Autophobic?! » Alternative Fuels

Mitsubishi’s i-MiEV Sport Air Concept to Debut in Geneva

admin — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 14:46:26 +0000

With green cars taking over the spotlight of most auto shows, the Geneva Auto Show this March will witness the unveiling of the Mitsubishi i-MiEV Sports Air Concept.

The Japanese car manufacturer has released some sketches of the concept. The Sports Air Concept will be based on the i-MiEV series.

Journalists and car lovers are eagerly anticipating the i-MiEV Sports Air Concept which is described to live by its tag of being a sports car.

During previous announcements, Mitsubishi disclosed that it will weigh around 970 kilograms with an engine power of 107 kW and an amazing 680 Nm of torque. Imagine its performance when side by side a 2009 Tesla Roadster that has 1238 kilograms, 185 kW and 375 Nm.

Aside from the expected performance of the car, the i-MiEV Sports Air Concept also boasts of good looks with its removable transparent top.

Mitsubishi blends its love and experience with sports car with its expertise in coming up with new electric vehicles. Looking at it, the i-MiEV is designed to talk the talk and walk the talk.

The i-MiEV Sport Air has a range of 100 miles on a single full charge which just takes around 7 hours on a regular household outlet. A quick charge system may give it 80% capacity in just 35 minutes.

The design concept basically evolves around maximizing the high torque of electric motors and coupling it with the powerful acceleration. Driving dynamics were also highly considered during development and its success will highly depend on the car’s lithium-ion battery.

The concept car represents the pocket rocket image Mitsubishi wants to achieve for its new EVs and point the direction it will take in the future.

2008 Toyota Prius Touring Edition

admin — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 05:15:36 +0000

I like this touring edition Toyota Prius… It’s one of the best hybrid cars ever built (duh!) and it’s a looker too! Me Likey!

If Toyota’s going to keep designing cars looking this good I’m pretty impressed… I suggest they give these guys a raise!

Tesla Roadster

admin — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 13:20:13 +0000

This Tesla Roadster is an ELECTRIC CAR. I’m not kidding. With Lotus-Elise looks and supercar-performance, this electric roadster has what it takes to take away a lot of the stigma green car fuels still have to cope with…

I like it.

Why Alternative Car Fuels will Save The Planet

admin — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 04:30:44 +0000

Ever since the automobile was invented the fuel used to power it is the derivatives of petroleum, mainly petrol or diesel. In the 30s of the twentieth century research had started for alternative car fuels. But petroleum products being very cheap, the end consumers never thought of changing the fuel until the mid 70s when the petroleum prices started climbing. Soon afterwards it was realized by nations that, in spite of the abundance of reserves in the Middle East, it was bound to exhaust one day. As the time passed by, it dawned upon them that the depletion would happen sooner than later.

Another factor for anxiety was that the emissions from the petroleum using machines are slowly polluting the atmosphere and the environment. Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide and hydrocarbons cause great damage to environment and human health. The main users of the fuel are cars and trucks. If an alternate fuel which is available in abundance can be used the problems of scarcity and pollution can be solved.

One alternative that is now tested is hydrogen fuel cell in which electricity is produced by chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen. Oxygen is available from air. Since hydrogen is not found in its nascent form in nature, electricity has to be used for the separation of hydrogen. Research is still going on for cheap hydrogen. Another immediately feasible alternative is CNG. It is a hydrocarbon, but less polluting than petrol or diesel. It is more evenly distributed around the globe.