August 2021.- People are becoming more aware of the impact their habits have as consumers, and mobility is also becoming part of this trend. The automotive industry keeps announcing more environmentally friendly products, either with electromobility solutions or smaller engines that pollute less, something that takes special relevance during Winter which is usually the most complicated period in terms of air quality.
Considering this type of pollution, and to generate conscience and propose solutions to solve it, organizations such as OAS, ECLAC and PAHO, among others, declared the second Friday of August as Inter-American Day of Air Quality.
“Even though there are several industries that affect air quality, one of the challenges we face in the automotive industry is to help achieving more eco-friendly alternatives so that people are able to move and optimize the use of fuel in a more efficient way.” comments Christian Scheel, Product & Sales Manager of SAIC Motor, owner, and manufacturer of MG Motor.
At the end of 2019, the brand launched MG ZS EV, the first 100% electrical SUV in the Chilean market. This model comes with a ion-lithium battery that allows 263 km of autonomy (WLTP range) without emitting polluting gases.
“Next to decreasing CO2 emissions and other gasses that are harmful to our health, another benefit of electric vehicles is the decrease of acoustic pollution since they don’t make any noise. In the case of the MG ZS EV, it possesses a European certification for control of hazardous substances which allows it to have a 95% recycling and reuse index for the vehicle.” adds Scheel.
Since 2015, SAIC Motor is developing its “Net Strategy” plan by which it looks to offer more environmentally friendly cars and decrease the carbon footprint of its vehicles.
Along with launching electrical and hybrid models (like the MG HS pluggable car available in Europe, among others), the company also applies its “NetBlue” technology (present in models such as MG ZS and the MG ZX, just to name a few) to its combustion models to improve the vehicle’s performance, fuel efficiency and at the same time it helps reduce carbon dioxide emissions. “Among the NetBlue technology improvements, it includes a new generation Bosch engine manager system and its engine components have been redesigned to make it lighter which helps making it more efficient.” explains Scheel.
Autonomous Driving
Another cause that might result in better efficiency, the executive comments, is the use of Cruise Control “since this system prevents the constant change between acceleration and braking which produces greater fuel efficiency.” Nevertheless, this saving is better when used in flat terrains or those with longer gradients, more than in roads with constant ups and downs.
A higher level of assistance and autonomy is offered by the Adaptive Cruise Control which can automatically brake if the vehicle in front decreases its speed. This equipment is present in the MG ZS EV model through its MG Pilot system. This is part of the Autonomous Driving system of the brand (level 2) that is produced to improve the driving experience also and mitigate possible hazards when driving.
“This system mixes the characteristics of Autonomous and Semi-Autonomous driving that helps to alert the driver and correct the situation. This can be appreciated in the MG ZX model that includes blind spot detection, lane change assistance and crossed traffic alert.” ends Scheel.
