If you tried to get the same amount of energy from a household outlet as you get from a gasoline pump, it would take about nine days. Of course, it doesn’t take nine days to recharge an EV, because the efficiency of an EV allows the driver to put less energy in the “tank” and still receive an adequate charge.
Volatility in gas prices. Concerns over energy security. Worries about climate change. Most drivers see nothing but heartache, but a few enterprising companies and individuals see big opportunities to help car owners get relief—and maybe even usher in a post-petroleum era.
If you’re looking for small, fuel-efficient vehicles that use E85, you may be disappointed. Half of the 2006 flexible-fuel vehicles are full-sized pickups or SUVs, including the Dodge Durango (rated at 12 mpg in the city and 15 mpg on the highway).
Hydrogen can be used to power vehicles in two ways. It can be burned using a hydrogen internal combustion engine (sometimes called an H2ICE), which is basically a modified gasoline engine. It can also be used in a fuel cell. There are big challenges with both systems.
American drivers burn approximately 400 million gallons of gasoline each day. Obviously, the gas in your tank comes from petroleum—a fossil fuel that is extracted from the earth and refined to produce fuels and myriad other products, from asphalt to plastics.
Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicles—sometimes called Natural Gas Vehicles (NGVs)—yield fuel cost savings when compared to conventional vehicles, but cannot be operated as economically as hybrids.
You’ve probably been hearing a lot lately about ethanol. From politicians to advertisements by major automakers, ethanol is being discussed more regularly as an alternative to gasoline.
Diesel vehicles now account for nearly half of all new vehicle sales in Europe. In some European countries (such as France), diesel vehicles account for as much as 70 percent of new car sales. Are diesel vehicles a viable alternative to hybrids?
We're being told that a hydrogen-powered car is in your near future. Don't believe the hype. Fuel cell vehicles are a long way off.
While a diesel hybrid-electric passenger car or light truck would certainly improve fuel economy, its emissions would be abysmal. Then again, it may get up to 80 mpg.
