1. What is 'low carbon'?
2. Why low carbon?
3. How do we get low carbon?
4. What is a 'hybrid'?
5. What is 'lean vehicle'?
6. What about aerodynamics?

1. What is 'low carbon'?

All traditional fuels give off carbon dioxide (CO2) as they burn in an engine. Mineral or fossil fuels release carbon that was last free in the atmosphere millions of years ago. This adds to global warming.

Bio-fuels are made from vegetables. These also give out carbon dioxide. But this carbon was only recently free in the atmosphere. However the production and distribution of bio-fuels give out carbon (the carbon footprint of the fuel).

Low carbon designs reduce the amount of fuel used, especially mineral fuels. we then look to reduce fuel consumption and facilitate the use of bio-fuels.

1. What is 'low carbon'?
2. Why low carbon?
3. How do we get low carbon?
4. What is a 'hybrid'?
5. What is 'lean vehicle'?
6. What about aerodynamics?

2. Why low carbon?

The release of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere contributes to global warming. This is especially true of the carbon that was locked away in fossil fuels millions of years ago.

In addition to carbon dioxide, the exhaust of vehicles contains many other gases, particles and vapors. A number of these are contributors to global warming, for example nitrous oxide (N2O). By reducing fuel consumption of either fossil or bio-fuels we can reduce all global warming AND other pollution.

1. What is 'low carbon'?
2. Why low carbon?
3. How do we get low carbon?
4. What is a 'hybrid'?
5. What is 'lean vehicle'?
6. What about aerodynamics?

3. How do we get low carbon?

There are two main options that are practical for us at the present time: greater use of bio-fuels or other alternative power sources and the reduction of energy demands for the operation of the vehicle.

Bio-fuels release carbon dioxide (CO2) just as mineral fuels do, but this is carbon that was only recently free in the atmosphere. Fossil fuel carbon was atmospheric millions of years ago and so is additional to the modern carbon cycle. The extended use of bio-fuels will reduce the speed of global warming.

The reduction of fuel use (either within the engine or at point of power generation) by greater efficiency reduces the mass of carbon and other greenhouse gases released to the atmosphere. This is true of both fossil and bio-fuels as both produce the GHG nitrous oxide (N2O).

1. What is 'low carbon'?
2. Why low carbon?
3. How do we get low carbon?
4. What is a 'hybrid'?
5. What is 'lean vehicle'?
6. What about aerodynamics?

4. What is a 'hybrid'?

A hybrid vehicle combines a traditional petrol or diesel engine with an electrical driveline. The electrical drive line consists of motor(s), batteries and control gear.

A parallel hybrid uses both the engine and the electric motor to drive the wheels. A serial hybrid uses the engine only to generate electrical power and only the motors to drive the wheels.

Supporters of the parallel system prefer the familiar feel offered by the connection of the engine to the wheels. Supporters of the serial system prefer the use of smaller engines for electrical generation.

1. What is 'low carbon'?
2. Why low carbon?
3. How do we get low carbon?
4. What is a 'hybrid'?
5. What is 'lean vehicle'?
6. What about aerodynamics?

5. What is 'lean vehicle'?

A lean vehicle is designed to be light in weight. This is important as the greater the mass of an object, or vehicle, the greater the energy required to propel it. In low carbon vehicles we are endeavoring to reduce all the energy input in order to reduce emissions.

Means and methods to reduce the mass of the vehicle include the materials selected, the revised careful design of components and the economizing on superfluous fittings and luxuries.

1. What is 'low carbon'?
2. Why low carbon?
3. How do we get low carbon?
4. What is a 'hybrid'?
5. What is 'lean vehicle'?
6. What about aerodynamics?

6. What about aerodynamics?

The way in which a vehicle passes through the air is called its aerodynamics. This can be a source of great inefficiency and needs addressing with care in low carbon vehicle design.

Some aerodynamic effects are related to the surfaces of the vehicle whereby features such as panel seams, door handles and window trims disrupt the air flow and create drag. Other effects are caused by the hole punched by the vehicle as it passes through the air. Pressure differences build up between the front of the unit (squashing the air as it moves along) and the rear (a low pressure zone where the air has not returned fully).

In low carbon vehicle design we endeavor to address the impacts of aerodynamics wherever possible.