McGill University Electric Snowmobile
by TreeHugger on 01.18.05
Snow is that most secretive of the types of precipitation—silently falling through the trees and onto the ground where it dampens the noises made by tramping boots, swooshing skis, and tiny paws alike. Until the snowmobiles arrive, that is, tearing idyllic scenes of serenity to shreds with unbearable noise and gas emission levels. To some, they are so unbearable that (in the pre-W days) they prompted the beginning of a ban from some national parks in the U.S. and Canada.
Now don’t get us wrong, we realize that these monsters are damn fun, and don’t begrudge their drivers a drop of it. But there’s got to be a better way. At least, that’s what researchers at McGill University in Montreal think. That’s why they’re looking for solutions to make snowmobiles and other power-sport recreational vehicles clean and quiet...
In fact, the Canadian University’s Electric Snowmobile
Team has been developing a prototype that uses batteries and a brushless electric motor instead of fuel, is much quieter, and has no gas emissions. Another prototype is being designed to withstand arctic weather.
The project is part of a major graduate research project called the McGill
University Electric Recreational Vehicle Research Project, a four-year
look at snowmobiles, personal watercraft, and all-terrain vehicles. Once the team develops prototypes, the technology will be available to apply to other vehicles, says the team. Thanks Reg! ::McGill University Electric Snowmobile Team [by MO]
just testing... feel free to delete me.