Innovations That Could Make Us Greener Drivers

The U.K. seems to be way ahead of us in innovative ways to make driving greener. At least they're getting the publicity. I'm sure with our entrepreneurial spirit we're hard at work on ways to run a car without having to import oil and without spewing toxic emissions into the atmosphere.

Wireless charging...Every day it seems more inevitable that electric cars are our future. If true, we'll all soon become accustomed to charging up at home, at work and at the mall. Nissan, maker of the forthcoming Leaf electric vehicle, is already experimenting with ways to make the chore more of a no-brainer. Using magnetic induction-the same technology found in electric toothbrushes and pacemakers-the automaker is devising ways to charge EV batteries wirelessly. Nissan has demonstrated a system that can wirelessly charge a parked car, but the Japanese automaker is also tinkering with the next frontier: implanting induction charging strips into roads so cars can juice up on the go.

Kinetic Roads...In the U.K., the Sainsbury grocery chain is experimenting with special plates implanted in its parking lots that produce power as cars drive over them. Only a little energy is harvested from the pressure of each passing car, but tallied up, it's enough to run the grocery store's checkout counters. Application of this technology to the automobile is a long way off.

Road Train...The European Union has commissioned a three-year study to test "platooning", or automated road trains that roll down the highway in line behind a professional driver, just like railroad cars follow a locomotive engine. Here's how it works. A commuter would enter the highway and signal a convoy already heading in his direction. The driver would then relinquish control of the vehicle to a professional driver at the head of the convoy, who would guide the vehicle into line and then operate it by remote control. The driver could then let go of the wheel, write a letter, watch tv, or just relax as the car drives in tight formation with up to six other vehicles. According to the designers of the Safe Road Trains for the Environment (SATRE), platooning could save 20% on fuel consumption and cut down on commute time and congestion.

Higher-Tech Hybrids...Finally, the plug-in hybrid car is about to become a regular sight around the neighborhood. In late 2010, GM will introduce the Chevy Volt, a car that will charge up in eight hours and travel roughly 40 miles in electric mode, after which it can rely on its backup gasoline engine. Scheduled to first hit the California market, the Volt will be priced around $40,000. It seems like we're thinking in the right direction, but all this takes time and money. We've just got to be patient.