When you think of human powered vehicles what comes to mind? Most will think of different forms of bikes. There is the bicycle, unicycle, and tricycle. Did you also consider these vehicles? Consider these the canoe, ice skates, roller skates, kick scooter, skis, trikke and skateboard. All of which are fun to use and our powered by muscular movement on our part.
For most of us the very first vehicle we drove ourselves was not an automobile. It was most likely some from of transportation powered by yourself and not a motor. It was nothing fancy just another way to get from here to there. In most cases it probably wasn't even faster than we could have done crawling or walking, but it sure was fun. This vehicle was called a tricycle: a simple 3-wheeled contraption that used handle bars atop a rotating front wheel to steer and was powered by your very own legs.
Once you mastered the use of your tricycle you were ready for the big time, a bicycle. Now this was much faster and more challenging than a tricycle. The transition went smoothly as it came with the subtraction of one back wheel, but was accompanied by the addition of two training wheels. Then when you were ready you could remove the training wheels and after a few falls you were off and loving it.
Then you got a car and transportation would never be the same again. That care free joyous feeling is gone. With a car came much more responsibility and more expenses. Now you had to worry about car insurance bills, tune ups, maybe tickets, cleanings, and the most lethal of expenses now gas prices. Gas prices are hovering around $3.00 per gallon.
It has never been cheaper and more beneficial to go back to those self human powered vehicles that we all loved so much growing up. Growing up self powered vehicles were used strictly for recreational proposes. Now as adults why not use self powered vehicles for those short journeys? Not only is it beneficial financially, but also is a good source of exercise.
In the news: Reuters has recently reported that a top engineer of Toyota Motor Corporation manufacturer of high quality Toyota parts has stated during an interview last Monday that the diesel-powered vehicles that would be able to meet the strict clean-air regulations set in the United States would be too costly and in the long run may not worth the fuel savings that customers are to derive from it.
According to Executive Vice President Masatami Takimoto, heading Toyota's research and development during the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, "I won't deny that we might be offering a diesel in the United States some time in the future. But right now we think hybrids are much more cost competitive.?
He further added that the high cost involved in adding particulate filter traps as well as the other components needed to clean tailpipe emissions are likely to increase the price of diesel-powered vehicles and with the present condition of the US market he still believes that hybrid vehicles will still be the popular choice by a great number of American car buyers.
Toyota although not that optimistic in the prospect of diesel technology has entered into a partnership with a diesel savvy Japanese truck maker, Isuzu Motors Ltd in an attempt to advance against its other domestic Japanese rivals. Takimoto justified the said partnership saying that the roadmap leading to future diesel technology is wide open and just like any other automaker Toyota is taking advantage of the opportunity.
On the other hand, Toyota's other domestic Japanese rivals specifically Honda Motor Co. and Nissan Motor Co. have both announced that they were preparing a clean diesel powertrain which they expect to launch in the United States by the end of the decade. They claimed that their clean diesel powertrain will meet the set US diesel emission regulations which are viewed to become the strictest emission regulations the world will ever see.
Plug-in Hybrids at the Auto Show in Detroit Despite the presence of numerous remarkable vehicles at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, plug-in hybrids have still managed to grab the limelight. Takimoto explains that as long as people would like to save fuel and cut carbon dioxide emissions, hybrid plug-in cars will always have a part in the US market.
But he also stressed that a battery with enough advanced capability is still years away from practical applications. "To make plug-in hybrids feasible, you'd need a battery that is far smaller, lighter and advanced than the best lithium-ion batteries out there today," he told reporters.
He further stated that at present Toyota is developing such type of advanced battery in partnership with Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. Takimoto also said that the best use of plug-in hybrids will greatly depends on the method on how a country produces its electricity. For instance if a country depends heavily on fossil fuels such as coal in creating their electricity the resulting emissions on a well-to-wheel basis would still remain high.
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Tk Healey has sinced written about articles on various topics from Crafts, Advertising Guide and Football. TK Healey chief editor for SurfTilYouDrop a consumer based website focusing on As Seen On TV Products. Visit today and check out the. Tk Healey's top article generates over 49500 views. to your Favourites.
Correy Putton has sinced written about articles on various topics from Honda, Nissan and Cars. Corey Putton is a 28-year old bachelor from Pittsburgh, PA who has been around cars for the better part of his life. He now works online and writes all about his passion: cars. He is also a certified mechanic. You can visit. Correy Putton's top article generates over 1000000 views. to your Favourites.