Green Transportation

By IPS Correspondents and - - Reprint | | Print |

Nov 18 2003 (IPS) - The biggest environmental-automotive event in the world, Challenge Bibendum, highlighted the latest technological advances in the field of so-called “green cars”, which represent an attempt to reconcile mobility and environmental sustainability. This year's exposition drew several car, truck and bus manufacturers that work with alternative fuels, and low levels of pollutant emissions.

Organized by the Michelin Group, a tire manufacturer, participants compete for awards in the categories of lowest emissions and noise, and best performance, safety and design. The vehicles are subject to a series of tests by a technical team.

According to a study by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, global population growth (expected to reach 8.1 billion people by 2030) and increased urbanization are the two factors that will dramatically increase pressure on the world's ecosystems, in large part due to greater transportation demand.

Dependence on petroleum, a non-renewable energy source, for driving the automotive industry, air pollution and its effects on human health, and emissions of greenhouse gases are just some areas of concern.

In the United States, the number of vehicles utilizing alternative fuels grew from 455,000 in 2000 to more than 518,000 in 2002. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) publishes a guide that lists the least contaminating vehicles, the ones with best gas mileage.

Cars with fuel cells, hybrid vehicles (gas/electricity), electric and diesel are some of the initiatives in the different sectors of the automotive industry that aim to lay the groundwork for the future of ground transportation.

Several factors can make a car more environmentally efficient. Some qualities that define the automobiles of the future include insulation in the roof and floor to cut down the need for air conditioning, ultra-light tires to conserve energy, and a double-layered air circulation system. Such is the case of the gas-electric hybrid Toyota Prius 2004, winner of the Challenge Bibendum