All the talk these days about alternative fuels, electric cars, and hybrid cars sounds like progress, but what is it all about? Without facts to back up these buzz words you will not really know if you are on the cutting edge or if it is more of the same old stuff. So what are they and why do many people think that they are the answer to concerns about pollution? .
So What Are Alternative Fuels?.
Alternative fuels are made from something other than petroleum. The popularity of alternative fuels comes from the fact that they often allow vehicles to emit less pollution than they would if they ran of traditional gasoline. Given the current focus on global warming, advances in alternative fuels could drastically slow the rate at which pollution is produced. Alternative fuels can also be produced domestically which helps to reduce dependence on foreign oil. .
What Are Electric Vehicles?.
Electric vehicles get their energy from the car's batteries. By eliminating the need for gasoline as fuel, the pollutants produced when utilizing gasoline as a fuel source can also be eliminated. So why are they now being widely used now? One of the most obvious issues is cost. Newer technologies often cost more and the electric car is no exception. The battery must be recharged for long periods of time which makes for a convenience issue. Now, cars can be used anytime, and it only takes a quick fill up to keep going. The electric car requires more of a time commitment, and not everyone is willing to lose the time. .
What Are Hybrids?.
Hybrids are just a combination of a traditional vehicle's combustion engine with the battery powered electric vehicle engine. This way you get the benefits of both engines without as much of the drawbacks of either. The traditional engine means that stopping to recharge for long periods of time will not be necessary while the electric engine means that emissions will be reduced.
