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Energy Efficient Cars- the Future of Automobiles

By Mark Bennett

| February 16th 2012 | Views:

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There is a conservative need among us to save energy. Whether it is gasoline, coal, etc these are quite perishable commodities. You cannot keep using them for a long time. These resources are limited and may take another million of years to be produced.

Yesterday, while watching an educational program on my Time Warner TV, it made me realize how much amount of natural resources are wasted by us. We have started to have a no-care kind of attitude towards this usage and seriously as years pass by, it could be harmful. Our future generation will not have any natural resources left to use and will be struggling to find for another suitable resource of energy.

Resulting from the ever rising gasoline prices, people really are in the desperate need to find an alternative fuel source. Many drivers are upset that they have to pay more every time they refill at the gas pumps. The only real upside to this is that hopefully they will see the value of conserving fuel by finding alternate options for transportation. Basically, finance seems to impact people’s reasons behind doing things. As long as a lot of money is on their hands, they don’t particularly care how they spend it.

People who are behind the thrust for finding new energy sources are the types who are more concerned with the environment and what petroleum-based fuel is doing to it. Thanks to these environmentally conscious individuals, we now have vehicles that run on electricity or a combination of gas and electricity, and some that are powered by the sun.

Currently, you will find cars using water-to-gas technology that uses water to augment their gas. A growing number of car manufacturers are making vehicles that operate on different fuels for a variety of reasons. A clear indication that people have started to realize the importance of protecting the environment.

A lot of governments, particularly European ones, have levied huge taxes on fuels and have enacted restrictive environmental laws related to greenhouse gases. Carbon dioxide, a fossil fuel employed in most vehicles, is one of the greenhouse gases which is increasing in our atmosphere. It’s causing a rise in temperature, contributing to changes in climates and global warming.

Alternative energy sources, including LPG, ethanol, solar power, and hydrogen are actually being integrated into many car designs. LPG is liquefied petroleum, and cars which run on it, are using a mixture of propane and butane. By compressing and liquefying hydrocarbon gases, it could decrease the cost of fuel by 50% rather than more standard fuels such as diesel or gasoline. You might also find cars that take advantage of the solar energy as a way to produce electricity for running motors or creating other fuels. You can usually find the solar panels, which convert the sun’s energy levels into electricity, on the roof of these vehicles.

Another alternative energy source ethanol is really a rather unique fuel that is created from sugar, plant juice or grains such as wheat. Brazil has been working with sugar cane to make ethanol for practically 40 years and has saved $1.8 billion in oil costs to date. Brazil has built 5.4 million cars that run on ethanol and is forwarding them to Japan and Sweden. This marketplace not only furnished 900,000 jobs, but was the reason for a 30% reduction in toxic emissions because of using ethanol as a fuel.

The greatest clean cars are those running on hydrogen, since their only real emissions are heat and water vapors, quite environmentally friendly. Hybrid cars like the Toyota Prius blend the power of a small gas engine with an electric motor thereby utilizing two separate energy sources. Dealing with environmental concerns and increasing fuel costs are two reasons to explore alternative energy sources.

So the need to save the natural resources and opting for other energy sources is increasing among people. In the distant future we may have cars that run on the solar, hydro and other alternative sources of energy. In short our future generation will be living in a world that is environmental friendly and safe.

Mark Bennett - About Author:
Mark is a freelance writer and columnist. He has written articles on natural resources, renewable energy, environment, automobiles, etc. Most of his free time is spent in watching movies and sitcoms on his Time Warner TV.