Alternatives to Gasoline
Posted by Hannah Valez in Uncategorized, tags: alternative fuel vehicles, automotive, autos, biodiesel cars, diesel cars, electric cars, ethanol, green cars, hybrids, hydrogen cars, natural gas cars, plug-in hybrids, UncategorizedCar shoppers know that we have to reduce our reliance on petroleum for a variety of reasons. There are several alternatives to the traditional gasoline engine, but so far none of them has established itself the clear leader. Here are the pros and cons of some of the top contenders.
Natural Gas
Pros: Natural gas burns much cleaner than gasoline, costs much less, and provides comparable power.
Cons: Hydrogen fuel cells are costly and often have limited durability. In order to get an acceptable range, you need very high-pressure hydrogen storage. Hydrogen is expensive to transport, and there is no infrastructure in place yet, so it’s difficult to find places to refuel. Although hydrogen fuel can be made from renewable energy sources, it is currently made from natural gas. The production process creates a large amount of CO2 emissions.
Ethanol
Pros: Ethanol can be made domestically from corn, in the future might 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: Hybrids are costlier than conventional autos, requiring a large investment up front. Many budget conscious people have been dissatisfied because their hybrids don’t get the gas mileage they hope for.
Electric Vehicles
Pros: Plug-in hybrids can be charged at home. When they’re using electric power, they have no emissions and have lower per mile operating costs. Their range is up to 40 miles on electric power, which is sufficient for most people most of the time. A gas engine can extend the range for long trips.
Cons: The price is higher than that of conventional vehicles due expensive batteries. Charging car batteries could strain existing electric grid, especially if done during the daytime. The fuel economy depends significantly on driving habits, and drivers often don’t get the mileage they expect.
Diesel/biodiesel
Pros: Hybrids use gasoline, which is good since we have gas stations across the country. They drive like the cars we’re used to, so consumers don’t have to make a major change. They can get excellent fuel economy.
Cons: Diesel cars have historically had more vibration and engine noise than gasoline cars. The relatively high cost of diesel fuel can reduce the financial benefits of the improved fuel economy.
Ethanol
Pros: Plug-in hybrids can be charged at home. When they’re running on electric power, they have low operating costs and no emissions. They have up to a 40-mile all-electric range, which is sufficient for most drivers most of the time. A gas engine can extend the range for lengthy trips.
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.
EVs
Pros: Cost per mile driven is much lower than for a gasoline car. EVs produce no emissions. Batteries can be recharged at home.
Cons: Cost of cars is high dues to expensive batteries. It takes a long time to recharge and range is limited. Although electricity can be produced using renewable resources, many power companies currently use coal to produce it.
Hydrogen fuel cells
Pros: Natural gas burns much cleaner than gasoline, costs much less, and provides comparable power.
Cons: Large amounts of natural gas are required, so cars must have huge gas tanks, which reduce space available for other uses. Refueling takes a long time due to the amount of fuel required. Natural gas cars have a limited range. There are very few refueling stations available.
Most of these alternative vehicles involve additional costs upfront, which is only viable if the consumer can reasonably expect to get back 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.
Written by Hannah Valez. Used Trucks Des Moines Honda Dealership Atlanta
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