In the rush for designers and manufacturers to target in on the growing demand for greener cars the buzz word in the car industry have to be ‘hybrid’ or ‘electric’. Most major car manufactures from General Motors, Ford and Toyota are all pushing in the direction of the electric car.

But a big question that seems to be overlooking is who is going to make the battery for such vehicles? Batteries are expensive, highly technical, and should by no means be overshadowed, by more marketable considerations.

Those who invest in this industry could stand to make substantial profits

Early prediction might see battery manufactures like BYD coming to monopolize the market

 “The Chinese company controls nearly one-third of the world’s cellphone-battery market, but recently decided to make cars and now is pushing hard into electric transportation”

David Cole, chairman of the Center for Automotive Research thinks that batteries will become so important that guaranteeing their production in the U.S. will become a matter of national security. “I’ve never seen anything that has as much potential to alter the way this industry operates,”

In the meantime, car owners with more immediate battery problems may find the purchasing of spare parts online a helpful solution.

In terms of a general contribution towards world pollution China, in a range of categories, must rank pretty high; with its soaring population, congested cities, and vast industry, spewing out fumes and waste by the day.

As the world’s fastest growing auto market (according to the National Bureau of Statistics) things only look to get worse, with CO2 emissions rocketing.

In an attempt to stem the tide Chinese car makers – Dongfeng Motor Corporation, in joint effort with a Dutch-based company (mirroring Detroit Electric’s agreement with Malaysian carmaker Protonis)are aiming to develop and manufacture electric cars.

The exact details of the deal have not been released but the two companies have also been discussing forming a joint venture to: “manufacture, assemble, produce and supply the Detroit Electric’s electric drive technology to the Dongfeng Group and other vehicle manufacturers”.

If successful Detroit Electric would be leading the way in the mass-production of electric cars. And we are not just talking about hybrids here, but cars driven entirely by a noiseless battery-powered motor, .

“The more I learn, the more I believe the electric car is the future,” said Mr CEO of Detroit Electrics Albert Lam.

Consumers hoping to reduce their carbon footprint may find that the purchase of new car parts online could lead to increased performance that will lower excess emissions. 

Richard Jenkins, the man who designed the vehicle that broke the land speed record for a wind powered vehicle, has claimed that just as Formula One technology has come to influence commercial car design, the technologies behind his record-breaking vehicle could herald a new era of environmentally friendly transport

The wind-powered Greenbird which recorded a top speed of 126.4mph uses design borrowed from aeronautical, sailing and wind technologies but with unique demands and adaptations:

 “In conventional vehicles, more power almost always equates to more speed. With land sailing, however, more wind does not necessarily mean more speed. Instead a design is required in which aerofoil lift (translated to forward thrust in a land-based craft) is maximised but, more importantly, drag is minimised. Greenbird tackles this problem by combining racing yacht, aeroplane and Formula 1 racing car concepts and technologies”

With out spelling out the exact details, Jenkins thinks that industry will at some point be able to reap the benefits from the innovations incorporated in the Greenbird.

While a wind vehicle for everyday use may be something for our children to look forward to current car owner hoping to optimize the performance of their vehicles will find the purchase of online car parts a sure way to spruce up their ride.

For budding motor enthusiasts ‘chancellor’ may not sound like an exciting job , but Alistair Darling was on the cutting edge of green car technology yesterday, as he checked out the latest development in greener fuels on his visit to a Sheffield research and development company – ITM Power on Atlas Way.

The firm has been working on an innovative alternative to oil - a solar-powered electrolysing machine, which can produce hydrogen gas from tap water. This fuel can then be used to power cars. Darling got the opportunity to drive one such car – a blue Ford Focus car which has been converted to run on hydrogen gas.

In the future we may get to see hybrid electrical cars working in union with hydrogen gas power. In the mean time, conscientious drivers looking to keep their emissions as low as possible may find that by regularly servicing their vehicle and purchasing new parts that this will cut down on excess fuel waste