Audi comes up with e-cars running on wind power!

The craze for green vehicles is increasing each passing day. Countries and nations around the world are investing millions in reducing carbon emissions and conserving environment. To minimize the carbon emissions, automobile companies are busy launching green vehicles. The world’s leading car maker, Audi too is not far behind. As the first step towards a cleaner environment, the company has planned to utilize wind energy to power its upcoming electric and natural gas vehicles. The wind power stations situated off the North Sea will generate up to 53 GWh of electricity annually. This electricity will then be supplied to power grids to charge the company’s electric cars. This way, an entire chain of clean energy, from production to use will be formed that will significantly reduce the carbon emissions.

audi egas project

E-gas is the name given to synthetic methane generated by processing hydrogen produced by electrolysis using renewable electricity. The company will also start the production of TCNG models, power by e-gas, by the beginning of the year 2013.

Audi’s e-gas project has entered the practical stage after three years of research and will supply three sources of green energy, namely, electricity, hydrogen and methane gas.

The project has two major components. First is the generation of clean power by wind turbines to charge its e-tron cars. Second is the production of hydrogen through electrolysis from the remaining green power generated by the turbines. However, e-tron cars are well enabled to run on gasoline in case this power is not readily available.

The company expects to produce 1,000 metric tons of e-gas annually utilizing the carbon dioxide generated from a connected biogas plant. This e-gas will be made available at 900 CNG stations of Germany. Similar steps from other companies too will create a significant change in the environment since saving ecosystem by reducing carbon foot prints is today’s first requirement.

Via: CNET