So I have been writing about electric cars for quite sometime now and it’s obvious that there are so many of them. From Asia, Europe, and the Americas, more and more manufacturers are working on creating efficient and cheap electric cars. Recently, I has the chance to drive another NEV or neighborhood electric car such as the ZX40S and I have to admit that I am impressed. Read on for more details.

Truth is, the ZX40S is just like other NEVs out there: it’s small. However, its size is outweighs by the fact that it uses electricity to move around. More like a gigantic toy that you can actually use for your daily commutes. The ZX40S is based on the model called the Daihatsu Move, which originated in Japan. Basically, it comes with a steel body frame, side impact door beams, crash resistant bumpers, and an impact-resistant steering column.

At first glance, the ZX40S would seem small but believe it or not, it has enough size for several people to get in. When you crunch down the numbers, the ZX40S measures 11 feet in length from bumper to bumper. Aside from that, there are two bucket seats that you can find in front. Entering or exiting won’t even be a problem because there are four huge doors that you can use for that purpose. If you’re still not impressed, it has at least 41 feet of cargo space.

The ZX40S comes in three different models and these are the ZX40, ZX40S, and ZX40S Advanced Design. The ZX40 comes with a 4KW motor that can muster as much as 275 amps. If you’re not content with it, the ZX40S is pegged at 6.3 KW and it can produce as much as 400 amps. Finally, the ZX40S Advanced Design does not use a DC motor. Instead it utilizes a brushless three-phase induction AC motor that is capable of producing as much as 7.5 KW and 550 amps. Despite of the power differences, each of these ZX40S models can go as fast as 25 mph. It can’t go any faster though, because that’s the top speed that Federal laws dictate.

The ZX40S stores electricity in six lead-acid batteries. The best part is that you can charge these batteries in any 110-volt outlets. If you’ve got them inside your house, then that’s great news for you. In order to charge, you just have to find the power cord that you can plug into a connector that is located in the fuel filter location. Manufacturers of the ZX40S claim that its batteries can go as far as 50-60 miles. That’s simply what you need if you’re going around the city streets all day. On the other hand, this car can accelerate from 0-20 mph in five miles and if you’re going to ask me, that’s a pretty decent number.

It’s pretty easy to see that a car like the ZX40S is a hands down better alternative than most gasoline-powered cars out there. The costs are just way too low although you really have to make do with its limited power and speed. Some of the ZX40S’s standard equipments include a heater, defroster, windshield wipers, electric mirrors, and tough alloy wheels. When it comes to the price, it’s pegged from 14000-18900 USD.

A couple of years ago, it’s unimaginable a fuel-cell car and a sports sedan being combined. The technology simply isn’t there and it takes so much money to do it in an efficient manner. However, the rapid advancement in technology and the need for an environment-friendly sport car made this possible and one good example is the Wild Pininfarina Fuel Cell Sports Sedan.

This car uses the Sintesi fuel cell concept that was unveiled in the 2008 Geneva Motor Show. Basically, the Wild Pininfarina Fuel Cell Sports Sedan uses an integrated fuel cell, battery pack, and wheel generator. In short, its sport car that can go as fast as all its gasoline contemporaries, while also having an extremely high MPG rating. In short, it’s a sport car that does not use gasoline at all.

The Wild Pininfarina Fuel Cell Sports Sedan uses fuel cells that have a 20-kilowatt capacity. Aside from that, it comes with a 100-kilowatt lithium-battery pack that provides just enough power that you need when you accelerate. Basically, the Wild Pininfarina Fuel Cell Sports Sedan’s wheel motors are air-cooled, while using a regenerative braking power system. You’ll definitely feel like inside the car of the future once you sit beghind its steering wheel. Overall, this car can muster as much as 91.2 horsepower and 671 lbs.-ft of torque to each wheel. Without a doubt, these are impressive numbers coming from a green car.

The Wild Pininfarina Fuel Cell Sports Sedan has been designed in order to make its passengers comfortable all the time. You’ll feel like you’re pampered once you sit inside this vehicle. Aside from that, it has been engineered to have a sleek, aerodynamic, and tapered shape in order for it to have better handling. To top it off, it only has a drag coefficient that is pegged at 0.27. This makes the almost seem like its flying without having to leave the ground.

Another great feature of the Wild Pininfarina Fuel Cell Sports Sedan is the Substrate Transportation Autothermal Reformer. Basically, it is a system that can create hydrogen out of several fuel sources such as gasoline, ethanol, pertrodiesel, and biodiesel. Because it derives hydrogen from its fuel sources, it does not emit harmful exhaust gases that can damage the environment.

Despite of the road-torching look and highly-sophisticated engine, the Wild Pininfarina Fuel Cell Sports Sedan is also excellent in fuel economy because it has an MPG rating pegged at 47. When it comes to fuel range, it can go as far as 500 miles using only its 10.7-gallon fuel tank. It also has a very small CO2 emission rate because it only releases 78g/km.

Despite being only at the concept stage, the Wild Pininfarina Fuel Cell Sports Sedan may well be mass produced in the next couple of years. The manufacturer admits that it still needs to develop its power source and stability on the road, before finally being launched on the market.

My friend John has been asking me that his new car has an amazing MPG rating. Here’s how our conversation went:

John: Yo dude, my new car has an MPG rating at around 30 mph. What do you think about it?

Me: Well that’s a pretty decent number. Did you look for other cars with a higher MPG?

John: Not really, the sales guy outtalked to buy the whole thing. I hope it’s really as good as advertised though.

Me: There are other cars with a higher rating, but that new car of yours ain’t that bad either.

Truth is, my friend’s decision to get a high-MPG vehicle is good, considering that we really need to maximize our fuel consumption these days. MPG simply stands for miles per gallon. The higher the number of the MPG the better and that’s because you’ll get the most of your fuel in as much miles as possible. Is that all we need to know about MPG? Well, not really because I have a few more things to say about it.

1.Why is it so important?

MPG indicates how far a gallon of fuel can go. The higher it is, the better the MPG rating of a particular vehicle. Automobiles that claim to have a high MPG use fuel additives or additional hardware to improve its performance.

2.Are additives good?

Using additives is one way of really increasing the MPG of a vehicle. However, additives have been found to affect compatibility. Aside from that, engine longevity is also affected and it is even possible that the longevity can be affected.

3.How does it really work?

Most vehicles simply use bolt-on products that claim to increase the MPG. These parts come in many forms and that include the one they call catalyst. The catalyst works by aligning the fuel molecules to improve combustion. Aside from that, a swirl inducer is also used and it works by swirling the incoming air and thereby improving the combustion. There’s also an onboard generator, which uses electrolysis that uses a trace amount of hydrogen from water. After which, water is injected into the intake system that eventually improves fuel economy.

4.Be Careful of MPG Claims

Before you get carried away with the effectiveness of one product, make sure that these MPG-improving devices are worth every penny that you’ll spend for it.

These days, it’s not enough for your vehicle to have the right speed, power, and looks. Most guys out there would also look for an MPG rating that would suit their vehicle’s needs.

By now, I know everyone out there knows that this blog is all about alternative fuel energy sources that we can use for our vehicles. My experience with alternative energy has exposed me to various kinds of sources that I never though would have been possible. Yeah, I know that gasoline is still the primary source for now. For sure, it will be the case for many years to come. However, that does not mean that we have to stick to our guns and just wait for petroleum to run out. On the other hand, there’s a controversial energy source that has a lot of potential, yet having a few drawbacks to be fully used in a large scale. I’m referring to MTBE, which happens to be one of the most effective solvents for gasoline for several decades.

1.MT what?

MTBE simply stands for Methyl tertiary-butyl-ether. Basically, it is a volatile compound that is color free at the same time. MTBE has long been used as a complementary component in gasoline because it improves performance and reduces wear and tear. Aside from that, MTBE is soluble and it has a higher boiling point compared to other additives. Basically, its main purpose is to oxygenate gasoline.

2.What are the benefits of MTBE?

MTBE has been used since 1979 in order to replace tetra-ethyl lead, which was proven to be poisonous and harmful. MTBE is able to raise the octane rating of gasoline, while preventing engine knocking from happening. Truth is, it is extremely important to oxygenate gasoline because it reduces emissions and it also aids in combusting fuel more efficiently. MTBE is a byproduct of natural gas and that means it’s a better option than oil.

3.Its a very useful solvent

MTBE is essentially designed to be one of the best solvents out there. Compared to other solvents that pose risks and various dangers; MTBE is completely safe. Aside from that, you can use it for years, without even worrying about its side effects on your vehicle.

4.Are there are risks?

Despite of the many upside of using MTBE, there are also risks involved when using it. MTBE when mixed with water gives it a rather bland taste. Aside from that, it will also make it smell like turpentine, if left for several hours. With that being said, it’s important that MTBE should be prepared and handled properly.

5.It’s now banned

In several states in the US, the use of MTBE has already been banned because of the potential hazards that it can cause. However, research is still being conducted in order to find out the exact effects of MTBE to the environment and to human health.