Britons on the search for green cars could be interested to note developments in new technology which could effectively see vehicles being powered by water.
Britons on the search for green cars could be interested to note developments in new technology which could effectively see vehicles being powered by water.
OM Energy has received funding from clean technology provider Ultra Green to help allows its Electro Hydrogen Generator (EHG) system to be incorporated by manufacturers into new engine designs.
Under the new venture - known as Ultra Green OM - it is also hoped a retrofit solution will be developed so that existing vehicles can be made greener.
The technology sees waste energy from an engine's exhaust used to create water. With the hydrogen from the liquid then converted for use as fuel.
EHG combines hydrogen with conventional fuel - at a ratio of around one to five - which is aimed at improving efficiency by up to a fifth.
It is also anticipated that a vehicle's carbon emissions can be cut by around 30 per cent through the use of the system.
Tony Blakey, chair of Ultra Green states: "The EHG technology is one which will benefit many markets, cutting fuel use in private and public transport, generators and industrial engines. Initially we are targeting private and public vehicle industries to develop a solution to help them and the industry's fuel providers meet the stringent new EU and US CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Economy) emission and fuel efficiency requirements due for implementation in 2013."
He adds that Ultra Green OM is "well positioned" to have vehicles demonstrating the new technology on show later this spring, with the technology viewed "as the obvious interim step" before pure hydrogen fuel is readily available at garage forecourts.
Chair of Ultra Green Antony Blakey points out that a1.6-litre 4 x 4 is set to be EHG retro-fitted later this year as part of the firm's tests.
Other projects Ultra Green has worked on include Biomax Fuel Clean, a cleansing treatment aimed at keeping biofuel free of impurities. It can be used with B100 and standard diesel blends.
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