Alternative Fuel Sources

…or you could just slow down

EW

Why alternative fuel?

Lamborghini Gallardo – 9 miles per gallon

1 - Heavy taxes and overall price of gasoline

2 - Environmental laws

3 - Peak oil

4 - Solution to security problems of importing oil

Hybrid CarsToyota Prius 50 miles per gallon

-Combine internal combustion engine with electric battery- Small electric motor for low speed driving, but switches to regular gas engine

for acceleration and faster speed driving - -Battery charged by brakes and wheels

-High initial cost-Low pollution

-Upwards of 60 mpg

Electric CarsChevrolet Volt – 40 miles on charge, then 50 miles per gallon

-Electric motors convert 75%, combustion convert 20%- Have zero carbon emissions from tailpipe

-Better acceleration, less maintenance-150 miles on one charge; 4-8 hours to charge battery

-Batteries are expensive to replace

Fuel Cell (Hydrogen Powered) CarHonda Clarity FCX – 74 miles per gallon

- Hydrogen is reacted with oxygen to produce water and electricity, which is in turn used to power an electric engine

-Formation of methanol into hydrogen produces green house gases

-Reliability problems, must start in non-freezing temperatures

Diesel and Biodiesel CarsBMW 520d – 55 miles per gallon

Diesel – More expensive, less emissions, better mileage

-Readily available, commonly seen in European marketsBiodiesel

-In the form of animal fat, vegetable oil, fry grease, etc.-Requires specialized engine, but is much cheaper to run

Natural Gas VehicleAudi A5 2.0 TFSI CNG43 miles per gallon

-A mixture of hydrocarbons, mostly made up of methane- Non-toxic, non-corrosive, and non-carcinogenic

-High octane rating and burns cleanly-Solution to security problems of importing oil

- 10.5 million alternative fuel vehicles on the road in 2007

- The cars of the future will run on alternative fuels

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztFDqcu8oJ4

And yes…the car that runs on air.