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The most efficient use of energy is not to use it at all

by Hessel on 07 April 2007, 05:35   0 comments , 186 views
Clean and green technologies are gaining in popularity. Venture capitalists are waking up in Silicon Valley after seeing former vice president Al Gore’s movie ‘an inconvenient truth’. Companies are more willing to participate in earth friendly initiatives, governments are banning light bulbs and consumers... are still consumers... unfortunately.

Look at cars for example. How many people, you know of, are willing to use public transport instead of their car on a daily base? Or buy a fuel efficient car with less power, less luxury and no sexy looks? Not many, I assume.

So the car industry, yeah right, has to come up with a new story. Save money, have fun and make sure you are seen in our new fuel efficient car because your neighbours will be so jealous! Who will come up with a slogan like that? Toyota? VW? Honda?

Nope! Loremo (www.loremo.com), a German based company, is going to give it a try with a small series of the first 1,5 liter (157 mpg) 2 + 2 seater, the Loremo LS.

And yes I hear George Monbiot (www.turnuptheheat.org) breathing in my neck asking questions about how environmental friendly this car really is. Materials used? Lean manufacturing when the car is handmade in small numbers? Recycling possibilities?

Let’s give Loremo the benefit of the doubt and focus on the positive figures and the spectacular design for a minute.

Speeding tickets? Yes, still possible with a top speed up to 100 mph (160 km/h). Road tax (I live in Holland)? Less than a third of the yearly amount you pay for a VW Golf diesel. Purchase price? Loremo is aiming in Germany for a purchase price under €11.000,-
The design? Look for yourself. I love the design although young passengers sitting in the back won’t love me anymore after spending a hour or two facing Xenon headlights from cars behind me.

Loremo’s slogan is: simple.clever.fun

That sounds like a promise! A promise more and more people are getting enthusiastic about. Two weeks ago, at the Kuala Lumpur international Motor Show, Loremo signed a purchase agreement over 26% with Kosmo Motor Company Bhd (www.kosmo-motor.com). Red Herring (www.redharring.com) announced that Loremo is a recipient of Red Herring 100 Europe, an award given to the top 100 private technology companies based in the EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) region each year.

So a clever concept, great looks and less harmful to the environment then most cars on the road today. Interested in driving this simple.clever.fun car? This is a major setback, the first one’s for sale will be produced in 2009. Until then we can only repeat some wise words spoken: the most efficient use of energy is not to use it at all.
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