Gone are the days when there were only few options when it comes to buying an automobile. Automakers have gone far beyond just gasoline or diesel engines or manual or automatic transmission. There are new and environmentally friendly technologies such as hybrid cars, plug-in hybrid, electric, even hydrogen cars. These technologies represent the future of green automobiles. Electric cars and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are mostly appreciated as they offer a cleaner alternative to internal combustion engines.
In spite of the fact that fossil fuels emit CO2 and have a harmful effect on the environment, they are the most common source of energy used for powering vehicles. These have been the predominant vehicle fuels for long, but today concern regarding environment has gained momentum and people are switching towards alternate approaches to fuels. Some popular ones are electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles, fuel-cell, plug-in hybrid. The main purpose of promoting the use of alternate fuels is to reduce the reliance on oil-based fuels.
In the automobile industry, almost every automaker is considering to develop vehicles to minimize the dependency on fossil fuels and CO2 emissions. But while buying, considering either to go for a hybrid or an electric vehicle adds another factor into an already difficult position. So, to help you out with this situation here is an article on different alternate sources to power the vehicle.
Hybrid cars- These are those vehicles that use two or more distinct power sources to move the vehicle. Most popular are Hybrid-Electric Vehicles (HEV) that involves the combination of gasoline and electric motor. Even though these vehicles have an electric motor and a battery, but still they can’t be plugged in and recharged. The regenerative braking systems generate electric powers that help in keeping the batteries charged. In the field of hybrid vehicles, Toyotais a leader. It makes the term broadly accepted with the introduction of the Toyota Prius in 1998.
Hybrids even conserve the energy by shutting the ICE (internal combustion engine) when the vehicle is parked, or stopped at the traffic or even when the vehicle is moving with the help of electric motor without the support from the ICE. Hybrid cars are typically gasoline-powered, but there are a few with diesel engines, as well. The major reason for the increase in demand of Hybrid cars at a very fast pace around the world is their capacity to reduce air emissions of smog-forming pollutants by up to 90% and cut carbon dioxide emissions by more than half.
Battery Electric vehicles- Electric vehicles, or electric cars, run on batteries and have an electric motor rather than gasoline engine. For vehicle propulsion, these cars use energy stored in the battery. These vehicles don’t have an internal combustion engine, hence can’t operate as hybrids.
As these vehicles are operated entirely by electricity, they don’t produce tailpipe emission. These vehicles have the highest-capacity batteries and the most range, but once the battery is depleted, it needs to be recharged, which can take a few hours. These cars don’t even have a tailpipe, thus produce no exhaust. When compared with gasoline or diesel engines, electric motors are basically more energy-efficient. Even though electric cars are expensive and sometimes have a bit of charging problem, but in spite of this these cars are an excellent option. It is no science that electrically powered vehicles emit less environmental pollutants while moving.
Fuel-cell vehicles- Like electric vehicles, these vehicles are also driven by an electric motor, but in spite of being powered by a battery they generate electricity via a chemical reaction between stored hydrogen and oxygen from the air. The electric motor in these vehicles is powered by fuel cells that generally use oxygen from air and compressed nitrogen. Other fuels can be used for to support fuel cells, but the most commonly used one is hydrogen. As these vehicles are powered entirely by electricity, they are considered as electric vehicles.
Reaction of hydrogen and oxygen produces only water and heat as byproduct that means there is no tailpipe emission from fuel cell vehicles and as a result are considered as zero-emissions vehicles. The concept of hydrogen as a fuel source for vehicles is well appreciated by many people across the world.
Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles- Also known as plug-in hybrids or sometimes as extended-range electric vehicles are hybrid electric vehicles, except that in PHEV batteries can be charged by plugging into an outlet. These vehicles come with high-capacity batteries that allow them to ride for a longer period of time. These vehicles can even drive solely by an electric motor for certain miles without consuming gasoline. As these vehicles run on electricity, that is a clean energy source, they produce less global warming. And don’t even emit tailpipe pollution when driving on electricity.
In these vehicles, the electric motor works as the primary power source, while gasoline provides secondary motivation. So, for short trips drivers can use electric mode, and the blended mode can be used once the battery runs low or higher power is required.
Another doable fuel source that is gaining widespread popularity is biofuel. These are those fuels that are derived from living matter, such as plants and animals. Automakers with their vehicles are trying hard to make the world a better place to live, by reducing the consumption of fuel and in turn reducing environmental pollution. These vehicles are not confined to small two-seaters, but with the changing scenario they are also advancing. There are varieties of cars ranging from the economy to the highly luxurious ones.
The decision to choose a vehicle to buy, depends a lot on the buyer’s living condition. For instance, buying a hydrogen vehicle is of no use if there are no hydrogen fuel stations in one’s area. When it comes to convenience, hybrid cars and plug-in hybrids are the best options. However, the decision is ultimately buyer’s to decide which one to buy. Choose whichever vehicle you want, but always remember to follow traffic rules and drive safely.
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