Tag: car

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Car Technology

Hybrid or Fully Electric?

Hybrid or Electric: Which Car is Right for You?

Deciding between a hybrid and a fully electric car can be a daunting task, especially with the growing number of options available. Both types offer significant environmental benefits and unique driving experiences. To help you make an informed decision, let’s explore the key differences and considerations for each.

Hybrid Cars: A Balanced Approach

Hybrids combine a gasoline engine with an electric motor, offering a seamless blend of power and efficiency. They’re a great choice for those who:

  • Want a familiar driving experience: Hybrids retain the traditional feel of a gasoline car, making the transition to electric driving more comfortable.
  • Need longer range: Hybrids can travel longer distances without needing to recharge, making them ideal for frequent road trips or areas with limited charging infrastructure.
  • Prefer a lower upfront cost: While hybrids are generally more expensive than gasoline-only cars, they often have lower maintenance costs and may qualify for government incentives.

Electric Cars: A Clean and Quiet Future

Electric vehicles (EVs) are powered solely by electricity, offering zero tailpipe emissions and a quieter, smoother ride. They’re a great option for those who:

  • Prioritize environmental sustainability: EVs have a significantly smaller carbon footprint than traditional cars.
  • Enjoy a futuristic driving experience: EVs offer instant torque and regenerative braking, providing a unique and enjoyable driving experience.
  • Have access to charging infrastructure: EVs require regular charging, so it’s important to consider the availability of charging stations in your area.

Factors to Consider

  • Driving habits: If you primarily drive short distances within a city, an electric car may be a good fit. For longer commutes or frequent road trips, a hybrid might be more practical.
  • Budget: Hybrids generally have a lower upfront cost than EVs, but EVs often have lower operating costs due to lower fuel and maintenance expenses.
  • Government incentives: Many governments offer tax credits or rebates for purchasing electric or hybrid vehicles. Research the incentives available in your area.
  • Personal preferences: Consider your preferences for driving style, technology, and overall ownership experience.

Ultimately, the best choice between a hybrid and an electric car depends on your individual needs and circumstances. By carefully considering the factors discussed above, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your lifestyle and environmental goals.

Would you like to know more about specific hybrid or electric car models? Or perhaps you have other questions about making the switch to electric transportation?

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Car Technology

Biofuel’d Cars

Biofuels for Cars: A Greener Drive

Biofuels, derived from renewable biological sources, have emerged as a potential alternative to traditional fossil fuels for powering vehicles. These fuels offer a more environmentally friendly option while reducing our reliance on finite petroleum resources. Let’s delve into the world of biofuels and explore their benefits and challenges.

Types of Biofuels for Cars
  • Ethanol: A common biofuel, ethanol is produced from crops like corn, sugarcane, and switchgrass. It is often blended with gasoline to create E10 (10% ethanol) or E85 (85% ethanol) fuel.
  • Biodiesel: Made from vegetable oils, animal fats, or algae, biodiesel can be used as a direct replacement for diesel fuel.
  • Biogas: Produced from the breakdown of organic matter in anaerobic conditions, biogas can be refined into biomethane and used as a vehicle fuel.
Benefits of Biofuels
  • Reduced Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Biofuels can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional fossil fuels, helping to mitigate climate change.
  • Renewable Resource: Unlike fossil fuels, biofuels are derived from renewable sources, ensuring a steady supply.
  • Improved Air Quality: Burning biofuels can lead to cleaner air, with lower emissions of harmful pollutants like particulate matter and sulfur oxides.
  • Support for Rural Economies: The production of biofuels can create jobs and economic opportunities in rural areas.
Challenges and Considerations
  • Land Use: The cultivation of crops for biofuel production can compete with food production for land, leading to concerns about food security.
  • Water Usage: Growing crops for biofuels can be water-intensive, especially in regions with limited water resources.
  • Indirect Land-Use Change: The expansion of biofuel production can lead to deforestation and habitat loss in other areas, which can offset carbon emissions reductions.
  • Carbon Intensity: The carbon intensity of biofuels can vary depending on the feedstock and production process. Some biofuels, such as those derived from corn or palm oil, can have a higher carbon footprint than fossil fuels when the entire life cycle is considered.
The Future of Biofuels

While biofuels offer a promising alternative to fossil fuels, addressing the challenges and ensuring their sustainability is crucial. By promoting the use of sustainable feedstocks, improving production efficiency, and considering the entire life cycle, biofuels can play a valuable role in a greener transportation future.

What do you think? Are biofuels a viable solution for reducing our reliance on fossil fuels, or do the challenges outweigh the benefits?

Here’s a great video talking about Biofuel

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Car Technology

What else other than EV?

Alternative Fuels: A Closer Look Beyond Electric Vehicles

Electric vehicles (EVs) have undeniably taken center stage in the sustainable transportation conversation. But are they the only viable alternative to traditional petrol and diesel cars? Let’s explore some other promising alternative fuels.

1. Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles (FCEVs)
  • How they work: Hydrogen fuel cells combine hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity, which powers the vehicle’s motor.
  • Benefits: Zero tailpipe emissions, long driving range, quick refueling times.
  • Drawbacks: Limited hydrogen fueling infrastructure, higher upfront costs.
2. Biofuels
  • Types: Ethanol (made from corn, sugarcane, or other plant materials), biodiesel (derived from vegetable oils or animal fats).
  • Benefits: Reduced greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil fuels, potential for carbon neutrality.
  • Drawbacks: Can compete with food production for land and resources, some biofuels may have higher emissions when the entire production process is considered.
3. Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)
  • Benefits: Lower emissions than gasoline or diesel, abundant supply.
  • Drawbacks: Limited fueling infrastructure, potential methane leaks (a potent greenhouse gas).
4. Synthetic Fuels
  • How they’re made: Created from carbon dioxide and hydrogen, often using renewable energy sources.
  • Benefits: Can be used in existing gasoline and diesel engines without modifications, potentially carbon-neutral.
  • Drawbacks: Production process is energy-intensive and expensive.

So, which is better?

The “best” alternative fuel depends on various factors, including:

  • Infrastructure: The availability of fueling stations.
  • Cost: The upfront cost of the vehicle and fuel.
  • Environmental impact: The overall greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental effects.
  • Driving needs: Range, refueling time, and suitability for different types of driving.

While electric vehicles have made significant strides, these alternative fuels offer unique advantages and could play a crucial role in a sustainable transportation future. As technology advances and infrastructure improves, we may see a diverse mix of alternative fuels powering our vehicles.

What do you think? Which alternative fuel is most promising in your opinion?

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Car Technology

Dyson Electric Car Parked…

Remember I wrote (a while back) that Dyson (yep…. the ones who make the vacuum cleaners) are making an electric car… well, they’ve decided to park it… but before totally leaving it, they’ve shared some information and images.

Dyson revealed that his electric vehicle, codenamed “N526,” would have been a seven-seater with a whopping 600-mile range per charge.

This was largely thanks to the company’s proprietary solid-state batteries, which could apparently sustain such performance “even on a freezing February night, on the naughty side of 70MPH on the motorway, with the heater on and the radio at full blast.”

The car could go from zero to 62MPH in 4.8 seconds (about half a second more than the long-range Model X), with its top speed apparently reaching 125MPH (30MPH shy of the Model X’s). This is all coming from the twin 200kW electric motors rated with 536BHP.

Dyson told The Times that this project ended up costing £500 million of his own money before he put a stop to it. Unlike other traditional car brands, Dyson doesn’t have a fleet of profitable gasoline cars and diesel cars to offset the “huge losses” on every electric vehicle made — each Dyson electric car would have needed to make £150,000 to break even, according to the entrepreneur.

So it’s all parked for the moment – but the ideas keep coming and Dyson has said his team are working on a number of other projects and open for collaboration. Have you got an idea?….

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Car Technology

Are you Car Tech Savvy?

In a recent survey, 71 percent of those surveyed said that they didn’t feel they received enough information about in-car tech when they took delivery, while a quarter said that they didn’t get enough information at all.

Image result for car tech

Admittedly – over the past few years, there’s been alot of tech… and I mean alot… appearing in our cars!

From Self-driving features… to the Sat Nav letting you know a route that is either the quickest, most fuel efficient or cheapest (avoiding tolls).

In addition, the survey said – one fifth of drivers (20 percent) of drivers said they use less than half of the features in their cars, while a further 10% said they understood only some of the features and just drive their cars.

Image result for infotainment

So what should you do?

Well, firstly… when you take delivery of your car (new) or purchase it (second-hand)… ask!

Ask about the main features, what the car has and what it can do. YouTube is always a good source of information about your car and it’s technology.

Go to the Dealer! – that’s another option. They now have experts who help individuals to understand their cars… this could include downloading an app (that controls features on your car), or other certain features your car may have.

Whilst the features grow… the screens get bigger…

Image result for infotainment

… keeping up can be a task! So refer to the handbook, ask the dealership or phone a friend.

Don’t be afraid of the technology – it’s their to help and support you, to provide you with a better driving experience. And let’s be honest… it’s only going to get more technologically advanced when the cars can fully drive themselves!

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Car Technology

Drive Yourself!

A few weeks ago, I wrote about self driving cars – and how GM have invested heavily into them (in the US) and how they reminded me of the pods they have at Terminal 5 Heathrow parking.

I honestly do think – self driving cars will be the norm and will be coming very soon. What does that mean for you and me….?

Well… for the congested towns and city centres – it’ll be great. I don’t think they’ll be everywhere, because those who live in villages and outside the main cities… they’ll need their cars to get them places. But even then… most of those cars, will be able to self drive… through their connectivity (which I spoke about on Monday) and through the number of sensors they’ll have!

Waymo is a self driving car that’s currently being tested…

Do we need self driving cars, Bal?

Technically, no. But like everything – there’s so many positives to having this technology.

  1. Safety. All the self driving cars that have been tested to date have been safer and less likely to be involved in an incident compared to a human behind the wheel. This is because, of the number of sensors that are able to pick up things and predict what could happen. Rather than having 2 eyes on the road… you have many many more!
  2. Cost. This does depend on the amount you use a car – but honestly, if it’s able to take you somewhere you want to go without you being behind the wheel (and they’re self driving), it’ll find the most economical way to get you there – that’s both, using the maps/sat nav but also speed/efficiency driving behaviours!

Tesla have the self driving feature.

Many other manufacturers have various forms of technology to aid the driver… but remember, no matter what feature you have, until we have the true self driving car – please do not attempt to read a book at the wheel…

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Car Technology

Connected Car

Last week it was super cold! – but it’s ok… my car was nice and warm when I got to it…

How’s that, Bal?

Well… my car is connected. And through this connection, and via the app – I could select an option that heats the car! How. Awesome. Is. That?

More and more cars are becoming connected. Allowing options like heating, etc… a norm. I remember a few years ago, when I was in Atlanta, with my friend Wes… we jumped into his car (it is a mahoosive one!) and he pressed a button, went to a call centre… Wes then said he wanted to go somewhere… and the information (directions) were sent to his sat nav in the car and off we went!

Cars are clever. And becoming even more clever. There’s so much data that your car produces – and there’s so much your car learns about you… which will then give you the experience you’ll love!

Whilst cars become more clever… they’ll also be talking. Talking to dealerships. Talking to the manufacturers. Talking to those who sign up to get their hands on the data!… (insurance companies?)

We are living in a connected world. Look around you, everything is connected and there’s vast amounts of data being sent back and forth. Don’t forget, Data is the new Oil!…. and whilst I said this on stage at an event in Toronto last July…. it was non other than Sir Tim Berners Lee (inventor of the World Wide Web) who approached me afterwards and said… whilst data is the new oil, just remember… oil can’t be re-used, whilst data can.

This did get me thinking… wow! This means data is even more valuable than oil!

Back to connected cars – so this data, that your car is collecting about you, your driving, your destinations, your habits… will be stored by someone (manufacture maybe) and then sold to various companies…. now, the optimistic in me will say… being sold so my experience can be much better… the pessimistic will say… being sold so companies can make more money.

Either way… this is stage 1 of connected car. The next stage will be the self driving cars… with more data being transmitted…. through the connected car.

Categories
Car Technology

Should I buy an Electric Car?

During the month of February, I’ll be talking about the subject of Cars… to be a little more specific – technology and cars. Because let’s be honest, technology has rapidly advanced in cars over the recent years.

That’s right – the shift from the traditional diesel and petrol cars (which is on the decline) to hybrid and fully electric vehicles (which are on the increase!). So the question is… should I buy an electric car?

Well… it was my brother who asked me questions about my hybrid a few weeks ago. He needed to replace his car… and naturally, I did suggest a hybrid.

Now… it does depend on a number of factors – such as what kind of driving do you do, distance, motorway/town driving, where you live (charging points), etc…

Someone who is up and down the motorway, may still be better off with a diesel (dare I say it!). You have to take into account the mpg (miles per gallon). Diesel still provide good value in the miles you can get from the gallon on long distance journeys. This was backed by Gottfried… a colleague who informed me that he’s getting a new 320d (BMW)… because, from where he lives (in Berlin), he drives a very long distance to his second/holiday home and if he had electric or hybrid, he’d need to charge it on the way – and not sure of charging points. A diesel gives you not only good economy but also a very good range (I remember my old diesel giving 600+miles on a tank!)

So back to the question – should you buy an electric car? – In my opinion, it’s a great time to be alive!

We are at a pivot. There’s more and more charging points being installed. There’s more and more cars that need charging being sold. There’s more and more garages and technicians being trained to service electric/hybrid cars.

Personally – I’d thoroughly recommend a hybrid. Part electric. Part combustion engine.

Why?

  1. It’s a ‘safe’ transition to the world of electric driving! – you’ll have a battery but also an engine. It’s like riding a bike with the stabilizers. If you think you’re going to fall (or run out of battery power) it’s ok… the side wheels stop you and keep your balance (similar, the engine will kick in – and save you…. assuming you’d put some petrol in!)
  2. New laws coming in soon (2035) which put a ban on only petrol or diesel engines being produced. Yes, i know it’s only a few years away… but time flies… and isn’t it a great time to start thinking about going electric.
  3. You’ll be surprised – it’s cheaper to charge an electric car, they’re much kinder to the environment and most importantly, it’s your first step… maybe… to a fully electric car.

Most people won’t go for a full electric car because of the mile range (most do around 250 miles – yes, some can do a little more…). This will change over the coming years, as manufacturers are working on longer range batteries.

Again – does depend on your driving needs. If you just drive around town/local driving… then I’d say yes… buy an electric car!

And to charge your car… there’s apps available on your phone to let you know where charging points are!

Electric vehicle changing on street parking with graphical user interface, Future EV car concept

And if plugging in your car may seem a chore… wait for wireless charging pods… where you drive your car into a space with a wireless charger built into the ground!

Categories
Transportation Technology

Self Driving Cruising…

Last week, I had to take a flight from Heathrow. I usually park at T5 Pod Parking. It’s quick, easy, simple and I like it.

I have often thought – why aren’t these little bad boy pods on the streets?

So, for those who don’t know… these pods are self driving (obviously programmed for the track they have to take), no humans required, electric (saving a lot of tonnes of fuel that buses would have taken to do the same journey!) and quiet – I mean, I can sit there and do a few emails for those few minutes journey.

Back to my question – I did wonder, why aren’t they on the streets? – I’m sure someone like GM (General Motors), Ford or Toyota would do something with their self driving technology and put it into a pod like this. Where’s Tesla….?! – Here’s an idea for you Tesla!

Oh… hold the press. Someone is working on them and they’ll be coming sooner than we thought!

Cruise – the company, with GM… have designed, built and piloted a self driving pod/vehicle called the Cruise Origin!

So – they say, “When we got rid of all that human-driver stuff, we traded it for something precious: space.

The Cruise Origin looks big. But in fact, it’s no bigger than your average car. It’s just more efficient, making full use of the space it takes up on the road.

The doors don’t hinge outward. They slide open, so bikers are safer.

The entry is low to the ground, and three times larger than that of an average car — wide enough to make room for one person to step in while another person steps out.

Every seat is extra-legroom. And they all face each other, so you can have a conversation with family or friends.”

Very similar to the T5 Pod!

Personally, I think this is awesome!

It’s also, quite safe….

“When human beings drive, we rely on our eyes and ears. But even in simple suburban environments, with 20/20 vision and perfect hearing, we can only look in one direction, and we can only see and hear so much.

The Cruise Origin is powered by a brand-new, all-electric platform built by General Motors. It’s got what’s called redundancy, meaning there are no single points of failure across sensing, compute, networking, or power — because there’s no backup human driver.

Its multi-layered sensor suite is designed to keep track of multiple people and objects — even if they’re far away, in pitch-black, or hidden by rain or fog.”

Cruise Origin is currently in San Fran being tested 24/7 by the Cruise employees…. but they’ll start to invite members of the public and then look to roll it out around the States and me personally…. I can’t wait till it hits the UK!

That’s right – one of these on your street…very soon!

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Uncategorized

Throwback Thursday… to my First Car!

Ah… my first car.. my first love… how I miss it.

Bal, what’s your first car got to do with technology, innovation or anything remotely digital?

Not much if I’m honest. It’s just, I do a Throwback Thursday, on every first Thursday of the month – and thought, why not ‘throw back’ to my first car.

So, we often talk about failure. And how we learn from failure…. here’s a story about my first car and failure.

Like any young lad… I wanted to have some really good speakers in my car. So out I went (we didn’t really have internet shopping at the time) and I bought some Kenwood 6×9 speakers. These were to be installed on the rear parcel shelf of my hatchback VW Golf.

I took the speakers out of the box. And there were some instructions. A paper. With the speakers outlined. You were meant to cut out the paper, and use that as a template, to cut out from the parcel shelf and then install the speakers.

Understood.

Cut the paper. Put it on the actual parcel shelf. Drew around it. Marked it well. Got the jigsaw. Cut out the holes for my 6×9’s. And was super excited.

Took the speakers out of the box. Slowly placed them within the newly cut hole… and guess what… they fell straight through!

What?! – I’d only gone and cut the hole  – the same size as the speaker! – on the paper, was a dotted line… I was meant to cut to the inner hole… so the speaker could rest on the shelf and I could screw it in!

Couple of lessons….

  1. Read the instructions carefully – and then read them again to make sure
  2. If it’s the first time – practice on something else, other than the original parcel shelf (in this case)
  3. Take your time – excitement is good… but control it.
  4. Don’t rush… measure twice, cut once.

Believe you me – I’ve definitely learnt from that experience!

Therefore… it’s okay to fail. As long as you learn from it.

And if you don’t want to hear from me… but an A-list Hollywood star… here you go… Will Smith,

https://youtu.be/wFf6rhcYkXw