Eco-Vision Elan
Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2008 2:45 pm
ok so we're not there yet, but I'd love to get my Elan in something like an approximation of Eco-friendliness (my other car - a Prius - is good but unbelievably dull..!) So here's my thoughts on how in the not too distant future it can be done:
Option 1 - Full electric
- Spyder (?) engineered Li-ion replacement for chassis to accept (Lotus R&D'ed) Tesla internals - or future electric lotus / ford internals
Option 2 - Hydrogen
- ITM in Sheffield ( http://www.itm-power.com/ ) claim that with a small amount of modification, normal internal combustion engines will burn Hydrogen. Whether this is applicable to a modified Twin-Cam I do not know - but they've got it working in a Focus with a standard 2.0l Ford block - something which has the potential to be transplanted...
- Then all you need is an affordable electrolysis device (also being developed by ITM) to split water into Hydrogen and Oxygen and a renewable electricity supply (i'd plump for a QR5 http://www.quietrevolution.co.uk/qr5.htm )
- Not only will our Lotuses have no fuel bill (and no pollution) but our houses would also be free of fuel bills - re-using the electricity and hydrogen (as a replacement for gas or to generate electricity when there is no wind)
I'd go for option 2 as you at least still get an exhaust note...
Option 1 - Full electric
- Spyder (?) engineered Li-ion replacement for chassis to accept (Lotus R&D'ed) Tesla internals - or future electric lotus / ford internals
Option 2 - Hydrogen
- ITM in Sheffield ( http://www.itm-power.com/ ) claim that with a small amount of modification, normal internal combustion engines will burn Hydrogen. Whether this is applicable to a modified Twin-Cam I do not know - but they've got it working in a Focus with a standard 2.0l Ford block - something which has the potential to be transplanted...
- Then all you need is an affordable electrolysis device (also being developed by ITM) to split water into Hydrogen and Oxygen and a renewable electricity supply (i'd plump for a QR5 http://www.quietrevolution.co.uk/qr5.htm )
- Not only will our Lotuses have no fuel bill (and no pollution) but our houses would also be free of fuel bills - re-using the electricity and hydrogen (as a replacement for gas or to generate electricity when there is no wind)
I'd go for option 2 as you at least still get an exhaust note...