With automakers such as Tesla already selling reliable, fast, and quick-charging electric vehicles, and numerous companies moving closer to launching mass produced hydrogen cars, the industry makes small but firm steps toward phasing out fossil fuels. Sure, it won’t happen anytime soon, but the number of gasoline and diesel powered vehicles could decrease dramatically in a couple of decades. This a scenario that frightens many gas companies, including Shell, which has just unveiled a concept car that aims to prove fossil fuels can still be used efficiently with backing from the right technology.
Developed from Gordon Murray’s (yes, it’s the same man that designed the bonkers McLaren F1) T25 city carof 2010, Shell’s microcar revives the "bubble car" concept of the 1950s. It’s small and light as a feather, but unlike the BMW Isetta, it was built using modern materials and promises to return outstanding fuel economy.
Although the vehicle is still in its conceptual phase and plans for a production model have yet to be revealed, Shell believes that its new microcar will revolutionize transportation.
"This is a significant automobile engineering milestone. I’m very proud of what Shell’s scientists and their partners at Geo Technology and Gordon Murray Design have achieved. Insights gained from this project could be transformational in terms of how we address energy use in the road transport sector. Energy use and climate change are major issues for society. This project shows that if we use the best of today’s technology, including cutting edge lubricants science, we could potentially have a major impact on energy use and reduce CO2 emissions," said Mark Gainsborough, executive vice president of Shell.
It remains to be seen whether Shell’s concept car will make it into production and make an impact on the industry, but until the oil company releases further details, we will have a closer look at what we already know about this modern Isetta.
Continue reading to learn more about the Shell Concept Car.
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