Office of Environmental Sustainability
Hybrid Car
NUS Campus Security goes green with its newest addition of Honda’s fourth generation Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) Hybrid Car. Whilst there are many types of hybrid cars in the market, the Director of Campus Security, Mr Seah Thian Pau, explained that the advantage of the IMA lies in the use of regenerative braking. This technology captures some of the energy lost through deceleration, and reuses this energy to help accelerate the vehicle. This results in an improvement in the efficiency of the acceleration, which ultimately reduces the fuel consumption. In addition, vehicles equipped with the IMA automatically shuts down the engine when the vehicle comes to a stop; and uses the electric motor instead of the convention fuel motor to rapidly spin it back up when the brake paddle is released, which equates to MORE FUEL SAVED! |
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However, there is still the question of hybrid cars costing more than the conventional petrol-driven cars. Using the table below, Mr Seah showed us that in the long run, taking into consideration increased maintenance of the existing old model which breaks down ever so often, the Honda Hybrid actually helps the University realise savings. Compared to a new normal petrol driven car, the Hybrid still costs higher.
Queries have been raised on the battery maintenance of hybrid cars. Whilst the Honda Civic hybrid model uses two batteries which are charged by the regenerative braking system, they are designed to last the lifetime of the hybrid car. Also, the cost and time of servicing for the Hybrid is the same as any other cars.
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Toyota 1.8l Corolla |
Honda Civic (Hybrid) |
| Carbon Dioxide produced per year |
6.1 tons |
4.4 tons |
| Fuel consumption per 100 km |
13.15 litres |
4.6 litres |
| Distance travelled per litre of fuel |
7.6 km |
21.7 km |
There are different types of hybrid cars but why did OCS choose the Honda Civic hybrid? Mr Seah commented, “Firstly, as compared to the Toyota Prius, Honda Civic has marginally better specifications. Secondly, we needed a patrol car and the Prius looked more like a family vehicle whereas the Civic had a sleeker and ‘fiercer’ look, giving our patrol car more presence. Furthermore, the Civic costs lower than the Prius.”
Mr Seah also reiterated aptly that "Although this is a just a start, but I believe that if everyone does their part in saving the environment, we will accomplish a lot more." He believes in taking a small step like this in order to inspire many others to do their part in the conservation of our environment. "It doesn’t just stop here. If there are better Hybrid cars which are able to meet our operational needs and at the same time help in environmental conservation, we will not hesitate to look further into it.” Currently, Mr Seah and his team have 2 electric patrol buggies operating at Bukit Timah Campus and are looking into acquiring electric buggies for the upcoming University Town. So for those fuel saving car junkies out there, time to go green, emit less carbon and save more fuel with Hybrid cars! |
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An interview with the Director of Campus Security, Mr Seah Thian Pau |
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Written by Nicholas Fung |
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