Global Green Challenge – New Vehicle Technologies For A Better, Healthier, Cleaner Environment

With the environment foremost in the minds of those that care for future generations, the Global Green Challenge is a cross continent odyssey which allows access to and comparison of the ecologically friendly vehicles of the future, what is now, and what will be offered in the market place. The Global Green Challenge has evolved into an exhibition and testing ground for the next generation of vehicle technology. From Oct. 24 – 31 the future of sustainable transport ran right through the heart of Australia’s iconic landscape, bucking headwinds and some of Australia’s toughest roads and conditions.

The Global Green Challenge, (an evolution of the acclaimed World Solar Challenge started in 1987), is the world’s leading, cross-continental showcase of the latest advances in hybrid, electric, solar, low emission, and alternative energy vehicles. It consist of two categories:

The World Solar Challenge – for purely solar-powered vehicles
The Eco Challenge – for environmentally friendly production and experimental vehicles

Future technology against a backdrop of ancient desert, tropical rainforests and lush pastures. There were 38 Solar cars and teams from 17 countries, including participants from Australia, Canada, China, India, Japan, the Netherlands, Turkey, UK, and the USA. As well as particpants from major manufacturers such as GM, Volvo, Hyundai, Suzuki, Skoda, Ford, KIA, BMW, HSV and other group participants in the Eco Challenge category.

Electric vehicle technology has been developed to the extent that a solar powered car can carry its driver the 3000 km (1,864 miles), across Australia from Darwin to Adelaide, at an average speed of well over 100 kph (62.14 mph). Many of the huge improvements in solar conversion, battery technology, low rolling resistance tires and electric ‘wheel’ motors, are finding their way into the new generation vehicles demanded by the motoring public.

The winner of the 10th World Solar Challenge: The Tokai Challenger, brainchild of the 19-member Tokai University Challenge Center Team from Tokyo, Japan, led by Professor Hideki Kimura.

The Tokai Challenger fought it’s way across the 3000 kilometers of Australian desert ahead of the pack to take first place in the premier “challenge class”. It is a one passenger solar car able to reach a maximum speed of 150 kph (93 mph). Covered by (the regulation-maximum) 6 square meters of Sharp compound solar cells, the Tokai Challenger gets a cell conversion efficiency of 30% and a total output of 1.8 kW.

Second place went to former four-time world champions the Nuon Solar team from Delft Technical University in the Netherlands. With third place going to America’s University of Michigan Solar Car Team.

Eco Challenge Awards:

Production Class Small Car Diesel – Ford Fiesta ECOnetic
Production Class Small Car Petrol – Suzuki Alto GLX – smashed all records and achieved a surprising 2.0L/100km (about 100 mpg) fuel economy city driving.
Production Class Ute/Light Truck – HSV Maloo Ute
Production Class Large Car Petrol – Ford Falcon XR6 Turbo
Production Class Large Car Diesel – Skoda Superb
Production Class Medium/ Off Road – Hyundai Santa Fe SLX
Production Class 2 seat Electric – Tesla
Modified Production Small Electric – Deep Green Research
Modified Production Hybrid – Annesley College
Modified Production Motor Bike – Top Gear Magazine – Honda CT-110

As the cars of the future lead the drive towards a healthier planet, the Global Green Challenge promises to become bigger, more diverse and more relevant to the commercial vehicle manufacturers which will ultimately produce the environmentally sustainable cars of the future.

… as the green future unfolds.