This beautiful picture is the latest prototype of the two-seater electric car, to be known as  ZAP Alias and that is being developed by the British firm Lotus.

One of the greatest curiosities of this vehicle is that it combines a sporty design with an ecological concept. What is most surprising is that the ZAP Alias runs on only three wheels.

 The most fascinating fact of all, is its possible final price, which amounts to 15,000 pounds (about 20,000 euros).

The ZAP Alias can reach a maximum speed of 241 kilometers per hour and its acceleration is spectacular, from 0 to 96 miles per hour at 5′7 seconds. Why is it so fast? Because it is equipped with two electric motors that supply power to both front wheels reaching 322 PS.

The advantage of electric motors for the environment are fascinating because they are absolutely ecological and do not produce gas emissions to the atmosphere.

The ZAP Alias will go on sale starting next year, but it is more than likely that the final sale date be delayed considerably.

source tuexperto.com

It seems that gold is not all that glitters as far as hybrid cars are concerned. A study by French researcher Jean-Jacques Chanaron, published in the magazine ‘International Journal of Automotive Technology and Management’ (IJATM), ensures that these vehicles do not represent a long-term sustainable solution.

The hybrid cars are those that carry both a conventional combustion engine and one electric, which had so far been postulated as an ecological alternative.

However, this specialist in the automotive ‘Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique’ (CNRS) stands firm and ensures that “the environmental advantages of CO2 on the balance sheet are not evident, but the price is much higher.”

Chanaron’s position is a bit disappointing. The French scientist has spent more than 35 years studying alternatives to combustion engines and is really not too confident that the technology is capable of creating a car that could replace  gasoline and diesel in the short or medium term. “

“It is illogical to propel a vehicle with two engines, because it is very expensive. It will always will be more expensive than one that has only one and this does not make for a sustainable solution because it is only accessible to people with a certain level of purchasing.”

Chanaron maintains that the Toyota Prius II (hybrid car), emitts in the end about 90 grams of CO2 per kilometre, an amount even higher than that of a Smart CDI (90 g) or slightly better than a Citroen C2 1.4 HDI (107 g .) or a Renault Clio 1.5 DCI (110 g).

The scientist believes in other green technologies in the long term, such as the fuel and hydrogen battery. However, he warns that this is also far beyond what is being said.

source soitu.es

Seat has just presented the Seat leon Ecomotive is a very potent vehicle, but at the same time very ecological, because it registers a consumption value of 3.9 Km, for each 100 km, simply spectacular.

Vehicles such as the Volvo C30 Efficiency or the Volkswagen Golf Bluemotion, that has the same 1.9 TDI of 105 cv motor as the Leon Ecomotive, they have a 4.9 and 4.5 liters of the 100 respectively. The Renault Megane 1.5 dCi of 105 cv and is also in 4.5 liters.

The Spanish brand has surprised all in a positive way with this new ecological car, because as far as CO2 emissions, the Leon Ecomotive only emits 119gr/km, which makes it exempt from paying registration taxes.

Seat has had to modify the motor, the gearbox, tires and the global weight of the vehicle to be able to reach these ecological figures. Its price will be between 18,000 and 20,000

Source motorpasion

Japanese cars continue with their particular battle to reach zero pollution. This is the case of Honda who has placed sell contract leasing even though they are losing money with the new FCX Clarity, the first fuel cell car in the world assigned to individuals.

This vehicle with an electric motor generates its own energy through a fuel cell, a device that, through a chemical reaction converts the fuel, hydrogen, in this case, into electrical energy. 

This energy is stored in lithium-ion batteries that fuel the engine. The byproduct of the chemical reaction is water vapour which, on paper, appears that the car has a zero emissions.

We must remeber that rhe Honda FCX Clarity is not the first fuel cell vehicle, but the first to be offered to individuals outside of plans to monitor brands. 

The automovile has four-doors , 4.84 meters long, weighs 1,625 pounds and has a 100-kilowatt electric motor (136 hp). 

It aslo has a  fuel cell located between the front seats that weighs 67 pounds and occupies a volume of 52 litres and two pressurized and cylindrical tanks  between the rear seats. The rear axle holds 171 litres of hydrogen which is equivalent to five kilos of this voluble gas. 

With this fuel, the car has a range of 430 kilometers, or to put it another way, 215 each way.

The FCX Clarity may reach more than 160 km /h and could be leased to families interested in California at a price of only $ 600 per month. It is the only way to put this car on the market where it would not be affordable on the direct market.

Source soitu.es

Here it is the two top 10 lists of the cars that contaminate less in the market, there is a gasoline version and a diesel one.Starting January 1, 2008 the car tax at the time of registration will depend on how much the car contaminates.

The guideline will be from the cars that emit less than 120 grams of CO2 by kilometer run up to a 14.75% of the price for those who emit more than 200 grams of CO2.

The following are the two lists:

Diesel

1. Smart ForTwo CDI – 3,3 – 88
2. Volkswagen Polo 1.4 TDI Bluemotion – 3,9 – 102
3. Mini Cooper D – 3,9 – 103
4. Peugeot 107 / Toyota Aygo / Citroën C1 – 4,1 – 109
5. Lancia Ypsilon 1.3 JTD – 4,3 – 114
6. Lancia Musa 1.3 JTD – 4,3 – 114
7. Citroën C3 – 4,3 – 113
8. Fiat Panda 1.3 JTD – 4,3 – 114
9. Renault Megane 1.5 dCi – 4,4 – 117
10. Fiat Grande Punto 1.3 JTD automatic – 4,4 – 116

Gasolina

1. Toyota Prius 1.5 (hibrid) – 4,3 – 104
2. Honda Civic 1.3 (hibrid) – 4,6 – 109
3. Peugeot 107 / Toyota Aygo / Citroën C1 – 4,6 – 109
4. Smart ForTwo 61 cv / 71 cv – 4,7 – 112
5. Kia Picanto 1.1 – 5,2 – 124
6. Chevrolet Matiz 0.8 – 5,2 – 127
7. Mini One – 5,3 – 128
8. Fiat Panda 1.2 automatic – 5,4 – 127
9. Hyundai Getz 1.1 – 5,5 – 130
10. Mitsubishi Colt 1.1 – 5,5 – 130

Source microsiervos

The Finnish firm Nokia is designing a cell phone that will be able to analyze the air and tell us the amount of CO2, carbon monoxide, particles and other harmful gases in the air.

This great gadget will be known as Nokia Concept Eco sensor undoubtedly a very useful tool for monitoring  pollutes in our vehicle. In this regard, it will be very useful in order to pass the ITV. 

With tools like this one, Nokia wants to get into the pocket of car fans. Innovative, practical, eco … A great idea.

source Motorpasion
Photo Flickr Institution Future