Many of these vehicles may still be in concept stage, yet have tremendous potential in the light of a steep rise in petroleum prices. The vehicles ranged from a small electric bicycle to trucks that run on hybrid fuels to a number of cars being developed.
Vehicles powered by hydrogen, fuel cell or hybrid fuels or even hydrated vegetable oil, may take some more time to appeal to the masses, but they have actually become a reality.
Attracting participation from top motor companies across the world, the Challenge Bibendum was an event held at Berlin in Germany recently towards sustainable road mobility, an event sponsored by tyre giant Michelin.
The event saw companies, including Daimler, Renault, Peugeot, Ford and Opel, demonstrating their products to inquisitive visitors, among who were representatives of allied industry, academia, media and others.
Electric presence
For those of you who believe in electric cars being slow and having a shorter range, faster vehicles with a longer range — some that could even clock up to 500 km with a single charge — were showcased.
Formulec unveiled its electric car that notches a maximum speed of 250 kmph and accelerates 0 to 100 km in 3 seconds. Its timing in qualification lap is closer to that of the Formula 3. The Porsche Boxster (the popular sports car) E prototypes with electric drive were among those that attracted eye balls.
“Though governments are eager to see these concept vehicles roll into commercially viable operations for the companies, demand should also generate. The initial cost of these vehicles is prohibitive, which would force the customers away,” said a senior Opal executive.
He, however, felt that the market was slowly showing interest in these cars, and inquiries were coming forth. For example, the Opel's electric car Ampera cost about 42,000 Euros while a similar car on regular fuel would cost less than half the cost.
Also demonstrated were driver-less electric vehicles, electric cycles, tri-cycles, segways and accessories.
City team
Among the bigger and the sleek vehicles exhibited was a small car that many Indians are familiar with — the electric Reva. A six-member student team from RVCE College here had converted Reva into a petrol-electric car by modifying engine generator, automation equipment and power electric circuit.
Converted only as a concept car, the students spent about Rs. 6 lakh on it.
