Consumers already know that we need to reduce our reliance on petroleum products 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.
EVs
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.
Hydrogen fuel cells
Pros: Hybrids use gasoline, which is good since we have gas pumps in place. They drive like the cars we're used to, so drivers aren't being asked to make a major change. Hybrids can get excellent fuel economy.
Cons: Hybrids are costlier than regular cars, requiring a large investment up front. Many consumers have been disappointed because their hybrids don't get the gas mileage they expect.
Hybrids
Pros: Cost per mile driven is much lower than for a traditional 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.
Plug-in hybrids
Pros: Hybrids use gasoline, which is nice since we have gas pumps throughout the United States. They drive like cars always have, so consumers don't have to change the way they use their cars. They can get excellent fuel economy.
Cons: The price is higher than that of conventional vehicles due expensive batteries. Charging car batteries could put an additional burden on existing electric grid, especially if done during daytime hours. The gas mileage depends to a great extent on driving habits, and drivers often don't get the mileage they expect.
Ethanol
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. They have up to a 40-mile all-electric range, which is good enough for most people most of the time. A gas engine can extend its range for long 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.
Diesel/biodiesel
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: 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.
Diesel/biodiesel
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.
Most of these alternative vehicles involve extra upfront costs, 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. Dallas Ford Lincoln Palm Desert
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
