The terms ‘green’ and ‘sports utility vehicle’ rarely fit into the same sentence, but tyre manufacturer Kumho believes it has developed the SUV of the future with a clear environmental conscience.

Kumho produces millions of tyres for today’s SUVs and employed the skills of in-house designer Rob Dolton to demonstrate what tomorrow’s SUVs could be like, with the results apparent in a vehicle it has dubbed ‘Fortis’.

Fortis combines the aggressive stance of an SUV with fresh aesthetic touches including light clusters that take their influence from Korean glass sculpture. It has a number of contemporary features including its bumper sections, doors, front wings and rear hatch which are manufactured by recycled tyre rubber.

The drivetrain consists of four 100hp chassis-mounted motors, one to power each wheel. This system provides off-road traction, ESP and hill descent with easy transitions between four wheel drive, two wheel drive, front wheel drive and rear wheel drive.

There are a number of environmental features in the car including a regenerative braking system and a lithium-ion battery pack that can be recharged at home or exchanged for a new one on longer journeys.

Of course, the Fortis design also features revolutionary tyre technology from Kumho. The tyres feature metal biters in their tread that optimise off-road performance.

Motor racing fans won’t have missed the news yesterday that BMW is realigning all of its motor sport activities and is ending its participation in Formula 1 at the end of the 2009 season. However, could it be that it is a new environmental conscience that is motivating its decision?

At the same time as making the announcement, Dr Norbert Reithofer, chairman of the board of management of BMW AG, declared a focus on close-to-production motor sports and said that BMW will showcase a “CO2 champion” at the upcoming IAA Frankfurt Motor Show in September.

Reithofer stated that the company is continually reviewing its projects and initiatives to check them for future viability and sustainability. Though it plans to remain loyal to motor sports, the company will do this in a series that enables it to transfer technology more directly and realise additional synergies. Reithofer even went as far as to state that the “focus of the BMW Group will be towards sustainable development over the next years and decades to come”.

BMW’s decision marks the second household name to pull out of F1 in relatively quick succession, following Honda’s withdrawal in 2008.

Electric trucks created in Washington, Tyne & Wear are today on the roads of Washington DC.

Four major US corporations and two utility companies took delivery of the Smith Newton, the largest road-going electric truck in North America. Coca-Cola, Staples, Frito-Lay, AT&T, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) and Kansas City Power & Light (KCP&L) are the first Newton customers in the USA.

The trucks, conceived by Smith Electric Vehicles in North East England, were handed over at an official ceremony at the seat of power in the USA, Capitol Hill.

Darren Kell, CEO of The Tanfield Group Plc, which owns Smith Electric Vehicles, said: “The electric vehicle technology delivered to these customers today can readily be delivered to fleets in every major town and city in North America.

“The Smith Newton provides depot-based truck fleets with a realistic, zero emissions transport solution that both lowers greenhouse gas emissions and helps improve air quality in our urban centres.”

Powered by the latest Lithium-Ion batteries and a 120kw electric motor, the Smith Newton has a top speed of 50mph (80km) and a range in excess of 100 miles (160km) on a full charge. It can be recharged in six hours. Newton was launched in the UK by Smith Electric Vehicles in 2006. It is produced in North America by Smith Electric Vehicles US Corporation, based in Kansas City, Missouri.

Missouri Senator Kit Bond, who hosted the launch event, said: “These next generation electric vehicles Smith is producing demonstrate exactly the kind of technology we need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and end our dependence on foreign oil.

“Missouri is a growing leader in exciting new battery technology, making it an ideal partner for all-electric vehicle manufacturing.”

The Smith Newton is emissions-free, runs without noise or vibration, and actually reclaims electric energy during stop-start urban operations, through regenerative braking.

The Smith Newton has a top speed of 50 mph, a range on one battery charge in excess of 100 miles. Three models are produced with gross vehicle weights of 7,500kg, 10,000kg and 12,000kg, providing a payload of up to 7,300kg.

Wind turbine manufacturer, Vestas is to go to court later today in an attempt to remove demonstrating workers at the company’s plant on the Isle of Wright.

Vestas is seeking a court injunction to force the workers who have been occupying the manfacturer’s offices in Newport since 20 July when the firm announced plans to close the factory, with the loss of 625 jobs. The move to close the plant has been slammed by workers, unions and environmental groups alike as unnecessary.

 The Dutch turbine maker blames the closure of the plant on a lack of demand for wind turbines in the UK, despite the Government’s commitment to increase renewable electricity production. Government reports have suggested that the UK will need 10,000 wind turbines by 2020, all of which will need to be imported if Vestas is closed. National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) which represents Vestas’ workers slammed the turbine maker’s argument that demand is low for wind turbines as ‘totally bogus’.

Demonstrators from Campaign against Climate Change and the RMT are gathered outside the plant this morning in support of the turbine maker’s workers.

The union argues that demand for wind turbines in the UK is still very much alive, quoting a survey published today British Wind Energy Association (BWEA), of whom Vestas are prominent members, which reveals that the UK will need 2700 new wind turbines by 2012.

Last night Vestas sacked 11 staff engaged in the occupation with dismissal letters smuggled through in pizza boxes – a move slammed as ‘cowardly’ and ‘worse than you’d treat a dog’ by the RMT union.

Bob Crow, RMT general secretary, who will be at the Vestas factory this afternoon, said: “The arguments used for closing Vestas on the Isle of Wight, that UK demand for wind turbines is too low, have today been exposed as totally bogus and on those grounds alone the Government should step in to save this factory and the 625 skilled manufacturing jobs before it is too late.

“Vestas have had millions in government subsidies and this week scooped up another £7 million in R&D money just days before they are due to close their only UK factory. They have touted themselves around like corporate prostitutes, sucking up taxpayers money while moving to dump their UK force on the scrap heap and that’s a scandal.

“Yesterday, Business Secretary Lord Mandelson talked about “our low-carbon industrial future”. Today, the government have the chance to walk the talk, to step in and nationalise Vestas and save green jobs at the UK’s only wind turbine factory. They cannot sit idly by while a factory that UK wind energy production will need for the future is ripped apart.”

Renewable electricity production from sources such as wind and tidal are a key component to the sustainability of operating cars on electricity, and the closure of Britain’s only turbine manufacturer represents a massive blow for the UK’s investment into clean energy.

A new research programme designed to strengthen the supply chain for the UK’s aero engine industry has taken flight.

With the aim of accelerating the development and introduction of low carbon aircraft engine technology, around £90million has been invested from Government and industry sources.

Known as Strategic Affordable Manufacturing in the UK with Leading Environmental Technology (SAMULET), the programme represents collaboration between both industry and academia led by Rolls-Royce. The UK Technology Strategy Board will pour £28.5million into the programme with around £11.5million coming from the Physical Sciences Research Council.

The proposal focuses on environmental improvements such as reductions in raw material use, lower engine fuel consumption and efficient advanced manufacturing processes. These goals will be achieved by developing new technologies and delivering a number of knowledge transfer initiatives.

The Advisory Council for Aeronautics Research in Europe (ACARE) has set a target for carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions per passenger to be reduced by 50 per cent by 2020, with nitrogen oxides to be cut by 80 per cent and noise to be slashed by 50 per cent.

Norwegian electric vehicle manufacturer Think Global has teamed with Ener1, one of its battery partners, to make a significant breakthrough in the Japanese market.

Together the companies will supply a fully integrated electric drive-train powered by a lithium-ion battery system to Japan Post. This will be used for the conversion of delivery vehicles as part of a comprehensive road testing programme. Think and Ener1 will team with Zero Sports of Japan – Zero Sports has been chosen as one of the conversion partners for delivering electric vehicles as Japan Post aims to electrify its fleet of 22,000 delivery vehicles.

The drive-train allows the petrol-powered trucks to run entirely on electric drive. It will also be shared with other major users and potential customers of electric vehicles, including postal fleets in both Europe and the Americas.

It was initially developed for the Think City electric car – a three-door, two-seat electric vehicle that is powered by a 30kW electric motor. Indeed the complete system is the first of its kind to provide off-the-shelf availability with made-to-order performance on a wide variety of plug-in and electric vehicle applications.

Initially, the Japan Postal Service will convert 25 per cent of its fleet to electric drive. It will develop a fleet of purely electric vehicles for use in the Kanagawa and Tokyo Prefectures where the conversion vehicles are currently being tested.

We all know the primary benefit of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) becoming a mainstream alternative to conventional internal combustion engines is to cut vehicle emissions. However, what about the secondary effects?

According to a study by electrical engineers at the University of Calgary, a large-scale deployment of PHEVs across the province could lead to a 40-90 per cent reduction in greenhouse gases and also prompt a major boost to the wind power industry.

Currently power generation in Alberta is thermal-dominated with only four per cent wind power. However, the Alberta Electric System Operator has nearly 11GW interest in wind power developments and is actively looking for ways to mitigate the high volatility of wind.

The use of more clean energy, particularly in Alberta which is the Canadian province with the highest amount of thermally generated power in Canada, is considered particularly important. At the moment 90 per cent of electricity in Alberta is produced through greenhouse gas emitting methods such as by burning coal or natural gas.

However, the application of PHEVs could be promoted by the regulator to offset wind intermittency.

According to the research, Alberta needs smart charging systems to make the most of its wind resources and infrastructure could include technology with communication links allowing system operators to distribute electricity to vehicles when wind power production peaks.

Smart charging systems would in turn help the power system handle increased demand for electricity that would result from the widespread adoption of hybrids. Cars would then be charged outside peak hours to avoid overloading the grid.

It seems like only yesterday that we told you about Coda Automotive taking another step forward by forging an agreement with UQM Technologies – perhaps because it was yesterday. Today however, the California based electric car and battery company, has further reasons to celebrate with a $24million investment.

The Series B investment will be used to support the development and 2010 California market entry of its all-electric saloon car, as well as funding of its battery manufacturing joint venture.

Investors include Miles Rubin, Coda’s founder and co-chairman; Angeleo Group, South California’s largest clean-tech focused venture firm; Piper Jaffray, a Minnesota based investment bank; Steven Heller, Coda’s co-chairman; and Kevin Czinger, Coda’s president and chief executive officer.

Further investments have come from the likes of John Bryson, the former chairman and chief executive officer of Edison International; Thomas McLarty the former chief of staff for President Clinton; and Henry Paulson Jr, the former US Secretary of the Treasury.

Mr Czinger welcomes the investment and stated it is a testament to the company’s stature given the challenging market conditions.

Retailers in the US state of Oregon had been required to sell petrol that contains at least 10 per cent ethanol, however, that rule may be about to change.

Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski has signed HB 3497, which amends Oregon’s ethanol mandate to allow service stations to sell premium, higher octane petrol without ethanol for certain uses. The proposals were introduced after it was discovered that certain classes of engines don’t operate well with ethanol blended fuel.

The ruling gives service stations the choice of selling unblended premium fuel and also addresses the concerns of snowmobilers, fishermen and others who require an unblended fuel to operate their equipment safely.

The bill permits the sale of petrol that is not blended with ethanol if the petrol has an octane rating of 91 or above or if the petrol is to be used in various types of aircraft; an antique vehicle; a Class I all-terrain vehicle; a Class III all-terrain vehicle; a snowmobile; a racing activity vehicle; tools including lawnmowers and leaf blowers; and a watercraft.

The UK has been an epicentre for drivers with a green conscience for many years. Having already adjusted its road tax system to penalise the heaviest polluters and introduced congestion charges; the Government created a vehicle scrappage scheme earlier this year meant to help more motorists make green choices while boosting the automotive sector.

Now it seems that its efforts have been rewarded.

Last week, Nissan announced plans to make electric car batteries at its plant in Sunderland, creating 350 new jobs in the process (see ‘Nissan to make electric car batteries at Sunderland plant’). In total it will invest £200million over the next five years with hopes high that Nissan Sunderland will also be a strong contender to manufacture the company’s electric cars.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown welcomed the news as the Government embarks on the Building Britain’s Future scheme – a plan for recovery based on low carbon, high technology industries, products and services. So is Britain really in a position to be a green car leader?

The argument for the UK…

Many of the manufacturers with bases in the UK are already investing in new technologies and focusing on the development of green cars. For example, Toyota has announced plans to manufacture the hybrid Auris in the UK (see article) at its Derbyshire factory as it bids to make more European motorists switch from increasingly clean diesel vehicles to low emission technology. Vauxhall is also considered one of the leading contenders to win the contract to produce General Motors’ new electric car the Chevrolet Volt, which has been previewed in Europe under the name of the Vauxhall/Opel Ampera (pictured).

MINI has proudly showcased its Oxford-built MINI E electric car which is being trialled in the US market; while Lotus has helped develop the new Tesla Roadster – an electric sports car that will also debut in the North American market.
In addition, the Government has shown that it is willing to offer strong backing to car manufacturers that adopt a green stance and bring jobs to the UK. It has given a £27million grant to Land Rover to help it produce a new hybrid SUV that has been code-named LRX and should help the Jaguar-Land Rover group reach a new audience.
It has also outlined targets for the National Grid to increase the amount of electricity that comes from purely renewable sources. There are tax breaks for electric cars, as well as freedom from congestion charges and even free parking in electric hotspots such as Westminster.

The argument against the UK…

One of the major problems the UK faces is that, as an already developed economy, it needs to produce results now rather than later as it slumps into it deepest recession since the Depression.

Electric cars remain something of a gamble. Though they appear to be favoured over hydrogen fuel cells and even algae-based biofuels; range, practicality and power remain three key stumbling blocks. At present, the most popular electric car in the UK is the G-Wiz and it has a questionable safety reputation, not to mention the fact that there are cheaper alternatives on the market that don’t face the same limitations.

There is also the matter of a shortage of recharging points with little investment outside London, and as the UK is so heavily populated, it relies on flats and apartment blocks – living in such an environment makes recharging all the more difficult.

What’s more is that Britain’s car industry has a reputation for producing “gas guzzlers”. The likes of Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Jaguar and Land Rover all have bases in the UK and they are less likely to fall prey to low-cost competition in developing countries such as China, India and Korea.

So the question remains as to whether the Government should really be focusing its cash in this direction and, even if it does, it can surely be out-spent by other more interventionist countries. Worryingly, as the bulk of the major car companies are foreign, the UK is always subject to their whims.

Our verdict…

Electric cars in existing forms undoubtedly have their limitations, but these are being addressed and the car industry seems intent on making this form of alternative vehicle the focus for the future of motoring. It seems every major car maker has an electric car in the works, and Nissan in particular is piling millions into their development.

To ignore these advancements would be short-sighted and so it makes sense for the UK to try and grab some of action. With significant investment behind it and such a well-established reputation in motoring there’s no reason why Britain shouldn’t position itself as one of the leaders of the green car pack.

Faye Sunderland