| In a previous article, we discussed how alternative-fuel | | | | and gasoline engines. Finally, biogas is the one utilized |
| cars came to be developed and why they are now | | | | when unrefined gas has been purified. In the process, |
| becoming popular. The next question is: what exactly | | | | water, particles and hydrogen sulfide is removed. |
| are the choices available to consumers who are | | | | * Hydrogen cars use hydrogen either through |
| interested in this type of vehicle? | | | | combustion or fuel-cell conversion to make motor |
| Following are some of the better-known versions of | | | | engines work. The only byproduct of both processes |
| cars that use non-traditional fuel: | | | | is water and heat so it is not harmful to the |
| * Compressed air cars are emission-free piston | | | | environment. |
| engines that use compressed air as a source of | | | | * Liquid nitrogen cars are cars that readily refill nitrogen |
| energy. They achieve this when cold expanded air | | | | gas when it runs out. This is attained by storing energy |
| from a pressurized carbon-fiber tank is warmed with | | | | and by using this energy to liquefy air. As air is liquefied, |
| environmental heat at normal temperature. This air is | | | | liquid nitrogen is produced through evaporation and is |
| then delivered to the engine as its energy source. | | | | distributed throughout the engine. When heat is |
| * Battery electric vehicles use batteries like lead acid, | | | | exposed to liquid nitrogen, it results into an energy |
| absorbed glass mat, nickel metal hydride, lithium ion, | | | | source that can power up the engine. |
| lithium poly and zinc-air as their energy source. These | | | | * A liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) car uses propane |
| batteries are rechargeable, but they are expensive. | | | | and butane as its power source. It undergoes the |
| * Solar cars are electric vehicles that run through solar | | | | traditional combustion process just like gasoline, but |
| energy. These vehicles have solar panels that trap the | | | | yields lesser amounts of carbon dioxide. |
| energy from the sun and convert it to electric energy. | | | | * Steam engine cars are those that burn wood, coal or |
| Though it is good that the energy it uses is just free, it | | | | ethanol in a broiler. The heat produced converts the |
| is not very practical to use as a form of transportation. | | | | water into steam, which in turn creates pressure. This |
| Now, it is commonly used in car race competitions in | | | | pressure now allows the engine to move. These cars |
| Australia, United States and Canada. | | | | take quite a long time to start up, but once on track, it |
| * The ammonia-fueled car has a diesel engine that has | | | | can reach up to a hundred miles per hour. They're |
| been modified for ammonia use. During combustion, it | | | | good for transportation, but are extremely costly. |
| has no emissions but it can be more dangerous | | | | * Hybrid cars are also known as petrol-electric hybrids |
| compared to petrol or LPG. | | | | or gasoline-electric hybrids. These use a lot of |
| * Biofuel cars use one of these three: bio-alcohol called | | | | systems to make a car work. Initially they have a |
| ethanol, biodiesel, or biogas. The use of ethanol as an | | | | petrol engine, and then they also have an electric |
| engine fuel is a renewable resource since it can come | | | | motor that jolts in at various stages to save petroleum. |
| from sugar-rich crops. It is very promising due to its | | | | Currently, Toyota Prius is the first and largest |
| environmental and economical advantages. | | | | manufactured commercial hybrid car in Japan since its |
| Biodiesel on the other hand, has lower density than its | | | | creation in 1997. This was followed by Honda in 1999, |
| fossil diesel counterpart. The only advantage for | | | | when they released their Honda Insight. |
| biodiesel is that it produces lower emissions than diesel | | | | |