Green cars are the future

U.S. automaker General Motors is developing a car to be released in late 2010 that can travel 98 km on just one liter of gasoline (230 MPG - 1.64l/100km).

The Chevrolet Volt is powered by an electric motor until it reaches a speed of 64 km/h (40 mph), when a small combustion engine kicks in. With the engine recharging its batteries, it can travel up to 483 km (300 miles).

If it is used to commute only 50 to 60 km (30 to 40 miles) a day, the Volt does not require any gasoline. The Toyota Prius, which is the icon of environmentally-friendly and fuel-efficient automobiles, can travel 20 km/l (47 MPG - 5l/100km). Mitsubishi's latest creation i-MiEV, which is powered by electricity only, can travel up to 62 km/l (146 MPG - 1.61l/100km) if its electricity costs are calculated as gasoline costs. Japan still leads the world in "green" auto technology, but the U.S. is becoming a serious contender. Even as it faced bankruptcy, GM continued to invest money in developing the Volt.

Hybrid vehicles are currently the most popular kind of green cars and Japan is the leader in the field. Hybrids are driven by gasoline engines and use batteries as back-up power sources. European carmakers have invested heavily in developing clean diesel vehicles. The Chevy Volt is a "plug-in" hybrid representing the next level of green autos.

The Mitsubishi i-MiEV and the Nissan Leaf, which will go on sale next year, are driven purely by electricity. The global auto industry has bet everything on the development of green vehicles and this has led to the development of new technologies at unprecedented speeds. Experts say Korean automakers are still a few years behind advanced countries in green auto technology. Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group recently unveiled an LPG hybrid, but it is intended only for the domestic market. Hyundai-Kia plans to roll out a gasoline hybrid next year and a plug-in like the Volt in 2012.

It is encouraging to hear the news that Korea is the world leader in battery technology, which is a key component of next-generation electric vehicles. The battery that powers the Volt is manufactured by LG Chemical, and Samsung SDI has joined hands with Germany's Bosch to be the exclusive battery suppliers for BMW's electric car. Although they got off to a late start, Korean automakers are capable of catching up any time if they push themselves hard enough.

Source : The Chosun Ilbo, August 14th, 2009