The BMW and Green Technology

While many in the auto industry are striving to find new cleaner and safer technologies, luxury carmaker BMW is no exception. This popular car manufacturer prides itself on innovative technologies that improve all aspects of the driver's experience. These innovations include safety features like the Enhanced Braking System and Lane Departure Warning, and comfort features like Active Cruise Control and Climate Zone Ventilation. Just as the carmaker has enhanced safety and comfort, it has also improved performance.

BMW has designed Advanced Diesel engines to improve fuel economy and lower harmful emissions. Vehicles with these engines can travel up to 580 miles on a single tank of diesel and emit 20 percent less CO2. These benefits to the environment do not result in a compromise of power. The 335d has been named one of the top green cars by the Kelley Blue Book website since it was released in 2009. To achieve this distinction, the vehicle had to have improved fuel consumption and reduced CO2 emissions while still providing safety and comfort features and a pleasant driving experience. The 335d has a six-cylinder diesel engine, and it can travel 36 miles per gallon of fuel.

Another innovation from BMW is the ActiveHybrid line of vehicles. The carmaker utilizes technological advances to create more efficient hybrid cars. One such feature is the Hybrid Start Stop function, which switches off the car's engine when it is stopped to avoid needless fuel consumption. This feature will switch the engine off even during brief stops, like at traffic lights or railroad crossings. In the ActiveHybrid 7 series, an electric motor supports the twin turbo V8 to provide extra power during acceleration. Another design feature allows the electric motor to regain kinetic energy during braking.

BMW's Valvetronic engine is another breakthrough that improves fuel economy. It is a variable valve timing system that the company initially introduced in 2001. This engine varies the lift height of the valves to regulate intake. Instead of a traditional throttle, the engine contains an electrical mechanism that controls the amount of lift of the intake valves on each cylinder. At lower engine loads, the valves do not fully open, and at higher engine loads they do. This technology is used in conjunction with the double-VANOS camshaft control to improve fuel economy. The camshaft control adjusts camshaft positions for both the intake and exhaust valves to improve fuel economy and emissions.

In addition to the above-mentioned innovations, BMW has also recently joined forces with Toyota to collaborate on more environmentally friendly advances. The two companies will focus on developing better lithium-ion batteries for use in hybrid and electric vehicles. An additional collaboration for the automaker with PSA Peugeot-Citroen will focus on the development of hybrid systems. Across the world, automotive industry leaders are feeling pressure from environmental agencies to produce cars that are better for the planet. In every nation, people are growing more and more concerned with the preservation of Earth's natural resources. As an industry leader, this luxury automaker will continue to provide solutions to this problem through the use of fuel alternatives and better technology.