But wait a minute - how do electric automobiles get their power? From batteries which must be continually recharged. And how do you recharge them - by plugging the vehicle into a power outlet. And how is the electricity in the outlet being produced? In Power plants running on ... you guessed it - petroleum, natural gas, coal, hydroelectric (water), or nuclear energy.
This being the case, are you really helping the environment when you plug in your electric car? Are you really cutting back on non-renewable fuel consumption; hardly. Until the product is self-sufficient or its energy source is clean, buying an electric automobile is like putting a band-aid on a knife wound - it doesn't really help much at all.
Ah - but the Hybrids, the hybrid automobiles are the answer - well maybe.
A hybrid automobile uses gasoline to run on while charging a large system of batteries. At various operating times (depends upon the vehicle) the batteries take over and the gasoline engine shuts off.
Now on the one hand, this is great for increasing fuel efficiency and mileage; but on the other hand, we are still using a non-renewable fuel source. See the next section for a complete analysis of hybrids.
Hybrid Automobiles - Are they really worth it?
Due to the ever increasing gasoline prices, Hybrid autos are becoming more and more popular. But you need to consider why you are considering purchasing one because your reasoning may not be correct. There are two schools of thought for wanting to purchase a Hybrid car - fuel economy or environmental concerns.
If you think you will reap in a huge cost savings through improved fuel economy - think again. Look at this example:
Land Rover Discovery - average fuel mileage: 18 mpg on 22 gallon tank
Honda Accord Hybrid - average fuel mileage: 35 mpg on 17 gallon tank
Honda Civic Hybrid - average fuel mileage: 48 mpg on 13 gallon tank
At 1200 miles per month, $3.00 per gallon gasoline, the cost analysis:
Land Rover Discovery - 3.3 tank fill-ups = $198.00 per month
Honda Accord Hybrid - 2.5 tank fill-ups = $113.00 per month
Honda Civic Hybrid - 2.5 tank fill-ups = $82.50 per month
As you can see, the one factor no one accounts for is gas tank capacity; the two Honda hybrids cost is only $30.00 apart because the Accord holds more gas than the Civic. Also, there isn't a massive cost reduction between the less fuel efficient Discovery and the Civic; roughly $117.00 per month or about $1404.00 per year. You would quickly absorb the monthly savings via your off budget expenditures.
Besides, if you can afford to purchase a Land Rover Discovery, do you really care about a $117.00 a month savings coupled with the massive loss of interior space? Probably not, however let's take another tack in reasoning the purchase of a Hybrid vehicle - the environment.
If you intention is to help the environment, then "yes", by all means purchase a Hybrid vehicle. Not only will you save some money each month, you will be doing your part to help our planet by slowing down Global Warming. However, you won't be reducing the dependence on fossil fuels, a non-renewable source.
The entire Honda vehicle line is composed of the most emission friendly vehicles being manufactured, and are classified as LEV (Low-emissions vehicle). This designation means the car is considered to be 70% "cleaner" than the California 1999 basic new car emissions standard. The Hybrids are given the UL EV or Ultra Low Emission Vehicle rating and are 85% "cleaner". Of course, when the electric engine is used, there are no emissions, period.
The real purpose of the Hybrid is fuel efficiency and lower emissions - not how much money you save at the pump.
The annual cost savings on gas purchases is just icing on the cake.
On the other hand we have to start somewhere, so as demand for such vehicles increases, they become more cost effective to produce. Then hopefully improve technically, competition pushes development then we will really start to see meaningful benefits.
Tips (any area we cover a lot is geared towards global warming and energy saving or safety.
Tips on fuel economy:
1. Lose the "lead foot" - having a heavy foot or excessive throttle is usually attributed to 67% of the loss in fuel mileage.
2. Check the air pressure in your tires once a week.
3. Fill up in the early morning - gasoline is denser when cool.
4. Clean the exterior of your vehicle - it reduces air drag.
5. Do not travel more than a few miles for the best price on gasoline - the savings is eaten up by your wasted time and fuel.
6. Once you have cooled down the vehicle, turn off the air conditioning.
7. Make sure you keep up your automobile's scheduled maintenance's; any lapses could rob you of fuel efficiency and safety.
Copyright (c) 2008 Mervyn Rees
Ireland is pursuing energy independence by trying to develop to a larger extent the usage of alternative energy; one must take into consideration the fact that Ireland benefits from a robust economy, allowing it to research and develop resource encompassing alternative energies. During modern days, almost ninety percent of the energy needs are accomplished by importation, from the energy that has become imported. This makes Ireland extremely dependent on energetic supplies coming from foreign locations. It should come as no surprise that Ireland wants to get over this dependency and start producing energy of tis own. Therefore, it is only natural that institutions and the government start thinking about alternative resources as a way to produce the energy the population needs. The EU has in fact implemented some regulations regarding reduction in emissions of harmful substance and gases in the air, including regulations on sulphuric oxide and nitric oxide. Green energy has become therefore the one thing the EU strives to accomplish throughout all the member states. Hydroelectric power is now utilized in some areas inside Ireland for quite a long period of time and has so far, proved to be very effective in producing energy, by capturing the energy of the waves from Atlantic Ocean, which is on the western part of Ireland. This energy supply is now capable of producing the energy supply needed by the whole country. As a matter of fact, in the future, Ireland may even become energy exporter, granted the fact that it can now exploit the very few natural resources it has for its own benefit. The energy potential is constituted in the fact that throughout the whole Ireland, big winds blow, there is close proximity to the ocean and one can derive energy from biomass resources. It could for instance, supply energy to the rest of Europe, energy produced from ocean waves and biomass fuels. For the moment, Ireland has concentrated its efforts in obtaining the fifteen percent barrier, that is , produce fifteen percent of the energy needed by the population through wind farms. This is in fact, a governmental objective for 2010. Not only the government, but also institutions and research institutes are combining efforts to be able to discover the ways Ireland can reduce its reliance on foreign produced energy. Researchers are now studying the fields of the ocean wave energy so that the energy produced can cover much of the necessary amounts for the population. A test site designed for alternative energy has been created in Ireland, on the western coast, to better study ocean energy. The experimental site, also known as "Wavebob" helps researchers study on the spot the most efficient ways they could use ocean waves to produce energy. Judging by the efforts made leading to discovery, one can say that in the future, Ireland can become the market leader in the sector. Analysts believe that wave energy possesses the potential to change and that renewable energy may become the norm; if this is accomplished, then Ireland wouldn't have to depend anymore on the energy provided by others and could thus reduce the consumption of fossil fuels. Many people believe that since the industry dealing with sugar beet has been shut down, this means that there is more Irish land available to use to construct alternative energy power plant, including plants designed for bioenergy production. Since renewable energy is now catering for only two percent of the energy consumed in Ireland, it is imperative to come up with a solution or solutions that will resolve the problem to a large extent. Biomass energies are fit to be fully exploited, because the answer lies in not using conventional methods of producing energies and adapting existing equipment in order to produce energy from other resources.
Both Mervyn Rees & Mary Bush 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.
Mervyn Rees has sinced written about articles on various topics from Information Technology, Family Travel and Cars. Mervyn Rees - The author of, 'The Secrets of Biodiesel'. An active young 72 year o. Mervyn Rees's top article generates over 27100 views. to your Favourites.
Mary Bush has sinced written about articles on various topics from SEO Articles, Finances and Finances. Daily Life. Mary Bush's top article generates over 201000 views. to your Favourites.