Tag: car

Highways Have Potential for Wind Energy Generation

highway Over at Inhabitat, there are two posts on using wind created by traffic on highways to generate electricity. A student proposes horizontally placed wind generators over highways, much like road signs are placed now (pictured).

A proposal coming from New Jersey has the generators built into the highway that powers a light rail system. Awesome!

The design, a runner-up in the 2006 Metropolis Mag Next Generation Design Competition proposed the integration of wind-turbines into the highway barriers that divide the traffic. These turbines would generate power from the wind created by the vehicles that drive past them in opposite directions. Originally conceived as a single row of vertical-axis rotary turbines, it has now been redesigned to include two rows, one stacked on top of each other, with the end power being used to power a light rail system.

Cyclists and Pollution

TreeHugger has a summary of what cyclists can do to protect their lungs from car pollution. If you’re worried about cycling in cities because of pollution, just remember that the health (and environmental) pros of cycling outweigh the cons.

By cycling instead of driving or taking public transport, you are doing your part to keep the air clean. The problem is that you have to cycle through all the pollution created by people who aren’t making any effort.

The Spacing Wire has information on what Canadians can do to get the federal government to support cycling.

Fuel Economy Top Priority for European Drivers

Not surprisingly, Europeans are still concerned about fuel consumption in their autos. This evidence comes from the the Harris Interactive AutoTECHCAST Europe poll, and just like this year, Europeans chose fuel economy as their biggest concern last year.

Spanish adults show the highest likelihood of choosing enhanced-fuel economy as the top automotive technology that they are very or extremely likely to purchase for their next new vehicle (63%), followed by Italian and German respondents (45% and 36% respectively).

Bizzarre Looking Concept Car

The Peugeot Dauphin is a concept car that looks really odd and serves of testbed for future electric vehicles. It’s the craziest tricycle you’ll ever see (pictures located at the above link, sorry in a rush with no time to attach an image).

“It’s no slouch when it comes to performance, either. Pushing the techno-tryke up to 90 mph are electric motors embedded in each rear wheel, and once you get home, you charge the vehicle up again by simply parking it over the Peugeot Dock/Recharging station. It’s all so effortless — your only problem will be convincing your neighbors that it’s not a U”

VENTURI ECLECTIC Vehicle Powers Itself

This car is entirely powered by renewable energy. The Eclectic uses solar power, wind power, and regenerative energy from braking. It is “the first autonomous vehicle in the history of the automobile.” Awesome!

Inhabitant has some pics and a short article:
“Eclectic produces energy from sources that already surround us, combining 2.5 square meters of photovoltaic cells, one or more wind turbines, and NiMH (NIV-7) batteries. Intended for driving in urban areas, it offers a range up to 50 km at a speed of 50 km/h (electronically restricted), while continually producing and storing energy, even when not in us”