This is going to be the last of my blogs for Birmingham Recycled – online journalism.
It has been a pleasure being the energy editor over the semester, and hope to carry it on in the coming year.
From this module of online journalism, I have got a job for an online magazine called vibe asia, where I am the news and feature editor, which is a great experience.
See you soon guys!
The Smart is a Germany based compacted car, powered by a three – cylinder engine, weighing a small 1,600 pounds. The changeable body allows the owner, to change the look of the car and it can produce up to 69 miles/gallon.
The car measures less than 100 inches long, with a 60 inch width, which is great for parking because you can park side by side in a single parallel parking space, making the car extremely practical.
It has no clutch pedal, instead it has a shifter, which allows transmission to also operate as an automatic. Smart has been targeting C02 emissions of 90g/km, however the official testing came back to 88g/km, which makes it clean compared to other cars in the market. The fuel consumption target was 69.2mpg, but this increased in the official testing to 71.3mpg.
The Smart is great for city driving and not too bad for motorway driving, talking from experience, and it is relatively cheap, with efficient petrol consumption.
After fighting for the 25 year bid, for the last four years, Amey and Birmingham City Council have finally have reached a financial close on the Birmingham Highways private finance initiative.
The Birmingham Council and Amey’s, £2.7 billion, plans will start within the next 2 weeks, after finding out they won the bid three months ago.
Amey is a private contracting company, who contracts and consults the public sector with offices around the UK, and Amey will be responsible for improving and maintaining 2,500km of road network, about 100,000 street lights, and over 850 highway structures.
Within, the first five years there will be a high investment towards, the repairs of roads, footways and bridges across the city.
Part of the contract was to make it competitive, but also of good quality and environmental friendly. Therefore, Ameys plans include low carbon emissions, and energy efficiency.
So my smart car, fortwo coupe, is still alive, after 2 months of having it.
I feel like I’m in the game ‘mario kart’ while I’m driving, which is not the best of ideas because I tend to rally it around.
I’m saving loads on petrol, 30 quid full tank – what a bargain, and it lasts for ages, plus it is mega energy efficient.
Only down side is that my boot release broke the other day (because it’s plastic), but I took it back to Mercedes and they fixed it straight away, so it wasn’t too bad, and they gave me a free car wash – happy days!
Anyone else have a smart car?
Technology has evolved tremendously over the decade, that a Japanese couple that met while building robots, decided to marry in Tokyo by a humanoid, and it is the first event ever seen like this in the world.
What is known, as the I-Fairy, is four feet high, with flashing eyes, conducted a wedding ceremony in front of 50 guests, which was controlled by a man who sat behind a black curtain nearby.
The robot was made at a company where Satoko Shibata, the bride works, and Tomohiro Shibata, the groom, is a university professor teaching robotics.
Would you want a Robot to conduct your wedding?
Just thought I would blog about my new car – a smart fortwo coupe! What a beauty!
I call it ‘FIFI’
Fifi is now a month old, and has found a good home in me!!
A brilliant, reliable, stylish two seater with plenty of booth space.
More info about fifi soon.. so keep on clocking in.
Nissan has chosen the hydrogen filling station in Birmingham to test it’s new x-trail hydrogen fuel cell vehicle.
The hydrogen filling station is based at the University of Birmingham, and the facility was funded by the regional development agency advantage in the West Midlands, through Birmingham Science City.
The filling station contributes to the area’s recognition, as Birmingham will be more associated with the hydrogen filling station, making the area more attractive to go to for people who need to fill their car’s with hydrogen.
It will also associate Nissan’s X-trail fueled vehicle with Birmingham’s filling station.
The Japanese car manufacturer have extended the length of the trail period for the model because testing is vital for the development of cleaner cars, and the environment.
Nissan and the Hydrogen filling station were unable to comment on this matter.
Birmingham’s introduction to the world’s most ecological and non toxic ice rink has opened in the Star City Complex.
Xtra Ice is an energy saving ice rink, which is used all around the world, in the US for Hockey leagues, and entertainment. The largest one is situated in Japan.
The ice rink has a zero energy consumption, unlike a normal ice rink which uses about 2000 kw/day, which is equivalent to the energy consumption of 300 household’s in the UK.
Not only is the machine eco friendly, it is also quick and easy to assemble and disassemble. There is no need for many staff or machinery.
The ice rink is for both indoor and outdoor use, it suitable for all types of weather conditions and easy to maintain, there is any size available, and normal skates are suitable for this surface.
Furthermore, it is a safe way for people to have as there are limited risks of injuries because it has a high impact-absorbing material.
Manager of Xtra Ice, Star City says, “It’s a great way to have fun, being cheap and economical come and join us at Star City for the skating experience, we’re open seven day’s a week.”
‘National Express’ in the West Midlands are changing their buses to become hybrid, becoming more energy and fuel – efficient.
The West Midlands region has won a staggering £1.3 million government contribution to buy the latest hybrid coaches to reduce carbon emissions. This money will be enough for 20 buses all equip with the latest fuel-efficient engine.
The new coaches will be introduced early next year, and they will use at least 30% less fuel than the previous coaches. Not only will the coaches use less fuel but it will also reduce the amount of carbon emissions by a third, improving the quality of air in the County.
A source tells us,”Plan’s for the future of West Midlands National Express are underway. It is an exciting project, and will be good for the environment.”
The Japanese company are set to test out the new Nissan Green cars in Birmingham, due to the region’s hydrogen filling station.
