Greener cars in focus at Geneva Motor Show
Mon 16 March 2009
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The Geneva Motor Show, which took place from 5-15 March, featured significant environmental elements despite the economic difficulties now facing the motor industry.
Electric and plug-in vehicles were much in evidence with the GM Volt once again a star attraction. The Volt runs for 40 miles under electric power alone and has a small petrol motor for backup. The Volt is expected to cost around £23k and to be introduced in about two years' time.
Toyota showed its new model hybrid Prius which is reported to be 10% more economical, than its predecessor, emitting just 89g/km of CO2. So far about 1.2 million Prius have been sold and Toyota said in Geneva that it wants to sell 1 million hybrids a year .
Renault explained that it is working on plans to introduce Europe-wide electric car infrastructure by 2012. Renault is working on a number of projects, including one with Better Place in Israel, which will see a nationwide electric recharging infrastructure installed including facilities for battery swaps.
Peugeot introduced a diesel electric hybrid - it's hybrid Number 4 swift 200hp people carrier is expected to average 109g/km. At the Geneva Show Peugeot also announced a collaboration with Mitsubishi to build 10,000 electric Peugeots a year, expected to begin in 2010.
The German engineering company EDAG unveiled the Light Car; a small electric car with lightweight construction. EDAG aims to collaborate with other car and non-automotive companies so it has made its research "open source". Companies are invited to approach EDAG with their ideas and, If viable, they'll be incorporated into a concept for next year's show.
Chrysler also showcased its electric vehicle future with the European premieres of the Chrysler 200C EV concept vehicle and Dodge Circuit EV prototype. The Chrysler 200C EV concept has a 40 miles all-electric range which is extended to 400-miles with the conventional ic engine. The Dodge Circuit EV boasts a range of 150 to 200 miles on batteries alone.
The Magna Steyr mila electric vehicle is a bespoke electric car concept by Austrian coachbuilders Magna. It is a five-seat supermini-sized car, with lithium ion batteries providing a potential 170-mile range. It has a distinctive composite body that can quickly be designed into any shape required. Magna is offering this concept to large car makers to buy into.
Volvo exhibited conventional diesel models which it says can offer CO2 emissions comparable with the best current hybrids. The C30 DRIVe, Volvo says, is much cheaper and will sell more, and lead to greater cumulative CO2 reductions. Volvos says that today's technology still holds the upper hand and in today's challenging market reductions in emissions and fuel consumption can be made most cost-effectively via this route.
Volkswagen previewed a new versin of the Polo Blue Motion which, the company says, will do 74mpg and emits 96g/km of CO2. VW said that next year will see the launch of the Bluemotion II variant, which will do 85mpg and emit just 87g/km of CO2. VW says it has made the car lighter and redesigned the engine from scratch.
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