Alternative Fuel Options For Consumers
Recent economic conditions are causing consumers to look at alternative energy and alternative fuel solutions for saving money while reducing greenhouse gases that are negatively impacting the world’s environment. The most popular alternative energy options available for consumers are as follows:
Purchasing a Hybrid Vehicle
Hybrid vehicles are those that use two types of fuels to power your car. One source is gasoline and the other is an alternative fuel source. This alternative fuel can be hydrogen, compressed air, liquid natural gas and even electricity. There is no need to manually switch between the two fuels, it is done automatically. Hybrid vehicles reduce carbon emissions by consuming the alternative fuel before switching over to gasoline.
Purchasing a hybrid vehicle will lower your fuel costs, and reduce carbon emissions. The disadvantage of hybrid cars is the lack of refueling stations for alternative fuels like hydrogen. Additionally, there is a waiting list to purchase the most popular hybrid vehicles.
Electric Cars
Auto manufacturers are stepping up production of their electric vehicles. Electric vehicles use an innovating braking system that instead of releasing energy uses it to recharge the battery.
The advantage of the electric car is that it is virtually 100% emissions-free. A secondary advantage is that you may be able to get a deduction on your taxes in the year you purchase the vehicle. Electric cars can be plugged into the wall outlet in your garage to charge the batteries. There are also disadvantages to the electric auto. They have a limited driving range before they must be recharged. Electric cars also require a lot of space for the batteries, thereby reducing the space available for storing and transporting objects.
Biodiesel Conversion
If your car has a diesel engine, converting it to use biodiesel is another way to save money and help the environment. This alternative fuel source is a non-petroleum based product made by converting vegetable oil to fuel. Biodiesel can be used directly in diesel powered cars. Some creative consumers are making homemade fuel additive using cooking oil from fast food restaurants to make biodiesel.
Hydrogen Gas Conversion and Alternative Hydrogen Fuel
An old technology called “Brown’s Gas” was developed over forty years ago, but until recently, the relatively cheap price of gasoline deferred consumers from using it. Now that gas prices are extremely high, many consumers are converting their cars to use alternative hydrogen fuel.
The technology works by splitting the hydrogen and oxygen atoms in water to generate energy that increases the fuel efficiency of your vehicle. It can be done by the average Joe by adding a fuel cell that converts the water to hydrogen gas.
There are more alternative fuel options being developed in a joint effort of countries and industries throughout the world. In the United States, the U.S. Government is teaming up with domestic auto manufacturers and chemical companies to research and develop commercially viable alternative fuels.