Electricity
One proposed form
of alternative fuel that has been widely talked about has been electric
power. This is a domestically produced, renewable source. Electricity
could be used in the form of an onboard rechargable battery used to
power an electric motor. There are two propsed charging techniques, one
would be conductive: using a cord and a plug; the other would be
inductive, using a cord and a paddle system connecting either to a
120-volt or a 240+ volt electrical source. It would need to be
periodically charged. The estimated charging times differ depending on
the size of the batteries and the electrical source.
The obvious benefit of an electrically powered car would be No Tailpipe Emissions! This solves the biggest problem with gasoline. Another benefit of using an electrically powered automobile would be the price of using electic power, per mile, would be cheaper than that of buying gasoline. Another benefit would be that electricity whether produced by nuclear, hydropower, or coal techniques is about 95% domestically produced. Also because you would be using an Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) the government is presently offering tax incentives for users.
The major disadvantages to using an electrically powered vehicle are that the range on a single charge is presently limited to about 50 to 130 miles, and this number is reduced depending on extreme weather, and use of accessories such as airconditioning or heat. Another disadvantage that is a direct result of the limited range is the frequent need for charging, which depending on where you charge could take a fairly long time. Also with the presently developed engines you would be sacrificing some of the performance you would get with a gasoline using vehicles.
There are electrically fueled cars in use today. Although use of them has not been widespread, there are currently about 500 public charging stations in the states of California and Arizona.
The obvious benefit of an electrically powered car would be No Tailpipe Emissions! This solves the biggest problem with gasoline. Another benefit of using an electrically powered automobile would be the price of using electic power, per mile, would be cheaper than that of buying gasoline. Another benefit would be that electricity whether produced by nuclear, hydropower, or coal techniques is about 95% domestically produced. Also because you would be using an Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) the government is presently offering tax incentives for users.
The major disadvantages to using an electrically powered vehicle are that the range on a single charge is presently limited to about 50 to 130 miles, and this number is reduced depending on extreme weather, and use of accessories such as airconditioning or heat. Another disadvantage that is a direct result of the limited range is the frequent need for charging, which depending on where you charge could take a fairly long time. Also with the presently developed engines you would be sacrificing some of the performance you would get with a gasoline using vehicles.
There are electrically fueled cars in use today. Although use of them has not been widespread, there are currently about 500 public charging stations in the states of California and Arizona.
