen soon, he has invested USD 15 million in a start-up firm supporting research in the field, carried out by an eminent scientist from Massechusetts Institute of Technology in the US.
The scientist, friend of Prof C N R Rao who is chairman of the Scientific Advisory Council to the Prime Minister said that he(scientist) has found a way to split water directly into hydrogen and oxygen.
- PTI Inputs
Showing posts with label green car. Show all posts
Showing posts with label green car. Show all posts
Monday, January 3, 2011
Ratan Tata invests $15 million in a research facility, aimed to power car by simple water.
Recently, in a press conference convened by the Chemical Research Society of India, revealed the dream of Tata Group Chairman Ratan Tata.
Ratan Tata's dream is to see cars fueled by only water, simply water which may be toilet water, sea water or drinking water. In order to make it happen soon, he has invested USD 15 million in a start-up firm supporting research in the field, carried out by an eminent scientist from Massechusetts Institute of Technology in the US.
The scientist, friend of Prof C N R Rao who is chairman of the Scientific Advisory Council to the Prime Minister said that he(scientist) has found a way to split water directly into hydrogen and oxygen.
- PTI Inputs
Ratan Tata's dream is to see cars fueled by only water, simply water which may be toilet water, sea water or drinking water. In order to make it happen soon, he has invested USD 15 million in a start-up firm supporting research in the field, carried out by an eminent scientist from Massechusetts Institute of Technology in the US.
The scientist, friend of Prof C N R Rao who is chairman of the Scientific Advisory Council to the Prime Minister said that he(scientist) has found a way to split water directly into hydrogen and oxygen.
- PTI Inputs
Sunday, December 5, 2010
17 year school kid from Sikkim designs car based on Electromagnetic induction magnetism (EMIM)
A class XI, seventeen-year-old, Deepak Gupta, a science department student of Jawaharlal Navodya Vidhlaya at Rabong in South Sikkim has come up with eco-friendly vehicle design which works on the principle of electromagnetic induction magnetism (EMIM).
He said that the design has one system in the gear. "By pressing the buttons of the vehicle, one can increase or decrease the speed of the vehicle. With the help of the batteries, we start the dynamo which shall charge the electromagnetic induction motor which gives energy to the vehicle," he said to PTI.
With assistance from his physics teacher, Gupta is now preparing to show case his designs at the driving technology competitions to be held in Brazil, USA, China.
- PTI Inputs
He said that the design has one system in the gear. "By pressing the buttons of the vehicle, one can increase or decrease the speed of the vehicle. With the help of the batteries, we start the dynamo which shall charge the electromagnetic induction motor which gives energy to the vehicle," he said to PTI.
With assistance from his physics teacher, Gupta is now preparing to show case his designs at the driving technology competitions to be held in Brazil, USA, China.
- PTI Inputs
17 year school kid from Sikkim designs car based on Electromagnetic induction magnetism (EMIM)
A class XI, seventeen-year-old, Deepak Gupta, a science department student of Jawaharlal Navodya Vidhlaya at Rabong in South Sikkim has come up with eco-friendly vehicle design which works on the principle of electromagnetic induction magnetism (EMIM).
He said that the design has one system in the gear. "By pressing the buttons of the vehicle, one can increase or decrease the speed of the vehicle. With the help of the batteries, we start the dynamo which shall charge the electromagnetic induction motor which gives energy to the vehicle," he said to PTI.
With assistance from his physics teacher, Gupta is now preparing to show case his designs at the driving technology competitions to be held in Brazil, USA, China.
- PTI Inputs
He said that the design has one system in the gear. "By pressing the buttons of the vehicle, one can increase or decrease the speed of the vehicle. With the help of the batteries, we start the dynamo which shall charge the electromagnetic induction motor which gives energy to the vehicle," he said to PTI.
With assistance from his physics teacher, Gupta is now preparing to show case his designs at the driving technology competitions to be held in Brazil, USA, China.
- PTI Inputs
Saturday, November 20, 2010
US President Obama impressed by GM's hybrid Plug-in Opel Ampera.
Taking break from Nato meeting in Lisbon, Portugal, President Barack Obama checked out an Opel Ampera plug-in electric hybrid being buit at Detroit-Hamtramck plant.
He said the Ampera "is another example of GM technology that is going to have great appeal here in Europe," according to a White House pool report. "Our hope is we're going to market this all through Europe," he said.
He touted the car's quiet sound and called it the "future."
'This is a nice looking car," Obama said. He sat in the passenger seat for about three minutes and said "Fire it up" to the man in the driver's seat.
The Ampera is a five-door, four-seat will offer different trim levels from market to market.
(Photo: Pablo Martinez Monsivais / Associated Press)
Src: [The Detroit News]
India's Environment Minister thinks that Driving heavy, luxury personal vehicle should be liable for criminal offense in India.
With the increase in the SUV and luxury car from Europe which doesn't have any fuel efficiency sense is worrying India's Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh.
Use of Sports Utility Vehicles in countries like India is 'criminal', Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh said and pitched the need for evolving an effective fuel policy regime to discourage the use of such vehicles that emit more carbons.
"The luxurious growth of large-size vehicles like SUVs is really a growth of concern... use of vehicles like SUVs and BMWs in countries like India is criminal," Ramesh said at a UN function here.
"I think, we seriously need to think about fuel policy regime," he said.
The Minister said there should be a reformed diesel policy as the real beneficiaries of the diesel subsidy are the owners of the 'BMWs, the Benzs and Hondas' and not farmers.
Ramesh said the transport sector contribute 7.5 per cent of the greenhouse gas emissions in the country and this is expected to be 15 per cent in the next 15 to 20 years.
"We are worried and we are looking at how to control these emissions from transport sector. For this to happen, there should be mandatory fuel efficiency standards," he said.
The minister added that a national transport policy committee has been constituted and the committee will give its recommendations in next 12 to 15 months.
- PTI Inputs
Use of Sports Utility Vehicles in countries like India is 'criminal', Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh said and pitched the need for evolving an effective fuel policy regime to discourage the use of such vehicles that emit more carbons.
"The luxurious growth of large-size vehicles like SUVs is really a growth of concern... use of vehicles like SUVs and BMWs in countries like India is criminal," Ramesh said at a UN function here.
"I think, we seriously need to think about fuel policy regime," he said.
The Minister said there should be a reformed diesel policy as the real beneficiaries of the diesel subsidy are the owners of the 'BMWs, the Benzs and Hondas' and not farmers.
Ramesh said the transport sector contribute 7.5 per cent of the greenhouse gas emissions in the country and this is expected to be 15 per cent in the next 15 to 20 years.
"We are worried and we are looking at how to control these emissions from transport sector. For this to happen, there should be mandatory fuel efficiency standards," he said.
The minister added that a national transport policy committee has been constituted and the committee will give its recommendations in next 12 to 15 months.
- PTI Inputs
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
New new auto fuel economy, emissions rules to be proposed by U.S Govt
(Reuters) -- The Obama administration this week will propose new fuel efficiency and emissions requirements for cars and light trucks for model years 2017 and beyond.
The plan, a centerpiece of President Barack Obama's energy agenda geared toward reducing oil imports, is under review by the White House budget office. It is due on Thursday, but could be released sooner.
Leading environmental groups have called on the administration to set a target of 60 miles per gallon by 2025, but officials have said that is unlikely.
Environmental and auto industry experts close to the process believe transportation and environmental regulators will propose a yearly average increase ranging from 3 percent to 6 percent. The 60 mpg figure would require a roughly 6 percent annual improvement.
The administration is expected to take pains not to be prescriptive, but will spell out its aims for more aggressive gains than industry is accustomed to achieving.
Oil depedence
U.S. passenger vehicles emit about 20 percent of the nation's carbon emissions and consume about 44 percent of its oil, figures show.
Environmental groups and scientists want the United States to cut oil dependence nearly 50 billion gallons annually and carbon pollution more than 500 metric tons per year by 2030.
Standards imposed last year require automakers to achieve 35.5 mpg by 2016, up 42 percent from current levels.
The Consumer Federation of America, along with leading environmental and scientific groups, wrote President Obama last week urging his administration to raise vehicle fuel efficiency requirements to 60 mpg by 2025.
60 mpg
If the 60 mpg standard were in place now, U.S. gasoline consumption would fall by roughly half to 4.5 million barrels a day this year, or 1.6 billion barrels annually, according to CFA Director of Research Mark Cooper. One barrel holds 42 gallons.
Cooper also said other countries would benefit from a higher U.S. vehicle fuel standard, as America's gasoline consumption accounts for 10 percent of global petroleum demand.
"Gasoline policy is a huge important part not only of U.S. energy policy, but of global energy policy," Cooper said.
Europe and Japan lead the world in auto fuel and emissions efficiency while the U.S. fleet, which has made some strides in recent years, still trails much of the industrialized world.
Brendan Bell, a lobbyist with the Union of Concerned Scientists, acknowledged 60 mpg was aggressive. But he said the 2017 target gives automakers plenty of time to assess the initial impact of electric models and make other adjustments.
"They have a ton of time to plan it out and develop technology," Bell said.
The rulemaking will undergo an intense period of public comment and is not expected to be finalized for some time. Rules must be in place at least 18 months before the start of a model year.
Getting greener
The Democratic-led Congress has required the U.S. fleet sharply improve efficiency, but industry would likely look to Republican majorities in the House or Senate, or both, beginning next year to slow administration efficiency goals deemed onerous.
Automotive experts and scientists say efficiency goals in coming years can be achieved with lighter vehicle construction, cleaner burning gasoline engines and better performing transmission systems.
Major automakers know they will have to do more, but they want a scale that does not dramatically hike vehicle production costs or a mandate that commits them to a specific approach.
"What we're hoping for is that the regulation recognizes some of the uncertainty that still exists and allows flexibility to implement new technologies," said Charles Territo, a spokesman for the chief manufacturing trade group, the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers.
Many cars, particularly those made by Japanese companies, like Toyota Motor Corp and Honda Motor Co, already meet or exceed the U.S. 2016 standard although Korean-made models, such as those produced by Hyundai Motor are fast closing the gap.
A big unknown going forward is whether the public will embrace electric vehicles, which will receive a "0" emissions rating from the government during their introduction to the market. The most fuel efficient vehicles on the road today, gasoline-electric hybrids, represent only a fraction of retail sales.
General Motors Co, which is government-owned, has placed large bets on electric cars. Its Chevy Volt is due out later this year. Nissan Motor Co is also moving ahead with its electric Leaf. European automakers, like Volkswagen AG, are rolling out more efficient vehicles, like the 2011 Jetta, with changes to conventional technology.
The plan, a centerpiece of President Barack Obama's energy agenda geared toward reducing oil imports, is under review by the White House budget office. It is due on Thursday, but could be released sooner.
Leading environmental groups have called on the administration to set a target of 60 miles per gallon by 2025, but officials have said that is unlikely.
Environmental and auto industry experts close to the process believe transportation and environmental regulators will propose a yearly average increase ranging from 3 percent to 6 percent. The 60 mpg figure would require a roughly 6 percent annual improvement.
The administration is expected to take pains not to be prescriptive, but will spell out its aims for more aggressive gains than industry is accustomed to achieving.
Oil depedence
U.S. passenger vehicles emit about 20 percent of the nation's carbon emissions and consume about 44 percent of its oil, figures show.
Environmental groups and scientists want the United States to cut oil dependence nearly 50 billion gallons annually and carbon pollution more than 500 metric tons per year by 2030.
Standards imposed last year require automakers to achieve 35.5 mpg by 2016, up 42 percent from current levels.
The Consumer Federation of America, along with leading environmental and scientific groups, wrote President Obama last week urging his administration to raise vehicle fuel efficiency requirements to 60 mpg by 2025.
60 mpg
If the 60 mpg standard were in place now, U.S. gasoline consumption would fall by roughly half to 4.5 million barrels a day this year, or 1.6 billion barrels annually, according to CFA Director of Research Mark Cooper. One barrel holds 42 gallons.
Cooper also said other countries would benefit from a higher U.S. vehicle fuel standard, as America's gasoline consumption accounts for 10 percent of global petroleum demand.
"Gasoline policy is a huge important part not only of U.S. energy policy, but of global energy policy," Cooper said.
Europe and Japan lead the world in auto fuel and emissions efficiency while the U.S. fleet, which has made some strides in recent years, still trails much of the industrialized world.
Brendan Bell, a lobbyist with the Union of Concerned Scientists, acknowledged 60 mpg was aggressive. But he said the 2017 target gives automakers plenty of time to assess the initial impact of electric models and make other adjustments.
"They have a ton of time to plan it out and develop technology," Bell said.
The rulemaking will undergo an intense period of public comment and is not expected to be finalized for some time. Rules must be in place at least 18 months before the start of a model year.
Getting greener
The Democratic-led Congress has required the U.S. fleet sharply improve efficiency, but industry would likely look to Republican majorities in the House or Senate, or both, beginning next year to slow administration efficiency goals deemed onerous.
Automotive experts and scientists say efficiency goals in coming years can be achieved with lighter vehicle construction, cleaner burning gasoline engines and better performing transmission systems.
Major automakers know they will have to do more, but they want a scale that does not dramatically hike vehicle production costs or a mandate that commits them to a specific approach.
"What we're hoping for is that the regulation recognizes some of the uncertainty that still exists and allows flexibility to implement new technologies," said Charles Territo, a spokesman for the chief manufacturing trade group, the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers.
Many cars, particularly those made by Japanese companies, like Toyota Motor Corp and Honda Motor Co, already meet or exceed the U.S. 2016 standard although Korean-made models, such as those produced by Hyundai Motor are fast closing the gap.
A big unknown going forward is whether the public will embrace electric vehicles, which will receive a "0" emissions rating from the government during their introduction to the market. The most fuel efficient vehicles on the road today, gasoline-electric hybrids, represent only a fraction of retail sales.
General Motors Co, which is government-owned, has placed large bets on electric cars. Its Chevy Volt is due out later this year. Nissan Motor Co is also moving ahead with its electric Leaf. European automakers, like Volkswagen AG, are rolling out more efficient vehicles, like the 2011 Jetta, with changes to conventional technology.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Scandinavian EV maker, Think promotes Eco Tourism in Swiss Alps
In a bid to make Tourism Eco friendly, Scandinavian EV maker, Think today announced it has teamed up with its Swiss distribution partner, M-Way, to bring a fleet of 60 Think City cars to eco-tourists.
For about $57, or 60 Swiss francs, a day, tourists will be able to rent a Think City car through Alpmobil. Unfortunately the Web site is only available in German, but it can be easily translated by using Google's translation tool.
"This trial program fits perfectly with Alpmobil's philosophy, and we are proud to have made a start and to show both the public and other resorts in sensitive regions that driving ecologically and without noise pollution is possible, affordable and fun," said Dionys Hallenbarter from Alpmobil.
"Sustainability in business is at the heart of Migros' ethos, and M-Way is our means of delivering the transportation element of this plan," said Daniel Hofer, Migrol CEO and project head at M-Way. "Through projects like this with Alpmobil we are leading the way in delivering clever but simple solutions and bringing them into the mainstream. This initiative is a perfect example of this, and as the EVs are powered by locally sourced renewable electricity, the offer boasts 100 percent carbon-free transportation to explore the beautiful and unspoilt valleys, mountains and pass roads in the region of Goms and Haslital."
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Volkswagen Beetle powered by Human Waste
(Autocar) A VW Beetle, dubbed the “Bio-Bug”, has been converted to run on methane gas produced by human excrement.
The prototype was created by GENeco, a Bristol firm specialising in sustainability and organic waste.
See pictures of the GENeco Bio-Bug and how the process works
The car can travel for 10,000 miles – one average motoring year – using an amount of excrement equivalent to that produced by 70 homes over a one year period. Its economy is 5.3 miles per cubic metre of biogas and it can reach a top speed of 114 mph.
The car is started with regular petrol, then automatically switches to methane once the engine has warmed up. Mohammed Sadiq of GENeco said: "If you were to drive the car you wouldn’t know it was powered by biogas as it performs just like any conventional car."
The gas used for the Bio-Bug came from the Wessex Water plant in Avonmouth and is generated through anaerobic digestion, which uses bacteria to process organic matter.
Before the gas can be used to power the car, the CO2 is removed to improve performance.
The prototype was created by GENeco, a Bristol firm specialising in sustainability and organic waste.
See pictures of the GENeco Bio-Bug and how the process works
The car can travel for 10,000 miles – one average motoring year – using an amount of excrement equivalent to that produced by 70 homes over a one year period. Its economy is 5.3 miles per cubic metre of biogas and it can reach a top speed of 114 mph.
The car is started with regular petrol, then automatically switches to methane once the engine has warmed up. Mohammed Sadiq of GENeco said: "If you were to drive the car you wouldn’t know it was powered by biogas as it performs just like any conventional car."
The gas used for the Bio-Bug came from the Wessex Water plant in Avonmouth and is generated through anaerobic digestion, which uses bacteria to process organic matter.
Before the gas can be used to power the car, the CO2 is removed to improve performance.
Saturday, July 24, 2010
GM going green with eco refrigerant for selected 2013 models.
GM is planning to keep drivers and passengers of 2013 Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, and Cadillac cars cool with a sustainable air-conditioning refrigerant that lingers in the atmosphere for only days instead of years.
Honeywell has designed a new refrigerant, (HFO-1234yf), that lingers in the atmosphere for just 11 days and has a global warming potential (GWP) of only 4, a 99.7 percent improvement over current emissions.
On average, the refrigerant used in current GM models, R-134a, has an atmospheric life of more than 13 years and a GWP of more than 1,400.
"GM's decision to adopt this new refrigerant is additional proof of our commitment to be on the forefront of green technologies that will keep our planet healthy for our children and grand-children," said Mike Robinson, GM vice president of Environment, Energy and Safety Policy. "It's not just about meeting regulatory requirements; it's about environmental leadership, and GM plans to lead in developing new technologies that will take the vehicle out of the environmental debate."
The refrigerant will meet new U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulation requirements, which call for improved greenhouse gas and fuel economy in passenger cars and light-duty trucks by 2016.
"We're pleased that GM is taking the lead in choosing HFO-1234yf, a refrigerant that has a lower impact on global warming," said Terrence Hahn, vice president and general manager for Honeywell Fluorine Products. "This is another example of how Honeywell is developing innovative new environmental and energy-efficient solutions to meet our customers' current and future needs."
Src: Cartech-Cnet
Honeywell has designed a new refrigerant, (HFO-1234yf), that lingers in the atmosphere for just 11 days and has a global warming potential (GWP) of only 4, a 99.7 percent improvement over current emissions.
On average, the refrigerant used in current GM models, R-134a, has an atmospheric life of more than 13 years and a GWP of more than 1,400.
"GM's decision to adopt this new refrigerant is additional proof of our commitment to be on the forefront of green technologies that will keep our planet healthy for our children and grand-children," said Mike Robinson, GM vice president of Environment, Energy and Safety Policy. "It's not just about meeting regulatory requirements; it's about environmental leadership, and GM plans to lead in developing new technologies that will take the vehicle out of the environmental debate."
The refrigerant will meet new U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulation requirements, which call for improved greenhouse gas and fuel economy in passenger cars and light-duty trucks by 2016.
"We're pleased that GM is taking the lead in choosing HFO-1234yf, a refrigerant that has a lower impact on global warming," said Terrence Hahn, vice president and general manager for Honeywell Fluorine Products. "This is another example of how Honeywell is developing innovative new environmental and energy-efficient solutions to meet our customers' current and future needs."
Src: Cartech-Cnet
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
According to the propsed bill, half of the US vehicles must be electrified by 2030
With the New Legislation approved by the Senate Committee on Wednesday, which says that most of the vehicles must be running on clean source of energy, either it should be Zero Emission or with very few emission. This bill aims to reduce US dependence on oil and cut green house gasses drastically as we know that the common means of transport in US is by Car.
The legislation, passed 19-4 in favor, was one of several bills cleared by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee that might be folded into a broader energy and climate bill Democrats are struggling to bring to the Senate floor.
This bill will make the US to invest $3.9 Billion over the next 10 years in building infrastructure to charge electric cars, conduct research and provide incentives for consumers to buy plug-in vehicles.
"Passing this legislation will strengthen our national security and improve the air we breathe, while relying on our abundant and diverse electricity supply to fuel our cars," said Senator Byron Dorgan, the bill's chief sponsor.
A new bill that addresses climate change and renewable energy is a key priority for the Obama administration but time is running short on the congressional calendar with a scheduled August recess and congressional elections looming in November.
Senator Jeff Bingaman, who chairs the energy panel, said he was not sure if Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid would unveil his encompassing energy and climate legislation next week. The bill would be in trouble if the Senate does not pass it before the August break, according to Bingaman.
"It will be difficult to get a final bill to the president for signature," Bingaman told reporters. "The earlier that the full Senate would act the better position we'll be to actually get a bill to the president."
Reid said on Tuesday he was still grappling for consensus among Democrats to forge a new climate and energy bill.
- Returns Input
The legislation, passed 19-4 in favor, was one of several bills cleared by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee that might be folded into a broader energy and climate bill Democrats are struggling to bring to the Senate floor.
This bill will make the US to invest $3.9 Billion over the next 10 years in building infrastructure to charge electric cars, conduct research and provide incentives for consumers to buy plug-in vehicles.
"Passing this legislation will strengthen our national security and improve the air we breathe, while relying on our abundant and diverse electricity supply to fuel our cars," said Senator Byron Dorgan, the bill's chief sponsor.
A new bill that addresses climate change and renewable energy is a key priority for the Obama administration but time is running short on the congressional calendar with a scheduled August recess and congressional elections looming in November.
Senator Jeff Bingaman, who chairs the energy panel, said he was not sure if Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid would unveil his encompassing energy and climate legislation next week. The bill would be in trouble if the Senate does not pass it before the August break, according to Bingaman.
"It will be difficult to get a final bill to the president for signature," Bingaman told reporters. "The earlier that the full Senate would act the better position we'll be to actually get a bill to the president."
Reid said on Tuesday he was still grappling for consensus among Democrats to forge a new climate and energy bill.
- Returns Input
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