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Remember when we drove a European-spec Honda Civic 2.2 i-CTDi on a 100-mile road trip? We did pretty well, averaging 72 MPG . While we were throughly impressed, it was nothing compared to earning two spots in the Guinness Book Of World Records. Helen and John Taylor, a British couple, earned their two spots of fame in the record book of record books while Down Under in their little Peugeot 308 HDi. The first record was for "longest distance on a single tank," set by traveling 1192 miles on just 60 liters of diesel fuel — just 15.8 gallons. The other record, "highest mileage for a journey," was set by completing 9,062 miles at an average of 90.75 MPG. So how did they do it? What magical modifications were made? Actually, the car was stock. Stock as in standard, from the factory, without any modifications besides the sponsors' stickers. That is, unless you count the extra weight of the couple's luggage as a modification. It's figures like this that make...
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You know, everything is usually better when you put ultra- in front of the name, except in the case of alternative energy automotive technologies. UltraBattery? Are you kidding me? Is that really the name? UltraBattery is the work of a team of researchers at Australia's national science agency. The "ultra" aspect of this battery is its ability to out-ast traditional battery systems. And despite how much I rag on its name, the technology isn't too shabby. It works by combining the tried and true lead-acid battery with supercapacitors. These UltraBatteries are capable of quickly charging and releasing energy over millions upon millions of cycles, with little to no battery degeneration. A Honda Insight outfitted with an UltraBattery completed a 100,000 mile track test in Britain, running on the battery alone. In addition to the increased lifespan, the batteries reportedly provide 50-percent more power and are 70-percent cheaper than the current nickel metal-hydride batteries...
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It seems that in the Land Down Under the Trev has quite a bit of work ahead of itself. The Hyundai i30 was recently crowned the greenest mobile in all the land, in addition to the overall 2007 Car of the Year in Oz by carsguide. Wait a second! The greenest car in Australia isn't a hybrid? Negative. But who needs a hybrid when you have an i30 with a 1.6-liter turbo diesel that is reportedly capable going 62 miles on 1.23 gallons of fuel? Another big factor in the selection process that eliminated all of the hybrids was simple economics. The judges smacked them down for having high initial cost premiums, especially compared to the $21,490 i30 price tag, which is $16,000 cheaper than the Prius. [ TH ]
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A bus by the name of "Tindo" has debuted in Australia, carrying with it the pretty hefty title of "world's first solar-powered electric bus." This free-ride, air-conditioned 42-passenger bus is powered by 11 zebra sodium-nickel batteries that can provide the big green bus 124 miles worth of travel on a full charge. Unfortunately, this bus still has to be plugged in , even though it's solar-powered due to a lack of available roof space to hold the huge number of solar panels necessary to independently charge it. The bus station will be retrofitted with solar panels that will charge the bus when docked. Adelaide, the city down under host to this bus is no stranger to the sun. It was also the finish line for the 2007 World Solar Challenge back in October. Crikey! [ Treehugger ]
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