Toyota Hybrid Sports Car

Anton Rowd asked: Every loyal customer to Toyota and the people behind the company itself are looking forward to 2008. Why? Because that is the slated release for the much-awaited Toyota hybrid sports car dubbed the Volta. Toyota has always been known to set itself apart from all other car manufacturers, releasing some of the most outrageous designs that seem to grow onto society once the cars establish themselves as bestsellers. Japan Goes Italian Toyota’s hybrid sports car can only be a real head turner. This is what’s expected when you have an elite group of designers to give the new concept car a new, nice Italian twist. Pictures of the concept car have emerged from the company itself and the first thing that may come to mind is the Lamborghini Diablo; only the Volta is eco-friendly. Toyota believes that hybrid technology can also be used in high-performance vehicles such as the Toyota Volta. After all, it is rumored to go from 0-60 in 4 seconds and has a top speed of 155 mph; not as fast as the Diablo or any Ferrari but the important thing is how much gas this vehicle doesn’t use. The Name Game The 2008 new Toyota Volta will be paying homage to Alessandro Volta, the man who came up with the electric battery in 1800. It is only very apt considering that this vehicle does run on a type of battery. The Volta runs a V6 engine and there’s an electric motor on each axle. The electric motor will be used to operate several things at the same time such as, for example, a computer that operates the movement of the wheels, activation of brakes, etc.; basically something known as drive by wire, a technology that is fitted into modern fighter jets, so you can imagine how much time in design was spent on this near-future release. This technology also allows for an awkward feature that can have the passengers reposition the steering wheel and pedals in front of them. Economy Two centuries after the invention of the electric battery after which the new hybrid is named, Toyota aims to have the Volta out and running by 2008. It is expected to have a tank that holds only 13.7 gallons that will allow it to go 435 miles when filled up. Plus, if 408 horsepower isn’t enough, you will just have to weight for later versions of the Volta because this is the top speed estimated for the initial release. Toyota France expects to release this to the European market in 2008. However, Germany might be happy to know that the car will be for sale there by December of 2007. Experts are speculating that prices for the Toyota hybrid sports car will range from $72,000 to $165,000 in the US market once it hits North American shores. Whether or not the market is ready for this sports car, Toyota itself is ready to prove that hybrid technology does belong in the automobile industry and will suit any purpose and application. Read more on Toyota Hybrid Sports Car…

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Toyota Hybrid Sports Car

The 100 Year History Of The Hybrid Car

T J Madigan asked: The history of hybrid cars is immersed in controversy. Not so much for the product itself, but for the technology it uses. Is it old like the conception of wheel itself, or is it a recent idea, as recent as the embryonic stem cell technology? First of all, a hybrid car is a vehicle that uses on-board RESS, or rechargeable energy storage system. This is coupled with a fueled propulsion power source for the automobiles propulsion. The Hybrid car is a low-gas consuming vehicle, therefore, a low-polluting vehicle. The last characteristic is particularly important because of the growing consciousness of people worldwide on the need to protect the environment. History points to the clear differences between hybrid and all-electric cars. Electric cars use batteries charged by an external source. On this note, almost all hybrids, save for those considered as mild-hybrid, still need gasoline or diesel as their fuel source. Other fuels are also available in the form of ethanol or other plant based oils. Hybrid vehicles also use hydrogen gas occasionally. What is the history of hybrid cars? The history of hybrid cars is closely intertwined with the history of the automobile itself. In 1898, Ferdinand Porsche, a young Czechoslovakian, designed the Lohner-Porsche carriage, a series-hybrid vehicle that utilized a one-cylinder gasoline internal combustion engine. This engine spun a generator which powered four wheel-mounted electric motors. The car was eventually presented at the 1900 World Exhibition in Paris. The said automobile, capable of up to 56 km/h (35 mph) fast destroyed several Austrian speed records. In 1901, it won the Exelberg Rally, with Porsche himself driving the car. Mass production during this time was yet to be developed, but for Porsches future-looking design, 300 units of this model were sold to the public. The first Porsche model however, technically speaking as we know Porsch today, was a hand-built aluminum prototype, and was completed on June 8, 1948. The development of the first transistor-based electric car in 1959, the Henney Kilowatt, heralded a new development in the history of automobiles as a whole, and the history of hybrid cars in particular. This transistor-based electric car, paved the way for the electronic speed control. Ultimately, this made the road for the development of modern hybrid electric cars possible. The Henney Kilowatt was considered the first modern electric car. It was a product of collaborative work between the National Union Electric Company, Henney Coachworks, Renault, and the Eureka Williams Company. Whilst the sales of the Kilowatt during this time were far from encouraging, its development served as the prototype for the other automobiles down the line of hybrid cars. Between the 1960s and 1970s, another prototype of the earlier electric-hybrid vehicle was built by Victor Wouk. Wouk is among the scientists involved with the development of the Henney Kilowatt automobile. For this work, some historians bestowed upon him the honor being the Godfather of the Hybrid hybrid car. For his pioneering work, Wouk installed a sample electric-hybrid drivetrain into a 1972 Buick Skylark, courtesy GM for the 1970 Federal Clean Car Incentive Program. The program was later axed by the EPA in 1976. Hybrid enthusiast and supporters continued building hybrid automobiles. These models however, were not put into mass production. In the fading years of the twentieth century however, the history of hybrid cars has taken on a new course. 1978, the regenerative-braking hybrid, was developed by Electrical Engineer David Arthurs. The said regenerative-braking is to have become the core design concept of most hybrids, currently available in the market. The first attempt of Arthurs used off-the shelf components, including an Opel GT. But the voltage controller that links to the battery motor and the DC generator belonged to Arthurs. Fast forward in the 1990s The history of hybrid cars took the final step to modernity in terms of mass production during the Bill Clinton administration. Clinton initiated the Partnership for a New Generation of Vehicles program in September, 1993, that involved the Department of Energy, Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, USCAR, and various governmental agencies. The partnership was tasked to engineer a modern efficient and clean vehicle. In 2001, this program was replaced George W. Bushs own hydrogen focused FreedomCAR initiative. The focus of the FreedomCAR initiative was to fund research that is considered high risk for the private sector to engage in. The long term purpose of which is the development and production of petroleum emission. The success of hybrid vehicles in terms of mass production however, became a reality, when the Japanese car manufacturer entered the American market. This is when the history of hybrid cars finally took its modern development. Honda Insight and Toyota Prius became the modern progenitor of modern day hybrid vehicle available today in the market. Read more on The 100 Year History Of The Hybrid Car…

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The 100 Year History Of The Hybrid Car

The Advantages of Using Solar Electricity

There are a lot of misconceptions out there with home and business owners about switching to solar electricity . “It’s not cost effective,” “It’s unsightly,” and “It doesn’t save that much electricity” are just a few of them. However, most of those misconceptions simply aren’t true anymore, particularly with advances made in the technology and the accommodations being made for solar power as it becomes more mainstream. In fact, numerous advantages have been identified for using solar electricity. Here are just a few of them. It Really Does Save Money If you’re willing to invest up front and have a solar power system customized for your home or business, solar electricity really can save you considerably in the long run. The main point of having this system personalized is because the experts can design in such a way that you will be able to get the most out of it. When it’s done right, you can often generate more electricity per day than you can actually use. This does not only keep you from consuming electricity from the power grid but the extra power the you did not use can be sent back to the power grid and help you save money. Plus, the government is now encouraging the use of solar electricity by offering generous tax incentives for people who install solar in their homes and businesses-so even the initial investment is not as much. It is Environment Friendly This means that this kind of electricity does not generate harmful pollutants because it is a clean and renewable source energy. This energy source is very abundant and it is capable of providing electricity that can last four to five years. Remember that a kilowatt hour used using solar electricity is equivalent to a kilowatt hour produced without burning fossil fuels, which translates to reduced pollution and slows down the depletion of natural resources. The more difference it will make if more people will start using it. It is Stable Some people think you can only use solar energy on sunny days; that’s not really true. Solar energy can be collected on most cloudy days, as well, although not as much as in direct sunlight. If the panels are strategically placed you will be able to gather more energy that you can use and at times when gathering energy is not so good, you can always use the power produced by the local power grid. As you can see, there are actually many benefits to switching to solar electricity , and it is easier now to do than ever before. If you’re willing to make the investment, you’ll save money and help save the environment in the long run. Read more on The Advantages of Using Solar Electricity…

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New Electric Car Technology Status Report

Jim Henderson asked: There’s little doubt that electric powered cars are the next big thing. But where are we regarding new electric car technology? Are there any affordable electric cars available today? Here’s a quick overview of what’s out there right now. If you want proof that electric cars can be fast and fun check out the Tesla Roadster. This exciting sports car can go 0-60 mph in 4 seconds flat and hit speeds of well over 100 mph. The Roadster sells for over $100,000. Another option is to purchase a Scion xB and have the people over at AC Propulsion convert it into an electric vehicle. The result is called an Ebox. It drives well and can fit five passengers. The conversion cost about $55,000. Oh, and the Scion will set you back another $15,000. BMW sells a popular car called the Mini. Now they’ve produced an electric version named the Mini E. This car isn’t for sale though. The good news is you can lease it for $850 a month. The bad news is you need to live in LA or New York to do so. And there are only 500 of them available. Believe it or not, but Chrysler has been working on new electric car technology. They plan to release a Dodge Electric Vehicle in two or three years–if the company’s still around. Like the Tesla, this one is also a flashy sports car. Notice a trend here? There’s nary an affordable electric vehicle in sight. What’s happening today is that people aren’t waiting for mainstream electric cars to be made for them. Instead, they’re making their own electric vehicles. That’s right, there’s a growing army of people who are tossing out their gas-powered engines and replacing them with electric ones. It’s not that hard and not that expensive. But how do you go about learning how to do this? First you need to buy an electric car conversion kit. There are many of them available on the internet. These kits are actually sets of instructions. They cost anywhere from $30 -?$50 and are immediately downloadable, so you can literally get started as soon as today. New electric car technology has made electric car conversion much cheaper and easier than it used to be. Simply follow the instructions, which also tell you where to find the cheapest parts, and you’ll soon be driving your very own electric car! Solar Power for homes Read more on New Electric Car Technology Status Report… Subscribe to the comments for this post? Share this on del.icio.us Digg this! Post this on Diigo Post on Google Buzz Add this to Mister Wong Share this on Mixx Share this on Reddit Stumble upon something good? Share it on StumbleUpon Share this on Technorati Tweet This!

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Electric Car Conversion Kit For Honda and Others

Nick Earl asked: If you are thinking about using electric car conversion for your Honda or any other type of car, then you really can boil it down to two different options that you have. Basically you can either pay a premium for the commercial installation of a hybrid electrical system in your car, or you can do it for a lot cheaper by doing it yourself, and simply paying for the parts and the process guide on how to do it. Honda have recently brought out there very own hybrid car, and it sure does look the part, but I was wondering when I saw it, as many others would have been too, does the price of the new Honda electric really live up to the hype? That being said, and although Honda have not exactly made this option cheap by any means, this technology really is in need in this present day, with the current financial situation and also the growing need for alternative fuels within society. It is now known that we are over 50% through the world’s natural peak oil supplies, this really doesn’t give us much time to find an alternative fuel source that is viable and economically and environmentally sustainable. Electric hybrid car technology, from what people now know through experimentation and research and simply using it and testing it for themselves, is a very viable and potentially worthy solution to the problem. There are few other alternatives which seem as viable as this. This was clearly one of the reasons that Honda and other large car companies have started to commercially produce hybrid vehicles as part of their production range. The fact that many people are really using this technology in their day-to-day lives is a very good sign that we are heading on the right track. If you’re interested in converting your car, then you’ll want to look at both options. Both the option of commercial installation, and also the option of a do-it-yourself installation which is much cheaper but potentially more work. If you’re interested in the do-it-yourself option then the question really is how do you find the right information to begin this process in doing it yourself? Solar power Read more on Electric Car Conversion Kit For Honda and Others… Subscribe to the comments for this post? Share this on del.icio.us Digg this! Post this on Diigo Post on Google Buzz Add this to Mister Wong Share this on Mixx Share this on Reddit Stumble upon something good? Share it on StumbleUpon Share this on Technorati Tweet This!

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MIT Breakthrough: Thermo-Chemical Solar Power

MIT researchers are hopeful of capturing and releasing solar energy with the help of thermo-chemical technology. Scientists were already working on this technology in seventies but this project was aborted due to its expensiveness and termed as too impractical to achieve. But MIT researchers are now gearing up to take this thermo-chemical technology that Posted in: Future Energy , Inventions , Solar Power

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MIT Breakthrough: Thermo-Chemical Solar Power

Looking For Advice About Alternative Energy Sources

Electricity is consumed in large amounts in today’s world. One of the main reasons for this is the rapid change of technology. When a high number of hi tech equipment, vehicles, etc enters the market, the people are inclined to purchase it. In the past although governments did not stress about it, a shortage of natural resources in the long term was a visible fact by most people. This is why finding alternative energy sources are a necessary and important factor. Countries that supply oil are aware of these shortages and therefore increase their prices each year. The more we lose the more problems we are faced with. Many governments are ready to go ahead with alternative energy sources, simply because of the high prices in the already lacking resources. The first time the need for alternative energy sources came up in the United States in the 1970’s. An oil shortage in those years resulted in individuals staying at long queues in gas filling stations. It is not only vehicles that had this problem. Households suffered with a shortage of gas and other energy resources that were used in their day-to-day lives. This became a critical issue and experts started to find alternative energy sources to solve this issue. Up to date, many experts have made several advancements in their search for alternative energy sources, but the fact remains that the prices of resources we use today are higher than never before. When talking about alternative energy sources, the wind, water and sun are some of the main three resources that are put into this use. If the technology is used properly with these resources, a more cost effective mode could be made. Instead of oil being used, people could replace it with such alternative energy sources and use it to turn their turbines for the generation process. Geothermal power and hydropower are also some of the alternative energy sources that are used today. Although there are several alternative energy sources that can be put into use, one must know that not everyone can use the sources the way they want. For example, a person who lives in a geographic area that has less wind cannot use wind as a means to turn their turbines to generate electricity. The same goes for individuals living in areas with less exposure to the sun. alternative energy sources cannot be used in such locations. This proves that not every geographic location can be utilized for the generation of electricity. Read more on Looking For Advice About Alternative Energy Sources… Subscribe to the comments for this post? Share this on del.icio.us Digg this! Post this on Diigo Post on Google Buzz Add this to Mister Wong Share this on Mixx Share this on Reddit Stumble upon something good? Share it on StumbleUpon Share this on Technorati Tweet This! ways how geothermal energy helps us alternative energy

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Consider Solar Power For Your Home

Adrian Whittle asked: Solar power for your home is an increasingly attractive alternative to traditional forms of energy, be they grid electricity or burning fossil fuels in the home. There are a number of reasons for this. There are the economic realities of energy production now and in the future. There is the ethical issue of using a non-renewable energy source and a moral issue with regards to the damage that fossil fuels do to the environment. This article will cover some of these issues and cover how solar power for the home addresses some of these issues. Grid electricity and the use of fossil fuels costs money and this will only go up as the resources that power grid electricity get harder to find. In California, it is estimated that it is cheaper to make solar electricity than it is to use the grid variety. This is hitting people in their collective wallets and purses and causing a search for alternatives. Again in California, there are many incentives to install solar panel into homes. There are even incentives for building companies to pre-install solar panels in homes. This seems to make a lot of sense. The major benefit of solar power, after initial cost and installation, is that the power that is created is free provided the Sun keeps on shining. The cost to buy and install solar panels is now not so expensive and the incentives and rebates make it more attractive. It also seems that over time the cost of solar power can only go down. The technology will become more efficient and the technology to build solar panels will become cheaper. Contrast this with the cost of finding and extracting fossil fuels. This cost will only go up over time. Given the finite nature of fossil fuels, solar power and other alternative methods of creating power seem to be far more accepted than the other alternative – nuclear power. The average person in the street is generally uncertain, if not, opposed to nuclear power, given the numerous nuclear accidents that have occurred. Having said this, governments seem to prefer nuclear power because it is more reliable on a large scale than solar power or wind power. However, this is not the case for the individual home. It seems that solar panels on the roofs of suburban homes will soon be a common place site rather than an unusual one. Water 4 Gas Read more on Consider Solar Power For Your Home… Subscribe to the comments for this post? Share this on del.icio.us Digg this! Post this on Diigo Post on Google Buzz Add this to Mister Wong Share this on Mixx Share this on Reddit Stumble upon something good? Share it on StumbleUpon Share this on Technorati Tweet This!

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Choosing the Right LCD TV

I would often have nightmares about the modern world and I believe most of you would agree with me when I tell you about it. What would be more horrific than awakening one day in a television-less world? Thank goodness we continue to have the wonderful gadgets to complete our lives and made it even better. That is the 15 LCD TV . What are the features of a fifteen LCD Television that makes it better than all the rest? A fifteen LCD Television is obviously an inventive visible device that sets your viewing mode to a different level with all its unique and practical features. I just love how those LCD sets possess both display capacity and an incredible sturdy construction that makes my choice the cleverest investment I have ever done. 15 LCD Television are quite reasonable yet at par with other large LCD Televisions as regards to its monitor features, power and functionality. There’s just no question with its performance in delivering only the best viewing experience for you. Another great feature this technology has is how you can save lots of extra room in your home and personal space, therefore permitting you to enjoy a spacious and a more convenient, cozy place in your home. Its smashing exterior is similarly a modern-home accessory perfect to every household anywhere. I benefited a lot from my fifteen LCD TV, making it an essential item in my humble abode. What about you? It’s definitely time to snatch your own fifteen LCD Television right now! Read more on Choosing the Right LCD TV… Energy Tags: solar energy , battery technology Subscribe to the comments for this post? Share this on del.icio.us Digg this! Post this on Diigo Post on Google Buzz Add this to Mister Wong Share this on Mixx Share this on Reddit Stumble upon something good? Share it on StumbleUpon Share this on Technorati Tweet This!

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Aeroturbine – Next Generation Wind Energy

Zeeshan Minhas asked: Aero turbines can be easily considered as the next generation of small-scale wind energy generation. As most of us are aware that installing a windmill on individual basis is not preferable because of both, cost and production efficiency, and that’s why till now wind energy was limited to windy regions all over the world, other factors like noise pollution and dangers of bird killing made windmills non popular amongst many for the past 2 decades. But all this is about to change with the invention of Double-helix wind turbine, more commonly known as aero turbines. This invention of DR. Bill Becker of university Illinois & Chicago is down to earth and simple when it comes to design but the approach to harvest the wind energy is very efficient and cost effective. The propellers of these aero turbines look more like an electric beater then a blade, because these wind turbines are absolutely silent and not very large they can be easily placed on rooftops and fixed on windy edges of high raised buildings. Aero turbines are caged in a pipe frame are light in weight, and slow moving wind energy generators so they do not propose any threat to wildlife, and work fine in heavy snow fall. Hence special zoning, code exemptions or high insurance rates are not required for installing these wind machines. With two different types of propellers infused in the same structure aero turbines are efficient starters and efficient producers, at the same time. The inner savonius wind blades are efficient starters, with low production rate and start working in wind speed as low as 6mph, no matter if the wind is gusting and irregular or non directional, while the outer Darius wind blades start working in high winds, though these blades are poor starter but efficient producers, and can continue to generate electricity up to 70 mph., yet there unique design prevents them from a run away in high winds. Aerotecture International has developed two models, 510V AND 520H with a production capacity of 1kw and 1.8kw respectively. The cost of these aero turbines is $15,000 for the 510V and $21,000 for 520H, which is quite high but is expected to reduce with mass production, but the simplicity of the design has actually made it possible for many to attempt and make one for personal use. Once the technology hits China, the cost should drop to as low as $ 1500 to $ 2000 a unit or may be even lower which is not bad for such a low maintenance wind turbine. It wont be a surprise to find these wind machines installed under the bridges or on the roof tops of urban sky scrapers, maybe railway stations or highways to full fill the never ending energy needs. Water 4 Gas Read more on Aeroturbine – Next Generation Wind Energy… Energy Tags: alternative , alternative energy Subscribe to the comments for this post? Share this on del.icio.us Digg this! Post this on Diigo Post on Google Buzz Add this to Mister Wong Share this on Mixx Share this on Reddit Stumble upon something good? Share it on StumbleUpon Share this on Technorati Tweet This! energy

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