No More Petroleum products: What Are the Options?
Consumers know that we must reduce our reliance on petroleum products for a variety of reasons. There are many alternatives to the traditional gasoline engine, but so far none of them has proven itself the clear leader. Here are the pros and cons of some of the top contenders.
Ethanol
Pros: Ethanol can be made in the U.S. from corn, with the potential to be produced from other food or waste products. E10, which is a 10% blend, can be burned in any new car. Many cars currently on the road can use E85.
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.
Electric Cars
Pros: Cost per mile driven is much lower than for a traditional car. Electric cars produce no emissions. Cars can be charged 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: Plug-in hybrids can be charged at home. When they’re running on electric power, they have low operating costs and no emissions. They have up to a 40-mile all-electric range, which is good enough for most drivers most of the time. A gasoline engine can extend the range for extended trips.
Cons: The price is higher than that of conventional vehicles due high-priced batteries. Charging car batteries could put a strain on existing electric grid, especially if done during the daytime. The fuel economy depends greatly on driving habits, and drivers often don’t get the mileage they expect.
Hybrids
Pros: Hybrids use gas, which is good since there are gas pumps across the country. They drive like regular cars, so consumers aren’t being asked to make a major change. Hybrid vehicles can get great fuel economy.
Cons: Hybrids cost more than traditional autos, requiring a large investment up front. Many budget conscious car shoppers have been disenchanted because their hybrids don’t get the gas mileage they expect.
Hydrogen fuel cells
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: Hydrogen fuel cells are expensive and often have limited durability. In order to get an acceptable range, you need very high-pressure hydrogen storage. Hydrogen is expensive to transport, and there is no infrastructure in place yet, so it’s difficult to find places to refuel. Although hydrogen fuel can be made from renewable energy sources, it is currently made from natural gas. The production process creates a large amount of CO2 emissions.
Natural Gas
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.
Most of these alternative vehicles involve higher initial costs, which is only viable if the consumer can reasonably expect to recover the cost over time. So far in the U.S., hybrids are in the lead, with electric cars gaining popularity. Diesel engines 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. Ankeny Buick Certified Used Hyundai
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