By Richard Roch

Could you imagine if every Canadian driver stuck in rush-hour traffic suddenly decided to shut their engines instead of idling unnecessarily? We're talking about thousands and thousands of cars and trucks that would produce virtually no carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gas emissions. At the same time, noise pollution would stop being a problem. You think this is far-fetched? Well, no! This scenario could very well present itself by 2020.

Small golf karts have the particularity of completely shutting down when they come to a full stop and, as soon as the brake pedal is released, their engines magically spring back to life.

 

So I wonder: "If manufacturers can make hybrid vehicles and golf karts that produce zero emissions at idle, why can't they do the same with regular vehicles? If someone has a logical and credible explanation, it will be my pleasure to include it in my next feature."

Well, now I have my answer. Automakers can create such non-hybrid vehicles that still include some of the fuel-saving technologies of hybrids like Start-Stop engines. Cases in point: the Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid, Saturn Aura and Vue Green Lines, Mercedes-Benz B-Class and BMW 3-Series Cabriolet, among others.

Hybrid or not?

The three American models are not true hybrids. They're powered by a 2.4L, 4-cylinder Ecotec engine with the assist of an electric motor acting as a starter/alternator. Nevertheless, it works! If you're stuck in traffic and you keep the brake pedal depressed, the 4-cylinder will remain silent. During all this time, no one can accuse you of polluting the air. What's more, you're saving precious fuel -- and money. And to top it all off, the Aura Green Line and Malibu Hybrid both retail for less than $28,000, so they're hybrids that most can actually afford.

As for the B-Class (B150 and B170), the new generation of which is set to make its debut in South Africa this June, it will not only use a flex-fuel engine (gasoline, diesel, natural gas), but also a start-stop device. The latter shuts the combustion engine when the clutch and brakes are applied (with the manual transmission). Autobox-equipped models will see their engines stop operating as soon as drivers hit the brake pedal. To start the engine again, all they have to do is to let go of the clutch (manual transmission) or brake pedal (automatic).

Mercedes-Benz promises a 9-percent fuel saving compared to a similar car that does not feature start-stop capability. The B170 can run on a combination of gasoline and natural gas, or on clean diesel. It includes five fuel cells for a total of 16 kilos of natural gas and a range of 300 kilometers. When adding regular gasoline into the equation, the available range increases to about 1,000 kilometers. The driver can switch from gasoline to natural gas simply by pushing a button on the steering wheel. How nice!

 

Meanwhile, the European BMW 3-Series Cabriolet has just received a 170-hp, 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder engine with automatic start-stop and regenerative braking. The technology is basically the same as its domestic rival's, but at BMW, expected fuel savings are much higher: 20 percent. The Bavarian automaker will also offer the technology in the new 1-Series.

Exponential progress

The exponential progress achieved in the auto industry over the last few years has been astounding. What we're seeing today is only the tip of the iceberg. Interesting new technologies will keep being introduced at a faster and faster pace. Think about what it was like barely five years ago: fuel cells, electric cars, electronic steerings and throttles, intelligent keys, self-parking cars and start-stop systems were regarded as technologies of the future.
But there we are!

All these automotive innovations can be appreciated as we speak. Evolution is no longer calculated in decades (as was the case in the 1960s and '70s); we're talking months and even weeks! What do the next few months have in store for us in terms of environmentally-friendly technologies? Your guess is as good as mine.

When we'll finally see the largest intersections in Canada turn dead silent and emission-free, we'll know that the trend has been reversed and that a brighter, greener future is definitely in front of us. In the meantime, we have to be Earth-conscious and keep an open mind. So, the next time you walk into a dealership, buy with your head, not with your guts.

IBC applauds new measures to battle auto theft

The Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) has applauded Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s announcement of tough new legislation to combat the problem of organized auto theft.

New measures will target organized crime rings that steal vehicles with the intention of exporting them, selling them to unsuspecting buyers with altered identification numbers, or chopping them up for parts.

IBC hasurged the passing of Bill C-343, which would make auto theft a separate offense in the Criminal Code, rather than treating it as a simple property crime.

“This is an important commitment made by the federal government to recognize that organized auto theft is a growing problem in Canada that threatens the safety and security of our communities,” said Rick Dubin, Vice-President, Investigations, IBC.

 “The measures announced yesterday, along with Bill C-343, go a long way to combating this very serious crime,” Dubin added. “But we look forward to seeing the federal government go even further. In particular, we would welcome amendments to the Youth Criminal Justice Act that would allow dangerous re-offenders to be held in custody pending trial while receiving rehabilitation, and more of a deterrent built into the system.”

 

Consumers care more for money than environment, says GM VP

Controversial, straightforward yet still popular, GM's vice-president rarely eats his words. As the main man behind the Chevrolet Volt project, Bob Lutz is clearly interested in developing new solutions to reduce our collective dependence on oil. But according to him, diesel is not the way of the future.

 

"Environmental standards in America are too stringent, he said during a recent interview. For instance, the Tier II Bin 5 standard requires technical improvements that significantly increase the costs of producing clean diesels. We will obviously offer such engines to our customers, but we're not going to sacrifice any project because of this."

To back up his claim, Lutz then added a few examples: "We just managed to achieve the required standard with our Duramax-equipped full-size pickup trucks. Unfortunately, they cost $11,000 more. Do you honestly think that someone is willing to pay such a premium?"

 

"And what about the price of fuel: right now, diesel is about 20-percent costlier than regular gasoline, he went on to say. So, do you see someone actually paying 20 percent more to purchase a diesel-powered vehicle and 20 percent more to fill up the tank... only to wind up with a 20-percent lower fuel consumption? The biggest issue for consumers will always be money, not the environment. As for the success of German automakers, well, they did make a nice breakthrough in Canada, but the environmental standards are not the same. In the U.S., their success has yet to be calculated."

Finally, Bob Lutz told journalists that one thing is for sure: "We won't give up on diesel technology, especially for our European customers. But it's only part of a global effort to explore all avenues in order to save our planet."