It's a brief run down on the impact of global warming on Australasia, The limitations of the internal combustion engine, Identifies alternatives and discusses the SAKER GS750V.......
Global Warming and the Automotive Industry.
The impact of global warming in Australasia is quite alarming considering Australia has one of the highest greenhouse gas emission rates in the world. In New Zealand , changes like warmer winters and much hotter summers are indicative of the effects greenhouse gases are having on our ozone layer. Although it is not part of Oceania, America is said to have the highest gas emissions rate in the world.
“Automotive Paradox ' and the “Enigma of Mobility,” otherwise known as the pros and cons of the internal combustion engine are both limited. The internal combustion engine was once described as “The greatest consumer of public and personal space made by man yet.” While others may argue that the internal combustion engine (I.C.E.) allows freedom, liberation, and easier accessibility, that does not out weight the fact that demand promotes consumption, pollution and waste.
Many concepts have been introduced to encourage alternatives to cleaner living . Most of these ideas have been discredited due to lack of sustainability. One idea, however has been accepted and even marketed. The introduction of the Hybrid. The Hybrid combines the internal combustion engine and the electric motor. Its fuel efficient , easily maintained and environmentally friendly.
A vehicle that uses no gas at all is the new SAKER GS750V. It is New Zealand's very own electric race car. This race car is so small the majority of it fits on the back of a standard sized trailer.
A majority of Australia's greenhouse gas emissions are to do with its Gross Domestic Product (GDP). That consists of Private Consumption, Gross Investment, Government Spending and Import and Export. One of Australia's biggest exports is coal. When coal is burning it emits carbon dioxide and in Australia at least 25 gigatonnes of gas emissions is released into the atmosphere every year. By 2030 the export of coal is expected to double. What does this mean for the Oceania? Here in New Zealand , global warming will affect us culturally. The changes in season , animal migration and cultivation are what Maori consider to be their identity. When these things are at risk , the culture is at risk of dying . The only options are to evolve or become totally obsolete.
In the Stern report , Baron Nicholas Stern , extensive research recorded in his book “The Economics of Climate Change” has come up with a viable way to lower consumption globally. He proposes a 1 percent investment of GDP per annum. Studies have shown that in the future, global warming would benefit from this proposal. Stern says “The body of evidence and the growing quantitative assessment of risks are now sufficient to give clear and strong guidance to economists and policy makers in shaping a response.” (STERN)
The internal combustion engine has been a contributing factor in the fight toward cleaner living. The consumption of resource alone in order to meet demand speaks volumes. Metal, glass, plastic, rubber, oil, gas, is increasing the amount of transporting and refining of petroleum products needed.
Some say the I.C.E. causes congestion, energy exploitation, pollution. Fatalities.......... and so on...
Others argue that it allows freedom, is practical, saves time and allows accessibility. That too is true. Between the two arguments , a solution is needed that allows all the positives and wipes out most, if not all the negatives.
Introducing the Hybrid. A combination of 2 or more sources of power to move the vehicle. These sources include Hydrogen, Compressed air, Liquid Nitrogen, Human powered , Wind , Solar power, Electricity, Compressed or Liquified Natural Gas and Waste heat (from I.C.E.)
The vehicles are cleaner, reliable, have better mileage, have regenerative braking, and there is always room for improvement. The SAKERGS750V also has some of these features. A race car that reaches speeds of up to 180km/h is run on electricity. The Tumanako inverter controls how much power goes to the motor and also controls the High voltage going to the motor. It runs on Lithium Batteries. Unlike its Lead acid and nickel cadmium counterparts, Lithium batteries contain no toxic metals. Cobalt and Lithium are both valuable metals that can be recycled from these batteries. About 3000 of the little C size batteries make up a battery pack for racing and weighs approximately 250kg. When it is fully charged , the battery pack lasts for about 200km of motorway speed of 10 minutes of racing speed then is recharged with a Free phase plug. This allows charging of 30 – 50 amps at a time as opposed to a normal socket that allows at most 10 amps at a time.
The body is light and is made of fibre glass and like the Hybrid has regenerative braking. This means, instead of burning up heat from the wheels and dispersing that energy, it takes that energy back into the motor and uses it to recharge the battery.
In conclusion , Global warming is affecting Australasia at an alarming rate , private consumption being the main culprit. Statistics have shown just how much greenhouse gases Australia alone emits being one of the highest in the world. Nicholas Stern has proposed a solution to global warming. This cant be achieved by recycling a few plastic bottles. This is a lifestyle change , something that has to be put into effect by our world leaders. The pros and cons of the Internal Combustion Engine and the introduction of the Hybrid have been discussed . The differences the Hybrid will mean to global warming and what the introduction of the SAKER GS750 will mean to racing.
REFERENCES
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50oMZ=1aQfo
http:www.batteryuniversity.com/partone-20.htm
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