Jargon
buster
If you don’t know your hydrogen fuel cells from your hybrids, or if you don’t know the difference between a homogenous charge and regenerative braking, then this is the glossary for you.
In this green car jargon buster we’ll decipher all those complex terms so you can make an informed decision when choosing the right green car for your needs
Mild Hybrid
A car equipped with a power electric motor to assist the engine
Pros: Cheaper than a true hybrid.
Cons: Increased weight and complexity.
Mild hybrids are not dissimilar to the Auto Stop Start systems fitted to some cars - the main features are a outsized starter motor and seriously upgraded electrical/charging system. The system shuts down the engine when not needed, but still has enough power to run all of the electrical accessories within the car. The motor can then spin the engine quickly back up to operating speed when the driver needs to accelerate.
Unlike full hybrids, the secondary motor is not powerful enough to power the car on its own, and does not form a true part of the drive train.
Available from: from: BMW, Mercedes, GM
Nitrogen Oxides (NOx)
One of the more unpleasant side effects of burning diesel.
The continued crackdown on the emission of Nitrogen Oxides has led to the sale of diesel powered cars being all but outlawed in some American states. NOx contributes significantly to the formation of low level ozone and can cause acute respiratory problems. Manufacturers are working hard to ensure the level of NOx production continues to fall, with work on projects such Homogeneous Engine technology and Daimler Chrysler's BlueTec.
Particulates
Diesel Particulate Matter (DPM) - black soot from diesel exhausts
The black sooty, smoke which is emitted from diesel exhausts has long been associated with causing health problems and are known to have carcinogenic properties. Modern diesels are for more clean running that their primitive counterparts, but governments around the world continue to impose even tighter restrictions on particulate emissions in new vehicles. Euro 1 standards which came into effect in 1992 set a limit of 0.14 g/km, but this will fall to 0.005 g/km for Euro 5 standard by the end of 2009.
Mild Hybrid
A car equipped with a power electric motor to assist the engine
Pros: Cheaper than a true hybrid.
Cons: Increased weight and complexity.
Mild hybrids are not dissimilar to the Auto Stop Start systems fitted to some cars - the main features are a outsized starter motor and seriously upgraded electrical/charging system. The system shuts down the engine when not needed, but still has enough power to run all of the electrical accessories within the car. The motor can then spin the engine quickly back up to operating speed when the driver needs to accelerate.
Unlike full hybrids, the secondary motor is not powerful enough to power the car on its own, and does not form a true part of the drive train.
Available from: from: BMW, Mercedes, GM
Plug In Hybrids
Hybrid vehicles which can be fully recharged from the mains
Pros: Zero emissions in certain circumstances.
Cons: Not yet in production. Electricity to charge the batteries has to be generated, so would have to come from renewable sources to be truly green.
Plug In hybrids can be fully recharged from the mains electricity supply, therefore, on short urban engines the petrol engine may not ever be used. The result, a zero emissions vehicle. There are no vehicles of this type currently in production, and as the batteries need to be recharged from the mains, the supply would have to come from renewable sources.
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