Lotus Engineering, the world-renowned automotive consultancy division of Lotus, unveils its Range Extender engine at the 63rd Frankfurt International Motor Show. In a series hybrid vehicle, the Range Extender engine is attached to an electricity generator and provides a highly efficient source of energy to power the electric motor directly or charge the vehicles battery. The battery can also power the electric motor which enables the design of a drivetrain that has low emissions, optimised performance and acceptable range.

The Lotus Range Extender engine features an innovative architecture comprising an aluminium monoblock construction, integrating the cylinder block, cylinder head and exhaust manifold in one casting. This results in reduced engine mass, assembly costs, package size and improved emissions and engine durability.

The three-cylinder 1.2 litre Range Extender engine is optimised between two power generation points, giving 15 kW of electrical power at 1,500 rpm and 35 kW at 3,500 rpm via the integrated electrical generator. Its low mass of 56 kg makes it ideal for the series hybrid drivetrain configurations for which it is designed. The engine uses an optimised two-valve port-fuel injection combustion system to reduce cost and mass and, in line with Lotus Engineering’s extensive research into renewable fuels, can be operated on alcohol-based fuels or gasoline.

For successful market uptake of series hybrid vehicles with acceptable driving range, vehicle manufacturers must overcome the challenges of high vehicle cost. The Lotus Range Extender engine not only offers the advantage of a cost effective design, but also its high efficiency and low mass will enable the downsizing of expensive batteries whilst maintaining vehicle efficiency and range. The engine has been designed using production methodologies and the parts procured from low volume potential production suppliers, offering a fast route to market for original equipment manufacturers wanting to source a dedicated range extender for series hybrid vehicles.

Paul Newsome, Managing Director of Lotus Engineering said: “As the world changes, Lotus Engineering continues to change with it, continuously developing solutions for more sustainable transportation. The Lotus Range Extender engine is another example of Lotus Engineering developing new technologies for efficient performance, this time in the area of series hybrid vehicles. The engine concept we have created with its optimised combustion and compact, low mass, low cost construction is a clear demonstration of the expertise and progressive approach Lotus takes for its own research and for its clients.”

The Lotus Range Extender engine has been developed as part of the ‘Limo-Green’ project funded by the UK’s Technology Strategy Board, a collaboration between Lotus Engineering, Jaguar Cars Ltd, MIRA Ltd and Caparo Vehicle Technologies, demonstrating a large, lightweight, prestigious executive saloon with less than 120 g/km CO2 emissions.

Simon Wood, Technical Director of Lotus Engineering said: “Most series hybrid vehicles that are currently being developed will use adaptations of existing, conventional engines which are therefore compromised in the efficiency that they can achieve, designed as they are for a wide range of operating conditions. Designing the Lotus Range Extender purely for use in series hybrids has allowed us instead to develop an optimised engine that has high thermal efficiency, low fuel consumption, multi-fuel capability and a 35 kW peak output from a 1.2 litre, low cost architecture over the precise operating range required by a series hybrid drivetrain.”

Key features of the Range Extender engine in detail:

Monoblock
The Range Extender features a novel engine architecture incorporating a monoblock construction that blends the cylinder head and block together eliminating the need for a cylinder head gasket, improving durability and reducing weight. Approximately 17 parts are eliminated using this approach and the water jacket is better optimised.

Integrated Exhaust Manifold
Lotus Engineering designed and developed a new advanced cylinder head design featuring an integrated exhaust manifold. The production-ready technology can significantly reduce manufacturing costs, emissions and weight. An integrated exhaust manifold has potential to:

* Reduce parts count: 18 fewer components resulting in lower inventory, production, logistics and aftermarket costs
* Weight reduction: total system mass reduction resulting from elimination of separate exhaust manifold
* Improved engine durability

Generator
Attached to the engine via the crankshaft, the generator sustains vehicle operation beyond the range provided by the batteries.

Additional Benefits
The Lotus Range Extender engine generates a reduction in emissions through faster light-off of the close-coupled catalytic converter with a reduction in heat loss between the exhaust port and catalyst inlet. Engine operating range is optimised to deliver more efficient running, which also aids underhood thermal management.

Utilisation of the monoblock construction results in an assembly cost reduction, while there is also a reduced catalyst loading requirement because less heat is lost on engine start-up between the exhaust port and catalyst inlet.

Increased vehicle integration flexibility is achieved because of the reduction in mass and the reduced package size leads to reduced space requirements. Particular emphasis has also been placed on the coupling of the generator and NVH signature.

Technical details:
Technical specification of the Lotus Range Extender engine

General

* 1.2 litre 3-cylinder with 2 valves per cylinder, SOHC
* Belt driven

Construction

* Monoblock with Integrated Exhaust Manifold
* All aluminium
* Balance shaft (optional)
* Direct-coupled generator

Bore and Stroke

* 75.0 mm x 90.0 mm

Compression ratio

* 10:1

Maximum power

* 35 kW (47 bhp) at 3500 rpm via integrated electrical generator

Peak torque

* 107 Nm at 2500 rpm

Maximum BMEP

* 11.2 bar

Maximum Engine Speed

* 3500 rpm

Fuel System

* Port fuel injection, Lotus EMS

Fuel

* 95 RON ULG / ethanol / methanol

Dry weight

* 56 kg

With over 10,000 battery chargers sold around the world, North America now has the opportunity to experience the quickest way to bulk charge batteries.

Originally designed for the rugged Australian Outback, by Christie Engineering, ALTEN’s portable battery chargers are used in applications including mountain-top communication stations, charging batteries in unmanned lighthouses on the Norwegian coastline, and servicing heavy industrial equipment with the roughest abuse imaginable. “As a recognized Honda OEM partner, you can be assured that clean and reliable DC power supply will be there when you need it,” says ALTEN President Will Huggett.

Unlike an AC generator paired with a slow plug-in charger, ALTEN Battery Chargers are a fast and highly efficient way of charging 12, 24 and 48-volt battery configurations. They can deliver up to 120 Amps per hour of run time consuming 0.4 gallons of fuel to achieve a 90% bulk charge on a 500 Amp/ Hour bank of batteries in 2 hours. Compared to a 3500W AC Generator, running at full throttle, paired with a 40 Amp plug- in charger, this same charging scenario would take 6 hours and consume 1.2 gallons of fuel. As a result ALTEN’s portable battery chargers save fuel (67% savings), save time (four hours), lower emissions and increase reliability.

ALTEN, a Pacific Northwest company, offers a range of portable DC powered battery charger products for the Heavy Industrial, Off-Road, Marine, Security, and Emergency markets.

For more information and to see a high-resolution video demonstration of ALTEN battery chargers visit: http://www.altenbatterychargers.com

About ALTEN Battery Chargers Inc.

ALTEN Battery Chargers, based in the Pacific Northwest, was founded on the principal of solving the energy problems that matter. ALTEN brings ideas and technology to the North American market that help make better use of existing resources today in order to meet the growing demand for energy tomorrow. Focused on DC power and storage ALTEN’s technology complements and offers reliable and redundant power for industrial battery applications, remote access power applications and micro generation platforms including solar photovoltaic, small wind and other renewable power generation installations. http://www.altenbatterychargers.com

As shown in Toyota’s 2008 North America Environmental Report, (http://www.toyota.com/about/enviroreport2008/05_air.html ) Toyota’s aluminum wheel plant in Delta, British Columbia recently added a third paint booth to meet growing demand. As a result, VOC emissions were expected to increase. To alleviate the VOC increase the plant needed to implement new emission reduction technology. This is where Bio-Reaction’s patented Air Pollution Control System came to help.

Traditionally the plant used regenerative thermal oxidizers (RTO) to reduce VOC emissions in the air stream. The plant instead opted for a Bio-Reaction advanced bio-filter system which biologically breaks down VOCs. By not opting for thermal oxidation, Toyota significantly reduced the energy needed to treat the VOCs and is keeping tons of new CO2 from being generated every year.

Bio-Reaction’s bio-oxidation systems are no secret to successful businesses. Chemical processing, wood products, food manufacturing and other industrial sectors are replacing thermal oxidizers with bio-oxidation systems, drastically reducing natural gas consumption. By not combusting this natural gas to burn up pollution emissions, companies utilizing Bio-Reaction’s technology are able to save up to 90% in operating costs and reduce their carbon footprint by 85% or more.

“Toyota has always been a leader in energy efficiency and environmental manufacturing. We appreciate the opportunity to work with them. Their understanding of the need for a better way to treat VOC emissions demonstrates their commitment to energy and environmental issues,” said Karl Mundorff, President/CEO of Bio-Reaction Industries(R).

About Bio-Reaction Industries

Bio-Reaction Industries, LLC (BRI) pioneered a new generation of low energy, environmentally friendly air pollution control systems that utilize microbes to digest industrial pollutants and odors. Based in Tualatin, Oregon, BRI’s bio-oxidation systems cost dramatically less than thermal oxidizers to operate, do not produce additional greenhouse gases (such as CO2, NOx, SOx) and deliver the highest removal efficiency of any air phase bio technology in the world. For more information, call 888.508.2808 or visit www.bioreaction.com.

As the chosen exclusive tire on the 2011 Chevrolet Volt, the Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max offers a breakthrough in efficiency combined with all-season driving confidence.

Goodyear’s Fuel Max Technology was first developed for use in large truck tires, where fuel savings and overall driving efficiency are critical for fleets and individual truck operators. The technology is now being applied to automobile tires, with the usage on the Volt recognized as the first-announced original equipment usage of this breakthrough product.

Compared to the original Goodyear Assurance tire, the newly announced Assurance Fuel Max provides 27 percent less rolling resistance, which equates to a 4 percent improvement in highway fuel economy. In essence, this greater fuel efficiency means drivers can potentially save 2,600 miles worth of gas over the life of the tire on a conventional vehicle.**

“In response to today’s economic environment and uncertain gas prices, drivers everywhere are trying to use less gas. It’s all part of a larger consumer trend toward spending money more wisely,” said Joey Viselli, Goodyear brand director. “With Fuel Max Technology being used on the 2011 Chevrolet Volt, Goodyear is working with General Motors to offer a fuel-efficient solution, with great wet and dry traction.”

A key element is a fuel-saving tread compound that helps reduce energy loss as the tire rolls, so less effort is required to keep the tire rolling. This proprietary tread compound helps reduce energy loss as the tire rotates.

The Assurance Fuel Max features a Wet Tread Zone with Dual AquaChannel Grooves. It helps evacuate water away from the treadface for great wet traction. Plus, Zig-Zagging Micro Grooves and Center Tread Notches help grip the road in rain or light snow. The Dry Zone, with strong shoulder blocks, helps enhance handling and grip for confident maneuvering on dry pavement.

Goodyear is one of the world’s largest tire companies. The company employs about 70,000 people and manufactures its products in more than 60 facilities in 26 countries around the world. For more information about Goodyear consumer tires, go to www.goodyeartires.com.

**(Note: This savings is based on a 4% fuel economy improvement, on 65,000-mile tread life limited warranty, as compared to the standard Goodyear Assurance tire tested on P195/65R15 size on a 2008 Honda Civic.)

The “SAE Hybrid Vehicle Technologies Symposium” takes place in San Diego, California, on February 11-12, 2009 and focuses on hybrid drives and their development. This year, MBtech is involved in the event as one of the four primary sponsors. In addition, at its own exhibition stand MBtech shows the visitors how the company can provide support with developing and integrating hybrid applications. MBtech has adapted its corporate structure to heavy demand for hybrid projects: A superordinate project house, headed by Martin Ott, handles the project management and integrates the essential know-how from the MBtech segments specific to the particular customer function. “Our central, overall project responsibility enables the interdisciplinary cooperation among the individual specialist resources within the MBtech Group. By creating an expert network of this nature we profit from the know-how present within the entire corporate group,” explained Ott.

In the coming years alternative drive concepts will definitely remain a major issue for developers, given that the automotive branch expects an increasing demand for hybrid vehicles. A glance at this year’s Detroit Motor Show, at which the majority of the manufacturers presented at least one hybrid variant, confirms this. MBtech is perfectly prepared for this trend: The company supports automobile manufacturers and suppliers worldwide and not only with the concept development and specification of hybrid vehicles at a full-vehicle level. MBtech’s engineers can also handle the design of the hybrid-specific energy management and the development and adaptation of systems, modules and components such as engine control units or drive applications. At the company’s own proving grounds in Laredo, Texas, MBtech performs the required integration and component testing as well as full-vehicle testing for prototypes and pre-series vehicles for its customers.

About the MBtech Group

The MBtech Group is a globally active, internationally leading automotive engineering and consulting company in Europe, North America and Asia.

MBtech offers comprehensive, integrated expertise along the product creation process and the product life cycle. The brand MBtech covers all products and services in four segments: MBtech vehicle engineering, MBtech powertrain solutions, MBtech electronics solutions and MBtech consulting.

MBtech develops, integrates and tests components, systems, modules and vehicles. We focus on customer-oriented services consisting of a combination of engineering, consulting, operations and qualification. Flexible, inter-disciplinary project teams work in close collaboration with our customers, suppliers and cooperation partners.

In 2008 the MBtech Group achieved a worldwide turnover of US$530 million with approximately 2,700 employees.

While multiple firmness polyurethane foam is well known in the industry, the concept of significantly varied densities within the same part is new. Woodbridge Stream Architecture(TM) advanced chemical delivery systems, offer a broader chemical formulating window. Densities, as low as 24kg/m(cubed) can now be achieved, to help customers optimize low mass solutions based on performance requirements. Weight savings of up to 30-50% can now be offered for specific applications.

Martin Mazza, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Global Sales, The Woodbridge Group points out, “GreenLite automotive foam solutions respond to a very specific and time sensitive industry need, namely to deliver low mass technologies tailored to specific OEM requirements. GreenLite solutions are all about understanding where we can offer weight savings without sacrificing any aspect of performance, be it comfort, functionality or quality.”

GreenLite technologies include a growing menu of innovations including ComfortLite(TM) seating foams. ComfortLite solutions utilize appropriate performance requirements to drive seating foam weight reductions. Three key opportunities include the Frequency of Use for each seat within the vehicle, the Distinct Comfort Zones within each seat, and Smart Coring the bottom surface of a seat pad, to remove mass in non essential areas.

GreenLite applications also include StructureLite(TM) Seat Frames, StrataLiner(TM) Overhead Systems, CargoTuf(TM) Load Floors and SoftSound(TM) Acoustical Management Solutions. Beyond supporting fuel efficient lighter vehicles, the GreenLite products can also be offered with BioFoam technology, which offer 5-40% plant based Polyols, to further improve the environmental performance of any GreenLite solution.

The Woodbridge Group operates 64 facilities in 21 countries, as the global leader in the development and production of polyurethane products. Automotive applications include components for seating, structural support, occupant protection, headliner systems and acoustical management, as well as a full range of value added services including engineering and design, supply chain management, assembly, sequencing and JIT delivery solutions. For more information, visit www.woodbridgegroup.com.

Those who care about their world and wish to take responsibility for their impact upon it can now reduce their Carbon Tyre print. One day we will all drive cars recharged with sustainable renewable electricity. Until then, let Green Laser be your car’s carbon conscience.

Green Laser applies the very latest in high technology to make every car run better: environmentally friendly, more efficiently with less fuel consumption, more smoothly and with less abrasion. It sounds incredibly but is a combination of improved technology and a product design optimized by practice.
A family of products with a common goal: To make car drivers feel happier about the motoring you do by making your car work better.

Developed with some of the world’s leading automotive technologists and tested to the highest and most rigorous of global and European type approval standards, the company behind the products has made a major investment, backed with many years experience in producing mobile electronics for information and entertainment. Now they are investing in a better future.

“We’re proud to be the first manufacturer to offer a clean diesel vehicle for sale in all fifty states,” said Stefan Jacoby, CEO/President, Volkswagen of America, Inc. “We believe our Jetta TDI’s truly offer a no compromise alternative fuel driving experience, that provides the customer the best of both worlds—excellent fuel efficiency combined with a dynamic driving experience.”

The Environmental Protection Agency estimates the Jetta TDI at an economical 29 mpg City and 40 mpg Highway. Volkswagen went a step further to evaluate the real world fuel economy of the Jetta TDI. Leading third-party certifier, AMCI, tested the Jetta TDI and found it performed 24 percent better in real world conditions, achieving 38 mpg in the City and 44 mpg on the Highway.*

EPA research has concluded that if diesels were to power one third of all light duty vehicles in the United States, the shift would save approximately 1.4 million barrels of oil a day—equal to the daily shipments from Saudi Arabia to the U.S.

Providing even more value to the Jetta TDI sedan and SportWagen, a $1300 Federal Income Tax Credit was recently announced. The Internal Revenue Service issued a certification letter affirming that both vehicles qualify for an Advanced Lean Burn Technology Motor Vehicle income tax credit.

The Jetta TDI’s come standard with Volkswagen’s Prevent and Preserve Safety System, consisting of numerous standard safety features. Jetta TDI’s include six airbags, with optional rear side airbags, and like all 2009 model year Volkswagens, Jetta TDI’s also feature standard Electronic Stabilization Program (ESP) for added safety.

Also standard for 2009 is Volkswagen’s carefree maintenance program, with this program there are no charges for the scheduled maintenance described in the vehicle’s maintenance booklet for the length of the New Vehicle Limited Warranty—three years or 36,000 miles, whichever occurs first.

Recently Volkswagen announced pricing for their Jetta TDI sedan and SportWagen would start at $21,990 and $23,590, respectively.

About Volkswagen of America, Inc.
Volkswagen of America, Inc. recently announced Electronic Stability Program (ESP) as standard equipment on all its 2009 vehicles. As a result, Volkswagen is one of the only original equipment manufacturers to offer an electronic stability control system on their entire product line – ahead of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) deadline requiring vehicles in the 2012 model year to include stability control systems. Volkswagen’s ESP technology works in conjunction with anti-lock brakes and helps reduce loss of control and rollovers to avoid crashes. NHTSA predicts nearly 10,000 lives could be saved each year if automakers included stability systems as standard equipment.

Founded in 1955, Volkswagen of America, Inc. is headquartered in Herndon, Va. It is a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany. Volkswagen is one of the world’s largest producers of passenger cars and Europe’s largest automaker. Volkswagen sells the Rabbit, New Beetle, New Beetle convertible, GTI, Jetta, GLI, Passat, Passat wagon, Eos, Tiguan and Touareg through approximately 600 independent U.S. dealers. Visit Volkswagen of America online at vw.com.

Zero Emission London Taxi Commercialisation
Lotus Engineering is a key consortium member of the Zero Emission London Taxi Commercialisation project and is working alongside Intelligent Energy, LTI Ltd and TRW Conekt. Building on Lotus’ considerable experience in developing high technology hybrid demonstrator vehicles, and supporting its many clients on electric vehicle programmes, this project will see the introduction of commercial fleets of
zero-emission fuel cell hybrid taxis primarily for London by 2012, and other cities by 2014.

The fuel cell taxi project pushes the complexity of this type of vehicle to a new level of advanced technology. Lotus Engineering will integrate the fuel cell engine with the electric drive train and hydrogen storage system, firstly bench testing, then integrating them back into a ‘buck’ vehicle and finally packaging the assembly into two taxis for full vehicle testing.

Limo-Green
The second project, Limo-Green, takes a Jaguar as a basis for the development proving out the concept of a large luxury hybrid executive saloon, utilising an advanced drive motor, small battery pack and a small Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) for sustained cruising. In a collaboration between Lotus Engineering, Jaguar Cars Ltd, MIRA Ltd and Caparo Vehicle Technologies, the project aim is to demonstrate a large, prestigious executive saloon with less than 120 g/km emissions.

Lotus Engineering will design and build a number of prototype Auxiliary Power Units and provide technical support for installation into the vehicle. The APU is an extremely efficient system, with ultra-high thermal efficiency and high power output.

Mike Kimberley, Chief Executive Officer of Group Lotus Plc said: “We are committed to driving forward with high technology advances into areas such as hybrid and electric vehicles, and we are delighted to be major contributors to two of the low carbon vehicle development projects. There is a world-wide drive to reduce CO2 emission levels and this is something to which we are dedicated, for both our Lotus cars
and our global engineering clients. We wholeheartedly endorse the government’s initiatives through this investment from the Technology Strategy Board, which will assist in taking forward research, development and demonstration of these environmentally conscious and green transport solutions.”

Commenting on the Technology Strategy Board’s investment in the two projects, its Chief Executive, Iain Gray, said: “We are delighted to invest in these important research, development and demonstration projects. Cleaner and more efficient vehicles are a vitally important part of our response to global climate change challenges and will help the UK to meet demanding new CO2 standards for new vehicles. This is why we are investing in innovative low-carbon technology development through the Low Carbon Vehicles Innovation Platform. Such innovative technology will also help position British companies to benefit from the growing domestic and international demand for lower carbon vehicles.”

Exige 270E Tri-fuel is the next stage of Lotus Engineering’s long-term sustainable, synthetic alcohol research Lotus Engineering, the world renowned automotive consultancy division of Lotus, unveils its latest development towards carbon neutral road transport at the 78th Geneva International Motor Show. The Lotus Exige 270E Tri-fuel is the most powerful road version yet of the Exige (0-60 mph / 96 kph in 3.88 seconds, a top speed of 158 mph (255 km/h), 270 hp (201 kW / 273 PS at 8000 rpm) and it runs on any mixture of gasoline, bioethanol and methanol. Emerging technologies will allow alcohol fuels such as methanol, already a proven internal combustion fuel, to be made synthetically from CO2 extracted from the atmosphere.

An alcohol-based fuel derived renewably from atmospheric CO2 would allow society to transfer relatively easily to sustainable, carbon-neutral internal combustion. Lotus Engineering is researching the use of sustainable synthetic alcohols as potential future fuels, with technology available from Lotus for introduction in four to five years. However, the supply infrastructure investment from governments and fuel companies could take 15 to 20 years.

The Exige 270E Tri-fuel is part of Lotus’ research to understand the complex combustion process involved in running on mixtures of alcohol fuels and gasoline, which will be important for a successful transition from today’s fuels to the sustainable, synthetic fuels of the future.

This research is just one aspect of Lotus Engineering’s ground-breaking work on environmentally friendly vehicles. It is involved with a number of electric vehicle projects, has successfully integrated hybrid technologies into vehicles such as its EVE demonstrator, and recently announced results on a collaboration with Continental Division Powertrain on the Low CO2 downsized three-cylinder engine.

The research into sustainable alcohols is progressing at Lotus’ Hethel headquarters in Norfolk, UK and involves input from the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Alternative Fuel Symposium Series, the Low Carbon Vehicles Innovation Platform, developed by the Technology Strategy Board and direct discussions with the University of Sheffield.

Methanol (CH3OH) can be produced synthetically from CO2 and hydrogen. Ultimately, emerging processes to recover atmospheric CO2 will provide the required carbon that can entirely balance the CO2 emissions at the tailpipe that result from the internal combustion of synthetic methanol. The result is that a car running on synthetic methanol, such as the Exige 270E Tri-fuel would be environmentally neutral.

As well as being green, the great benefit of synthetic methanol is that it would use similar engines and fuel systems to those in current cars; and synthetic methanol can be stored, transported and retailed in much the same way as today’s liquid fuels such as gasoline and diesel.

Synthetic methanol also possesses properties better suited to internal combustion than today’s liquid fuels, giving improved performance and thermal efficiencies. And it is ideal for pressure-charging (turbocharging and supercharging) already being introduced by manufacturers to downsize engines in a bid to improve fuel consumption.

Lotus Engineering’s Lotus Exige 270E Tri-fuel technology demonstrator illustrates how easy it is for synthetic methanol to be embraced over time as a future fuel for road transport. The Exige 270E Trifuel, with its supercharged 2ZZ-GE VVTL-i engine, could be the forefather of a new generation of conventionally driven cars that have the potential to be environmentally-neutral.
Mike Kimberley, Chief Executive Officer of Group Lotus plc, explains: “Lotus is a world-class leader in research into a variety of alternative fuels; each has its merits and challenges and some options could be more easily implemented than others. But while motorists want to be green, we do not want to change the culture of total freedom for the owners, who will have an extreme reluctance to spend more at the pump, or to sacrifice the performance of their cars.

Mike Kimberley continues, “At present, the motor industry is seeking a route to reduce CO2 emissions just at the tailpipe; this focus is far too narrow. A sustainable alcohol such as synthetic methanol has the potential to reduce the overall CO2 footprint of internal combustion vehicles towards zero. Produced through CO2 recovered from the atmosphere and given a tax incentive, it immediately becomes a green, cheap and more desirable fuel. For those compelling reasons motorists, legislators and car manufacturers must switch to a sustainable alcohol like synthetic methanol.”

Geraint Castleton-White, Head of Powertrain at Lotus Engineering explains: “For car companies and the motorist, the use of sustainable alcohols like synthetic methanol requires relatively few changes to the vehicle. It can also use the current fuel distribution infrastructure, which is a huge advantage for suppliers.

Geraint Castleton-White continues, “We believe that, technically, there are a small number of significant but by no means insurmountable hurdles to the adoption of synthetic methanol as the staple future fuel for internal combustion. We are some way into a number of extensive research projects but of course, we understand that further research needs to be undertaken to fully overcome potential challenges that may arise.”

David Bott, Director of Innovation Platforms within the Technology Strategy Board in the UK says: “The approach taken by Lotus Engineering is a good balance between the desire for the lowest carbon emissions and the practicality of car evolution. The drive for low carbon transport is a real imperative and its progress will require short, medium and long term solutions.”

Tony Ryan, ICI Professor of Physical Chemistry at the Department of Chemistry at The University of Sheffield says: “There is a great opportunity to develop methanol as a transport fuel in a mixed energy economy that embraces a wide range of primary energy sources, including nuclear, solar, and other renewable power sources. Combining atmospheric CO2 with hydrogen to form methanol provides a pathway to personal transport with low carbon emissions that uses the existing liquid-fuel infrastructure and Lotus Engineering offers world”