The big success of the Cash for
Clunkers program with consumers proves that many people are eager to trade in
their gas dependent cars for next generation transportation technology.
Actually, drivers have been
interested for a long time, especially as they watched the price of gas zoom
up. The problem was that the new cars were too expensive and not mass-produced.
Finally the new cars are on the way and becoming more affordable. The next
generation of transportation is here in hydrogen and electric cars.
Hydrogen cars use hydrogen, one of
the elements that create water, to power and propel the vehicle. Technically,
hydrogen is an energy carrier not an energy source. It has proven to be good as
an electro-mechanical converter in fuel cells.
This is one of the methods used
to covert hydrogen’s chemical energy into mechanical energy, producing water
and electricity. The other method is combustion, and hydrogen is used similarly
like gas in traditional gas combustion engines.
Car manufacturers have created
several hydrogen cars including the Ford Edge and the GM Sequel. However, it
seems that some will be redirecting their efforts to advancing electric car
technology.
This could be caused by several factors including a prediction that
hydrogen cars may not be feasible for another forty years, and also the US
government announcing in May 2009 that it is cutting off funding for hydrogen
vehicle development.
There are other vehicles that use
hydrogen technology, including golf carts, motorcycles, wheelchairs, and bikes,
and commuter vehicles like buses, trains, and planes. Probably the most famous
hydrogen vehicle is the Space Shuttle, which uses it to propel into space.
Electric cars were actually
popular a long time ago, but by the 30’s gasoline powered cars had become
cheaper and faster, and took over the market. Electric cars reappeared as
consumers tired of gas prices that kept rising, and looked to electricity.
An electric car is powered with
fuel cells and electric motors, which replaces the gas powered engine. The
controller runs on rechargeable batteries, and it powers the electric motor. Today
these batteries are in packs, but future electric cars will have ultra capacitors
which store kinetic energy. These are also called spinning flywheels.
Electric cars may be more
expensive at first, but owners should make that up with reduced maintenance
costs. They also are more energy efficient. They have lower carbon dioxide emissions,
cutting air pollution, and are almost silent, reducing noise pollution.
Many people today drive hybrid
cars, which use both gas and electric power. Generally the internal engine is
powered by gas, or fossil fuel, and the electric motors are used when the car
is at low speeds or idling. They also use a braking technique called
regenerative braking to make the car more efficient.
One of the best known
hybrids today is the Toyota Prius, and the Chevy Volt is scheduled to hit the
market soon. With the prices coming down, coupled with governmental incentives,
we should see many more electric cars on the highways in the next few years.
For more information, visit GreenSmart Forum.
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