By Jen Pennington
Photos by Robert Pennington
Five companies at SEMA 2011 with products that bring efficiency and environmental responsibility to automotive design.
BASF
The impact of color is even better when it impacts the environment less. The waterborne paints from BASF not only provide beautiful finishes, but their lower VOC levels and fast-drying cycle times help facilitate a safer, healthier and more profitable environment for companies. Check out their Corporate Sustainability Report.
The BASF Foose Signature Color collection in front of the Richard Petty Signature Mustang
Li3 Lithium batteries
These lightweight lithium ion batteries from Lithionics Battery are a fraction of the weight of lead acid batteries, and have over a 10-year lifespan. They come equipped with optional volt meters, and a key-fob power isolator that prevents power drains by the car while it’s off. It also serves as a nifty anti-theft device as it disconnects the battery from the car.
Left: Key Fob shown with the battery. Right: Ultra lightweight batteries.
EV-Drive Train
The EV-Drive Train product family is making huge strides by providing high-efficiency and scalability that adjusts to the needs of performance. They have developed the first two 200HP models of it’s all new EVDrive-Train family, an advanced electric drive system product family for electric and hybrid motorcycles, UTVs and other powersports vehicles, cars, vans, trucks, buses and RVs requiring 65 to over 1000HP. It is a set of integrated components engineered to work as a system with a liquid cooled motor, vehicle control system, Range Extender (REX) controller, accessory support modules, and charging system coupled with a battery pack as the primary source for the majority of driving miles. Motor too quiet? Oh yeah, it comes with an engine sounds simulator. Not sexy enough? Check out the green Michel Motosports Gitano below that incorporates one of these assemblies. Who doesn’t go for the strong and silent type?
The EVDrive-Train product family and the 200HP/25kW-REX-100-mile pure electric range model installed in the OEM Michel MotorSports Gitano EGT car from the Philippines. The first Filipino-made hybrid sports car.
VisionX LED Lighting
LEDs have been on the market for awhile, but as they become more and more popular, and parts are easier to find, the automotive market has been able to attract a larger audience inside and outside the car market. Most notably used as those large lights you see on the tops of jeeps or other 4x4s, these high-efficiency lights can also be used as emergency roadside assistance running off self-contained battery-pack boxes or adapted for commercial lighting. Lights by VisionX.
Hydroelectric Power LLC and HH2™
We just couldn’t resist putting this one in. These guys are using hydrogen from water created in the vehicle as you drive to blend with normal fuel. The idea is to clean the exhaust system discharge of harmful toxins and particulates while creating better fuel economy. While we’re always skeptical of any company that markets themselves as being the “Greenest of Green,” and signs that say, “save the honey bees!” especially at an auto show, we still like that they’re doing something different. They also had a nifty catalyzed electrolysis display separating the oxygen from the hydrogen and igniting it with a striker. Check out HH2 for yourself.
Left: The HH2 device is the green plastic container on the front of a 2008 Toyota Sequoia SUV. Right: Part of the HH2 science display.
