30/03/2012
Hybrid truck may power to world record
Hybrid vehicle technology has come a long way since over the last few years – from the eco-friendly engineering of the Toyota Prius to the development of the Ford Fusion, and now a giant beast by the name of 'Mean Green'.
This impressive vehicle has been designed with one goal in mind, to smash the record as the world's fastest hybrid truck. There can't be many people who would argue against the merits of a machine which can produce 6,800 rpm of torque and reach speeds in excess of 160mph.
The firmest believer in the capabilities of the Volvo-manufactured Mean Green is undoubtedly the experienced Scandinavian trucker Boije Overbrink. As one of the biggest names in truck racing he is relishing the opportunity to speed around the track in his new favourite vehicle.
In a discussion of the challenge ahead he said that the truck is “like a champagne cork, but without the sound effects. For the first couple of seconds the truck just makes a slight whistle until the diesel engine which runs on renewable liquid rosin diesel, starts delivering with an explosive force.”
It is expected that the competing hybrid manufacturers will have their scouts out in force to watch the performance of the monster truck at the Wendover Airport in Utah on the 27th April.
This impressive vehicle has been designed with one goal in mind, to smash the record as the world's fastest hybrid truck. There can't be many people who would argue against the merits of a machine which can produce 6,800 rpm of torque and reach speeds in excess of 160mph.The firmest believer in the capabilities of the Volvo-manufactured Mean Green is undoubtedly the experienced Scandinavian trucker Boije Overbrink. As one of the biggest names in truck racing he is relishing the opportunity to speed around the track in his new favourite vehicle.
In a discussion of the challenge ahead he said that the truck is “like a champagne cork, but without the sound effects. For the first couple of seconds the truck just makes a slight whistle until the diesel engine which runs on renewable liquid rosin diesel, starts delivering with an explosive force.”
It is expected that the competing hybrid manufacturers will have their scouts out in force to watch the performance of the monster truck at the Wendover Airport in Utah on the 27th April.
Photo © tonylanciabeta via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence
Labels: eco-friendly, Ford Fusion, hybrid, Mean Green, technology, Toyotal Prius, truck, vehicle, Volvo
18/04/2011
Burning up the highway
A few posts ago we brought you a car which ran on leftover Indian restaurant vegetable oil – now we bring you a 25-year-old wood-powered Chevrolet pick-up truck. The Finnish vehicle owner has modified his truck so that it now has a wood-burning stove in the back, just behind the rear window.
The car is run on the gas produced by the wood, which is burned in an oxygen-deprived environment. Although this might sound as if it would produce a lot of emissions, in fact this process is relatively eco-friendly and emission-low.
Apparently the vehicle can travel 125 miles on 76.2 kg of wood chips, and if the motorist wants to drive further than that – the pick-up can still fit enough timber in the back for an extra 800 miles, despite the stove taking up some room.
Plus, the man claims that he can still reach a top speed of around 90mph with this unconventional fuel.
After the wood has been burned the ash can be used to make fertiliser, so that nothing is wasted – however one disadvantage is that it can take around 20 minutes for the stove to become hot enough to produce gas and get the car moving.
No last minute dashes to get dinner before the shops close then – or spur of the moment cinema outings just as the trailers are set to begin.
Image by Creativity103 via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence
Labels: car, eco-friendly, emissions, fuel, motorist, speed, vehicle
15/04/2011
Time for the cool bus
We may not see buses as being exciting and futuristic – but a new Dutch creation could change all that.
The Superbus, now on show at the World Exhibition of the International Association of Public Transport in Dubai, is 15 feet in length (about a standard London bus), has six wheels, can seat 23 passengers, and apparently reaches a top speed of 155mph.
You might think that this vehicle cannot get any better – but wait – it runs using an electric motor and lithium batteries, so it’s eco-friendly too!
Oh, and did we forget to mention that the exterior is futuristic and aerodynamic, and the interior boasts a TV and internet access, as well as one air bag for every passenger?
A former Dutch astronaut, and member of the TU Delft University design team for the vehicle, stated, “The strength to the concept is that the Superbus can drive everywhere where a normal bus can drive.
“It has adjustable height, rear-wheel steering and a turning circle of roughly 10 metres.”
If the vehicle passes inspections by the government in the United Arab Emirates, then it could go into service there, just like any other bus!
If it does pass we’re going over to The Emirates to try it out and experience the most comfortable and stylish bus journey we’ll probably have ever been on – then we’ll send a letter to Boris Johnson explaining how the Superbus will improve London’s transport problems no end!
The Superbus, now on show at the World Exhibition of the International Association of Public Transport in Dubai, is 15 feet in length (about a standard London bus), has six wheels, can seat 23 passengers, and apparently reaches a top speed of 155mph.
You might think that this vehicle cannot get any better – but wait – it runs using an electric motor and lithium batteries, so it’s eco-friendly too!
Oh, and did we forget to mention that the exterior is futuristic and aerodynamic, and the interior boasts a TV and internet access, as well as one air bag for every passenger?
A former Dutch astronaut, and member of the TU Delft University design team for the vehicle, stated, “The strength to the concept is that the Superbus can drive everywhere where a normal bus can drive.
“It has adjustable height, rear-wheel steering and a turning circle of roughly 10 metres.”
If the vehicle passes inspections by the government in the United Arab Emirates, then it could go into service there, just like any other bus!
If it does pass we’re going over to The Emirates to try it out and experience the most comfortable and stylish bus journey we’ll probably have ever been on – then we’ll send a letter to Boris Johnson explaining how the Superbus will improve London’s transport problems no end!
Labels: bus, eco-friendly, electric motor, lithium batteries, transport, vehicle
Subscribe to Posts [Atom]