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www.ridemakerz.com on 11/21/2008 1:14:55 PM
www.ridemakerz.com on 11/21/2008 1:14:55 PM
 
In the future, stopping at a gas station for a fill-up of gasoline might seem as old school as getting milk from the milkman (look him up online). Engineers and scientists – and even inspired amateurs working in their garages – have spent years experimenting with alternatives to gasoline. Right now, carmakers are cutting down on gasoline consumption by using alternative systems like hybrids and flex-fuel setups that run on ethanol. And looking further down the road, they’re working on new ways to build emissions-free cars that run on hydrogen and electricity.
Hybrids. In today’s hybrid cars, a gasoline engine and an electric motor work together. Some hybrids use the electric motor to drive the cars at slow speeds (city traffic), and the gas engine kicks on for highway cruising and for charging up the battery. In other hybrids, the electric motor simply gives the gas engine a little extra help doing its job. Hybrid cars also use systems that turn off the gas engine at stoplights (it starts right back up when you step on the gas) and that generate electricity from the friction of putting on the brakes. The whole idea behind the hybrid is to use less gas while doing everything a regular car can do. 
Ethanol. Ethanol is a type of alcohol made from corn, vegetables or other plants. When mixed with gasoline in a blend called E85 (85% ethanol, 15% gasoline), it can be used instead of gasoline in flex-fuel or dual-fuel vehicles sold by GM, Ford and other companies. The benefits of E85 are reductions in the amount of gas-guzzling and carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide emissions.
EVs. EVs are electric vehicles. Electricity isn’t just for golf carts anymore. Stronger batteries and electric motors are making electric cars a possibility for people who drive short distances to work, school or around cities. In fact, the new electric sports car, Tesla Roadster, goes 0-60 in about 4 seconds. EVs are usually charged up at home or at designated charging stations, using a simple wall plug. Electric cars can’t quite replace gas-powered cars yet, but who knows what will happen as technology continues to advance. Liquid Hydrogen. Instead of gasoline, regular cars can be modified to run on liquid hydrogen. Hydrogen is a gas found in the atmosphere, and it’s liquefied by super-cooling. Unlike gasoline, hydrogen produces no hydrocarbons or carbon dioxide emissions when it’s burned in an internal combustion engine. That’s why BMW is working on liquid-hydrogen systems as part of their green-car programs. Hydrogen Fuel Cell. Further in the future, cars are expected to generate their own electricity, with water being the only “exhaust.” How is that possible? Fuel cells, which combine hydrogen gas and oxygen over layers of platinum and other metals, will generate electrical energy for the electric motors. Refills of hydrogen gas are required to keep the fuel cells humming. |
