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Dutch Invention Uses Electric Engines For Wheels

Posted by CowboyNeal on from the clean-air-bussing dept.

Makarand writes "A Dutch invention is promising to make vehicles atleast 50% more efficient and also bring down the soot and carbon dioxide emissions. This is made possible by replacing the conventional wheels by 'in-wheel' electric engines which are normal electric engines turned inside out. No transmission is necessary as the in-wheel engines are powered by battery-packs installed on the vehicle. A diesel-powered generator which replaces the original engine on the vehicle charges the battery-pack continuously. The Dutch company E-Traction has built a bus using this technology that will undergo testing for the next six months."

10 of 380 comments (clear)

  1. You can make ANYTHING a vehicle! by FatSean · · Score: 2, Funny

    No drivetrain worries...just steering and maybe suspension. I want to get a few and mount them on my couch.

    --
    Blar.
  2. Ugly website by LakeSolon · · Score: 3, Funny

    Thank god it just got posted to slashdot. That frontpage-template of a website will be gone shortly.

    ~Lake

  3. I wonder how long it will take... by darth_silliarse · · Score: 2, Funny

    ...for some Oil Giant to buy the company off?

    --
    I've noticed that everyone who is for abortion has already been born - Ronald Reagan
  4. Re:If I know something about batteries... by bennomatic · · Score: 4, Funny
    I can just picture the phone calls:

    Customer: My batteries won't hold a charge.

    Appl^H^H^Huto Maker Support: Well, the batteries cost, like, $25,000. You may as well just get a new car.

    --
    The CB App. What's your 20?
  5. Re:A quiet bus in a busy city... by bennomatic · · Score: 4, Funny
    >bad because of its lack of noise, there's less warnings to the pedestrians

    So THAT'S why I keep getting run over by bicyclists! You know, I've been lobbying to make it a legal requirement for kids to start putting playing cards back in their spokes for just that reason!

    I can't smell bikes coming, either. Gosh darned quiet, clean-running vehicles!

    --
    The CB App. What's your 20?
  6. Yeah, that bus will handle badly in the twisties by Moderation+abuser · · Score: 2, Funny

    I'm sure that the passengers will be gutted that the driver won't be able to take his favourite corners flat out at 90mph.

    And the parent got modded up as interesting. Says quite a bit about the value of moderators. Either that or "Fuckwitted" should be a moderation option.

    --
    Government of the people, by corporate executives, for corporate profits.
  7. Re:Will it stand the test of time? by nick_davison · · Score: 4, Funny

    Will it stand the test of time? Of course not...

    "...bring down the soot and carbon dioxide emissions."

    Sounds like vapourware to me.

  8. Re:electric engines by fafaforza · · Score: 2, Funny

    I'll buy one when they support *.ogg

  9. Re:Not trying to pick nits, but... by SubtleNuance · · Score: 2, Funny

    Well pal, "Give me a '59 Alfa Romeo any day.", this isnt exactly a matter of personal-satisfaction or fashion. Have you ever heard of *pollution*? fuck, the shortsighted selfishness people are capable of is astounding. Do you have want humanity to have a future? Stop thinking of yourself and consider the bigger picture for a second....

  10. Re:Will it stand a flat tire? by glesga_kiss · · Score: 2, Funny
    What happens when the bus gets a flat? That does happen every now and again. It seems like the weight of the bus will fall on the engine. Are they planning on putting 2 tires in each wheel well (like a truck) in case this happens.

    Eh? The weight of the bus is already on the engine, tire or no tire. Try this experiment to verify for yourself:

    1. Put book on table, simulating a tyre
    2. Put your hand on the book
    3. Hit hand very hard with a hammer
    4. Repeat without the book.
    See if there is any difference on the forces with and without the book.