The Hydrogen LIFEcar

An all English venture to produce an environmentally friendly sports car. The efforts of six of the following institutions –

Oxford University

Morgan Motor Company

OSCar (now Riversimple)

BOC

QinetiQ

Cranfield University Systems

Delta Motorsport

I came across this topic while reading the Oxford Today magazine, and here is a brief idea to what each institution is bringing to the LIFEcar project –

Oxford University – Dr. Malcolm McCulloch, who heads the Electrical Power Group in the Department of Engineering Science, led the development of the motor of the car. The motor is half that of a conventional motor and of the same torque. The new design is called a YASA motor (Yokeless and Segmented Armature).

Morgan Motor Company – The design of the LIFEcar has been undertaken by classic motor car company.

OSCar – The founder and brainchild of this project, Hugo Spowers, wanted to see if it is possible for an electric vehicle to perform as efficiently as a sports car, and responsible for overall system design.

BOC - developing the hydrogen refueling plant, keeping in mind there are only 100 such stations aound the world.

QinetiQ – provided the fuel cell that generated electricity from compressed hydrogen.

Cranfield University Systems – in charge of on-board computing, vehicle controller and modeling software. This included simulations of the vehicle’s performance.

Delta Motorsport – they have agreed to use the motors for the battery-powered four seat coupe it plans to have ready for the test drives by end of this year.

A basic description and nature of the concept LIFEcar is, it has a fuel cell, electric powered engine converting electricity to hydrogen and emits nothing but water. The motor is ultra light weight, using alternative advances in materials. It’s also worth mentioning that each wheel is controlled with an electric motor, similar to the Whispering Wheel concept.
Ultra capacitors installed in the car store energy store energy while braking and shoots out this energy while acceleration. There are 150 such Ultra capacitors. A range of 250 miles, acceleration of 060 mph in 7 seconds and fuel consumption equivalent to 150 miles to a gallon of petrol, with zero carbon emissions.

Such is the design of the LIFEcar.

BRTS for Mumbai

Recently, the ex mayor of Bogota, was here in Mumbai to suggest practical and possible ways in which Mumbai could transform its future for the best –

• Planning must be done in the right manner

• Enrique Penalosa who pointed out that Mumbai will be three times its size in 2050.

• "Around 70 to 80% of the city has not been built yet.”

• “They (city planners) must try and create a large network of roads only for buses and pedestrians.''

• In the nineties, Enrique Penalosa, came into the limelight by organising the use of the BRTS as well as people-friendly planning with an emphasis on spaces for buses, bicycles and pedestrians on city roads and housing sites.

• "We provided inputs for the BRTS in Ahmedabad, which is working well. We can do the same for Mumbai.”

• "Nowhere in the world has the problem of traffic jams been solved by widening roads”

• “….efficient public transport is required.”

• Over metro, BRTS can solve the problem of irresponsible city transport conditions.

• On concluding the mayor said "The condition of the footpaths reflects the people's preferences and the quality of life in a city.''

Hereby we must understand that public transportation is crucial in green and sustainable growth of a modern city. It not only evicts people of an air contaminated surrounding but also, a more peaceful means to live in your city.

Formula Student Germany: Indian leg

The Orion Racing India Team with the Stallion, 2009 race car

Few days ago I happened to find myself checking out a 4 cylinder, 600 cc Formula race car. The most distinct difference was the fact that this race car was built by undergraduate engineering students.

The very first attraction of the Autocar Performance Show, 2009, in Mumbai, was the Orion Racing India team and their Stallion from India. This team has been competing at the Formula Student Germany race since 2007. Since then, the team has produced 3 race cars.

The Formula Student Germany is a race for college students around the world to elevate their education to the next level. It’s not only about the fastest car but also deliver by the team as a whole. The one seat formula racecar goes through a number of challenges in order to make it to the top. Hereby, considering performance, speed, and construction, financial and sales aspects and understanding the economics of the automotive industry.

The most interesting feature of this particular car however was the fuel composition. It is 95% petrol and constitutes 5% air intake. I would like to see the future models of a car of this sort to run on an equal share of petrol and air power, eventually air power being the superior ignition.

Currently there are teams from 36 countries around the world, and 15 teams from India. Such platforms are required for a sustainable future.

Europe goes Electric

A Smart car


RWE charging station


RWE simulator car


Tesla Roadster

Europe is going electric and at a real quick pace. A major support from the German government and producers of efficient and practical viable technology, sees the up spring of projects between RWE, Daimler AG and Tesla.

RWE (Rheinisch-Westfälisches Elektrizitätswerk AG) - Germany's second largest and leading providers of energy. They supply natural gas public utility and electric power throughout Europe. Their various products encompass under electricity generation and distribution, renewable energy, natural gas exploration and production and most recently ventures into the automobile industry.

Daimler AG - A German public car corporation. Primarily, the Smart car brand is the electric automobile used in this pilot project.

Tesla - An American sports electric monster car company, also a battery supplier for Daimler.

The above are some original photographs of the RWE Autostrom charging station, a Tesla Roadster, RWE car seen on the website, a simulator and the Smart car.