Alternative Fuel/Energy Options

Dear Alternative Fuel Enthusiast,

The rise of fuel prices, the impending global warming threat and the damage to the environment caused by petroleum-based emissions has finally sunk in. 

The sheer potential for disaster caused by reliance on fossil fuels, widespread use of fossil fuels and the harmful emissions produced by the internal combustion engine make alternative fuel options more than attractive, they have become necessary.

However, alternative fuel does not necessarily mean relying on waste vegetable oil.

Here are some of the alternative fuel options currently being developed.

BMW's Hydrogen Combustion Engine – Like most auto makers, BMW has been hard at work on an alternative fuel solution.

Their solution is called the H2R and runs completely on liquid hydrogen.

Unlike other auto manufacturers, BMW's engine does not rely on underdeveloped fuel cell technology.

Rather, it operates much the same way that the standard internal combustion engine does – but it burns liquid hydrogen, rather than gasoline. 

Why, you ask?

Simply put, hydrogen burns faster (but cooler) than gasoline. It is also much, much lighter, even in liquid form.

Finally, it contains more power than gasoline does. This triple punch can make it possible to have powerful, responsive automobiles that do not rely on petroleum or other fossil fuels.

Finally, because hydrogen burning creates water, the waste product can then be turned into yet more fuel, to create a truly renewable energy source.

The Fuel Cell Car – The drawback to the automobile is the internal combustion engine. Many auto makers are now designing cars without an engine, with some surprising results.

For instance, a fuel cell vehicle utilizes hydrogen as an alternative fuel, but takes out the engine, the catalytic converter, the power steering linkages, even the steering wheel and brake pedal!

A fuel cell vehicle uses a stack of fuel cells to produce an electric charge. This charge is then delivered to an electric motor, which turns the wheels on the vehicle.

In most concept cars, steering and braking is actually accomplished using a joystick. Because the vehicle uses hydrogen to power the fuel cells, it is a viable alternative fuel vehicle (and the one most auto makers are researching currently).

The fuel cell car may well become the future of the automotive world, and may do so in less time than you think.

For instance, most auto makers estimate that consumer fuel cell vehicles will be available in less than 20 years.

These vehicles use a battery pack, an electric motor and an internal combustion engine to reduce the amount of gasoline used per trip.

In the future, hybrids may use compressed air, rather than electricity, or may use electricity produced by fuel cells, rather than traditional batteries.

However, the hybrid car is here to stay, at least for the foreseeable future. 

As you can see, the future of the alternative fuel vehicle looks quite bright.

The promise of future innovation, benefits to the environment and even savings for the consumer are tremendous.