Well to wheel includes all manners from which the car gets to us, is used and disposed of. This therefore includes the impact created by generating the required energy sources to build the car and make it move, up to and including the time when the car is “dismantled” at the end of its useful life.
For example, depending on where you live, an electric vehicle may not be as overall green as one may think. In certain areas, the advantage is a reduction of only 45% in greenhouse gas emissions; this is far from zero-this and zero-that. It is however, a huge improvement in any regard.
What we have participated in is the outreach program where Transport Canada attempts to educate the public; we can never be too aware! And that's where we come in. As we evaluate nearly ever new car under the sun, we were given some time behind the wheel of a handful of promising products, some of which we've already been in contact with and others that were completely new to us.
Here's the list of cars, detailed in order of size, kind of, that we drove plus a brief description on each.
smart fortwo micro hybrid drive (mhd)
smart's micro hybrid drive consists basically in an idle-start-stop system added to the existing vehicle. Specifically, the starter and alternator have been replaced by an electric starter-generator. The system is programmed to shut down the ICE at decelerating speeds from 8 km/h. Once the stop has been completed, the starter-generator re-engages the motor when the brake pedal is released.
As far as we are concerned here at Auto123, we believe and expect that this type of technology will become common-place on many new cars and trucks in the near future. It only makes sense. smart estimates the additional cost of the kit to be $400 per vehicle. On this fortwo, its manner of function was quite nearly seamless and never hampered the driving experience.
2010 Tesla Roadster
We are very familiar with this car, having driven it on a few occasions. The important and stunning fact about the exotic and expensive Roadster is that it is the first full EV deemed road-legal in Canada. Its speed and driving pleasure are second only to its range which can reach up to 400 km depending on driving situations.
Its air-cooled electric motor and 6,831 lithium-ion cells produce the equivalent of 288 hp, catapult the car to 100 km/h in under 4 seconds without ever making a peep or producing greenhouse gases, at least from the non-existing tailpipe. This is proof that BEVs need not be boring.
For example, depending on where you live, an electric vehicle may not be as overall green as one may think. In certain areas, the advantage is a reduction of only 45% in greenhouse gas emissions; this is far from zero-this and zero-that. It is however, a huge improvement in any regard.
What we have participated in is the outreach program where Transport Canada attempts to educate the public; we can never be too aware! And that's where we come in. As we evaluate nearly ever new car under the sun, we were given some time behind the wheel of a handful of promising products, some of which we've already been in contact with and others that were completely new to us.
Here's the list of cars, detailed in order of size, kind of, that we drove plus a brief description on each.
smart fortwo micro hybrid drive (mhd)
 |
| Photo: Matthieu Lambert/Auto123.com |
smart's micro hybrid drive consists basically in an idle-start-stop system added to the existing vehicle. Specifically, the starter and alternator have been replaced by an electric starter-generator. The system is programmed to shut down the ICE at decelerating speeds from 8 km/h. Once the stop has been completed, the starter-generator re-engages the motor when the brake pedal is released.
As far as we are concerned here at Auto123, we believe and expect that this type of technology will become common-place on many new cars and trucks in the near future. It only makes sense. smart estimates the additional cost of the kit to be $400 per vehicle. On this fortwo, its manner of function was quite nearly seamless and never hampered the driving experience.
2010 Tesla Roadster
 |
| Photo: Matthieu Lambert/Auto123.com |
We are very familiar with this car, having driven it on a few occasions. The important and stunning fact about the exotic and expensive Roadster is that it is the first full EV deemed road-legal in Canada. Its speed and driving pleasure are second only to its range which can reach up to 400 km depending on driving situations.
Its air-cooled electric motor and 6,831 lithium-ion cells produce the equivalent of 288 hp, catapult the car to 100 km/h in under 4 seconds without ever making a peep or producing greenhouse gases, at least from the non-existing tailpipe. This is proof that BEVs need not be boring.