New 'Urban Car' claims to slash CO2 emissions by two thirds

LONDON, England (CNN) — A former motor-racing engineer has unveiled a prototype of a new hydrogen-powered city car which claims to emit less than one third of the carbon emissions produced by its nearest rival.

The creators of the ‘Urban Car,’ UK-based company Riversimple, say the vehicle emits less than 30 grams per kilometer of carbon dioxide, less than one third of the carbon produced by the Polo Bluemotion.

Riversimple founder Hugo Spowers has spent nine years researching and developing the prototype car.

“I think that the auto industry is focusing a lot of money on research and development at a basic science level on hydrogen storage and fuel cell technology. We don’t think it’s necessary to do that,” Spowers told CNN.

“We can use existing technology and integrate it into a whole system design approach — that is where the breakthrough has come.”

CNN