Cities were never so polluted before, planet was never so hot, our surroundings were never so unfriendly to the living beings.
Almost every city in the whole world would tell you the same story - but very few of them take practical initiative to make the things better.

Nuremberg is a bright exception - its public transport system has just taken a test drive of a diesel-electric hybrid bus developed by MAN. However the drive-system technology was provided by Siemens.

The Prototype vehicles, also known as City Hybrid low-floor bus is expected to make big contribution toward a greener public transport system in Germany.

MAN - the famous European engine and motor vehicle group has long been engaged in the researches on the technologies for storage and utilization of braking energy, testing hydraulic storage systems, mechanical flywheel storage systems and ultimately the conversion into electric energy and its efficient storage. So far these expensive researches failed to deliver any economically viable solutions - but not any more.

With the new MAN Lion´s City Hybrid low-floor bus, a new chapter has been added to the eco friendly public transport system.

The prototype features a special brake energy recovery system and is reported to use up to 25 percent less fuel than conventional buses. An electric motor initially puts the vehicle in motion. The motor also doubles up as a generator - it helps in converting the kinetic energy into electricity, which can be stored for future use to power the vehicle.

The drive system consists of series-produced components. This will enable MAN to start mass production of the bus by 2010. These diesel electric hybrid buses can be the ideal solution for urban roads, where the vehicles consume more fuels due to constant braking and accelerating.

Commercial Trucks Are Going To Be Greener and Cleaner

Trucks—they are always labeled as the gas guzzlers of the worst kind!

They are often portrayed as the fuel sucking, emission making, noise-creating monsters!

Yet you can not do without them!

From deliveries to moving things - they are needed in every step of day-to-day life. Road transport without trucks is just inconceivable.

But one manufacturer has dared to dream of more environment friendly trucks; last Thursday Cleveland-based Eaton Corporation came out with the formal announcement that its medium-duty hybrid power systems are now commercially available. With their new technology, the company promises to turn these gas-guzzling vehicles into more fuel efficient hybrids!

Trucks and hybrids! How could Eaton do this?

The Eaton Powertrain design is based on parallel hybrid architecture with Eaton’s Fuller UltraShift automated transmission. The system involves an electric motor/generator, which is mounted between the output of an automated clutch unit and the input of the transmission.

What does the Eaton hybrid Powertrain expect to achieve?

The system’s major achievement involves the recovery of lost energy during braking; the recovered energy is stored in batteries for future use. Stored energy works for improved fuel economy and vehicle performance for a given speed or used to operate the vehicle with electric power only. The system also provides energy for use during engine-off worksite operations. In a nutshell, the application:

• Reduces fuel consumption
• Reduces emission
• Reduces costs

From the workshops to the roads—the outcome

The system is basically designed to support diesel-powered trucks. Since the system is designed to include regenerative braking capability, it can be effectively adopted by the vehicles like school buses, beverage haulers, utility repair trucks, garbage trucks and others that involve an extensive stop and go duty cycle.

The launch of this hybrid system was followed by more than four years of research and two million miles of successful field-testing in North America, Europe and Asia. Eaton’s fleet customers include such coveted names as FedEx Express, UPS, Coca-Cola Enterprises and The Pepsi Bottling Group. They all have reported 40 to 60 percent fuel economy gains and emission reductions and significant reductions in noise too.

The company has set for itself a production target of several hundred units; these units are going to be installed on several commercial vehicles. The installation will be starting from 2008 by international truck makers like Peterbilt, Kenworth, Freightliner Corp. and others.

However, the company expects to find a large market in the developing nations like China, where trucks make up a significant part of road transport.

Presently Eaton research and development wing is busy working on a diesel-hydraulic power system that would replace a truck’s traditional drive train and transmission.

How do you define a motorbike ride?

For many, a motorbike ride is the sum total of a good deal of adrenaline rush, great speed,… and a good amount of noise.

But what if you can put your hands on a two wheeler that is fast enough to give you the thrill of horse ride but doesn’t come with the irritating noise of a gasoline motorbike? Well, let’s introduce you to the new entrant in the line of green vehicles - the Zero X electric two wheeler that cuts back on emission along with the noise.

You can have this dirt bike for a dream price of $6,900 and you can buy directly from the manufacturer, the Zero Motorcycles, a California-based company. At this magic figure, this all-electric bike is comparable with many 250cc gas-burning motorcycles. As a matter of fact one of its earliest celebrity customers included Google co-founder Larry Page.

But the question is: why should you buy one? Here are a few reasons, at least one of which can make sufficient sense why you should consider parking a Zero X in your garage!

1. First of all, as its name suggests, this all electric dirt bike is silent, fast and green. Running on lithium-ion the engine gives you a noise free, emission free ride.

2. The Zero X will only go 40 miles on a single charge, Still, that’s enough for most of the daily US bikers, who on an average only ride about 25 miles to 30 miles a day, confirms several studies.

3. It takes just two hours to completely recharge the battery. Motocross professionals can buy a spare battery for $2,500.

4. Zero X comes with one unique feature and it is the orange safety bracelet that is connected to a driver’s wrist as well as the ignition key. The bracelet sends the key to the off position, in case the rider leaves the engine running.

5. The engine of Zero X equates the power of 250cc gasoline bike. Still this 120-pound two wheeler accelerates much faster.

6. Again if you find it too fast, then access the bike’s brain - the virtual control panel - through your PC via the USB port. You will be exposed to the ZBrain computer that throws open a host of customization options for the rider. This enables you to create multiple riding profiles for different users. This gives you the option of setting an acceleration mode and curbing down the top speed.

For all those who have already started dreaming about taking a spin in this magic machine - the company is yet to launch a street-legal commuter bike. But you don’t have to wait long for this - it is going to be released in the coming months. This commuter version is going to be slightly larger and more powerful than the Zero X. It will be a competitor to Brammo Motorsports’ commuter bike, the Enertia which is selling for $11,995.

Want a Zero X for some splendid bike ride experience? Do one thing - join Zero’s fan club for a $2,000 fee and place your order right now. This $2,000 will be credited when you purchase this splendid bike.