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Texas Considers Alternative Fuels In The Face of Oil Prices: A Run-Down of Choices

The dramatic rise in oil prices over the past few years has generated a lot of attention for alternative fuels and alternatively powered vehicles. Environmentalists hail it as the beginning of a revolution and a natural consequence of using non-renewable resources with abandon. The public health benefits that would result from a major increase in those using alternative fuels is almost immeasurable. Even Texas, second only to Alaska in the amount of oil produced per year, has biodiesel stations in Austin, Houston, Dallas, and many other parts of the state.

All the major car manufacturers are coming out with hybrid models, and prototypes are in the works for an American release of a mass-produced, plug-in electric hybrid vehicle as early as 2009. These models promise up to 150 miles per gallon, and that’s just the beginning of what this technology can do. More and more Americans are planning to buy an alternatively- fueled vehicle as their next car or truck.

While sticker prices for these alternative vehicles is currently higher than their conventional petroleum-based counterparts, manufacturers claim long-term savings in fuel costs and reduced environmental impact. Price will also most likely go down in the future due to economies of scale. Logically, then, public health stands to improve as their usage increases and fuel emissions decrease, making most of us — from the single students at Texas A & M, to health insurance company executives — look forward to the change.

Now, telling all of these alternative fuels apart is an altogether different challenge. “What exactly is biodiesel again?” And, “I know hybrids are supposed to be a good thing, but…er, what are they?” To make life a little saner, here is a basic run-down of the most popular current and upcoming technologies:

Hybrid Vehicles

Technically, a hybrid vehicle is simply one “using two or more different types of devices for propulsion.” This can be as simple as a sailboat with an onboard motor;: wind is used when available, and a petroleum fuel-powered motor, or otherwise-powered engine, when it is not. Hybrid vehicles use the same idea, only with a more complicated technology.

A variety of drivetrains are possible with hybrid vehicles, but those currently on the market are usually hybrid electric, such as the Toyota Prius, Toyota Camry Hybrid, Ford Escape Hybrid, and the Honda Insight. These use internal combustion engines powered by petroleum fuels (such as gasoline or diesel), combined with rechargeable electric batteries to power electric motors. Most major cities across the U.S., including Dallas, Houston, and Austin, have thousands of hybrids already on the road.

The idea behind these hybrids is that the internal combustion engine can switch to an electric motor when the conditions are right. The greatest advantage over conventional vehicles is the better in-city gas mileage. Most of these models, however, use a fairly inefficient internal-combustion engine — and petroleum-based fuels — while on the highway, like any other conventional vehicle.

Some vehicles currently marketed as hybrids are not actually hybrids at all, such as the Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid pickup truck, which uses a conventional, oversized starter motor in which the engine turns off while the car is coasting, braking, or at a stop. The motor then restarts quickly. This process can save up to 10% in fuel, but this is a low percentage in comparison to other hybrid models. If searching for a hybrid, the best thing to do is look closely at fuel efficiency and environmental impact.

Hybrid models have actually been in use for some time. Trolley buses, for instance, are hybrids. They switch between on-board diesel engines and overhead electric power sources. Many mass transportation companies are also using a mixture of alternative power sources and bio fuel additives to run their fleets.

Other types of hybrids include flexible-fuel vehicles, which use a mixture of input fuels in one tank, usually petroleum-based and biodiesel. Gas and bioethanol is a common flexible-fuel combination, as is diesel and biodiesel. Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) use a combination of traditional fuels and electric power.

Electric Vehicles:

These are not always technically distinguishable from hybrid models, as most electrically powered vehicles have a back-up system that runs on petroleum-based, biodiesel, or ethanol fuels. For the purpose of clarity, however, the term “electric vehicles” here refers to those vehicles that run primarily on electric power.

While small numbers of electric vehicles have been used for quite some time, and while hybrid conversion models are available, mass-produced models are expected to be released within the next few years. The most common model under prototype is the PEV, or the “plug-in electric vehicle,” also referred to as a “grid-connected hybrid.” They are much what they sound like — vehicles that are literally plugged into an outlet to recharge the batteries on which they run. The main difference between PEVs and PHEVs is in the ratio of electricity to fuel used to power the engines. Urban areas known for their environmental policies, such as Davis, California, have had power stations for electric vehicles in place for several years already.

Electric vehicles reduce air pollution, dependence on oil, emit fewer greenhouse gases, and increase national energy security. An all-electric operation in California would reduce fuel costs by three-quarters.

Ethanol:

Ethanol, or grain alcohol, has come into the spotlight in recent years due to the increasing volume of corn ethanol produced in the U.S. While there is some controversy over the use of corn ethanol — the unimpressive EROEI, or energy returned on energy invested, and the inability for the country to produce enough of the product to supply demand — the idea is that of a clean-burning fuel made from renewable resources.

Brazil has taken this concept to new levels. Ethanol made from sugarcane is the largest national fuel industry of that country, and all gas distributed there must be at least 20% ethanol. Half of all cars in Brazil are able to use 100% ethanol as fuel, which includes vehicles with ethanol-only and flexible-fuel engines.

Efficient sugarcane processing made this possible. With 30% more sucrose than corn, sugarcane ethanol is not only more efficient, but much easier to extract. The biomass waste from the plant, “bagasse,” is then used as fuel in electric power plants.

Biodiesel

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Biodiesels are “alkyl esters made from the transesterification” of vegetable oils or animal fats. In laymen’s terms, biodiesels are processed, organic oils to be used as fuels.

Biodiesel is, perhaps, the most promising alternative fuel available today. It can be made from any number of vegetable oils, used in most modern diesel engines without modifying them, is biodegradable and non-toxic, wears less on the engine than conventional diesel, and “produces 60% less net carbon dioxide emissions than petroleum-based diesel because it, itself is produced from atmospheric carbon dioxide” via plant photosynthesis. Consumers have reported up to 70 miles per gallon, and, if you learn how to process waste oils yourself, it’s virtually free.

The fuel can be purchased at select stations, even in big oil states like Texas, though it is generally a bit more expensive than conventional diesel. This will likely change, however, as demand increases. German fuel stations customarily have a biodiesel option, and as the fuel is so popular there, it’s actually cheaper than petroleum-based diesel.

It almost seems too good to be true. The problem? Most passenger vehicles in this country don’t use diesel engines. With increased awareness, however, this problem could be quickly solved.

Mass-produced, alternatively fueled vehicles are an exciting delivery of technology. Particularly with the price of petroleum-based products skyrocketing, it’s a welcome change for consumers and environmentalists alike. The positive effect on public health and the environment, and the reduction in dependence on foreign sources of oil could literally change the face of energy consumption, as well as the future of domestic and international relations. Our biggest responsibility as citizens then, is to educate ourselves and take advantage of these opportunities — both for our own health, and for the health of future generations.

More Plug In Electric Vehicle Articles

Question: Looking at alternative fuel devices. Does anyone own a “electric truck or car”?

Best answer:

Answer by laser381
Yes — I love my electric truck. If you want to connect with EV owners, you might try the Electric Auto Association or join a message board or online group of EV owners. Try a search on Yahoo Groups for electric cars, or electric autos, or electric vehicles, or if you want owners of specific models, try searching for Rav4 EV or Ford Ranger EV. For conversions, try ev conversion.

Give your answer to this question below!

Vespa Scooters-A Greener Alternative to the Rolls Royce

Vespa scooters possess an air of elegance and stylish design not usually associated with motor bikes/scooters.

Built with the typical Italian eye for design, Vespa scooters rolled off the production line in the 1940′s as an alternative to the motor bike. The Vespa had it’s main mechanical parts shielded from the rider by a metal casing. This allowed the rider to enjoy a dirt free ride and proved to be very popular in Italy where Italians always have a desire to look elegant and stylish under any circumstances.

As a consequence, Italians were able to zip round post war Italy on their Vespa scooters smartly dressed and probably wearing their Raybans with a cigarette hanging from the corner of their mouths.

The “Vespa look” was tailor made for the silver screen and before too long the Vespa started appearing in Italian movies such as Fellini’s La Dolce Vita.

Hollywood soon followed and Vespa scooters appeared in a number of high profile movies such as An American in Paris, The Conversation and American Graffiti. The Vespa played a prominent role in the British movie Quadrophenia which sparked a new craze for the Vespa in the U.K.

Many of the world’s top movie stars rode around on Vespa scooters. Charlie Chaplin, Ursula Andress and Louis Armstrong all owned a Vespa. More recently the Vespa is favoured by Jamie Oliver, Sarah Jessica Parker and Gwyneth Paltrow, Mickey Rourke was even arrested for drink driving whilst on his Vespa !

2008 is proving to be a particularly successful year for Vespa scooters as it benefits from the rising popularity of scooters across the globe. Scooters are far more economical than cars, able to deliver between 70 – 120 miles to the gallon (an average family car would probably reach 40 miles to the gallon) ! In today’s climate of volatile oil prices then it’s not difficult to see why scooters are considered the greener alternative for the city commuter.

In London, scooters are also exempt from the congestion charge and cost less to put on the road than motor cars. If you work in the city then a scooter could be the answer to your commuting problems.

And with inner city driving then a scooter is an ideal way to get to work. No more wasted hours queuing in traffic jams and that wonderful feeling of satisfaction as you overtake all the standing cars to get to the front of the traffic queue.

The smaller sized Vespa’s come in 50 cc and 125 cc categories and the minimum age to ride one is 16 years old and 17 years old respectively.

Anything above that and you are looking at a “motorcycle class” licence i.e. 150 cc upwards. Unlike 50 cc scooters which are factory restricted to a top speed of 30 miles per hour the more powerful scooters such as a 150 cc or a 250 cc perform at the same levels as a motorbike.

With motorists being taxed off the road in recent years then a scooter makes a very sensible alternative even if only used for commuting. If you are tempted with scooters then Vespas are believed to be the “Rolls Royce” of scooters and with Vespa accessories such as goggles and Vespa style open faced helmets on the market you will also be the coolest cat in town.

Question: How will “alternative fuel vehicles” affect the American economy?

The American economy is very dependent on the automobile indutry. We usie vehicles for transportaion of both people and cargo, for recreation (racing, “road trips”, country drives, etc.), as well as for many specialized applications, like ambulances and other emergency vehicles.

With glass, rubber, metal, paint, textiles, fuels, and many other materials needed to make a modern car, I have heard some eatimate that as many as 27,000 people are needed to make one car (with jobs ranging from tapping rubber trees and mining ore to final assembly of the vehicle).

Partially due to enironmental concern and partially due to governemnt mandates, the auto industry is slowly moving toward “alternative fuel vehicles”. These include gas/electric hybrids, “flex fuel” vehciles that can run on ethanol, electric vehicles, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, and one company will soon sell (in France) a small vehicle that is powered by compressed air.

What do you think will be the effects of this move
toward “alternative fuel vehicles”? Will this affect our economy in a positive manner (or negative or neutral)? Will the effects be long-term or only shoirt-term?

As a car salesman, I am curios as to where you stand.
How will these vehicles affect our economy?
As most answers will be largely based on opinion and/or news articles (since most of us, myself included, don’t have advanced degrees in economics), Best Answer will be awarded to the answer I find most convincing and most believable.

Also, please excuse any typos.
GABY, you are correct that some poeple don’t care about fuel economy. I sellfor a Ford Lincoln-Mercury dealership. We are in a rural area with a lot of farm land (peanuts, cotton, pecans, corn, are some of the bigger crops), so we sell a lot of big vehicles that are actually used for work. We do sell a lot of big vehicles for persoanl use, too, though. Some people are downgrading to get better fuel economy, but just as many want to either keep the same fuel economy or do not care about fuel economy.

I eventually want a larger vehicle (2nd child is on the way), but for the time being,. my 4 cylinder regular cab Ranger and my wife’s Ford Focus work just fine. I am 6’3″ and I can drive either one of our vehicles, so I don’t buy the excuse of “I’m big, so I need a big vehicle” that I hear on a regular basis.

I am personally in favor of vehicles with more fuel economy, or an alternative source (like compressed air). I would persoanlly like to see this is a car at least midesize
(such as Ford Fusion), as well as in a truck large enough to fit myself, my wife, and both kids. (Ranger doesn’t do this)

Best answer:

Answer by campbelp2002
Flex fuel cars would help the economy greatly. They are not more expensive and can burn gasoline or alternative fuel. If all gasoline cars on the road were flex fuel, that would encourage more alternative fuel stations to spring up. Any diesel car can burn either petroleum based diesel OR bio diesel, so we should make all gasoline cars able to burn ethanol or methanol as an OPTION, especially since it is little or no cost. The Chevy Impala has a zero cost flex fuel option for example:
LZE 3.5L V6 SFI Flex Fuel Engine;
See the source (it may take a minute or more to load).

Any reduction of our dependence on oil, and especially imported oil, will help.

What do you think? Answer below!