Which Alternative Fuel is Our Future?
For a variety of reasons, it is becoming increasingly apparent that oil is not likely to be the primary fuel of our future. This begs the question – which alternative fuel will dominate the future? Will there only be one alternative fuel or perhaps manufacturers will embrace this oil-dependent age and understand that diversifying is an integral part of not repeating our current situation?Â
If you notice the poll in the sidebar, we’re interested in hearing which alternative fuel will have the greatest impact on reducing emissions. As of right now we have 38 votes with electric garnering 42% of those votes.Â
Electric
There are many gasoline/electric hybrid vehicles available in today’s market. In addition to the hybrids, there are also 100% electric vehicles available for purchase. In looking to the future, many of the world’s largest car manufacturers are planning for an electric vehicle production vehicle to be released in 2010. That’s only two years away. Could electric bee the main alternative fuel used in the future?
Hydrogen
Hydrogen has received 24% of the total votes in the poll. The Scorpion, a planned hydrogen vehicle by Ronn Motor Company, is only one of the many hydrogen vehicles being planned for future production. Residents of California can get in on the leading edge of hydrogen fuel by leasing a Honda FCX Clarity. The Clarity produces zero emissions; when I participated in the poll, this is the option that I chose.
Solar, Biofuels, Natural Gas
The last three choices in the poll received a collective 34% of the total votes. Solar vehicles aren’t something that seems to make the major media outlets on a regular basis despite the fact that a future model of the Toyota Prius will have solar panels to power the car’s air conditioning.
Biofuels are currently available to a large portion of drivers in the form of E85 and the infrastructure to provide E85 to the general public is already in place. Natural gas received the lowest number of votes; so far the T. Boone Pickens Energy Plan seems to be the biggest supporter of NGVs.
Today I’d like to pose a thought-provoking question to the readers of The Green Motorist and I’d love to hear your thoughts on the topic. Which alternative fuel is our future?
|
Filed Under: Biodiesel Hybrid, General, Solar, electric vehicles, hydrogen |
|
If you enjoyed reading this article... Subscribe to Our Feed |
Loading ...
I spoke to the “Future Fuels” manager of Shell at the London Motorshow a couple of weeks ago, and he was convinced that there will be no single dominant fuel. Depending on the location, different fuels will be needed. If we all rely on Biofuel, the world would starve, if we all used hydrogen, the demand on electricity supply would be too great. Different fuels suit different applications, and I believe he is correct.
Thanks Rick, I imagine that was quite an interesting conversation. I tend to agree that no one fuel will be the dominant fuel. Excessive biofuel usage will lead to food shortages so that one is out. I truly hope that diversification is the answer.
[...] is unclear whether ethanol will be one of the major alternative fuel players in the future but at this time, it is a viable option. Whether the option remains viable is [...]