Regenerative Braking
The use of decelerative forces to generate electricity
Pros: Uses energy that is normally lost as heat to generate power.
Cons: Adds more weight and complexity. Only of real benefit on true hybrids.
Regenerative braking is most commonly and effectively used on hybrid vehicles. It's a very simple idea and makes a lot of sense. Energy is consumed by the engine to propel the car forward, this kinetic energy is then lost when the brakes are applied - the energy is converted into heat by the brakes and lost to the atmosphere. If some of the momentum of the spinning wheels is directed into alternators, they will generate electricity which can be fed back into the charging system. The effort required to turn these generators will also slow the car, leaving the brakes to just bring the car to a standstill. In certain applications, this energy can be used to power the car's electrical systems and thus taking some strain off the engine, but in hybrids, it can directed back to the batteries powering the vehicle and thus increasing its range.
Available from: BMW, Honda, Toyota
Super Caps
Super capacitor - an ultra high power battery.
Super capacitors have an usually high energy density and have a high output when compared with conventional capacitors and batteries. For automotive applications, these could be coupled with electric motors to supplement the power outputs of conventional engines when needed, in much the same way as turbochargers and superchargers have been used in the past. BMW have already been working with an X3 hybrid equipped with Super Cap technology.
Turbocharger
Once on every boy racers wish list, could now prove crucial to economy motoring
Pros: Recycles wasted energy to give greater efficiency and more power.
Cons: Expensive, generates a lot of under bonnet heat.
Turbochargers recycle energy - exhaust gasses are used to spin a propellor which powers a turbine, which is then used to compress the fuel/air mixture entering the engine. Manufacturers have traditionally used turbochargers to enhance the acceleration and top speed of performance models, but coupled with modern engine management, light pressure turbos can give excellent levels of performance without damaging fuel economy or CO2 outputs. Turbos will be a key feature in downsizing, and looks set to become far more commonplace as manufacturers strive to get acceptable performance levels from smaller capacity engines.
Well-To-Wheel
A term used when measuring the total environmental impact of fuel
Otherwise known as a 'Life Cycle Assessment', Well to Wheel assesses the total cost of a given fuel. This takes into account the environmental costs of extracting or growing the base ingredients, refining and transporting. The efficiency of the vehicle the fuel is to be used in is also taken into account.
