Electric Sportscar

Whether it’s the recession, pressure from society or a combination of both, people are starting to make an effort to reduce carbon emissions, and prevent global warming. From using solar powered energy to cycling to work, everyone is contributing to help prevent this destructive cycle. Our biggest pollutant is car emissions, and scientists and engineers have been working on alternative means of fuel which will not produce emissions, such as solar and hydro powered cars.

Recently a group of students from London completed an epic journey by driving an electric sports car from Alaska to Argentina. The 16,000-mile journey took five months, although they had planned to complete it in three months. The vehicles’s 2 engines are powered by Lithium iron phosphate batteries, and can reach 60mph in seven seconds, with a top speed of 124mhp. The trip was also kind to the environment, with no carbon dioxide emitted. The project to build and drive the “SRZero car” took two years.

The team were engineering students from London’s Imperial College, and although they did experience some minor issues along the way, all were resolved.

"There's a huge interest all over the world at the moment in ideas that will help to reduce carbon emissions and this certainly drew attention wherever we went," - Dr Howey from Imperial college.
Up to now, most electric, hydro and solar powered cars produced have been impractical, with speeds too slow for our roads and regular charges. The prospect of an adequate electric powered car being produced in the near future seemed impossible, however this breakthrough may prove it closer then we think. Although it might look like a toy car, I think the SrZero car looks quite cool. With speeds up to 124mph its certainly has more than enough speed for modern roads.


If this car can be driven 16,000 miles across the world without any major mechanical problems, then surely they cannot be too far off being ready for production. And although it may have some practically issues such as size and possibly price, I think we will see electric cars in production in the near future.


Link: http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Electric-Car-Completes-Its-Epic-Journey-From-Alaska-To-Argentina-Without-Carbon-Dioxide-Emissions/Article/201011315814644?lpos=World_News_Second_Technology_Article_Teaser_Region__5&lid=ARTICLE_15814644_Electric_Car_Completes_Its_Epic_Journey_From_Alaska_To_Argentina_Without_Carbon_Dioxide_Emissions