The Future Of Green Car Technology

In today’s world, technology has an increasingly significant effect on the way we live our lives. It shapes the jobs we do, how we communicate with loved ones, the products we consume and so much more.

It also affects the cars we drive and the choices we make when it comes to purchasing a new vehicle. Developments in the automotive industry have been huge in recent years, to the point where the one-time pipe dream of driverless cars on our roads could soon become reality.

The increasing prevalence of hybrid and electric cars has been the major shift in the modern-day market, with sales of battery-powered electric vehicles in 2020 up 165% on the previous year, as attempts to address the issue of climate change gather pace.

But if we’ve learned anything over the last 20 or so years, it’s that manufacturers will not stop driving the industry forwards with unique, innovative ideas. So, what new green car technology can we expect to be introduced on a wider scale?

One of the major drawbacks of low-emission vehicles is their limited range on electric power alone. This means drivers have to plan carefully, factoring in the location of chargepoints and the time it takes to replenish their battery before they continue their journey.

However, energy-saving body panels are a form of green car technology that could help to ease this problem. Made from carbon fibre and polymer resin, they could reduce weight by 15% and can store greater amounts of energy – helping drivers cover longer distances on just one charge.

Of course, the critical component in any low-emission vehicle is the battery, which is why manufacturers devote so much time and resources to their continual development. Most brands guarantee their batteries for 7-8 years or 100,000 miles, but plans are afoot to launch power units that far exceed those numbers.

Tesla’s CEO Elon Musk has recently hinted his company is working on batteries that could last for 1 million miles or 16 years, while General Motors and battery manufacturers in China have also made similar claims. With such major developments on the horizon, the future of green car technology could see horizons expanded into uncharted territory.

But electric green car technology is not all about the benefits for the vehicles alone. Octopus Energy recently launched a promotion encouraging customers to trial vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology, which enables drivers to use the energy stored in their cars to power their homes off-grid.

This offers a cheaper and cleaner alternative than burning fossil fuels, and could prove the first of many innovations in green car technology that sees the vehicle’s battery power repurposed for wider use, thus helping to contribute towards the government’s target of zero net emissions by 2050.

A major drawback in the manufacturing of tyres is that they are difficult to recycle and are therefore harmful to the environment. However, one company believes it has found a solution which could play a huge role in the future of green car technology.

At the Geneva International Motor Show in 2018, Goodyear announced the development of moss-filled tyres, where living moss would be inserted into the sidewalls during production. The moss will absorb water from the road and, as part of the photosynthesis process, convert carbon dioxide into clean oxygen. An ingenious idea and a literal take on the concept of new green car technology.

When it comes to eco technology in cars, V2V and V2I perhaps do the most to promote safety for road users. For example, V2V capabilities would allow connected vehicles to communicate with each other, assessing factors such as speeds and stopping distances.

Similarly, V2I technology uses the Internet of Things to connect with a wide range of features such as traffic lights, road signs and lane markings to improve driving safety. Not only will this help to protect the wellbeing of road users, but this latest green car technology will also do more to adjust driving styles in a way that conserves energy.

New green car technology is being developed all the time, in a bid to reduce our environmental impact and keep us safer on the roads. Exciting changes are afoot and here at Jardine Motors we have a wide range of new cars boasting the latest green car technology, so why not play your part in the shift towards a cleaner planet? Get in touch with your local dealership to find out more about green car technology with Jardine.

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