Los Angeles, CA – Tom Purves, CEO, of Rolls-Royce, talked to me about Rolls-Royce’s efforts to be green in its car segment.
We were at the unveiling of the 4-door 200EX. The 200EX is a preview of the new car that will be called the Rolls-Royce Ghost. Production will begin at the company’s Goodwood manufacturing facility on the south coast of England later in 2009.
Purves talked about the thermal electric generator (TEG) unit attached to the car. The TEG reduces the load on the alternator, improving the fuel economy by 5 percent. This improvement is created by creating electric energy from the heat in the exhaust gas and the cooler outside air.
The TEG won’t show up on a Rolls-Royce for years, but it shows the future technology Rolls-Royce is working on.
Purves talked about the hardship of meeting President Obama’s new Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE).
Will we see any Rolls-Royce come out as an electric vehicle or one with a diesel engine? Don’t count them out, says Purves.
