The Walmart Advanced Vehicle Experience (WAVE) is a concept vehicle by Walmart that is part of the company´s sustainability program. The truck which will be 20 percent more aerodynamic than the standard rig has been designed in partnership with Peterbilt, Great Dane Trailers and Capstone Turbine. The WAVE uses a turbine-powered battery-electric hybrid drivetrain, and the engine can run on natural gas, diesel and biodiesel. In addition to that, the trucks towing is the world´s first 53-foot (ca.16metres) fiber trailer.

In the prototype version, the driver sits F1-racing style in the middle of the cabin with LCD panels. In the back of the cabin there is a full-size sleeper section. Unfortunately, the truck is unlikely to hit the road anytime soon. However, Walmart plans to add over 1,000 new vehicles that are 12 percent more efficient than existing trucks this year, to save over $40 million.

“It may never make it to the road, but it will allow us to test new technologies and new approaches,” says Walmart president and CEO Doug McMillon.

Below you can see the video of the futuristic prototype:

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Everybody knows that smoking is dangerous. It can damage your body, cause cancer, emphysema and heart disease.  However, children exposed to high doses of second hand smoke run the greatest relative risk of damaging health effects.

Children are vulnerable to the effects of second hand smoke because they have higher breathing rates than adults, and have little control over their indoor environments.

The following infographic from the British Lung Foundation shows facts and numbers about the “toxic truth”:

Danish motorcycle manufacturer Lauge Jensen created a special edition gold-plated
Harley-Davidson, which is worth £535,000.

The motorcycle was showcased at the Hamburg Motorcycle Days expo.

According to Lauge Jensen, the shiny bike is the world’s most expensive motorcycle.

 

This hot lorry called Shockwave is the world’s fastest jet-powered truck.
Shockwave produces 36,000 horsepower, weighs four tons and can cover a quarter of mile in 6.5 seconds.

The owner, Neal Darnell, said: “It’s an awesome experience. You won’t believe it until you see it.”

Equipped with three Pratt & Whitney J34-48 engines from US Navy jets each one generates 12,000 horsepower, burning approximately 680 litres of fuel in each performance.

“On acceleration, the driver experiences about 6G. We stop it by using two 40cm ring slot military parachutes, which produce an impact of up to negative 9G. It is some ride.” said Mr Darnell’s son, Chris.

One of Boris Johnson´s Barclays bike has been spotted in Gambia. An image shared on Twitter shows a man riding the blue bike down a track.

BBC´s transport and environment correspondent, Tom Edwards joked: “Some overcharge on the bad boy.”

A Transport for London (TfL) spokesman said: “We have previously given a number of bikes to charities in Africa. We are still trying to work out where this particular one came from.”

 

Chief executive of Samoa Air Chris Langton introduced a controversial fare system based on passengers’ weight last year. The airline claims the system had been so successful that the company is upgrading its fleet.

“The next step is for the industry to make those sort of changes and recognize that ‘Hey, we are not all 72 kilograms (about 160 pounds) anymore and we don’t all fit into a standard seat.”

“What makes airplanes work is weight. We are not selling seats, we are selling weight.”

“It works both ways. People who pay more deserve more. … So, it is in our interests that we take care of the people that who have chalked in at 150, 180 kilograms (330, 396 pounds). They’ve paid their fare and we try to give them what they should have, which is a comfortable seat. We try to make sure they have space around them that taller people have got more leg room — within the confines of the airplane these days we try to do it ” said Chris Langton to CNN.

According to the Samoa Air website it says: “your weight plus your baggage items is what you pay for. Simple.”

As the days are getting colder LeasePlan UK offers drivers a few tips for safe car journeys as part of Road Safety Week. Managing Director, David Brennan, LeasePlan UK, said: “While we may be some way away from the first snow flurries, now is the ideal time to start preparing your vehicle for winter conditions.”

Here are LeasePlan UK’s smart tips:

Plan ahead: Where possible, try to avoid travelling in extreme weather conditions. If you do travel, many councils will post road gritting updates on their websites, so be sure to check the relevant pages if there is a significant chance of ice or snowfall. Remember that main routes tend to be tackled first, so plan to stick to A-roads
if possible – the Highways Agency website will also give you an indication of the condition of these routes.

Adjust your driving for the conditions: Heavy rain, ice and fog are all unfortunately hallmarks of a traditional British winter. As such, increasing stopping distances and driving more slowly can significantly reduce the chances of a collision. Minimising distractions such as hands-free calls or loud music can also help concentration levels in challenging conditions.

Prepare your vehicle: Check that tyres have a minimum of 2mm tread depth and are inflated correctly. A good view is also essential, so use high strength screen wash to help the effectiveness of wipers and washers. It can be frustrating, but always ensure your windscreen is fully cleared of condensation and that snow is cleared from your car roof, as well as from around windows, before setting off.

Prepare yourself: Most winter journeys pass without a hitch, but it is still sensible to pack a few key items in your vehicle during the colder months. A warm jumper, torch, and sunglasses for winter sunshine are simple personal items that can make a huge difference if you get stuck in extreme weather on the roads.

The worst case scenario: If you break down on a motorway, it is absolutely essential that you don’t stay in your vehicle. Once you are a safe distance away, keep warm and make yourself visible to other road users. Remember that motorway location markers can be useful reference points when calling recovery services. If you do have to abandon your vehicle on any road, remember to give the local police as many details as you can and, where possible, park out of the way to allow other vehicles to pass.

Source: LeasePlan UK