Environmentalists on a alternative vehicle kick in order to save the eco-system but is their really cause for a celebration yet?
What is currently available and what is just down around the corner may in alternative vehicles is certainly better. Hybrids are actually more cost effective and fuel efficient over 5 year peroid. If one were to include the costs of maintenance and even the extra upfront costs of hybrids, at end of your ownership cycle, you still would come out far ahead of others.
Outside of the major automanufacturers is new startups automotive companies. One of these automotive companies has a car that exceeds 250 miles per gallon easily. At this rate, the cost of annual fuel would be $144.
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Being More Efficient On Vehicle Transportation
Wowzers... Aptera a new alternative fuel vehicle boasts 300 miles per gallon (mpg).
Who wouldn't want to clean the environment? Even the owners of Chevron would, I am sure. Alternative vehicles are a novel idea that treehuggers are all the rave about. But lets be smart about it before we make any drastic moves.
When we consider running an electric vehicle or a hybrid gas-electric vehicle, right off the bat we are improving efficientcy as the engine does not need to remain at idle. The energy is only used when in motion. As a result, efficiently is improved by 80 to 90% alone; conversely, internal combustion engines have an efficientcy rating of from 8 - 19 %. Hydrogen fuel cells look promising as hydrogen can power lightweight electric supermotors at 4 times the power at the same weight of fuel; however, it will take years for the infrustructure to be put in place even if the technology was readily available.
Of all the alternative vehicle types that are available, a total cost of ownership has to be formulated into the efficientcy equation. A closer look at the manufacture, usage, powersource, and vehicle life must be examined.
- How will it continue to be powered?
- What will need to be replaced and how often?
- Are those replacements renewable or will they be dumped somewhere?
- What effect will that have on the environment?
- What is the enviromental impact of manufacturing and of its long term usage.
Choosing An Electric Vehicle
A plugin electric vehicle is clearly the most conveinant and eco-friendly right? Well it may be the most conveinant, but eco-friendliness is still yet to be determined.
A very important part of the equation is the battery life. If your battery is only going to be working for 5 years, what will happen to the battery when you its time for disposal? On the economical end, how much will a replacement cost? What detrimental effect will the disposed battery have on ecology?
Suppose your have an electric vehicle the powers up by being plugged to a wall outlet, but your electric company uses coal to generate electricity. Your efforts to be eco friendly would be pointless! You will need to change your electric provider to a eco-energy provider: wind, hydro, and/or solar in order to avoid coal pollution and ecological destruction.
Choosing Bio-Diesel Vehicle
Choosing to use Biodiesel is in the top choose of transportion right now in order to combat emissions. Biodiesel is far more eco friendly then regular diesels ever where, having roughly 45-90 percent lower toxic emissions. Making the switch is easy especially if you already own a diesal vehicle as you will not need a special parts to add on to your car. As another note, Diesel engine cars typical travel about 1.5x the distance then a comparable gasoline car of its class.
Biodiesel can come from a variety of sources not limited to used restaurant grease, soybeans, and/or other elements. Free of sulfur it is also considered biodegradable, in addition you end up recycling restaurant grease that would normally be thrown away. It also passed through under the Clean Air Act and the DOE and the U.S. Department of Agriculture,concluded biodiesel reduces net carbon dioxide emissions by 78 percent compared to petroleum diesel.
Alternative Vehicles and Hybrids In Corporations
The good news is that some corporations are starting to make strides toward renewable energies. Google, is one of those companies. Recently annouced they are be working with a eSolar and has already funded Makani Power Inc., two solar energy companies. Makani Power is developing high-altitude wind energy extraction technologies aimed at harnessing the world’s most powerful wind resources, with having several team members that specialize in kite engineering. "Capturing just a fraction of available high-energy wind would be sufficient to supply current global electricity needs.
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