Considering the fact that most of the resources available in the world are limited and that the consumption of fuel is incredibly high, it becomes all the more important for scientists to start designing more and more automobiles which run on 'alternative fuel'. Fuel prices are growing like never before. If this trend continues, a day will come when we would be left with no oil in the world.
Auto makers throughout the globe have begun to make hybrid cars that do not use gas or diesel fuel. Several years ago, we witnessed the debut of electric autos too. There is an ever increasing awareness that we must conserve energy. Numerous nations are considering the substitution of hybrid vehicles in place of their current gas or diesel fueled cars and vans.
Automobiles powered by alternate fuels are gaining popularity in every nook and corner of the world. They are in the 'priority- list' of almost everyone- film stars, businessmen etc. Bio- diesel, for example, is being used as a fuel for running cars and even large vehicles. Alternative fuels have many advantages over regular fuels like petrol and diesel.
All over the world automobile companies are now going into the production of green cars. Green cars are those which run on alternate fuels such as electricity, solar cells, or biodiesel. In a world where people everywhere worry about worsening pollution, smog, and global warming, green cars are likely the cars of the future. Studies have been conducted on energy alternative fuel vehicles which have proved that they use less fuel and have a higher miles-per-gallon ratio than traditional cars which run on gas or diesel.
At the present time, alternative fuel vehicles have higher sticker prices than many other cars. The price will come down in time, especially as more and more people purchase these environmentally-friendly vehicles. Have you ever wondered why so many people in the world today suffer from respiratory problems? Just take a look at all the cars out there for your answer. Automobile exhaust contains many harmful gases which are causing people to develop allergies, respiratory infections, and asthma.
Keep in mind that green cars or alternative fuel vehicles have no pollution at all. These vehicles protect the environment by using other means then diesel or petrol for power. Solar power is one alternative fuel that is being embraced by citizens in many countries as a way to power their vehicles. The Big multinational car companies are taking a serious look into increasing the consumer and commercial production of green vehicles that use renewable energy sources for power.
Flexible fuel vehicles are just like an average car in the sense that they use a single gas tank. But it can run on a mixture of gasoline and alcohol based fuel. Any car made after 1988 can run on a mixture of 10% ethanol and 90% gasoline. A flexible fuel vehicle can run on a mixture of up to 85% ethanol. Modifications are needed for this ratio as alcohol based fuels are corrosive.
Fuel tanks and engines must be modified in flexible fuel vehicles. In the US, there is a special indicator used that analyzes the ratio of the mix and adjusts itself accordingly to make sure that the fuel is burned clean. This is done by adjusting the timing and the fuel injection and happens automatically. Many flexible fuel vehicles are also required to use a special engine oil.
Why use ethanol?
Ethanol offers motorists an environmentally friendly alternative to using fossil based gasoline fuels, since ethanol is much more environmentally friendly and a renewable resource it seems to be an ideal alternative fuel for an environmentally friendly motorist. Studies show that using a mix of 10% ethanol reduces carbon monoxide levels by up to 17% , CO2 emissions by 4.2% and hydrogen emissions by up to 5%. By using a mixture of 85% ethanol greenhouse gas effects are reduced by up to 37%
What countries are using ethanol fuel?
There are three countries currently using ethanol in their vehicles - US, Brazil and Sweden.
* Brazil has been using ethanol mixtures in their fuel since the 1970's and it is required by law that all fuel mixes be at a ratio of 29-25% ethanol.
* Sweden is the only country that has flexible fuel vehicles in Europe, although there are plans to introduce fuel mixes of up to 85% in other European countries.
* US has many cars designed to run on 85% ethanol fuel mixes. These flexible fuel cars make up 4 million of the cars in the US, although less than 1% of these vehicles are currently running on a mixture of 85% ethanol.
The future of ethanol based fuels
At the moment the future of ethanol fuel mixtures seems a little bleak. Until the fuel companies can make the mixtures of gasoline and ethanol fuel mixes more efficient and provide a superior mileage, people will still continue using gasoline and small mixes of ethanol such as a 10% ratio. Once this obstacle has been corrected, ethanol will be more widely used in flexible fuel vehicles.
There is potential for future growth in the ethanol industry. Last year an energy bill was created that is calling for refiners to begin using more renewable fuels. The national ethanol industry currently produces more than 4 billion gallons of ethanol fuel per year with more plants being built all the time. The ethanol industry is definitely set to sky-rocket in coming years.
Both Bruce Campbell & Simon Oldmann are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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