How to Make Motor Vehicles Run Cleaner
http://www.esmartarticles.com/articles/80208/1/How-to-Make-Motor-Vehicles-Run-Cleaner/Page1.html
Hannah Valez
Written by Hannah Valez. By Hannah Valez
Published on February 26th, 2010
Consumers know that we must reduce our reliance on gasoline for a host of reasons There are a lot of choices other than the traditional gasoline powered engine, but thus far none of them has emerged as the undisputed leader
Consumers know that we must reduce our reliance on gasoline for a host of reasons. There are a lot of choices other than the traditional gasoline powered engine, but thus far none of them has emerged as the undisputed leader. Here are the pros and cons of some of the most popular options out there today.
Diesel and Biodiesel
Pros: Diesel and biodiesel fuels get thirty percent better gas mileage than traditional fuels. Since diesel has been around for years and is currently in use in large trucks, the fuel is readily available at a local gas station. Diesel and biodiesel autos cost more than others cars, but not as much as hybrids and other alternative fuel vehicles. Any diesel car can run on a blend of renewable biodiesel fuel.
Cons: Diesels have historically had a lot of vibration and engine noise, although that is improving. The relatively high cost of diesel fuel can partially offset the financial benefits of the better fuel economy.
Natural Gas
Pros: Natural gas costs much less than gasoline, burns much cleaner, and provides comparable power.
Cons: Cars need very large gas tanks to accommodate the large amounts of natural gas that are required. This means less truck space is available. Refueling takes a long time due to the amount of fuel required. The limited range and lack of refueling stations combine to make this car impractical in most locations.
Hydrogen fuel cells
Pros: Hydrogen cars enjoy about double the gas mileage of gasoline cars. Their output is water vapor only - no emissions. Hydrogen is readily available and some fuel can be produced from renewable energy.
Cons: Hydrogen fuel cells are pricey and often have limited durability. High-pressure storage is necessary in order to get an acceptable range. Hydrogen fuel is costly to transport, and there are currently very few places to refuel. Although hydrogen fuel can be made from renewable energy sources, it is currently made from natural gas, with a production process that creates a lot of CO2 emissions.
Electric Cars
Pros: Cost per mile is much less than for a traditional car. EVs produce no emissions. Cars can be recharged at home.
Cons: Expensive batteries drive up the cost of electric cars. Recharging takes a long time, which is practical for overnight charging at home, but less practical on long trips. Limited range compounds the problem of extended trips. Although electricity can be produced using renewable resources, coal is still used to produce it in many states.
Hybrids
Pros: Hybrids use gasoline, which is nice since we have gas pumps everywhere that drivers want to go. They drive like regular cars, so people don't have to make a major change. Hybrids have the potential to get great fuel economy.
Cons: Hybrids are costlier than traditional automobiles, requiring a large investment up front. Many budget conscious people have been frustrated because their hybrids don’t get the gas mileage they expect.
Plug-in hybrids
Pros: Plug-in hybrids can be charged at home. When they’re running on electric power, they have low operating costs and no emissions. Their range is up to 40 miles on electric power, which is good enough for most drivers most of the time. A gas engine can extend the range for longer trips.
Cons: The price is higher than that of conventional vehicles due expensive batteries. Charging car batteries could put an additional burden on existing electric grid, especially if done during the daytime. The gas mileage depends significantly on driving habits, and drivers often don’t get the mileage they expect.
Ethanol
Pros: Ethanol can be made domestically from corn, with the potential to be produced from other food or waste products. E10, which is a 10% blend, can be burned in any new car. Many existing cars can operate on E85.
Cons: E85 gets about 25% lower fuel economy than gasoline. E85 is not readily available, since very few gas stations carry it. The federal government offers credits to automakers for E85 cars, but meeting those standards lowers overall fuel economy for all cars. Food prices could rise as a result of mass production of any product made from food crops. Increased crop production requires the use of farm equipment, which run on gasoline.
Most of these alternative vehicles involve higher upfront costs, which is only viable if the consumer can reasonably expect to recover the cost over the life of the vehicle. So far in the U.S., hybrids are in the lead, with electric cars gaining popularity. Diesel cars have been practical in other countries for a long time. Only time will tell which technologies are practical and cost effective.
Diesel and Biodiesel
Pros: Diesel and biodiesel fuels get thirty percent better gas mileage than traditional fuels. Since diesel has been around for years and is currently in use in large trucks, the fuel is readily available at a local gas station. Diesel and biodiesel autos cost more than others cars, but not as much as hybrids and other alternative fuel vehicles. Any diesel car can run on a blend of renewable biodiesel fuel.
Cons: Diesels have historically had a lot of vibration and engine noise, although that is improving. The relatively high cost of diesel fuel can partially offset the financial benefits of the better fuel economy.
Natural Gas
Pros: Natural gas costs much less than gasoline, burns much cleaner, and provides comparable power.
Cons: Cars need very large gas tanks to accommodate the large amounts of natural gas that are required. This means less truck space is available. Refueling takes a long time due to the amount of fuel required. The limited range and lack of refueling stations combine to make this car impractical in most locations.
Hydrogen fuel cells
Pros: Hydrogen cars enjoy about double the gas mileage of gasoline cars. Their output is water vapor only - no emissions. Hydrogen is readily available and some fuel can be produced from renewable energy.
Cons: Hydrogen fuel cells are pricey and often have limited durability. High-pressure storage is necessary in order to get an acceptable range. Hydrogen fuel is costly to transport, and there are currently very few places to refuel. Although hydrogen fuel can be made from renewable energy sources, it is currently made from natural gas, with a production process that creates a lot of CO2 emissions.
Electric Cars
Pros: Cost per mile is much less than for a traditional car. EVs produce no emissions. Cars can be recharged at home.
Cons: Expensive batteries drive up the cost of electric cars. Recharging takes a long time, which is practical for overnight charging at home, but less practical on long trips. Limited range compounds the problem of extended trips. Although electricity can be produced using renewable resources, coal is still used to produce it in many states.
Hybrids
Pros: Hybrids use gasoline, which is nice since we have gas pumps everywhere that drivers want to go. They drive like regular cars, so people don't have to make a major change. Hybrids have the potential to get great fuel economy.
Cons: Hybrids are costlier than traditional automobiles, requiring a large investment up front. Many budget conscious people have been frustrated because their hybrids don’t get the gas mileage they expect.
Plug-in hybrids
Pros: Plug-in hybrids can be charged at home. When they’re running on electric power, they have low operating costs and no emissions. Their range is up to 40 miles on electric power, which is good enough for most drivers most of the time. A gas engine can extend the range for longer trips.
Cons: The price is higher than that of conventional vehicles due expensive batteries. Charging car batteries could put an additional burden on existing electric grid, especially if done during the daytime. The gas mileage depends significantly on driving habits, and drivers often don’t get the mileage they expect.
Ethanol
Pros: Ethanol can be made domestically from corn, with the potential to be produced from other food or waste products. E10, which is a 10% blend, can be burned in any new car. Many existing cars can operate on E85.
Cons: E85 gets about 25% lower fuel economy than gasoline. E85 is not readily available, since very few gas stations carry it. The federal government offers credits to automakers for E85 cars, but meeting those standards lowers overall fuel economy for all cars. Food prices could rise as a result of mass production of any product made from food crops. Increased crop production requires the use of farm equipment, which run on gasoline.
Most of these alternative vehicles involve higher upfront costs, which is only viable if the consumer can reasonably expect to recover the cost over the life of the vehicle. So far in the U.S., hybrids are in the lead, with electric cars gaining popularity. Diesel cars have been practical in other countries for a long time. Only time will tell which technologies are practical and cost effective.