Hybrid Cars in Qatar: Solar and Electricity Powered Cars - Article Example

Hybrid Cars in Qatar: Solar and Electri Powered Cars Hybrid Cars in Qatar: Solar and Electri Powered Cars The advent of solar and electric cars has truly made a significant change in today’s modern industrialized world. There is a reshaping of the automotive industry such that most of the modern cars invented nowadays are those that are fuel efficient. There are hybrid cars that are introduced in the market Cars that are powered by solar energy and electricity are gradually gaining popularity due to the convenience of these machines considering the plug-in and recharging mechanisms. They also have high MPG ratings and greatly reduce cost for gasoline. These cars can be designed for fuel efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improved driving range, and gain optimum power[1]. Hybrid cars have one or more auxiliary electric motors that act as supplementary power to the main gasoline engine. The engines of hybrid cars are smaller in size but more efficient as compared with the conventional engines. These engines are most helpful especially during maneuvers that require an extraordinary high power such as climbing steeps and hills, and accelerating from a standstill. Hybrid cars are able to shut down the engine when the electric mode is sufficient enough for the vehicle. These vehicles are powered by electricity and solar power energy. They are innovative technologies that promote green advancement s since they are made to emit lesser CO2 gas as compared with the conventional engines in ordinary cars [1]. Many environmentalist movements promote the use of these cars in hope to alleviate the increasing concern of global warming and make this world a better place to live in. However, the market for hybrid cars did not respond positively as expected. Many people are not informed about the difference of the hybrid cars from the conventional ones. There are various kinds of solar powered cars and electric hybrid cars. One of the type is the Plug-in Hybrid Car, or the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) is another type of hybrid car that gets most of its power from the electrical energy stores on the car batteries. Mostly, PHEV are powered by gasoline. However, the gas only kicks when the battery runs down. The battery packs of these cars can be charged in the standard outlets or via an electric generator [1]. Plug—in hybrid cars reduce the fossil fuel use since it is not dependent on the oil. It also reduces emission of greenhouse gases. However, the car requires large batteries for the storage of energy. Another type of hybrid cars is the mild hybrid. They are considered as the least expensive among the types of hybrid cars. These types of cars do not depend on one electric engine only. Instead, the electric motors of the car assist the gas engine especially for higher power requirement. It also has a control unit that shuts down the engine when slowing down or when it is not in use. The battery only starts to motor again when the car is geared again or when it accelerates [1]. In this way, it reduces fuel consumption and reduces gas emissions. The fuel efficiency is only heightened when the engine turns off when the car is on brake or is totally shutdown. The battery also lowers strain on engine by powering the other components such as the air con. The popular model for this type of hybrid car includes Toyota Camry, Honda CR-Z and BMW 7-Series hybrid. The electric vehicle (EV) is another type of hybrid car where the electric motor serves as the main source of power instead of an internal combustion engine (ICE). Just like the plug-in hybrids, it also consists of rechargeable batteries [1]. Hybrid cars are beneficial in such a way that they contribute to the environment friendly solutions of alleviating air pollution since they emit lesser gases compared to conventional engines. They produce green energy through conservation of energy by having different source of power aside from the fossil fuels. These cars also produce improvements in the car performance, having smaller engine, lighter overall weight and regenerative braking. However, not all hybrid cars perform excellently as expected. These cars are made or economy, that’s why there are some that lave lower power output. Due to their different engine platforms, there are poor handling of the car due to lesser support and bracing on the body and suspension. There is a higher center of gravity for these cars which makes them difficult to handle. They require high voltage batteries that require space and add weight to the entire car [2]. Figure 1. Solar powered car mechanisms The new innovations for these technological advancement in the solar powered and electricity powered hybrid cars have penetrated the Middle East market. Recently, the Qatar Sustainability Expo has launched their version of a ‘super car’ where the major feature of the vehicle is the electric and solar powered engine. They presented their model for the UN Climate Change Conference as they educate thousands of viewers all over the world about the emission free vehicle. The Solarworld’s “SunCarport” is a superior performing solar energy roof that supplies solar energy power to the batteries of the car. Accordingly, their model cars can run with a mileage of 300 km and can accelerate to as much as 0 to 100 in a span of 3.6 seconds. The chairman of the Qatar Solar Technologies (QSTec) stated that they “…send a clear message to the world that solar energy is playing a major role in our global sustainable future. By showcasing interesting solar solutions and applications to our community, we hope to inspire and encourage our young scientists and entrepreneurs to explore new uses for solar energy” [3]. The Qatar Foundation for Education, Science, and Community development is currently producing solar generation that accounts to 85% of the total solar energy in Qatar. They are the first Energy Monitoring Centr (EMC) in the Gulf region that manages the solar power energy generation in the Middle East. The EMC is one of the contributors of the Solar Smart Grid Projects that produced the 1.68 MW photovoltaic solar panels systems in the QF campus. The QF PV system is now generating around 5,180 MW of energy that results to savings of 2,590 tons GHG emissions annually. The researches and initiatives of the QF are promoting clean energy through the solar power energy and slowly unveils their visions of future projects relating to solar energy power in Qatar and the other regions. They are working with organizations and companies for the implementation of their green initiatives [4]. Figure 2. The Hybrid car of QF at the Expo Qatar’s aim for solar energy powered cars has unveiled their hybrid car technologies to the public. The hybrid cars they developed, shown in Figure 2, have engines that capture the thermal waste energy utilized in the generation of the electric energy for the operation of the hydrogen fuel cells that use water as gas source. The Qatari Hybrid Electric Vehicle [HEV] is packed with all the technologies of the hybrid cars that consists of battery pack, internal combustion engine and hydrogen cell fuel. Testing the vehicle in DOHA showed its claim for reducing gas emissions by 50% [5]. There are many advantages for the use of solar car and electricity powered hybrid cars. Although these cars look the same as regular cars, the advantages over the costs for these cars are significant. The solar powered cars use the sunlight to convert to electricity. Solar cars can utilize the full power speed unlike the regular cars. They are quieter and do not produce harmful gas emissions that pose harm to the atmosphere. On top of it all, these cars are very low maintenance and do not have any expense during its travels. Hybrid cars like the solar paneled cars are very cost efficient. These cars provide greater advantage over regular cars like the Toyota Landcruiser 2013 that are used as service for the Qatar Foundation. Toyota Landcruiser 2013 used as service cars are very costly. The average capital cost for these model cars is more than $70,000. These SUVs are great cars with an overall 15 MPG which is fuel efficient. It reduces fuel by around 6.3% regular unleaded fuel than the other similarly sized cars. Considering a total annual mileage of 15,000 miles, that would include 55% city and 45% high way drives, the total costs for the year’s fuel with $3,700.00 if the average price of gas is $3.70 [6]. Solar paneled cars mostly include capital costs at the initial purchase of the cars and the installation of the photovoltaic solar panels on the car. Figure 3. Solar Panels in cars The solar panels installed in cars, like the Figure 3, itcan produce 1,000 W/m2 solar flux that is equivalent to 300W for every square meter of solar panel. When the car gets 2 kW instantaneous power, the speed of the car can run naturally of about 35mph or higher. The cost of solar panels can range from $10 to $400 each [7]. These panels are used in solar cars used for racing which can run beyond 60 mph. The practicality of the solar cars is very high especially for locations that have high sunlight source like Qatar. It is advantageous to use solar paneled cars in these areas and make use of the natures gifts endowed in the region. One of the most realistic and most practical ways for solar powered cars is to have these cars charge up while they are stationary like during parking. In this way, the cars are charged and ready to use for the next travel [7]. The Qatar Foundation’s move towards solar paneled cars is a good initiative for cleaner and greener movement. There are many advantages for using these cars over the conventional and traditional fuel dependent cars. The sunlight resource in Qatar is highly abundant. They are gifted by nature to have direct sunlight that can be captured easily by their solar panels when installed on the cars. Using the solar paneled cars is very cost efficient where they can run without any expenses. The only capital cost considered is the solar panels for installation on the cars. When this innovation and green technology movement would be promoted, there is much potential for Qatar to lead the other nations worldwide to join hand in hand, and make the Earth a better place to live. References: [1] Perry, AK. (2015). “What are the Different types of hybrid cars?”. How Stuff Works. [2] Conserve-Energy-Future (2015). “What is a Hybrid Car? “. Conserve Energy Future [3] Shrestha, P. (2012). “Qatar’s Solar-Powered Electric ‘Super-car’”. Energy Live News. [4] Zawya. (2014). “Qatar Foundation Generates Solar energy to Support Qatar National Vision and Strengthens Efforts With New Energy Monitoring Centre”. Zawya. [5] Jerew, Benji. (2012). A Different Take on Hybrid Cars in Qatar. The Green Optimistic. [6] Axlegeeks. (2015).” 2013 Toyota Land Cruiser”. Findthebest.com, Inc. [7] Conger, C. (2015). “How can solar panels power a car?”. How stuff works. Read More