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?

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 vehicleas 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.

Chip Foose helps unveil the BASF Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing by Foose Design.

The SEMA 2011 show held at the Las Vegas Convention Center is one of the biggest automotive venues in the world. SEMA stands for the Specialty Equipment Manufacturing Association, and has something for every kind of car or truck enthusiast.  While the event is not open to the general public, the press, exhibitors and buyers from all over the world come to see and show the latest and greatest in after-market spare parts and accessories. The event is overwhelming and with so many incredible custom cars from amazing body shops, the eye candy keeps your dead-tired feet moving from booth to booth. The creativity alone is awe-inspiring. In amongst the loud displays of speakers, products being showcased, celebrity appearances and the high-pitch squeal of drifting tires on the Ford race-track outside, it’s one of the few places where smaller companies looking to get noticed can play in the big leagues with industry giants like Ford, GM, and Toyota.

Two years ago, there was a bigger play for a greener audience but attendance was relatively shy. This year, with over 500 new exhibitors showing their wares, you would never know we were in a recession. Though the place was packed, eco-friendly products were much harder to find. This seems at odds with the amount of “green” press releases and focus coming out of the 2011 LA car show soon to take place in a few weeks. It would seem as if there’s a disconnect between what after-market suppliers see as their customers now and how they will address the changing nature of their business in years to come.

With much of the focus in the show given towards restoration of classics, and muscle cars, this year there was an interesting twist around taking a reasonably-priced, high gas mileage car like the Toyota Scion and customizing it to suit a much younger audience. Though these customizations are hardly reasonably priced to be sure.

So why would two seemingly eco-friendly, sustainability-seeking people go to a gas guzzling event like this? Because it’s about new technology, new ideas, and performance-enhancing rides getting better gas mileage. It’s about one-up-manship product design on an uber level, and this is what the industry needs. It’s also about creating better environments for workers with less toxic materials in the shop. We need that competitive drive to do better from what is learned on the racetrack and in the top custom shops to our much less glamorous individual rides and fleets. Amongst all the fabulous design and body work there are some real gems making difference, you just have to be willing to look for them.

The little trailer than can by Adventure Trailers. Notice the rollout solar pad on top of the tent

Reminiscent of an oversized Swiss Army knife that folds out into all kinds of useful tools, it was even hard to tell there was a little trailer sitting underneath everything. What really made the trailer attractive is its ability to follow a 4-wheel drive light-truck or SUV across some of the most treacherous terrain. It’s built tough with a unique trailing arm suspension system with air shocks that protects itself from coming apart on back country roads. Not only that, but it easily protects the fully loaded contents inside it.

The Eezi Awn Globe Trotter tent on top of the trailer model I saw was fully loaded with all the bells and whistles and while compact, it may set you back about $20K. Mario Donovan, an owner and the designer for Adventure Trailers described ordering a trailer much like a pizza. Get just the toppings you want or order it with “the works.”

Mr. Donovan also talked about his experience living in Africa, and I could see where one of these trailers would come in handy. Of course all I could think of was that a set up like this with a tent off the ground away from less than desirable critters and snakes would certainly make for a better night’s sleep.

Adventure Trailers are made to be custom ordered with the amenities you want

While not exactly less expensive or truly lightweight, when you compare the footprint of the trailer to that of larger campers or an RV, the amount saved in gas alone may be worth it. Beyond that, its flexibility to go into remote areas or leave the trailer behind as a base camp item makes it a great off-the-grid research, relief aid, or camping alternative.

To find out more about the different models of trailers visit their site at: www.adventuretrailers.com

by Jen Pennington
Photos by Robert J. Pennington

This year at the Specialty Equipment Manufacturer’s Association (SEMA) 2009 show in Las Vegas, there seemed to be a great gathering of beautifully customized and enhanced Mustangs and Camaros. All I can say is, what Mustang or Camaro isn’t sexy with a body like that? But to most motorheads what makes a car sexy is what’s under the hood, and in some cases, what’s in the tank. So we thought we’d pick five of our favorite alternative fuel cars from elegant EVs and beefy biodiesels to hybrids with horsepower. And for you Birkenstock-wearin’-moss-growin’-between-the-toes-greenie folks, feel free to indulge some secret lust after these “husky pups,” as my Dad used to say. These independent builders are definitely on the right track to foster the kind of sustainable technology we need for the future.

Sexy is Classic – The 912 “911E” Porsche
This 1976 Porsche was modified and restored by Sunshine State Restorations. This little blue beauty is powered by a NetGain Warp11 series-wound DC Electric motor. The car offers up the classic refined Porsche style with a robust 280 volts/1000 amp lithium ion battery bank (85 x 3.3 volt/100 amp hour). Fast, furious, and fabulous.

1976 912 (911E) Electric Porsche--elegant outside and in.

Sexy is Muscle – The SS Chevelle Biodiesel
If muscle is more your style, check out this restored and rebuilt 1970 SS Chevelle with a modified 6.6 Duramax Diesel GM Engine by Pacific Performance Engineering. PPE calls the car remarkably easy to drive with about 20,000 proven miles on it. Painted metallic green with black racing stripes this buff body is pumped up with biodiesel and ready to flex some new greener biceps.

Modified 1970 SS Chevelle Biodiesel

Sexy is Beefy – The Pangaea Expeditions Land Rover Defender 110
This Land Rover is part of the Bio Bonatti Project by Pangaea and it’s setting out to prove that not all full-size SUVs need to be gas guzzlers. Starting with a military spec frame and drive train, the vehicle was built from the ground up with a focus on environmental responsibility. In fact the majority of this daily drive expedition vehicle was built using scrap parts. The fuel system was modified to run on a variety of fuels including diesel, biodiesel, synthetic diesel and waste vegetable oil. Of its many attributes, a Plant Drive Vegtherm heater allows the Land Rover to run waste vegetable oil below freezing and B100 (100% pure neat biodiesel, no diesel) down to about 20 degrees. What makes the Land Rover unique is the 1,600 mile round trip to SEMA from Colorado drove on a clean burning synthetic diesel/biodiesel blend. The company is hoping it will become a next-generation, completely sustainable biofuel. We love that this beefy off-road beast carries with it a low impact footprint.

Pangaea Bio Bonatti Project - Landrover Defender 110 Biodeisel

Sexy is Shocking – The “Big Green” Regen EV Shocks
Sometimes it’s not the outside of the car that’s sexy, but a unique feature that draws all the attention. Such is the case with Physics Lab’s Regen-EV-Shocks on their “Big Green” Chevy Blazer. The SUV uses its shocks to generate electricity to the battery from the up and down motion of the vehicle as it travels down the road. A former X-Prize contender, the company’s mission is to retrofit heavy vehicles like, Suburbans, Rams, F-150s, military vehicles and railcars with renewable, regenerative technology on electric drivetrains. Creator Jim Stansbury was there to demonstrate the technology by using a light bulb and volt meter attached to an EV shock. A handle extended and contracted the shock up and down to generate voltage that lit a lightbulb. And oh yeah, did we mention the Blazer also had a Wind Turbine Inlet underneath and a solar Thermal Collector on top?

Chevy Blazer with Regen EV Shocks

Sexy is Racy – American Le Mans Hybrid Racecar
This American Le Mans Zytek hybrid GZ09-SH by Corsa owner Steve Pruitt of Utah hopes to prove that hybrids make a whole lot of difference in the world of racing. The 4-liter gas engine/electric motor with a 70 lb battery translates into a bit more speed out of turns and less pit stops. With promising finishes against top competitors, the real race to watch is how this technology can turn the corner from the rigors of racing down to our lowly daily commutes.

American Le Mans Zytek hybrid GZ09-SH

Find more SEMA 2009 pictures at www.rhizomeimages.com