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What does the future look like? Well, let me look into my crystal
ball... (ok, now I lost you). The point is, if I knew that, I would be
a pretty popular guy. Well, maybe. But let's stick to the topic...
Most
of us have read the headlines and ads: "Coming Soon....2010, 2011,
2012..." the Chevy Volt or the plug-in Prius, or the Chrysler and Jeep
hybrids, or whatever. What do these all have in common? They are
Plug-in Hybrids (PHEVs), which means that you can plug them in at night
and run for as much as 40 miles without using a drop of gasoline. How
about the Ford Focus Electric car or the E-Mini Cooper? These are pure
electrics that have an electric-only range of 100 mi. or more. But then
you either need to stop for a few hours while they recharge or you need
a special facility to quick charge them or change out the battery
packs. Then there are Neighborhood Electric Vehicles (NEVs). You know,
the ones that look like glorified golf carts or oversize mailboxes, are
limited to 25 or 35 MPH and have names like Zap or ZENN. They fill a
narrow niche, but are still popular and available today from companies
like Global Electric Motors (GEM) and Feel Good Cars.
And what about storage? Batteries are the main problem with electric cars,
at present. To pack enough energy in a small, lightweight, stable
package is the boon of many a developer, and has been since the days of
Edison. But rest assured. There are hundreds, if not thousands of
scientists, inventors and developers working on that problem as we
speak. Trust me, it will not be long before we have cost-effective
energy solutions that allow us to store an immense amount of energy in
a small package. In many ways the technology exists in Lithium-Ion,
Lithium-polymer, Nickel Metal Hydride, etc. But it takes mass
production to get the costs down. Once again, the chicken-or-egg thing.
The more electric cars built or converted, the lower the prices will
be. The same goes for solar panels. As they become more efficient and
less costly, we will see them more and more on the roofs of electric
cars.
My opinion, the hybrid is a weaning device.
It is not an alternative energy vehicle. We will grow out of them just
as quickly as we grow out of toddler pants with the quick-change snaps.
Today's so-called hybrid electric vehicles run on gasoline. Period.
Even plug-in hybrids are a phase-out product (albeit longer term). Once
we get a taste of freedom from oil companies, we will never want to go
back. Does that mean pure-electric is the answer? Maybe, but maybe not.
What
about the Honda Civic CNG or the FCX/Clarity? Are these the future, or
are they merely a crossover into the future? Until the laws change, the
EPA is the roadblock to CNG and similar conversions. In any case, these
still emit toxins into the air, granted, at a much lower rate than
gasoline. Hydrogen power may be a smarter way to go. About all
you emit when burning hydrogen is water vapor. But there is still a lot
of development yet to be done in that area. Honda has made huge strides
in development, but they are holding their cards close, maybe waiting
to see what happens in the market first. But let's talk about that for
a minute...
If you look closely at the integration of the fuel cell in the Honda Clarity, you'll notice that it's actually an electric car.
The hydrogen-powered fuel-cell generates electricity, which powers the
electric motor that drives the vehicle. That's the beauty of electric -
it is efficient and versatile. So is the electric car a passing fad?
Not hardly. I predict that because electricity can be utilized so
efficiently and can be easily obtained from renewable sources, the
electric car industry will drive all other alternative fuels
(so-to-speak). The electric motor could end up being the platform on
which all other alternative fuels depend. Even now, you can hook up a
bio-diesel powered generator to your electric car to extend it's range.
Right now, electric cars show the most potential for longevity
and integration into the future of the auto industry. They have been
proven effective in pure, hybrid and cross-platform implementation. To
convert your car to electric today is not just a fad, it's an
investment into the future. The electric conversion today could
literally become the hydrogen car of tomorrow.
I've
decided electric is the way to go. Give it a try yourself and join
hundreds of others who enjoy a smooth, efficient, peppy, zero-emissions
ride. Go ahead and tackle that electric Porsche conversion you've been
dreaming about. Check out my web site for some ideas on where to start.
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