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Alternative Fuel Cars –Part 1

Electric Vehicles | Ethanol Vehicles | Hydrogen Vehicles

Many new vehicles have been developed such as the electric vehicles that run on batteries, the hybrid vehicles that run on both an electric motor and a gasoline engine and the newest invention the fuel cell vehicle. In addition many gasoline cars and trucks have ben converted so they can operate on ethanol, natural gas or other alternative fuels.

Electric Vehicles

Almost any kind of vehicle can run on electricity. A pure electric vehicle that runs on batteries and has to be plugged into a recharging unit is limited to around 80 miles which is the primary reason they have never become very popular except in some of the largest and most traffic congested cities in the world. Some manufactures have even produced one and two seat vehicles specifically for this urban market.

A fairly new type of electric is gaining rapidly in popularity. It is the neighborhood electric vehicle. These vehicles can travel at speeds up to 25 mph. They are scooters, golf carts and electric wheel chairs that many people are using instead of their automobile to travel short distances to the local business or to visit friends and neighbors. Originally designed for the handicapped and the elderly, the scooters are gaining popularity among younger people as inexpensive and fun short distance transportation. Golf carts have always been used in campgrounds and some suburban neighborhoods as local transportation. For more detailed information on electric vehicles please see Electric Vehicles.

Battery Operated vehicles – these vehicles have 0% local pollution but since they must be recharged by the electric power grid, they basically redistribute the pollution to more rural areas especially if the electricity is generated by burning coal or fuel oil. These vehicles are commonly used for airline ground service, airport baggage handling and university and business campus transportation.

Availability – most home and business in the Unite States have the ability to recharge electric vehicles. Public fueling facilities exist in areas with a large number of battery operated electric vehicles.

Safety – there are no know safety hazards since all of the high voltage circuits are cleary marked and the batteries are sealed units.

Cost – usually significantly cheaper to operate. However, the batteries have to be replaced every 3-6 years.

Benefits of Electric Vehicles

• Zero local pollution
• 95% of the electricity is produced domestically
• Permitted to use HOV lanes regardless of how many occupants are in the car
• Significant tax incentives offered at all levels of government State Incentives and Laws
• Have better acceleration than gasoline vehicles

Ethanol Vehicles

Ethanol is basically a form of alcohol that is made from grain but is poisonous if ingested. The Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 mandated the sale of oxygenated fuels in areas with unhealthy levels of carbon monoxide. Adding ethanol in a10% blend oxygenates the gasoline. This misture is called E10 and all vehicles can run on this mixture without modification.

Flexible Fuel Vehicles are capable of running on E85 which is 85% ethanol. These vehicles can run on gasoline, E85 or any combination of the two. Most auto manufacturers offer several FFV models usually among their top selling vehicles.
Availability – FFV have been widely available since 2003. E85 stations are primarily located in the Midwest although some stations can be found all across the country.

Saftey – These vehicles are as safe as gasoline or diesel vehicles.

Cost – FFV vehicles cost the same as non FFV in most cases. E85 costs tabout he ame as regular gas. The miles per gallon is slightly lower when using E85 so it can be more expensive to operate.

Ethanol Benefits

• Produce less carbon monoxide
• Produce less carbon dioxide
• 100% domestically produced
• Made from renewable sources and has helped the agriculture economy

Hydrogen Vehicles

Hydrogen can be produced using diverse, domestic resources including fossil fuels, such as natural gas and coal (with carbon sequestration); nuclear; and biomass and other renewable energy technologies, such as wind, solar, geothermal, and hydro-electric power. Although there are several tests under way experimenting with using hydrogen in internal combustion engines, the real future of these vehicles is for use with fuel cells. Please see Fuel Cell Vehicles for a more detailed discussion.

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