The objective of developing and implementing new innovations is simple -- to improve lives, whether it is making day-to-day activities more convenient or simply making the world a better place to live in.
Speaking of the latter, the environment in which we work and play has a direct impact on our overall wellbeing, and this brings us to the current situation in Dhaka.
The air quality in Bangladesh has been declining at an alarming rate over the years, and a recent report by WHO ranked Dhaka’s air quality as the third-most polluted in the world. This poor air quality threatens human health, structures, and vegetation.
With the development of new technologies, the automotive sector, in particular, can do its part to improve the quality of air in Dhaka by introducing cleaner, more environmentally efficient, vehicles.
One of the most environmentally efficient vehicles is the hybrid car. There are various types of hybrid cars in the market today, but let’s focus on one example: The plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV).
PHEVs use two different types of energy to power them: Gasoline and electricity. These cars are helping reduce the effects emissions are having on the world’s oil, reduce smog, and improve the ozone layer. They help the air stay clean, especially major urban cities where congestion can produce smog resulting from the accumulation of atmospheric pollutants.
One of the main concerns drivers have is how they will charge PHEVs. The good news is that charging a PHEV is as simple as charging a mobile phone -- one simply needs to plug into a wall-box or wall socket for charging to begin. Another way that the battery gets charged is through the car’s regenerative braking function.
Whenever the driver lifts his foot off the accelerator pedal, an innovative function kicks in, captures the energy released, and uses it to charge the battery. Once the pedal is depressed again, the function switches off automatically. This is a feature that is both convenient and useful at the same time.
PHEVs reduce fuel cost. These cars get about 100km per gallon. In the future, PHEV has plans to increase the mileage per gallon such as 160km. Hybrid cars need an oil change about every 8000km. PHEVs are smart. Many hybrids automatically switch off when the driver is sitting in the traffic.
They use the power from the battery to keep the radio and air conditioning on. Once the driver presses on the accelerator, the car will automatically restart the engine. This will also help lower the usage of gasoline. Since the hybrid car battery is nickel-laid, and it requires less gasoline, these two factors make the hybrid car a safer option.
While air pollution is high on the agenda for most countries, it is encouraging to know that there are avenues available for governments, corporations, and the public to address this global issue. The future of mobility is right at our doorstep.
With the right attitude and willingness to make a real difference for the good of the environment, having cleaner air is a real possibility. It is just a matter of choice. Owning an eco-friendly car does more to impart environmental values to children than countless talks about saving the planet.
Muhammad Ibrahim is a freelance contributor.
