All articles tagged with #sustainable transportation
NASA's development of a superelastic, airless tire made from shape memory alloys, originally designed for space exploration, could revolutionize personal vehicles by providing puncture-proof, durable, and maintenance-free tires, with potential benefits for sustainability and everyday driving. However, challenges remain in scaling production and ensuring comfort for mass adoption.
The Anod Hybrid bicycle, set to launch in 2024, features a unique combination of supercapacitors and a lithium battery for quick charging, extended range, and lightweight design, offering a practical and eco-friendly urban commuting solution priced at $3,800.
The article discusses the potential of the P-12 electric hydrofoil ferry developed by Candela to revolutionize urban water transit by offering faster, more sustainable, and less disruptive ferry services, with significant market potential globally, especially in densely populated and water-rich cities.
The nonprofit Kara Solar has funded a fleet of solar-powered canoes in the Ecuadorian Amazon, benefiting the Indigenous Achuar people while reducing the need for road construction in the rainforest. By harnessing the power of the sun, these canoes provide a sustainable and cost-effective mode of transportation, allowing communities to travel, trade, and communicate more easily without relying on gasoline. The project aims to protect the rainforest by utilizing rivers as "ancestral highways" and promoting clean transport networks, providing an alternative to deforestation caused by road-building and development. The solar boats have proven successful, enabling the Achuar to monitor and guard their forest, transport tourists, and maintain their traditional way of life.
Google co-founder Sergey Brin's startup, LTA Research, has received FAA clearance to begin test flights of its massive airship prototype, the Pathfinder-1. Filled with non-flammable helium, the airship aims to transport cargo efficiently and cleanly, potentially helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the aviation industry. LTA plans to use the airship for humanitarian missions as well. The testing process will take place in California before moving to Akron, Ohio, where LTA will establish its manufacturing center and develop a larger airship, the Pathfinder-3. While not intended to replace airplanes, LTA's airships could contribute to a more sustainable aviation industry.
Electric planes, once considered a fantasy, are starting to become a reality as technological advancements in batteries and significant investments make short-distance electric air travel feasible. Companies like Beta Technologies are leading the way, with their CX300 plane making a 16-day trip from Vermont to Florida, showcasing the potential of battery-powered aviation. These electric aircraft offer the promise of zero emissions, simpler operation and maintenance, and the ability to connect rural areas with limited air service. While electric planes are not expected to be widely adopted for several years, they are likely to initially compete with helicopters and cars for short-distance travel. The industry is working towards gaining trust and certification from regulatory bodies, with plans to expand infrastructure and create a network of chargers.
Scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory have discovered a previously unknown reaction mechanism in lithium-sulfur batteries that addresses their short lifetimes. The breakthrough involves the use of a catalyst in the sulfur cathode, which prevents the dissolution of sulfur and the formation of soluble lithium polysulfides. This discovery could lead to lithium-sulfur batteries with higher energy storage capacity, lower cost, and longer lifetimes, making them a more sustainable and eco-friendly solution for the transportation industry.
Startup Spiro is expanding its electric bike and battery-swapping scheme to Kenya, with plans to deploy 1.2 million electric vehicles, marking a major milestone for the company. The scheme aims to eliminate fuel-guzzling motorbikes and scooters from the roads by trading them in for electric two-wheelers. Drivers are offered incentives to swap their existing bikes for electric ones and can access battery-swap stations to quickly switch out depleted batteries for fully charged ones. The initiative not only reduces air pollution and costs for drivers but also creates jobs and contributes to building Kenya's electric vehicle infrastructure.
Rowan Atkinson, the British comedian and car enthusiast, has expressed doubts about the environmental benefits of electric vehicles (EVs) in an opinion piece for The Guardian. Atkinson, who holds degrees in electrical engineering, cited the high greenhouse gas emissions from the production of EVs and called for a shift away from the "fast fashion" sales culture of the car industry. He advised those considering buying an EV to hold off for now, as alternatives such as solid-state or hydrogen-based fuels are still in development.
Denver is closing streets to motorized vehicles once a month through August for Viva! Streets, a program that promotes sustainable transportation and healthy lifestyles. The initiative offers a car-free route for people to walk, bike, Rollerblade, or ride electric scooters and bicycles, connecting neighborhoods and businesses along the way. The Downtown Denver Partnership has partnered with Lyft and Lime to increase the number of available bikes and scooters and make sure hubs are placed at bus and rail stops. The program also includes activities such as art exhibits, dance and yoga classes, and activities for children.
Bolivian EV startup Quantum Motors hopes to boost electric vehicle adoption in the country with its compact and affordable Quantum car, which is being used in a government-sponsored program to bring doctors to patients living in remote areas. Bolivia has the world's largest reserve of lithium, a key component in electric batteries, but has yet to extract and industrialize its vast resources of the metal. Despite challenges, Quantum Motors is hopeful that programs like "Médico en tu casa" will help boost production and churn out more EVs across the region.
Archer Aviation and United Airlines plan to launch the first commercial electric air taxi route in Chicago in 2025. The electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft will travel from O'Hare International Airport to Vertiport Chicago, with enough room for one pilot, four passengers, and luggage. The service will be available through a mobile app for around $100-$150. Archer hopes to expand the program to other major metro areas like New York City and Los Angeles.
United Airlines plans to launch an air taxi service using electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft from Archer Aviation to connect downtown Chicago and O'Hare International Airport in just 10 minutes, starting in 2025. United has ordered 200 eVTOL aircraft from Archer at a cost of $1 billion, and hopes to offer customers a more sustainable, convenient, and cost-effective mode of transportation during their commutes to the airport. If approved by the FAA, this would be the first commercial eVTOL service to begin operating in North America.