TOPIC 'Hydrogen & Hydrogen Cars' on Dec 01, 2008 (CET)
The Ultimate Car, The Race Car, Is Going Green To Help The Environment
In early October 2008, the Road Atlanta course at the Petit Le Mans car race added trophies for the category of car that utilized the most “green” technology to have a positive impact on the environment. Fuel economy, car performance, and positive influence on the ecosystem are all categories that were considered. Car manufacturers and teams were acknowledged for their green efforts.
Even though “winning the race” is still foremost in the minds of competitors and fans, the new technologies and environmentally friendly methods of vehicle utilization are expected to enhance car races. The American Le Mans Series (ALMS) is the only racing series that meets the environmental racing goals as set forth by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency. Three different alternative fuels are being applied in this series: cellulosic ethanol, E10 gasoline, and sulfur-free diesel. This also showcases automakers’ efforts to help the environment.
A program manager for Corvette racing, Doug Fehan, noted the effects that using ethanol, and other alternative fuel sources, in race cars at a public event could have on the mind-set of the general public. The thought is that car buyers might say to themselves, If race cars are using this new fuel and new technology, then it must really be OK for me to use in my car. The technology has to be proven to work so that the average consumer will feel comfortable making the switch.
Corvette Racing uses cellulosic E85 fuel and has spent much time and efforts arriving at a comparative fuel mileage figure for the race effort. Audi uses engines that are turbo-charged with biodiesel fuel. Ferrari and Porsche have also been studying their green options. General Motors already has over three million vehicles in service that use FlexFuel – a blend of gasoline and ethanol.
Sherry Irvin
on behalf of the
BascoTec Internet Limited
Technologie Park 13
33100 Paderborn
Germany
TAGS: green car, race car, car race, fuel economy, green technology, ecosystem, green efforts, evironmental goals, gasoline fuel, ethanol fuel,
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