SkywlkrSnd
09-19-2009, 10:06 AM
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 more fuel-efficient vehicles, many which are powered by next generation transportation technology.
Actually, drivers have been interested for a long time in the latest vehicle technologies, especially as they watched the price of gas increase. Traditionally, the problem has been that the new cars with the latest if fuel tech were too expensive and not mass-produced. However, today finally these next generation cars are on the way and becoming more and more affordable. The future of transportation is here in hydrogen and electric cars.
Hydrogen 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, which 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, GM Sequel, and Honda FCX. 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.
One of the largest hurdles that hydrogen technology will need to overcome if it is to remain viable in the future is infrastructure. Additional hydrogen pumps or stations would need to be built along roadsides all over the world to allow for convenient refueling of the vehicles. California is experimenting with this with a fleet of hydrogen cars and their California Hydrogen Highway
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
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 they 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. As for the infrastructure problem that hydrogen faces, electric cars have it pretty easy. Most electric cars can be plugged in to recharge, making nearly any available electric outlet a “refueling station”. In that sense, electric car technology has a better infrastructure already in place than even gasoline powered cars.
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.
Actually, drivers have been interested for a long time in the latest vehicle technologies, especially as they watched the price of gas increase. Traditionally, the problem has been that the new cars with the latest if fuel tech were too expensive and not mass-produced. However, today finally these next generation cars are on the way and becoming more and more affordable. The future of transportation is here in hydrogen and electric cars.
Hydrogen 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, which 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, GM Sequel, and Honda FCX. 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.
One of the largest hurdles that hydrogen technology will need to overcome if it is to remain viable in the future is infrastructure. Additional hydrogen pumps or stations would need to be built along roadsides all over the world to allow for convenient refueling of the vehicles. California is experimenting with this with a fleet of hydrogen cars and their California Hydrogen Highway
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
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 they 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. As for the infrastructure problem that hydrogen faces, electric cars have it pretty easy. Most electric cars can be plugged in to recharge, making nearly any available electric outlet a “refueling station”. In that sense, electric car technology has a better infrastructure already in place than even gasoline powered cars.
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.