Automotive Blog

Project Green Freedom

Now here’s an interesting idea in the realm of alternative fuels and combating global warming. It’s sort of the, “We put it in the air, now let’s take it out and use it” approach. The Los Alamos National Laboratory is undertaking a project called Green Freedom to develop a way to take CO2 out of the air and turn it back into fuel for automobiles or airplanes. (Considering our addiction to emissions producing means of transportation, this may rank as the ultimate in renewable energy sources. That is provided it can be made to work.)

According to the first post I saw on Engadget, the process “uses a form of electrochemical separation to siphon juice out of the typically non-partying carbon dioxide, yet has a low environmental impact with a small waste-stream output.” Okay, after a jargon-ectomy, I’m reading — it distills the desired elements from air without producing harmful by-products. (And it will supposedly use existing plants.)

There’s also a write-up at Inhabit or you can go straight to the Los Alamos site. Even if it is just in the developmental stages, the idea gets kudos for thinking outside the box.

Geneva Auto Show

Don’t forget that the Geneva Auto Show opens next week. Some of the vehicles set to debut include:

- Alfa Romeo 8C Spyder
- Audi A4 Avant
- Audi A3 Convertible
- BMW M3 Convertible
- Ford Fiesta 3-door
- Ford Kuga crossover
- Infiniti FX crossover
- Mercedes-Benz SL roadster
- Mercedes-Benz CLS sedan
- Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe
- Toyota iQ minicar
- Toyota Urban cruiser crossover
- Volkswagen Scirocco 3-door
- Volvo XC60 crossover

Also, look for concepts from BMW, Hyundai, Mercedes, Mitsubishi, Opel, and Saab — all with the appropriate tinge of eco-friendly green.

Posted on February 26th, 2008 by Shorty
Filed under: alternative fuels, first look |

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