Green vehicle alternatives on show

Fuel prices may have come down slightly, but we’d be deluding ourselves if the automotive world feels that we can return completely ignore the writing on the wall that we need to use less fuel and start looking for alternatives.

There was a “green corner” at the last motorshow, but this time round the relevance of these vehicles clearer and more immediate. Once again both Honda and Toyota had vehicles on display, but this time round, each had two vehicles on display.

Honda display the Insight, the world’s first petrol-electric hybrid in mass production, and although it is over half a decade since it was launched, the car feels and looks as futuristic and exciting as ever. Built at Honda’s state-of-the-art factory that also builds the NSX, the Insight features extensive use of aluminium in its structural architecture and has an extremely aerodynamic 2-seater body style. It has a 1.0-litre engine that works together with an integrated electric motor and battery. Although the Insight is no longer available as a production model, it serves to remind us of how the engineers at Honda continue to be forward thinking and innovative.

The second generation Honda Civic Hybrid and Toyota Prius offer more accessible hybrid alternatives, and impressively both are much more affordable than their predecessors. This has been reflected in their sales figures, which are a significant improvement over the original models.

Toyota also displayed the Lexus RX400h, which is the first luxury hybrid in th world, and the impressive cutaway model at the Lexus stand does a good job at showing exactly which of the three power units (one engine and two electric motors) becomes active when the situation calls for it.

But the petrol-electric hybrid is only one environment-friendly option. Another is the use of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), which is the cleanest of all fuels for an internal combustion engine. The toxic emissions from the exhaust of a CNG vehicle is 70 percent less than that of a conventional engine, and pumping up with CNG is still less than both petrol and diesel.

Mercedes-Benz sold off its entire stock of E200 NGT models, but Ssangyong launched its Stavic MPV as a CNG model at the Motorshow. This impressively spacious MPV has been converted to house a CNG tank without compromising its 3-row seating capacity. As with the Mercedes-Benz, the Stavic retains its ability to run on petrol, allowing the driver to switch easily between petrol and CNG.

For those of us that are keen to do our part to protect the environment but aren’t prepared to buy a new vehicle, the folks at the C Melchers GmbH stand will explain how you can convert your car to run on CNG. At the cost of around $2,000, they can sell a conversion kit that will allow your car to run on either petrol or CNG allowing you to enjoy the benefits of filling up with more affordable CNG and minimizing the toxic contents of your car’s exhaust at the same time.

The C Melchers GmbH stand is on the 4th floor at the Motorshow, or check out its website for more information: http://www.cng.com.sg/cng/index.html

Credits: Justin Lee