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Global surface temperatures have increased by up to 6.4 degrees Celsius in the past 50 years. Scientists presume it is caused by human activities such as burning coal, oil and gas, and deforestation. Release of carbon dioxide from vehicles is also one of the major causes of air pollution.
An exhibition, ¡§Hybrid Drive Vehicle Technology¡¨, which is being staged at the Hong Kong Science Museum from today (August 10) to September 12, shows the operation of the hybrid drive vehicle technology and its concept of environmental protection through the display of a hybrid vehicle, designed and manufactured by Crown Motors, and the use of multi-media programmes supplemented by text.
Motor vehicles, especially those with diesel engines are the major source of street-level pollution. Vehicle exhausts contain suspended particulates, hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides. Air quality can be improved by reducing vehicle emissions and the hybrid vehicle is a new technology for this purpose.
While conventional vehicles rely on a petrol engine as their sole source of power, hybrid vehicles combine it with an electric motor/generator. The intelligent control and balance of the use of both types of power sources can bring technology in harmony with nature. When the driver slows down, a Regenerative Braking System will transform the kinetic energy from the wheels into electricity to be stored in the vehicle battery, which needs no manual recharge.
The hybrid vehicle is propelled by an electric motor powered by the battery with the benefits of no fuel consumption and no emissions. The hybrid system also ensures the total energy consumption is kept at the minimal by constantly monitoring multiple on-road variables to determine whether to use only the electric motor or both the electric motor and the petrol engine.
The Science Museum is located at 2 Science Museum Road, Tsim Sha Tsui East. It opens from 1pm to 9pm from Monday to Wednesday and on Fridays, and from 10am to 9pm on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. It is closed on Thursdays (except public holidays). Admission is $25 with half-price concession for full-time students, people with disabilities and senior citizens aged 60 or above. Admission is free on Wednesdays.
For enquiries, call 2732 3232 or visit the Science Museum's website at http://hk.science.museum.
Ends/Friday, August 10, 2007
Issued at HKT 14:37
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