Generally speaking, the idea of eco-friendliness doesn’t conjure up images of badass looking vehicles. However, one look at these Blade exhaust filters might change all that. According to the manufacturer’s lab testing, Blade can reduce vehicle air pollution up to 57 percent and CO2 emissions up to 34 percent while increasing fuel economy up to 500ml per km. It seems a little far-fetched (and it probably is), but Blade does have support from both the California Air Resources Board and the EPA. If those claims are anywhere near true, the $US200 up front cost of the system plus the $US20 a year for filters should pay for itself rather quickly. [Blade via Treehugger via Wired Gadget Lab]
University of Calgary scientists are working on a machine that would pull carbon dioxide from the air in an attempt to scrub out emissions from diffuse sources, such as car exhaust and home heating. These “diffuse emissions” account for roughly half of the CO2 that goes up into the sky every day, contributing to global warming.
The concept has been around for a while, but Origo Industries is planning on being the first company to release a CO2 recycling system that turns your car emissions into fuel. The unit captures CO2 from your car exhaust and stores it until it can be recycled in a home unit that uses algae to produce bio-oil. According to the company, the system could produce as much as 2,500 litres of free fuel per year–which sounds too good to be true. We shall find out soon enough as Origo is scheduled to unveil the technology for the first time at this year’s Green-Car-Guide Live! in the UK starting on June 12th. [Tradingcharts and Gizmag]
