Can it be revived? Should it be revived?

With the high cost to not only the pocketbook in terms of gasoline prices but also to the environment in terms of pollution, the electric car seems to be a viable option. However, after a brief spurt of life in the mid 1990′s the electric car appears to have met an untimely death.

What will it take to bring the electric car to the masses and is there anything we can do to speed the process?

Watch this short informative video to get some answers.

Are you getting confused by all the terminology in the Green car categories?

Want to know the difference between a Hybrid and a Hydrogen Car? What does a “solar” car look like? What kind of “engine” does an electric car have?

Watch this short video for a refresher course in what makes a car “green”.

For most people the idea of an eco-friendly car brings up images of stripped down not very visually appealing vehicles, but the cool Tesla is changing all that with it’s sleek designs, quick acceleration and long range driving.

The hefty $92,000 price tag keeps it out of the economy class but is still within the reach of the well to do environmentally friendly crowd.

solar-power-car

A car totally powered by solar power is years away. It may never happen at all.

But a French car maker Venturi has already produced an all-electric solar hybrid, with roof-mounted solar panels that help power the electric engine.

Unfortunately, Venturi’s vehicle only has a range of around 30 miles and a top speed of 30mph. But of course, it’s a concept car – exploring the world which may be yet to come.

As things stand, solar power is nowhere near reaching the requisite power. An all-solar car would need an impractically large surface area completely covered in solar panels. Solar cells have hitherto been designed for stationary installations and positioned in areas like sloping roofs on buildings or in wide open flat or south-sloping areas for industrial applications etc.

So cars are a very different proposition. Nevertheless, there are already solar enhancements for cars. Some hybrid cars, including the Toyota Prius, already come with the option of a pre-installed solar roof panel.

Also, a Californian company has developed a recharging system for hybrid vehicles which runs completely on solar power. The system uses a solar panel fitted to the roof of the car as well as a supplementary battery pack. The sun’s energy charges both the supplementary battery and the hybrid’s own battery pack, thus allowing extended driving range when the car is in electric mode.

At the moment, hybrid cars remain the most practical option for the kinds of eco cars UK drivers are interested in. But it might change over time. Already, all-electric cars are becoming more realistic as service stations begin to install charging stations.

Also the rapid advances in motoring solar technology as exemplified by the bi-annual World Solar Challenge solar-powered car race from Darwin to Adelaide are a small flavour of what might be yet to come.

Related articles

• The Many Benefits Of Solar Energy (frommyexperience.com)
• Electric Car Wins the Grand Prix (gogogreencars.com)
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New York’s Fleet of Electric Taxis in 1897

Would you even consider that in 1987 car hire usa stateside could be green?

Petrol driven cars are seen as sexy and dangerous, depicted in films like the classic ‘Bullitt’ and the boy racer franchise ‘The Fast and the Furious 1,2,3,4 & 5’.

The funny thing is that electric vehicles actually predated their petrol headed cousins. After the decline of the horse and cart, the first electric cars were born to replace them and were popping up in Europe as far back as 1832. The very first electric cars were horribly crude, more like giant open boxes on wheels, but they began to build in popularity in Europe over the next few years and were seen as a main form of transportation for more affluent citizens. It wasn’t until the 1890’s that America jumped on the electrical band wagon and AL Ryker and William Morrison began to build their reputable models across America. However, the style of the cars still had that horse and cart feel to them.

Typical form of transport in the 1800’s

The style did not really stretch beyond boxy in 1970’s with the high sided square Zagato Zele electric cars.

Jumping forward to 2011, how much has the environmentally friendly hybrid and electric car changed? Well for one, the speeds have been much improved. The Tesla Roadster Sport can reach speeds of 102.89 mph in 12.643 seconds. The other worthy features are the use of the technology. Not only full electric cars powered by batteries but shared battery and fuel powered sources as well as hydrogen fuelled cars and a mix of the fuel cell and a lithium battery as used in Ford Airstreams.

But let’s get to what we want to talk about – how sexy are green cars in 2011? Well, there has always been a stab of sexy design and 100’s of concepts through the years. But this list shows you what is actually being created and the types of green vehicles out there.They won’t make a statement about how “right on you are or how much you care about the planet, but will instead make you look like a rich, vibrant in speed monster and…..sexy.

1. Telsa Roadster – £106,901

This electric roadster by Telsa has been talked about for the past year or so ever since the first photos of the car were released. Those more interested in the performance of a car of course would be impressed by its statistics; ie it has a carbon fibre frame, making the car much lighter and therefore requiring less power to reach those top speeds. It gets 0 to 60 mph in around 4 seconds and reaches a top speed of 125 mph.

 2. Venturi Fetish – $465,000

This beautiful car has the look of a concept car but it is actually moved from being a mere concept at the 2002 Geneva Motor Show to an on the road car. Top speed is less than the Telsa at 100 mph, the power is delivered by a lithium ion battery pack that gives 1 hour of charge and an extra 2 hours thanks to the on board charger.

3. Morgan – Concept begins testing 2012

Even if this is a concept, there is no denying that it is so beautiful and it is soon to be put into manufacture with electric engine technology company Zytek. The operations director of Morgan described it as “zero-emissions with near super car performance”. This is like something you’d expect a modern Sherlock Holmes driving – it’s slick, it’s got that typical classic Morgan look and it’s British.

3. Audi-E-Tron-Spyder – Audi still not releasing date or costs

Looking like something out of Judge Dredd this plug-in hybrid Audi is a force to be reckoned with. The back wheels are powered by a massive V6 diesel engine and the front by two electric motors producing 64kW. It is also said to hit speeds of 155 mph, making for a fast and hulking green machine.

5. Electric-Peugeot-ex1 –  release date 2015

This car has been described as having an evil Maserati-looking front grille. This full electric car is said to go from 0-60mph in 3.58 seconds, faster even than the Tesla if that’s true. The car is also said to reach a top speed of 160mph, has a 30kWh lithium-Ion battery and promises that the charge could get the driver 280 miles on one charge.

6. 918-spyder-hybrid – $845,000

For any die hard Porsche fans out there, this eco car will not let you down. The Spyder will go from 0-62mph in 3.2 seconds beating both the Tesla and Peugeot and it has a whopping top speed of 198mph. Add to this its 8 cylinder engine that delivers 500 horsepower and a lithium-ion battery powering all four wheels, this is an all wheel drive hybrid. The upside of this car is that it can be charged from a standard electricity socket.

7. GM Volt – $40,280

The GM Volt is a “range-extended” electric car and is scheduled for 2011. It should be able to drive 40 miles in all-electric mode before a gas engine kicks in to recharge the batteries. More information and photos about the Volt can be found here.

8. Lightning GT – £120,000

This is another British electric sports car in the mix. The Lighting GT with its carbon fibre body can go from 0-60 in less than 5 seconds. Yes, this is slower than some we have mentioned, but superb for an all electric car. It boasts that the car takes only 10 minutes to recharge so long as the charge is available. Pretty impressive.

9. Fisker Karma – $95,90

Much like the GM Volt, the Karma has an extended all-electric range of 50 miles, upon which the gas engine starts to recharge the batteries. It is described as a plug-in hybrid sports sedan and is beautifully designed with a solar roof that not only recharges the car but controls the cabin’s climate. It features a top speed of 125 mph and for those who are serious about its eco credentials the wood interiors are all salvaged timber.

10. Jaguar C-X75 – will go on sale 2013 –  £700,000 and £900,000

This one had to make an appearance. Most Brits are rather fond of the good old Jag and if anything can prove that green is sexy it’s the C-X75. The beautiful C-X75 has four electric motors – one on each wheel making the car a four-wheel drive. This power will propel the car from 0-60 in less than 3 seconds which means you’ll have saved the planet even before you’ve left to get your shopping. I thought I would add a few more up close and personal photos of the car that make you feel as if you have just been dipped into warm melted metal and chocolate all at once.

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Mitsubishi’s popular range of electric cars begins with the i-MiEV.

Getting Attention

Raising environmental awareness is the aim of government departments, utility companies and green campaigners alike. In the past we have been faced by harsh truths and catastrophic billboard images. While these drives are worthy, they serve to turn people off and repulse them. It is only in recent years that the use of comedy and wit has been used to draw attention in a more engaging way.

Atmospheric Air Pollution

In May 2003, Singapore Environment Council released a trio of adverts designed by Fallon Singapore to draw attention to pollution and air quality. They used a suffocated alien Grey, a crash-landed witch and a conked-out Cupid surprising members of the public.

“Alien”

“Cupid”

“Witch”

 Vehicle Emissions

The World Wildlife Fund has many comical, eye-catching green campaigns. The first one I’m featuring used a static display at Fudan University in Shanghai. In case you can’t read the writing on the smoky balloon it translates from Mandarin to: ‘Drive less and see how your carbon dioxide emissions can be reduced’.

Reducing Power and Resource Consumption

The South African power company, Eskom, utilized just one light bulb on this billboard to great, simple effect that not only gets your attention but also makes you smile. It’s a successful blend of message and advertising nous in action.

Water Conservation

Denver Water Company in Colorado, USA proclaims ‘Use Only What you Need’ and illustrates this with clever use of street furniture and billboards.

Animal Conservation

The World Wildlife Fund created this campaign to illustrate the plight of the bluefin tuna whose place on the ‘Threatened List’ has been raised to ‘Critically Endangered’ due to over-fishing. They aren’t cute, they aren’t cuddly and because they live in the ocean you don’t see them. So the campaign centered on emphasizing the differences in at-risk species and drawing our attention amusingly and poignantly to our own biases.

Guerilla Campaigning

If you get laughs from slapstick comedy and shows like ‘You’ve Been Framed’ then you would probably appreciate the German Friends of the Earth – BUND’s, surprise attacks on motorists. With Earth printed balloons these cheerful chaps would attach them to unsuspecting motorists’ car’s exhaust pipes and sit back as the gases would burst the balloons with ‘hilarious’ results. Let’s hope that they used biodegradable plastic.

Global Warming

WWF makes its final appearance in my article; this time with its ‘You can’t afford to be slow in an emergency’ and its great tagline: ‘Act Now to Save the Planet’. Using funny staged shots of emergency services taking their time to respond by either a bit of sales shopping, taking the time to photograph a beautiful sunset or pausing for a bit of roadside urination these high contrast images illustrate the need for immediate action.

Greenpeace also have a quirky twist on the impacts of global warming on our seasons. The strap line reads, “Winter. You’ll miss it when it’s gone”.

Public Transport

Acts of Green

April 22nd marked Earth Day 2011. This environmental movement recently celebrated its 100 millionth ‘Act of Green’. Their aim is now to reach their billionth act prior to the Rio+20 Earth Summit next year.

And finally…

Comical Green Campaigns don’t need to be explicitly from a lobby or pressure group. This selection of advertising posters was ostensibly to promote Diesel’s latest clothing range but with the tagline ‘Global Warming Ready’ and imagery of a world with massively raised sea levels it makes a witty comment on the way things are heading. Mount Rushmore’s presidents are trying to keep their heads above water and scarlet macaws on Venetian streets are more than thought provoking.

Guest blogger, Greg Coltman, has his eye on environmental issues and reduces his carbon footprint by walking (downstairs!) to work.

Your vehicle has at least one electric fan (older automobiles may have a belt-driven mechanical fan). Its job is to help keep the heat of your engine below a predefined temperature. Its location will vary by make and model. You may find it mounted on the back of your radiator (some radiators have two mounted on their back). You might also find a separate electric fan (EF) mounted near the A/C’s condenser.

Most drivers realize there is a fan somewhere under the hood because they can usually hear it when it turns on. However, few understand its job, or the role it plays in preventing your engine from overheating. This article will provide an overview of the electric fan, and details about its operation. We’ll also take a look at few reasons it can fail.

How The Electric Fan Works: An Overview

The EF may be inactive when you drive your car, and active even when your engine is off (you’ll understand the reason in a moment). It is only triggered when the temperature surrounding your engine rises past a certain point (typically, between 195 and 225 degrees Fahrenheit). This is the reason the fan remains dormant when you first turn your engine over; the assembly is “cold.” It also stays dormant when you’re traveling at high speeds since airflow is usually sufficient to keep the coolant’s temperature down.

There are a couple of ways the fan can be triggered. First, your engine is equipped with a sensor that monitors the temperature of the coolant flowing through the block. When this sensor notices the coolant has reached a certain temperature, it sends the information to your vehicle’s computer. The computer then triggers the fan.

Second, it may be activated by a temperature switch in your engine. This is often the case with older vehicles. This switch essentially performs the same job as the coolant sensor. When the coolant’s temperature passes a specific rating, the switch closes to allow an electrical current to trigger the fan.

A third way the EF is activated is by turning on the air conditioner. Whenever the A/C is turned on, the electric fan, too, is often triggered.

What Causes The Fan To Fail?

Despite the electric fan being a relatively simple part, there are several factors that can prevent it from performing its job. First, as you probably suspect, a malfunctioning coolant sensor will fail to alert your car’s computer regarding the coolant’s temperature. The computer in turn will fail to trigger the fan.

A failing temperature switch will have the same effect. If the switch fails to monitor the coolant’s temperature, or a wiring problem prevents it from closing, the fan will remain dormant. The EF may also fail to engage if the relay controlling it fails.

Lastly, the fan itself – or specifically, its motor – may fail. Of all the elements that can prevent the fan from doing its job, this is the only one that requires the part to be replaced.

Inspecting The Fan’s Operation

If the fan does not turn on when it should, crank your engine, and engage your vehicle’s air conditioner. Recall that turning on the A/C immediately causes the fan to activate. If the fan begins to run, its motor is fine. You can also assume the wiring is sound.

The challenge at this point is to identify whether the coolant sensor and temperature switch is working properly. To do this, disengage your air conditioner, and let your engine idle until it reaches 195 degrees Fahrenheit. If the fan fails to engage, it suggests the sensor or switch may be failing to monitor the coolant’s temperature. Unless you have significant experience working on your vehicle, testing these parts is a task best left to a trained mechanic.

The electric fan plays a key role in keeping your engine’s temperature under control. If you notice it failing to activate, have the problem fixed as soon as possible.

Every year we are seeing a new milestone happen in the quest to make our environment safer for our children. A new and exciting endeavour has been the electric car batteries and changing them out from regular cars. People haven’t been well educated with what this entails but as I was driving home from work yesterday, I passed a new building that was being erected. It was a battery swapping station. I got so excited with this information because I was seeing that the government was taking this new frontier seriously.  Can’t wait to start seeing these popping up coast to coast.

There is a war happening right now globally but not for what everyone thinks.

It is to be able to hone the lithium-ion production that is used in electric car batteries. Because electric cars are becoming more popular and the need for the efficient energy will be a financial gold mine for who ever perfects this technology the quickest. The President of the United States has pledged that there will be one million electric cars on the road in the states. Finding a company that can keep up with that amount of production will no doubt find the turning of a profit immediately.