Test-driving “under $150” alternate-fuel cars

December 20, 2011 at 8:48 pm

posted by Peter McMahon

Okay, as you might have guessed, we’re talking about model alternative-energy cars, but the notion that you can now take home – for e.g. – a working hydrogen fuel cell of any size is just plain cool.

While we wait for the price of full-scale consumer hydrogen-powered cars to come down to Earth, or for solar car technology to reach a useful critical mass, you can live vicariously through some of the scale-model versions below.

Wondering what it would be like to take some of these mini-eco-rides for a spin?

Choose your power-source and satisfy your need for globally-responsible speed:

Solar

Solar Car Book (includes parts to make a solar car)

An ultra-basic solar car, the nifty idea here is the combination of a book about solar-powered transportation that actually has a working solar-powered car kit, packed flat against the book’s cover.

“Classic” Photon Solar Racer

An oldie, but goodie, once endearingly described by a colleague as “absolutely zero torque, but pretty neat,” it’s mesmerizing to see this tiny car rolling along a smooth, flat surface, powered by nothing but particles streaming from our local star, 150 million km away.

OWI 6 in 1 Educational Solar Kit

Especially useful if you want to tinker and create, rather than just “drive off the lot”. This kit lets you build a number of solar-powered vehicles, including a car, a walking robot, and a boat.

Thames and Kosmos Solar Power PLUS Kit
The ultimate solar building kit, this package offers the chance to build 22 different pre-planned models, and an infinite number more of your own creation.

Hydrogen

The original working Hydrogen Fuel cell model car
Simplified and streamlined from the original award-winning model, this Thames and Kosmos Fuel Cell X7 Hydrogen Powered Car is actually a kit that allows you to learn about fuel cells by actually building the vehicle and semi-pre-assembled power-plant yourself.

H2GO R/C Hybrid Electric Hydrogen Vehicle
I had the treat of taking one of these eco-R/C rides for a test-drive when EfstonScience supplied one for the inaugural Waterloo Global Science Initiative this past May. Not only was this car a hit in our newsroom (and featured as a prop on a segment of TVO’s The Agenda) but it was a hit among some of our summit delegates, among some of the world’s most notable green energy movers & shakers.

H-Racer 2.0 – The Next Generation R/C fuel cell model car
I can safely say, this pre-assembled hydrogen roadster just gets more and more fun as time goes on (not the least of which is because these tiny fuel cells benefit from being “broken-in” with a few dozen initial fuellings and uses.)

“Hybrid”

OWI Triple Action Solar Car
While not a hybrid synergy system, this solar car makes use of multiple power sources including solar or battery.

H2GO R/C Hybrid Electric Hydrogen Vehicle
In addition to being a controllable hydrogen fuel cell model car, the H2GO can be charged from hydrogen separated from water via solar power or plug-in A/C hydro. (For the impatient, A/C-powered hydrogen creation takes minutes, while the truly green alternative takes hours, assuming direct, full sunlight is available.)

These and many other unique educational toys can be found at the EfstonScience Superstore or online at eScience.ca.

Canadian science journalist Peter McMahon has written and produced science stories for CTV News, Discovery Channel, Canadian Geographic, and others. His Kids Can Press science experiment book series Machines Of The Future includes Ultimate Trains and Space Tourism