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”.

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)
• The Energy of Natural Disasters (digitalbusstop.com)

Automotive engines that rely solely upon gasoline may one day be a memory, though that day is likely to be many years down the road. Hybrid-electric vehicles (HVs or HEVs) are more efficient and environmentally friendly than their fuel-driven counterparts. They are designed around a configuration that takes advantage of an internal combustion engine (ICE) and an electric motor (EC). In doing so, they yield better fuel efficiency, more power output, and by most owners’ accounts, a quieter ride.

Below, we’ll explore how HVs work. You’ll discover what occurs under the hood that allows these disparate parts to work together. We’ll approach it methodically, beginning with starting the car, cruising, and bringing it to a stop.

Starting And Delivering The Initial Power

With most HEVs, the internal combustion engine does most of work. It delivers the majority of the propulsion power while the electric motor functions as a supplemental source. The motor places resistance on the vehicle’s drivetrain, thereby slowing the wheels. That creates kinetic energy which, in turn, rotates the motor. As the EM rotates, it converts the kinetic energy into an electrical current and stores it in the battery. The electricity remains in the battery until it is required by the motor. This design is called regenerative braking.

When you turn the key in the ignition, the ICE comes to life. If necessary, the EM will retrieve electricity from the battery to provide a secondary power source.

Cruising Down The Road

While you’re driving, a computer is constantly monitoring the performance of your vehicle. Its purpose is to determine your driving conditions, your intent, and ultimately, when it is appropriate to engage the electric motor.

For example, suppose you’re cruising down the road at a normal speed. Because the driver in front of you is moving too slowly, you change lanes and push your accelerator pedal to gain speed. You are essentially placing your engine under a heavier load. The computer identifies your intent and engages the electric motor to deliver a boost of power.

When you begin to cruise along at a normal speed again, the computer switches the EM off in order to conserve energy. By doing this, your car is far more fuel-efficient than would be the case if it were relying solely upon a traditional gasoline engine.

Stopping And Idling

The regenerative braking design mentioned earlier works to slow your wheels and bring your hybrid to a stop. When your vehicle comes to a full stop, the computer switches the engine and the motor off in order to avoid wasting energy while idling. The auxiliary systems (i.e. stereo, power windows, air conditioner, etc.) continue to receive power from the battery.

When you press on the accelerator to resume driving, the computer engages the internal combustion engine to produce the initial propulsion power. It then continues to monitor your hybrid’s performance to determine whether the electric motor should be engaged.

Why Hybrids Are More Fuel Efficient

There are several reasons why HEVs can deliver the same power output as a traditional internal combustion engine with greater fuel economy. First, the computer conserves gas by turning the engine off while idling (described above). Second, the kinetic energy normally wasted while braking is captured by the EM and stored in the battery. Third, hybrids are usually lighter than conventional vehicles, which requires less energy to propel forward. Fourth, most hybrids have been aerodynamically optimized to reduce drag.

This fuel efficiency is a compelling argument for the technology, and has motivated millions of people to buy hybrid vehicles. In fact, as gasoline prices have risen over the past few years, more people than ever are considering the same purchase. Over the next decade, we’ll likely witness a transformation in automotive design as cars, trucks, and even SUVs begin to integrate advanced hybrid technology.

From the looks of this Fox News report on the new 2010 Honda Insight, it appears this will be the perfect Geek Mobile.  Environmently friendly and and it comes with it’s own built in game and geek gadgets.

We Present….

The Hybrid Song.

Motor Trend does a not so scientific review of the 2010 Honda Insight. Looks to be a fun and economical car for the masses, yet a super eco-car for those of us who want to go uber green.