Autonomous Energy Vehicle - Venturi Eclectic

[leblanc]

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Forget biodiesel and fuel cell-powered vehicles, how about a whip that doesn't require any fuel whatsoever? The Venturi Eclectic, touted as an "autonomous energy vehicle," gets its charge from wind gusts and 8.2 square feet of solar cells atop its roof. The four-person ride boasts a 22-horsepower purely electric engine, is powered by liquid-cooled NiMH batteries, and can reach a (yawn-inducing) top-end speed of nearly 32mph. While it's no Wrightspeed X1, the designers had "daily driver" in mind when the Ecletic was crafted, but considering it'll only roll 31 miles on a full charge, you best take the scenic (read: sunny) route to work if you're facing a long commute. The car does sport an option to recharge via AC power, should you face darker (and calmer) than expected conditions, but since it weighs just 772 pounds, a foursome shouldn't have too much trouble using the tried and true "push method" if worse comes to worst. Scheduled for production in June 2007, this oh-so-green automombile will run you €24,000 ($30,511) -- if you can manage to score one of the 200 that'll be built, that is.[Via MobileMag]

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Clean Power

[Benman]

I'm definately not opposed to clean vehicles, it is just that they need to do better than that to get my attention. Such as the Tesla ( www.teslamotors.com ). But even the Tesla is $100K for a $45K Lotus that has a slightly lower range and top end. Plus, no road trips, yet.

For commuters (when said commute is short and slow), electrics are fine, but they need to have a larger infrastructure before they become a viable alternative.

Ben:addict:

[leblanc]

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ELECTRO-SOLAR HYBRID

HYBRIDE ELECTROSOLAIRE

With 3.6 m2 of photovoltaic cells giving an exceptional yield of 21%, and covered by a film composed of nano-prisms enabling denser concentration of solar energy, Astrolab is the first high-performance solar vehicle to be commercialised in the world.

Capable of working with very little energy (16 kWc engine) and of recharging even when in motion, this vehicle of another era does not need to be permanently exposed to the sun in order to move. Its last-generation NiMH Venturi NIV-7 batteries – liquid cooled – in fact enable it to restitute stored energy, whether solar or from the electricity supply, making it the first electro-solar hybrid vehicle.
With a top speed of 120 km/hr and autonomy of 110 km, Astrolab is a real "Solar Commuter" making extensive trips on a daily basis.

CONSUMPTION = 0, EMISSIONS = 0

This is very first vehicle that consumes no fossile resources in order to work : the emissions of CO2 required for its construction will even be compensated for by evironmental actions.
A parallel can be drawn between Astrolab and a sailboat : both advance silently while making best use of the elements provided by Nature. And the piloting of both makes for sensations unlike any other.
To attain this level of performance while using very little energy, Astrolab has been designed like a Formula 1 : its carbon monocoque chassis is ultra-light and serves as an oversized protection cell ensuring the safety of its occupants in the event of a collision. Its profile recalls the aqua-dynamic design of great racing yachts.



Green Power:revs:

[Benman]

Again, we need something that combines both of these capabilities into one. The "ELECTROSOLAIRE" has a top speed of @74mph. Fine, I could live with that as a commuter car... but what is the range? I know it says it can recharge while driving, but be real, this really means it can recharge while driving at 8mph, not the 74mph top speed it claims to have. And make no mistake, 74mph is a minimum here in Southern California. My commute consists of the interstate 15 (also known as "Little Autobahn") and you better be in the slow lane if you're doing 75 or so... When we first moved down to Murrieta (16 years ago) traffic was light and the "flow" was set around 90mph. Now that more and more people have moved in, this has "dropped" to 80-85, but still faster than the top speed of this car.

The "Eclectic" looks more pratical, but with a 31mph top speed, this is just a toy, nothing more (except for folks living in downtown New York/ Tokyo maybe...).

We need a car that can go 80+mph and still has a range of 100+miles and cost less than a house. Then, maybe I'd bite.

Tesla is currently working on a four door sedan earmarked to be the size of a BMW 3 series (A4/C Class), goes 0-60 in sub 8 seconds, has a 175 mile range and costs less than $45K. Now THAT I would buy.:cheers:

Ben:addict: