Race for a Green Car
So what is it like driving a recyclable car? When I
heard a Ford employee proclaim that the concept of
“gas stations” will soon be alien to his son, I sat
there amazed gaping at the television screen.
The employee was talking about the Ford Model U, a concept car that’s powered by a hydrogen duel cell supercharged engine that emits absolutely no carbondioxide and is 25% more fuel efficient than a gasoline engine. What is more, all of the parts are recyclable or biodegradable including: recyclable polyester seats, dash, steering wheel, door trim, corn-based biopolymer roof and carpet mats; corn-based fillers in the rubber tires to improve rolling resistance and thus fuel economy; soy-based composite resins for the rear tailgate and side panels; soy-based composite foam for seating; and lightweight, recyclable aluminum body.*
As soon as the film ended, I rushed to the computer to google Ford Model U and found not one, but several cars that have been working on alternative fuels and hybrid models. No just that, companies are coming up with revolutionary concepts to create high performance cars, including supercars and sports cars that are completely eco-friendly throughout it’s life cycle – in the way they are produced, used and then disposed.
It’s not surprising that motor vehicles are the most environmentally damaging consumer products on the planet. Therefore, it is not unpredictable that there are many companies trying to make more fuel efficient cars. What is disturbing is our deliberate rejection of green cars even when we know that they are as cool and sleek as some of the top notch cars we long to drive. In most cases, we can’t even tell the difference. Then why do we kill green cars, especially when they are more efficient and much less expensive in the long run? We were unjustly absolved of killing the electric car because of our ignorance and our ambivalence to new technology. But now that the damage is done, it’s time to redeem ourselves.
Links about Green Cars:
•How to Green Your Car
•Top Green Cars
•Green Car
•What Green Car
•Green Cars: A Guide to Cleaner Vehicle Production, Use and Disposal
My favorite Green Car films:
•Who Killed the Electric Car?
•Big Ideas for a Small Planet: Paper or Plastic
*from Sundance’s description of the Ford Model U.
The employee was talking about the Ford Model U, a concept car that’s powered by a hydrogen duel cell supercharged engine that emits absolutely no carbondioxide and is 25% more fuel efficient than a gasoline engine. What is more, all of the parts are recyclable or biodegradable including: recyclable polyester seats, dash, steering wheel, door trim, corn-based biopolymer roof and carpet mats; corn-based fillers in the rubber tires to improve rolling resistance and thus fuel economy; soy-based composite resins for the rear tailgate and side panels; soy-based composite foam for seating; and lightweight, recyclable aluminum body.*
As soon as the film ended, I rushed to the computer to google Ford Model U and found not one, but several cars that have been working on alternative fuels and hybrid models. No just that, companies are coming up with revolutionary concepts to create high performance cars, including supercars and sports cars that are completely eco-friendly throughout it’s life cycle – in the way they are produced, used and then disposed.
It’s not surprising that motor vehicles are the most environmentally damaging consumer products on the planet. Therefore, it is not unpredictable that there are many companies trying to make more fuel efficient cars. What is disturbing is our deliberate rejection of green cars even when we know that they are as cool and sleek as some of the top notch cars we long to drive. In most cases, we can’t even tell the difference. Then why do we kill green cars, especially when they are more efficient and much less expensive in the long run? We were unjustly absolved of killing the electric car because of our ignorance and our ambivalence to new technology. But now that the damage is done, it’s time to redeem ourselves.
Links about Green Cars:
•How to Green Your Car
•Top Green Cars
•Green Car
•What Green Car
•Green Cars: A Guide to Cleaner Vehicle Production, Use and Disposal
My favorite Green Car films:
•Who Killed the Electric Car?
•Big Ideas for a Small Planet: Paper or Plastic
*from Sundance’s description of the Ford Model U.
