Automobile technology is improving a lot since the introduction of cars. One such technology which has been developed recently is regenerative braking. In regenerative braking, when the brakes are applied or when the car decelerates the energy lost is used to run an electric generator which converts the energy lost into electricity and stores it in a battery for future use.
Regenerative braking is used in hybrid cars. Hybrid cars have an engine runs on petrol which you find in normal cars and an electric engine. The electric engine is powered by a battery which is charged by regenerative braking. When the car needs higher power it uses both the electric engine and the petrol engine. A computer on board he car helps in switching between the electric and petrol engines. The electric engine supplements the petrol engine resulting in an increase in energy efficiency. A hybrid car gives a mileage of about 30 kmpl which is twice that of a conventional car running on petrol.
The concept of regenerative braking is now also being used in formula one cars. It is called KERS or kinetic energy recovery system and uses the energy stored to give a speed boost to the car.
Cars can be of various shapes and sizes. A limousine or limo as it is popularly known, is a luxury sedan with a lengthened wheelbase. The chassis of the limo may be built by the manufacturer or by a coach builder who makes custom limousines. Limousines are often owned the rich and wealthy and are driven by chauffeurs. They are traditionally black or white in color. A limousine usually has a sound proof glass divider separating the driver from the passenger compartment. Communication with the driver and passenger is possible either by sliding the divider or by using an intercom system. Most luxury limos have televisions, video players, refrigerators and bars. Limousines conversions are usually performed on Lincoln Town Cars, Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Rolls Royce Phantom, Volkswagen Phaeton, Maybach 62 and high end models of BMW and Audi. Even though they are built for single individuals there are some limousines which can accommodate up to ten passengers. Since limos are mostly custom built, they are very expensive. Only celebrities and the rich use limos. But there are many places where we can hire limos. We can do this to surprise our loved ones. We need not buy a limo to experience it.