Countries are funding their automotive scientists, big firms and laboratories to come up with a panacea for all the problems regarding fast depleting sources of fossil fuels, not to forget the pollution caused by them. The whole world is waiting for an ideal mode of transportation which would be a final solution. The efforts to reduce the dependence on fossil fuels is not a far fetched dream now. And guess who is wheeling around with full vigor and energy supporting these efforts? Yes, the Microsoft wizard is all geared up once again to take on the world with his new venture partnering with Ecomotors, a company that is working round the clock to achieve its aim of an eco-friendly fuel. Surely Gates has made a ‘clean investment’.
The cars zooming on the roads today are still using some of the same components which were the essential parts of a Model T Ford running on roads almost a century ago and decorating the roads today as a vintage beauty. The basic know-how of the internal combustion engine is the invention of the 1800s and has not been altered much since then. But Ecomotors plans to do so with the financial aid and support of a major icon behind their backs. The Detroit-stationed firm is in search of a new operation system. Its not just the fuel which will undergo change but also the propulsion system. The technology that would bring about the revolution is termed as ‘opoc™ technology’, which is the brainchild of Prof. Peter Hofbauer. The experts have boldly aired their views in favor of this savoir-faire stating its cost effectiveness and low-emission transportation. They are the nexgen propulsion systems with low carbon emissions and high economic benefits. In the words of Gates, “The opoc™ engine can be an important step in providing affordable, low-emission transportation for the developing world.”
The company’s first product to hit the market and the roads is the turbo-diesel version of the innovative opposed-piston, opposed-cylinder (opoc) engine. The fact that the traditional automobile engine is double its size and parts is enough to prove the utility of our ‘hero’. The benefits issuing from it are-
high fuel efficiency- almost 50% better
reduction in green house gas emissions
reduced size and weight
lower costs and economic benefits
flexible automobile and truck design
The contribution of Gates to this high powered project is of $23.5 millions which is a
very substantial amount.
Gates is not all alone in this mission. With him standing shoulder to shoulder are the Khosla ventures. With the help of these two giants of the economic world, Ecomotors will undoubtedly achieve their target. The firm is firmly promoting this technology for use in cars, light trucks, aerospace, agriculture, auxiliary power units, marine, commercial vehicles, generators etc. Opoc™ is any day better where ever the conventional diesel or gas is being used. People greatly concerned for power saving will definitely appreciate this new technology. The opoc engines efficiently produces one hp per pound of engine weight which, if calculated, simply means a 100-pound engine is equivalent to a 100-pound of engine weight.
It would be highly foolish to doubt the success of this technology when magnets like Gates and Khosla Ventures are funding this project. This simply leads us to the conclusion that Ecomotors are not just firing shots aimlessly in the air. Their claims do have some weight. With the present amount of support, zeal and pace, this technology will make it to the roads in a span of three years which is not much as compared to the long time for which we have waited for such a scientific miracle. The large investment made at the right moment will enable the firm to speed up their process and test the results. Gates has surely done his bit to bring about a major change in the transportation world. Now, its time for Ecomotors to prove him right.