FutureCar, Pt III

Another series of made for TV programs from the Discovery Channel, FutureCar examines today’s technologies and designs and how they might lead to tomorrow’s vehicles.

Today I watched the third of 4 programs (I had previously thought that there were only three parts), this one titled “The Fuel.” The program covered these technologies:

 Bio-diesel
 Ethanol
 Hybrids
 Hydrogen/fuel cell (could also power your home)
 Hydrogen-electric
 Hydrogen-solar
 Electric
 Solar
 Compressed air

And featured these future vehicles:

 GM Skateboard (link), with interchangeable bodies and powered by a fuel cell
 Aero X (link), which will use 100% ethanol fuel
 Attack (link), biodiesel powered, soon to be hybridized with an electric motor
 Tesla (link), an electric car, capable of 0 – 6- mph in ~4 seconds, with a 250 mile range. Costs ~$5 to recharge.
 t-zero (link), also electric
 MDI (link), powered by compressed air
 Eclectic, solar powered

As was the case with the previous two programs, car enthusiasts will love this show, as will those that study the future.

Nanotechnology is not explicitly mentioned this time. As with the previous program, many technologies covered in this program will be enabled by nanotechnologies, and all of them enhanced, especially the fuel cell and composite materials.

Bottom line: worth the watch.

Next week I will cover the fourth in the series titled “The Brain.”

To learn more, visit discovery.com/futurecar