Body work powered cars are the future of electric, hybrid cars

As Swedish carmaker Volvo to team up with Imperial College London on a 3.4 million euro project, possibilities for the concerns over the impracticality of electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles may soon come to an end. The duo to work...

As Swedish carmaker Volvo to team up with Imperial College London on a 3.4 million euro project, possibilities for the concerns over the impracticality of electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles may soon come to an end. The duo to work together to develop a prototype material that stores and discharges electrical energy, allowing parts of a car's bodywork to double up as its battery. The project will help quash the very thought of being stranded at a location with dead battery and no recharge station for miles which is a major affliction people eschew buying an EV or HEV.

The project will work on an idea to store energy in different parts of the electric or hybrid car and then use this energy to power anything from the brake lights to the satnav. The technology will feature small and fewer batteries being used that could power the vehicle for a longer period of time without the need to recharge. Well, if this thing comes out to be true, it will not only be a new paradigm in energy conservation but will reduce the charging stations considerably.

The other possible +ve outcomes of this energy storage technology include: it would lead to lighter vehicles on the road, which obviously translates to less road wear-and-tear per car in the future. With all the research work going on, it doesn't seem improbable to think of a car drawing power from its roof, bonnet etc or mobile phone as thin as credit card or laptop that can draw energy from its casing.

Via: Technabob

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Original source : http://www.automotto.org/entry/body-work-powered-c...

2010 MotoCzysz E1pc – The most advanced electric motorcycle ever made

You might surely have come across many electric bikes so far but the one pictured above outshines them as greatest does to least. Hailed as 2010 MotoCzysz E1pc, the bike is not merely another technically impressive electric motorcycle, but the most...

You might surely have come across many electric bikes so far but the one pictured above outshines them as greatest does to least. Hailed as 2010 MotoCzysz E1pc, the bike is not merely another technically impressive electric motorcycle, but the most advanced two-wheeler ever made. Integrated by Michael Czysz while using MotoGP-level thinking, MotoCzysz E1pc features the most electric drive technology yet seen with engineering solutions.

The bike is to take part in the Isle of Man's TT Zero electric motorcycle race – the toughest one in the world and has already clocked a 94.6 MPH lap, tantalizingly close to the 100 MPH goal. The electric bike features ten 19.5 pound lithium polymer battery packs, incredibly diminutive tail section and the huge swingarm. That means the bike packs 10 times the battery capacity of a Toyota Prius and 2.5 times the torque of a Ducati 1198.

The other features this most advanced electric bike include ten lithium polymer batteries without wires for easy swaps, an oil-cooled electric motor especially developed from the ground up to win races and a top speed 140 MPH so far. E1pc Superbike has a 100hp electric motor with a torque density of 250+ lb ft. The MotoCzysz motor can deliver a continuous 75kW (100hp) and is 93% efficient under continuous heavy load (140C).

Via: Popsci

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Original source : http://www.automotto.org/entry/2010-motoczysz-e1pc...

Terrestrial Shrub Rover is a harmless shrub on the wheels

Ingenuity knows no bounds and here is an instance that shows humans have a never die urge to explore. See this object and you will surely take it for a moving shrub but it's a solar electric powered car, mind you. As per its looks, the vehicle is...

Ingenuity knows no bounds and here is an instance that shows humans have a never die urge to explore. See this object and you will surely take it for a moving shrub but it's a solar electric powered car, mind you. As per its looks, the vehicle is named as the Terrestrial Shrub Rover and is disguised as a well-manicured shrub. Designed and built by Jason Shull, the Shrub Rover is powered by plug-in solar electricity and is underpinned by a compact go-kart frame with a fiberglass dome and glued on faux foliage. And to give the driver view of the outside road, the amazing vehicle features three outward facing LCD cameras (or about 300 of these mini-cams) to assist and give the occupant a lot more fun than a normal car. Hit the jump to checkout more images and a video to see Shrub Rover in action.

Via: Justinshull / Jalopnik

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Original source : http://www.automotto.org/entry/terrestrial-shrub-r...

Mercedes-Benz Arrow concept, a recreational supercar for 2050

Mercedes is already one of the most technologically advanced auto brands and provides its customers with all that luxury and equipments that they want or can really think about. However, designer Felipe Palermo envisions a Mercedes Benz concept that..

Mercedes is already one of the most technologically advanced auto brands and provides its customers with all that luxury and equipments that they want or can really think about. However, designer Felipe Palermo envisions a Mercedes Benz concept that fits well in 2050. Inspired by old Silver Arrows, Slr Mclaren, and the 1954 Gull-wing, Mercedes-Benz Arrow concept is based on the idea that people at that time won't use cars but rail systems. Therefore, the concept is especially designed as recreational vehicle for fun on the weekends. The concept has been designed with the aim to draw comparison with other leisure vehicles such as motorcycles, jet skis, and personalized aircraft. The layout for Mercedes-Benz Arrow concept is done by TANDEM, the vehicle works with MAGLEV system that helps the vehicle to take on the sharp curves. The vehicle will have tires that will never wear out because they can simply be re-injected with rubber.

Via: Yankodesign

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Original source : http://www.automotto.org/entry/mercedes-benz-arrow...

Fire Born Chopper is one of the most outrageous custom built

Amazing creations attract, and here is one that you couldn't help but appreciate. The real beast is ideal for the macho men who have inclination for power and style. And undoubtedly, the Fire Born motorcycle is to give you all that with 124" IST...

Amazing creations attract, and here is one that you couldn't help but appreciate. The real beast is ideal for the macho men who have inclination for power and style. And undoubtedly, the Fire Born motorcycle is to give you all that with 124″ IST S&S 2.032cc engine mated to a Baker 6 speed Helicoidal gear box. Built by Pedro Vizcaino, Fire Born features GCB forks, Zodiac pendulum, Tricky Air suspension and Supertrapp PY exhaust system. To give you that fine grip on the road, the bike incorporates Avon 130/70/18 front and 330/30/17 rear tires. Its ultimate color job is Ricky C.Lopez House of Kolor + Gold Leaf 24kl to give you that exalted ride that others will wry.

Via: Bikepost / Jameslist

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Original source : http://www.automotto.org/entry/fire-born-chopper-i...

Audi 2050 Concept is classic city racer of the future

Imagined by Victor Uribe for the year 2050, the Audi 2050 Concept has been designed while keeping in mind a vehicle that is not only small enough to commute you easily through the crowded streets of tomorrow but also matches the essence of Audi....

Imagined by Victor Uribe for the year 2050, the Audi 2050 Concept has been designed while keeping in mind a vehicle that is not only small enough to commute you easily through the crowded streets of tomorrow but also matches the essence of Audi. Developed in an effort to break the stereotype that small cars must be boring, the car is perfectly sized with features and functionality to give riders the feel of race cars. The concept will be powered by hydrogen and transmits pure sensations of a racing even at low speeds. Replacing conventional sliding doors with sliding roof is another unique feature of the vehicle. Despite that its shape is strongly inspired by the racing cars 30, like the auto union type C, and D, Audi 2050 Concept tries to capture the pure soul of those cars and turns it into a car that could be a classic in the distant future.

Cheers, Victor Uribe!

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Original source : http://www.automotto.org/entry/audi-2050-concept-i...