Meek: A concept of low emission taxi with a sustainable approach collectively

The once-thriving industry of automobile and again has teamed up with the wonderful sentence of sustainability. Do but wants the expansive scope of sustainability really say? Simply put, involves the meeting of our present needs without compromising the ability of future generations (needs).

In this connection, there has been some innovative yet credible automotive conceptions that defend the pronouncement and the field of sustainability. Such a design concept is the Meek: a car from the direction, electric powered taxi which could serve customers in the future year of 2022.

Manso by Jacob Haim a car TAXI concept of direction
Developed by a design team of Jacob Haim, Nils Kramer and Matthews Wagner, Meek conception has referred to as a friendly echoed that would be conducive to the urban traffic system. According to the designers, most technologies of management vehicles auto current trafficking the essence intrinsic mechanism of the car instead of using the most important component of the passengers. But their conceptualization will come as a just solution to the passenger related predicaments (along with its environmental effects comprehensive). The fight against the problems will be done through various factors such as minimize congestion of traffic, accident prevention and maintaining the level of passenger comfort. But most importantly, the system will thrive to provide efficient and cost-effective transport with a fervent echo vibrates aware.

Overcrowding conditions encountered in areas densely populated mega cities and clusters around Asia, Europe and North America, designers have based characteristics of emission, the ergonomics and the fuel economy of Meek. In this regard, the taxi will have a capacity for four people. Reaching your vehicle specifications, the dimensions of the spatially skillful chassis will be 3 m (length) x 1.7 m (width) x 1.8 m (height), with a total weight of only 1200kg.

With regard to transmission of low emission, the taxi is fed by a 36 kW electric motor and wheel hub motors, complemented with a battery pack resistant 120 kg (which may be charged a rear power). The ability to maneuver will be dictated by a compact body with rear wheel steering mechanism. More importantly, from the perspective of the efficiency of fuel, the car will have a significant range of approximately 180 km on a single charge.

Now, coming to the spatial attributes, Meek have a variety of settings for optimized comfort of its passengers. In illustrations of concept, we can see that the minimalist aesthetics is accentuated by a glass of sober but tough aluminum (such as a roof structure) frame. The seats are to be ergonomic, with a range for the area of additional seats (if necessary).

 And with a sense of the allusion to the satisfaction of passengers, the designers have also thought of effective accessibility, which could also serve as wheelchair-dependent people.

Finally, expected that the system as a whole as a collective solution to public transport. This means that the Meek may call easily by smartphones, by entering the destination and foot the Bill. The vehicle can also receive a request to share someone else's if your destination is located on the same route. Now, if you choose this passage, the trip becomes more profitable for all passengers on board. This approach will also make the taxi more affordable and sustainable in the long term.

Sustainable transport more electric vehicles

Highways of today

There is no question about transportation industry being one the major contributing factors to the total quantity of carbon emissions all over the world. Core statistical figures certainly attest to this new model vehicles accounting for than gasoline with 20 percent of the astronomical 8000 million tons of total carbon dioxide, emitted annually.

 In fact, the average passenger car in United States emits 11,450 (5,190 kg) pounds of greenhouse gases per year, thus translating to an overall ambit of more than 33 percent of US's total carbon also. Even when it comes to spatial habitats, the substantial carbon footprint of an individual fossil fuel powered automobile can account for loss of over a whopping 50,000 square meters of area.

In such adverse conditions, electric vehicles are often presented as the righteous saviors of our environment. However, when practicality knocks at the door, they have their own set of problems, which we have briefly discussed later.

The problem with electric cars

The greatest predicament of electric cars is related to commercial economy, rather than environmental effect. In the current scenario, an EV demands more upfront cost from the customer, than comparable its gas guzzling cousin. Marcille, there are a slew of other problems, given the relatively nascent stage of the whole technological scope electric. These include consumer oriented obstacles like lack of Figo, or in this case, charging infrastructure, the psychological range anxiety and even maintenance and servicing factors. Finally, when we consider their intrinsic power systems, large scale lithium ion battery production in itself can be pollution intensive.

Green transport beyond EVs

1 Air powered vehicles: Toyota's air powered Ku:rin

Air in itself can be considered as one of the greenest forms of 'fuel'. In this regard, there are some independent conceptions that are powered exclusively by compressed air. However, big names as usual lend greater credibility to a nascent scope. Well, this time it is the world's largest automaker Toyota, who has kicked up a few notches by conceiving the three wheeler Ku:rin ' green'. Holding the world record for being the fastest car powered by compressed air, the arrow shaped vector has a speed of 80.3 mph (129.2km/h). Though, there is still room for further development, as the current range is marked at to paltry 2 miles (3.2 km), because of the low energy density of compressed air.

2 Biofuel powered vehicles: Lotus demand 265E

With a breathtaking acceleration of 0 to 60 mph in just 3.9 seconds and an exhilarating top speed of 158 mph (253 km/h), the Lotus demand 265E is certainly the boisterous monster we auto fans pray for. However, it is the green credentials that have tickled our fancies. Powered by a supercharged 1.8 litre engine with 260 hp capacity, the fuel used by this classy specimen is uniquely bio ethanol. This particularly naturalistic component comprises of around 85 percent ethanol (an alcohol) and 15 percent petrol. As for its advantages, the fuel produces more power in the engine than with conventional petrol, and also contribute to net carbon reduction. But, on the other hand, it does reduce the overall fuel economy of the car.

3 Hydrogen internal combustion engine: The Scorpion

When it comes to pure style factor, the 'curvalicious' Scorpion from Texas based widely Motor Company, is surely the eye candy to crave for. But, beyond the visual allure, it is the innovative power train under the hoods that matters most for our precious environment. In that regard, the company has taken the innovative path with their specially designed hybrid mechanism that entails an internal combustion engine configured to burn a combination of gasoline and hydrogen. This substantially decreases both CO2 and NOx emissions, along with improving upon overall fuel economy. Marcille, the car only requires an on board water tank which is controlled to dual computer processor to generate high pressure hydrogen.

4 Maglev vehicles: Dualmode 2030 concept vehicle

As can be ascertained by the apt name, this novel conception, which is still in its conceptual stage, will have two different maneuvering systems incorporated into a single automobile. In fact, the designer Geoffrey Cooper has envisaged the Dualmode 2030 car to have an autonomous driving mechanism, when traveling through expansive, traffic free highways maglev. This will allow an automatic mode of steering, while the driver relaxes throughout the zero emission commute. However, when the vehicle enters the city zone, the conventional gasoline oriented driving system will take over, pertaining to fully manual controls.

5 Human powered cars: HumanCar

Taking a page right out of 'The Flintstones', the human powered car is as sustainable as it gets. Powered by unique series of back and forth cranks, which are to be operated by the passengers, the whole footpedals only works well with four people on board. Of course, the Human Car could also be driven by a single driver, but then it will be powered by a hybrid engine or a fully electrical set up. As for solid specs, the $15,000 vehicle can supposedly move to a top speed of 30 mph (48 km/h) with the 'human power' of four.

6 Hydrogen Petrol powered cars

British scientists are in the process of devising an artificial petrol component which is based on hydrogen, rather than carbon. This means the final by product after combustion will be limited to water, instead of carbon harmful fumes. However, even beyond its fascinatingly green potential, the artificial petrol will most likely be ludicrously cost effective. In fact, according to the researchers, the advanced fuel is expected to have a price of around just $1.50 to gallon, by its final stage of development after two years.

The Bottomline

Now, the only silver lining in the current situation is that the carrier of our green technology has certainly expanded beyond the constraints of electric driven mechanisms. Yes, some of them may still be relegated within the ambit of concepts and prototypes, but their continued development in the future may herald credible to more collective solution, both from perspectives of environment and user convenience.

2012 International year of sustainable energy

Good news, no doubt, is for those who are in favour of the growth of renewable energy as a means for sustainable development. But certainly this "gesture" of the UN will not be a solution to the serious problems arising worldwide from the use of fossil fuels, it will be a good opportunity to bring more attention and point to awareness.

Why the UN choose this theme for the year 2012. One of the reasons pointing to the concept of energy as a means for the improvement of the quality of life of many (many) people around the world. In this regard, emphasize the social aspects of sustainable energy access.

The energy increases the productivity of farmers, helping to alleviate the scourge of hunger. Energy illuminates the learning on the way to reduce the high rates of illiteracy. Energy relieves the burden of work on millions of girls and women. Energy saves the life of sick children. Energy allows to modernize diagnosis systems, helping to prevent diseases or better care of children and pregnant women. Energy gives the operating rooms, giving doctors the power to heal and save lives. Energy enables communication and the improvement of life in thousands of previously isolated communities energy opens bridges to the future and helps equip opportunities.


While the benefits of sustainable energy that we have described just seem very encouraging, reality unfortunately far from take this to the majority of the people.
In the presentation of the project, the United Nations published very worrying statistics do not if corroborate the huge disparity in our world.

Approximately between 1400 and 1500 million (21 per cent of the world's population) has no access to modern energy . 3 billion people (40% of the population) depend of the « traditionalbiomass » or coal as a source of energy. At the same time, in countries with energy systems, millions of low-income people cannot access them by inability to pay this service.

The big leap to incorporate these masses of people to the possibility of electrical energy is a priority. But it is important to note that the energy must be sustainable. I.e., their production and their use must not harm to the environment or the communities. For this reason, the response to this need is renewable energy.
Renewable energy is inexhaustible, put in feeds on natural resources - as its name - you you renew: wind, solar, wave, geothermal sources, etc. It does not generate pollution in the process of generation.
And here do not complete the benefits...

It is more economical in the long term, and does not require mega investment as it required for a nuclear power plant or a thermoelectric power station. It does not require a network to work, since it can be generated independently in each community and each House. And is more secure (only remember Fukushima).

In short, is the energy of the future… a future we must build.


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The REPSOL Foundation develops your sustainable project

On this basis, the REPSOL Foundation has created a new initiative to enable new talent, those people with their own ideas and ambition to change things, to develop their projects. -This new initiative is aimed at those who have already created a business or those who want to create it centered in the field of efficient energy.

What the REPSOL Foundation proposes, is a contest that outlining the different projects and they as a Foundation, would help the winner to develop your project.Such aid would not only focus on the economic, but that also will provide professionals with high experience in the sector to have excellent technical, legal and business advice .

This initiative is a real opportunity to grow or start in this field. Creating new businesses and create jobs is a great pillar that develops the entrepreneurs Fund, created entirely with private capital.As in all contests, there is a date limit for the proposal, you have until the 30 of November.Once past the deadline, a prestige jury will be in charge of selecting the winning project, which will be announced during the first months of 2012.

Normally, humans timeless dreaming to do one or the other thing, today you have the opportunity to put your dreams in progress and submit your own project the Repsol Foundation.With luck, you'll be working on something that you love and security that this can have a positive impact on the lives of many others and the world in general.The REPSOL Foundation proposes you to do your dream achievable challenge, join a project unforgettable.





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Buenos Aires: in search of a renewable and sustainable public transport.

The City of Buenos Aires is one of the largest Latin America and like so many others of them, starts showing the first signs of a sustainable public transport planning. In spite of the existing delay this same problem in Europe and elsewhere in the world, the capital of Argentina gives his first steps with the construction of Metrobus (a Bus rapid transit system) to be added to the previous programmes of buses hybrids, bicisendas and bike relay.

Buenos Aires City Government announced the construction of its first line of Metrobus, which will take a walk West across much of the Federal Capital. While the service will be provided by bus lines current (i.e. buses conventional), efficiency of this system will involve a reduction of the transit significant (50% less buses on the same route) thus saving fuel and greenhouse gas emissions.

While it starts up this project of Metrobus, it is already working for some months the first hybrid bus of the City and the production of new units that could begin to serve this year being taken forward.
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