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The battery powered, solar paneled Bluecar was first introduced in 2005. Over the last 4 years, the car was tested, improved, and tested some more...and the new-and-improved result has just been unveiled. The newest model is much cuter than the original (which may not be a good thing), and the energy capabilities are upgraded. Leather-like seat covers are made of vegetable products, and the website promises "fittings made out of materials that meet sustainable development criteria."
Part of the car's hood is covered with solar panels (hence the "blue"), which help power some of its equipment. The developer, Bolloré group, hopes to install photovoltaic cell panels in private or public places for solar battery recharging.
The battery used is an electricity powered Lithium Metal Polymer (LMP). From the site:
This battery can store five times more energy than a traditional battery weight for weight, and can be recharged in a matter of hours. It does not require any maintenance and has a lifespan of around 200,000 km, providing outstanding safety throughout. Moreover, the L. M. P. battery is made out of non-polluting materials that do not pose any danger for the environment. At the end of its life, it can be retrieved and all its components recycled or reused.
Production is scheduled to begin in Turin, Italy in 2010, but industrial scale production won't begin until 2011. So what can you do in the meantime?
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Put your name on the waiting list.
- Watch Blue Car, the movie.
- Get other green gadgets to make your current car way cooler more efficient.
- Up the fuel efficiency of your non-electric car.
- Eat blue cheese (why not?).
More about Electric Cars:
Why We Need Them
How they Effect our Health
Building your Own
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