TURNING TRANSPORT GREEN!

Should we change to electric motors powered by batteries and fuel cells, or keep the internal combustion engine and use petrol-electric hybrids,  biofuels or hydrogen?    Green MotorSport is supporting the development and evaluation of all these technologies.   The motor sport arena is the starting place for innovative transport technologies!

Think renewables!

Green MotorSport started with solar panels, micro wind turbines and biofuels.   These can provide light and power for our computers and workshop equipment or recharge the batteries on our high performance electric vehicles.  There are advantages for each technology.

Batteries: Battery powered cars and scooters have sufficient range for most urban trips and if you are in London, there will be no congestion charge.  These cars are ideal for those who prefer buses or trains for long distance journeys or who join a local car share scheme. Over the last 5 years battery technology has significantly improved it’s performance characteristics thanks to the development of new metal and chemical combinations such as lithium-ion.

Biofuels:  A large amount of energy from household waste, agriculture, industry and forestry is still wasted but could be used to fuel our vehicles!  Set aside land could also provide energy crops and extra income for farmers.   Green Motorsport is encouraging local authorities to use bio fuels and seeking new methods of obtaining energy from various waste streams.

Hydrogen:  At present hydrogen is usually obtained from industrial processes, but several manufacturers are developing small, cheaper electrolysers so that we can get hydrogen from renewable energy. ( Green Hydrogen ) Internal Combustion Engines can be modified to run on hydrogen. In London three hydrogen fuel cell buses have been running successfully for two years and seventy more hydrogen powered vehicles are planned.

Petrol-electric hybrids: Hybrid vehicles are most advantageous in stop /start urban operation.   They were first designed for urban buses and delivery vans.  A small efficient engine provides all the power, and a bank of batteries or a flywheel gives short bursts of energy for acceleration.  The batteries are constantly recharged and large amounts of power are gained every time the brakes are applied, in a process called ‘regenerative braking’. The engine can be switched off for short distances at low speed in pedestrian precincts. Green MotorSport drive train electronics include regenerative braking technology.

Fuel Cells:  The hybrid is a step towards the fuel cell powered vehicle, which will probably appear more widely in urban buses before being used in private cars. Fuels cell technology is used to convert the stored hydrogen energy that we generate from our portable power renewable energy systems so we can provide heat and power for our workshops and vehicles.

Going, going…

We are using up the oil and gas which has developed over hundreds of millions of years. Avoid energy crises and rising prices.   Stop thinking two, three or five years ahead, but plan for twenty years.   The three contenders to be the next Prime Minister are starting to reduce the impact of their transport.  David Cameron cycles and has bought a hybrid car, Gordon Brown has changed his car for one which uses less fuel, while Sir Menzies Campbell has sadly got rid of his Jaguar and travels more by public transport!  

Green MotorSport goes international!

Green MotorSport gave presentations at an International Caribbean Climate conference in Jamaica this spring. Developing countries suffer most from rising oil prices and some are already beginning to experience detrimental effects from global warming.         Gordon Foat of Green MotorSport (Left) explained how the Caribbean islands could use indigenous fuels to power their homes, their industry and transport.  Gordon demonstrated how batteries on electric cars could be recharged directly from the sunlight or using organic waste to energy systems. Gordon Foat has also been nominated to head the Environmental Technology division of the Blue Mountain Project. Transport fuels should no longer be considered as different from those used for lighting and heating buildings or powering industry.   They will all in future come from the same sources, from solar, wind or wave power, waste or energy crops.

The purpose of the meeting was not just to exchange information but to establish concrete plans to make the Caribbean islands independent of fossil fuels.

Do we have a choice?

A new report commissioned by the Department for Transport says that lifestyle changes will have more impact on reducing global warming gases than new transport technologies. It recommends better urban design, walking, cycling and innovative forms of public transport, including demand responsive modes. 

Clean, efficient electric, hybrid, biofuel and hydrogen powered vehicles will have an important role whatever transport you choose.  Tell your local authorities and MPs that you want facilities for all these modes of transport.   Kimi Räikkönen swaps race car for fuel cell bus At the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, McLaren Mercedes formula one driver Kimi Räikkönen  got behind the wheel of a zero-emission fuel cell bus. The Daimler Chrysler bus was used throughout the event to drive VIPs around the track.  The hydrogen fuel cell powered bus usually transports people around the streets of Perth.   Most of the motor industry believes that in the longer term hydrogen fuel cells will replace the internal combustion engine in cars.  They will first be used to power urban fleets.

Green MotorSport goes to Motor industry

We will be demonstrating our high performance electric vehicles and renewable energy technologies at the HYBRID VEHICLE EXHIBITION at the Prodrive Test Facility in Warwickshire on June 8th. There will be demonstrations from leading motor industry designers and pre-registration is essential.  (Email)  

Visit Green MotorSport’s website to see Who’s Who and to download our new media pack.  This can be found under the Sponsorship section on www.greenmotorsport.com. Don’t forget to search our online products directory for brand new products and technologies. If you would like some more information on how to become involved with our green motor sport activities please fill out the contact us section on the homepage.  Sponsorship Information DVDs are available on request.

Green MotorSport has recently branched into europe with its european website www.greenmotorsport.eu

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