Driving over potholes may cut fuel consumption in the future

LONDON - Bumpy rides couldn’t get more energy-efficient-driving over potholes would actually save fuel in the future, all thanks to a revolutionary new shock absorber.

With the contraptions, called GenShocks, motorists will no longer just worry about their suspension, but regard every jolt as potentially cutting the cost of a visit to the filling station.

This is because the devices not only absorb the impact from driving over rough surfaces but convert it into electricity as well.

The power generated from the bumpy ride is then used for the myriad of devices, which rely on electricity from the car’s alternator - such as headlights, windscreen wipers and sound system.

This means that less fuel is needed to power the electrics.

“At the moment shock absorbers are a simple device, which allows a driver to maintain control when a car is driven over a pothole,” the Daily Mail quoted Shakeel Avadhany, chief executive of Levant Power Corporation, as telling the Daily Telegraph.

“But they only generate heat, the GenShocks will also generate electricity. We believe that they would cover their cost within 18 to 20 months,” he added.

The company, which is based on the outskirts of Boston, Massachusetts, hopes to start selling the product in the USA by the end of next year and in Europe some time during 2012

Although no price has been fixed yet, GenShocks are likely to cost slightly more than conventional shock absorbers.

It will be possible to fit them either when the car is built or afterwards. (ANI)