ECO cars 2010 and beyond?
- Thread starter ecoangel
- Start date
John L
A2OC Donor
Neste Oil played with some new biodiesel blends in the busses in Helsinki and were able to make huge improvements to air quality with a fuel that was not radically more expensive than traditional diesel.
The problem with the biodiesel is that it uses so much grain to make but it has also cuts CO2 emissions, sulphur dioxide and also cuts particulates substantially. The CO2 reduction has been estimated as being up to 60% including the whole production process from crop to oil when compared with regular mineral diesel.
Best of all the newer diesel blends run in existing engines.
The cuts in emissions created by using fuel additives/biofuels to cut pollution would seem to make the most impact for the least money. If you fill old polluting cars with new fuels that cut there emissions by for example 20% this is more significant that a couple of percentage points difference between new vehicles.
A fleet of electric cars will not necessarily improve the air quality in highest density inner city residential areas where people do not necessarily have access to new cars.
The problem with the biodiesel is that it uses so much grain to make but it has also cuts CO2 emissions, sulphur dioxide and also cuts particulates substantially. The CO2 reduction has been estimated as being up to 60% including the whole production process from crop to oil when compared with regular mineral diesel.
Best of all the newer diesel blends run in existing engines.
The cuts in emissions created by using fuel additives/biofuels to cut pollution would seem to make the most impact for the least money. If you fill old polluting cars with new fuels that cut there emissions by for example 20% this is more significant that a couple of percentage points difference between new vehicles.
A fleet of electric cars will not necessarily improve the air quality in highest density inner city residential areas where people do not necessarily have access to new cars.
humps
A2OC Donor
1. I think we should look at the trend of vinyl wrapping. Get the car in basic metal finish and get your own wrap! Paint scratch? no problem, another piece of vinyl wrap job done! If you want decal, like the Martini livery on the Porsche 918, easily done too!
2. RX8 has no problem. It will actually make getting in and out easier at the back. I'd certainly prefer that for getting my kids in and out of the back at the tight supermarket car parks. Alternatively, sliding door like the Ford B-Max.
6. It will simply bring back all the particulates in inner city, where the i3 is meant to be used most often.
7. I've asked Gordon Murray exactly that question when he came to talk about his T25/7. The guy from Williams F1 also gave the same answer. The CFRP panels are recyclable but not like metal. They can be shredded up and make filler or other stuff. Much like recycling glass to make insulations ...etc. And Williams F1 recycles 100% of their CFRP products after use!
ecoangel
Well-Known Member
Thanks humps
1. I understand the colour goes all the way through the plastic to reduce scratching effect but decals could be fun!
2. Agree RX8 has similar design but egress only slightly better than a 2 door with sliding front seats.
3. Particulates are not such a big issue as they were 10 years ago - modern urea injection and Filters deal with it very well and proper Bio engineered diesel has far less impact in this area. That's why the XL1 is also seen as a city machine although way over priced!
4. Good article here about CF issues -
http://www.compositesworld.com/articles/carbon-fiber-life-beyond-the-landfill
Recycled versions can't be used structurally and the amount of energy involved to do it fully is huge cf steel and Ally. Friend of mine was Williams mechanic - they don't make too many cars so should be affordable for them!
Recycling batteries:
http://www.waste-management-world.c.../the-lithium-battery-recycling-challenge.html
Fire:
Batts: Probably no worst than Petrol tanks but LiON have a poor thermal runaway history:
http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-n...2012-02-01/battery-fires-keeping-li-ion-caged
CF:
http://www.netcomposites.com/news/dangers-of-carbon-fibre-debris-from-aircraft-crashes-exposed/3306
At work, our fire crews have said they'd not likely tackle a large blaze on our CF aircraft due lack of protective gear and CF dust inhalation problems.
Time saving:
OK so i3 will out accelerate most everyday cars to 60mph but if you're travelling 300 miles those 3 or so seconds saved don't make up for at least 1.5 h at service stations to use rapid chargers!
1. I understand the colour goes all the way through the plastic to reduce scratching effect but decals could be fun!
2. Agree RX8 has similar design but egress only slightly better than a 2 door with sliding front seats.
3. Particulates are not such a big issue as they were 10 years ago - modern urea injection and Filters deal with it very well and proper Bio engineered diesel has far less impact in this area. That's why the XL1 is also seen as a city machine although way over priced!
4. Good article here about CF issues -
http://www.compositesworld.com/articles/carbon-fiber-life-beyond-the-landfill
Recycled versions can't be used structurally and the amount of energy involved to do it fully is huge cf steel and Ally. Friend of mine was Williams mechanic - they don't make too many cars so should be affordable for them!
Recycling batteries:
http://www.waste-management-world.c.../the-lithium-battery-recycling-challenge.html
Fire:
Batts: Probably no worst than Petrol tanks but LiON have a poor thermal runaway history:
http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-n...2012-02-01/battery-fires-keeping-li-ion-caged
CF:
http://www.netcomposites.com/news/dangers-of-carbon-fibre-debris-from-aircraft-crashes-exposed/3306
At work, our fire crews have said they'd not likely tackle a large blaze on our CF aircraft due lack of protective gear and CF dust inhalation problems.
Time saving:
OK so i3 will out accelerate most everyday cars to 60mph but if you're travelling 300 miles those 3 or so seconds saved don't make up for at least 1.5 h at service stations to use rapid chargers!
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