By the rate at which transportation is going green, soon cars powered by solar, wind or other forms of renewable energy will be a common thing on roads around the world. The biggest benefits of such vehicles would be that one would not have to visit the refueling stations and it would also cut down on the emission of greenhouse gases that the gas guzzling vehicles of today are well known for. Here is a list of 10 such concept vehicles which would be powered by self-generated energy.
As we know it
The rise in the number of cars on the roads has meant a rise in carbon emissions and a decline in the reserves of oil, the most commonly used form of energy that drives our cars. With increase in the cost of fossil fuels, auto makers have started pushing clean electric cars as a zero emission way to commute. However, considering that even electricity generation isn’t always a clean affair, the idea of vehicles that are driven by it doesn’t seem to be entirely clean either. Moreover, these electron fueled vehicles aren’t that much in demand because of their slow speeds, long recharging times and a reduced operating range.
A new power packed performance super car has been designed in California that can run at the speed of 155 mph without conventional fuel. For startup this car will use solar powered battery but later draw its energy from circulating air. An advanced alternating current induction motor will glide the Formula AE. This motor will have a power output of 212 kilowatts. Rory Handel and Maxx Bricklinas from Beverly Hills, California are responsible for the design of the sleek motor of the car, and they are hoping that the prototype would be completed in August.
To achieve an acceleration of 0 to 60 mph this car will take less than four seconds. A full battery would empower the driver to travel more than 200 miles or to race around a track for an hour. Four tactically placed air intakes will be built discretely into the car’s bodywork. These air intakes will channel the airflow over the car’s body towards the turbine. There are two intakes on the front of the car and one on each side towards the rear. The turbine is concealed within the car body and will be connected to an alternator. This alternator will boost the amount of electricity available to the car by 20 to 25 per cent.
Car’s paper thin solar paneling can be recharged in 1.5 hours. But manufacturers will reduce this time six minutes with a new battery. The car will have a body of lightweight aluminum and super strong steel. The car is expected to cost around 100,000 pounds when it hits the market.
A RORMaxx spokesman says about its target customers, “The target market would be the sports car, track day, eco-concerned auto-enthusiast. In addition, those enthusiasts who support and would want to promote the future development of revolutionary green technologies.”
Mr Handel, who used to work for a racing team as an engineer, said: “In today’s world we need something to spark the imagination of our generation, the ones who will advocate change in this tough time – Formula AE has set out to do just that.”
“The vehicle will demonstrate the capabilities of our creative ideas in synergy with the implementation of new alternative energy systems, also with a larger goal of setting the public’s attitude towards green technology on a more productive path.”
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