Cars polluting the atmosphere may disappear in the distant future. In the meantime, only environmentally friendly transport appears. Although some of its species have existed for a long time. They need only be improved. Developers have many ideas. Unfortunately, many of them have not yet been implemented.
New bike modification
This plan has matured with the British Clive Sinclair - the founder of Sinclair Research. Previously, he noted the invention of the personal computer ZedX Spectrum.
In the 70s of the last century, he developed a three-wheeled electric bike. In this model, the bike was assimilated with an electric scooter.
Sinclair did not doubt his success and invested more than $ 15 million in this project. The chassis of the environmentally friendly transport was finalized by experts from the Lotus company.
The engines were supposed to be produced by the Italian company Polimotor. Assembly work took place at the Hoover enterprise. And in early 1985, the tricycle became an object of sales. The product is named Sinclair C5. Its features:
- Monolithic case made of durable plastic.
- The presence of a front fairing and a hard seat in the shape of a bucket.
- On the steering wheel the engine start button.
- The position of the steering wheel itself is under the knees of the rider.
- The power of the power unit is 250 watts. He lacked a smooth rev control.
- The mass of the whole tricycle is 30 kg, and the battery is 15 kg.
- The reserve charge allowed moving without recharging a maximum of 30 km. After that, the transport became an ordinary bicycle.
The first circulation of tricycles was sold out instantly. But then there was a sharp drop in sales. Sinclair made a serious mistake - he chose the wrong time to appear on the market: three months before the start of the season. And those people who became the owners of this transport had to wait for spring. And someone decided not to buy a tricycle at all.
The press sharply criticized this vehicle, because it turned out to be completely unprepared for British roads and weather.
For 6 months, only 12, 000 tricycle sales were recorded (instead of the planned 60, 000). Sinclair acknowledged his failure. And soon the production of his brainchild ceased.
"American tumbler"
This personal eco-friendly vehicle was created by a company owned by Dean Kamen.
In fact, an electric version of the scooter was created. Its specifics:
- Dynamic stabilization.
- Placement of wheels on one network. This has become the key to compactness and excellent maneuverability.
- 5 gyroscopes with computer signal processing. This provided excellent stability.
The driver began to move, simply leaning back or forward. The brainchild of Kamen was called "Segway." The presentation took place at the end of 2001. And in March next year, the first three models were sold at auction.
In the first year of sales, approximately 6, 000 scooters were sold. Today, the parameter exceeds 50, 000 pieces.
About 40% of acquisitions are made by the police. She equips this facility with patrols in parks, train stations, airports and major sports venues.
Segways are constantly being upgraded, and new modifications appear. And today, the model automatically takes measures in the event of an emergency fall: a special signal is given, and the speed drops.
Lithium-ion batteries are arranged in the technique. They allow you to overcome 25-40 km. To restore the charge, the scooter simply plugs into a household outlet. Duration of the procedure: 8-10 hours.
The maximum dynamics of the scooter is 20 km / h.
Japanese counterpart
Specialists of the Toyota concern decided in response to the Americans to develop the most environmentally friendly transport, in their opinion. An electric chair was created.
To control it, use the joystick. In 2005, a four-wheel modification was presented - the i-Unit. In 2008, a modernized version was released, but with three wheels - i-Swing.
The crown of creation was the i-Real model. Its specifics are as follows:
- Real-time wheelbase changes.
- When driving at a modest speed, the controlled rear wheel is as close to the front wheels as possible. When you press the gas, the distance between the axles increases, and the chair acquires excellent stability.
- The speed limit is 30 km / h.
There is only one drawback - such models are not present in free sales.
Ecobus Data
Strong air pollution in megacities forced the developers of Trolza CJSC from Engels to create environmentally friendly public transport. He received the name - ecobus.
It is based on Kapstone microturbine systems. The advantages of the ecobus abound:
- Mobility.
- Low floor platform.
- Comfortable and warm interior.
- Silent move.
- Saving fuel (liquefied gas). This is the merit of the designated microturbines. Also, thanks to them, a minimum of toxins is released into the air. And during stops, the exhaust parameter is reduced to zero.
The current eco-bus template was presented in 2008, in May. This environmentally friendly form of urban transport has successfully completed all tests. He was awarded a high quality certificate. And it is already planned to launch a circulation production. Five debut models are used today in Krasnodar and Moscow.
The situation with ecobuses in the world
For the first year, analogues of the debut domestic such transport based on well-known microturbines have been intensively used in the USA, England, New Zealand and some other countries.
For example, in New York in 2007, this environmentally friendly transport began to be actively used in the most populated areas. As a result, fuel costs significantly decreased and the environmental situation improved.
In the English city of Newcastle, along the local promenade, 10 modern ecobus flights operate every day. They are equipped with Kapstone microturbines of the C30 modification.
The interaction of these devices with the batteries on board creates a continuous generation of electricity required for traffic.
When the automatic bus control mechanism sends a signal to the microturbine, it recharges the batteries. For this reason, the ecobus can work about 10 hours a day without recharge.
About Hybrid Cars
The largest manufacturers have been exploring the efficient use of environmentally friendly vehicles for more than a year.
In this list appear and Toyota, and Nissan, and Peugeot, and Ford. They produce modifications equipped with a hybrid power unit. It is characterized by increased efficiency and environmental safety.
The principle of the system is electrodynamics. Braking torque is generated on the traction motor. For this, kinetic energy is transformed into electrical energy. It is loaded with rheostats and braking torque going to the wheels of the main axle, affecting the transmission.
In 2009, Langford Performance launched the Ford hybrid model. Its base was the previously identified microturbine.
The company's engineers are convinced that their brainchild is the most environmentally friendly form of transport in the world. And in terms of functionality, he also occupies the top positions.
This car has turned out thanks to the modernization of the Ford S-Max crossover. It was equipped with a microturbine, thereby converting it into an absolute hybrid.
He received the name Whisper Eco-Logic. At demonstration tests, he covered 129 km, spending only 3.8 liters of fuel.
Electric cars. History
Due to the deterioration of the environment and the rise in price of oil products in the world, the issue of the established stable production of electric vehicles is quite relevant.
Their history totals about 180 years. The impulse to their development was electromagnetic induction. The first models were distinguished by their solid mass and low speed - a maximum of 4 km / h. Also were completely unsuitable for use.
Interest in them revived in the 90s of the last century. Between 1996 and 2003 in the USA, the GM EV1 model was produced.
She became the first production modification in the new history of electric cars. Then many grandees established the issues. They and their creations are displayed in the following table:
|
Company |
Offspring |
|
"Toyota" |
RAV4 EV Zenn |
|
General Motors |
EV1 |
|
Chevrolet |
Volt |
|
Volvo |
C30 BEV |
|
"Tesla" |
Roadster Model s |
|
Renault |
ZE series |
|
Nissan |
Leaf |
|
Lada |
Hellas |
Advantages of electric vehicles
These environmentally friendly modes of transport have undeniable advantages:
- Economical fuel consumption.
- Minimize air pollution.
- Almost silent operation.
- Smooth acceleration with rapid acceleration.
- High level of security, proven by numerous tests.
- Loyal price tags. Their appearance was promoted by mass circulations of cars.
- High reliability. It is achieved by reducing the number of components and nodes.
Weaknesses of electric cars
These machines also have their drawbacks. Their list is set out below:
- In Russia, a network of points for recharging electric cars is poorly developed.
- Limits on speed and mileage. Many models without recharge are able to cover 160-240 km.
- Charging Duration: 8-10 hours.
- The presence of only two seats in the cabin.
- Need to replace the battery. The periods are different: from 3 to 10 years.
- In cold weather, the battery sits faster. As a result, mileage is reduced by 30-50%.
