Consumers know that we must reduce our reliance on petroleum for a variety of reasons. There are many 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.
Electric Vehicles
Pros: Hydrogen cars get very good fuel economy - about twice that of gasoline cars. They produce no emissions - just water vapor. Hydrogen is abundant and some of it can be made from renewable energy.
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.
Ethanol
Pros: Hydrogen cars get very good fuel economy - about twice that of gasoline cars. They produce no emissions - just water vapor. Hydrogen is abundant and some of it can be made from renewable energy.
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: Hybrids use gas, which is beneficial because we have gas pumps everywhere that drivers want to go. They drive like the cars we're used to, so consumers aren't being asked to make a major change. These cars can get impressive fuel economy.
Cons: The cost is higher than that of conventional vehicles due high-priced batteries. Charging car batteries could strain existing electric grid, especially if done during daytime hours. The gas mileage depends significantly on driving habits, and drivers often don't get the 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. They have up to a 40-mile all-electric range, which is good enough for most drivers most of the time. A gasoline engine can extend its range for extended trips.
Cons: Hybrids cost more than conventional automobiles, requiring a large investment up front. Many consumers have been let down because their hybrids don't get the gas mileage they hope for.
Ethanol
Pros: Ethanol can be made locally 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 run 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.
Natural Gas
Pros: Diesel and biodiesel get 30% better fuel economy than traditional gasoline engines. Fuel is readily available. Although cars that run on diesel and biodiesel cost more than traditional gasoline cars, the cost premium is lower than it is for hybrids. Any diesel car can run on a blend of renewable biodiesel fuel.
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.
Hydrogen fuel cells
Pros: Natural gas burns much cleaner than gasoline, costs much less, and provides comparable power.
Cons: Hydrogen fuel cells are expensive and often wear out quickly. 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.
Most of these alternative vehicles involve extra upfront costs, which is only viable if the consumer can reasonably expect to recover the cost over time. 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. Ford Dealership Denton Honda Dealership Atlanta
categories: alternative fuel vehicles,electric cars,hybrids,plug-in hybrids,diesel cars,biodiesel cars,ethanol,natural gas cars,hydrogen cars,autos,automotive,green cars,uncategorized
