How would you like to own a car that can work on gasoline, ethanol or methanol? Moreover, how would you like it if that car carries the prestigious nameplate of “Lotus?”
Well, it may be possible. Lotus has unveiled its new Exige 270E Tri-Fuel car in the UK. This one can hit a top speed of 158 mph and goes from 0-60 mph in just 3.88 seconds.
Lotus chose to construct a car that runs on methanol instead of hydrogen because methanol can be produced from atmospheric CO2 and hydrogen and helps to reduce transport CO2 emissions. Lotus said that they believe emerging technology that recovers atmospheric CO2 will provide the entire carbon that can entirely balance the CO2 emissions at the tailpipe that results from the internal combustion of the methanol. This means that a car that runs on synthetic methanol would be environmentally neutral.
Other advantages to synthetic methanol is that it can be burned by engines that are in current cars; it enables the Lotus Exige to produce more power than it can with gas or ethanol; and it can be stored, transported and retailed in the same manner that gasoline and diesel are. However, methanol is highly toxic and burns as an invisible flame unless it is treated with a die.
There is no mention as to how much the car will cost.
via Auto Industry
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