Are green cars really green?
So I have been reading up on some different ideas for making more eco-friendly cars. I can’t help but have some doubts at how people view these technologies. So here are some of my thoughts.
First I will attack the hybrid. See the basis for a hybrid is that your car runs off battery when possible, and then switches to a conventional engine to recharge the battery or provide extra power for acceleration. Butt there are some problems with this, Batteries are large and heavy, have a limited life to them, and can be very costly to make, recycle and service. Oh, and batteries can contain toxic materials. Sure your new Prius might get that 55 MPG now, but in 5 years what is the batteries capacity going to be? It will be lower because of the charge/discharge cycles taking battery capacity away. Cold weather can damage batteries, as well as hot weather can cause batteries to over heat. Not to mention, batteries are toxic to when it is time to trade in that old hybrid and get a new car the dealer/or car recycler is stuck with the costly process of getting a battery disposed of.
Next lets take a look at the all electric car. The electric car has the same battery problem that hybrids do. This is compounded by the fact that battery technology is the only power source in the car and that the range these cars can travel is limited. The Chevy Volt is only going to run about 40 miles on a charge. Just think of planning a trip 40 miles at a time (Yes I know the Volt will have a model that has an engine to recharge the battery… extending the range of the car). It just isnt practical. Batteries also take hours to recharge. If you drive 40 miles and it takes8 or 10 hours to recharge the batteries you really will not be able to travel very far on your weekends.
Finally lets take a look at the fuel cell. This concept really has the ability to change how people drive, and use their car. Most fuel cell cars use Hydrogen. Hydrogen doesn’t have the energy storage capacity of gas or diesel, but it can be compressed into a liquid. If handled correctly it will be just as safe as other liquid fuel. With the ability to quickly refuel your hydrogen tank fuel cells can have a greater range than an all electric. Fuel cells are also the most eco-friendly because they only send water out the tail pipe. This is where I feel that great strides can be made. In fact Honda is already making these cars, the FCX Clarity. It can be driven 280 miles before a refueling. It can be safely assumed that with some work that number could go up as they refine. Imagine going camping and having your SUV or car power an electric stove top. If power at your home goes out you simply drive your car around back and plug it into your home’s transfer panel. Fuel cells offer the best solution. Compressed hydrogen is most like our current gas systems. At a hydrogen station you pull up to the pump and can fill you tanks in a matter of a few minutes, just like gas. Hydrogen doesnt require the hours of recharging that a battery system does.
I only see the Hydrogen fuel cell as the future. Hydrogen fuel cells, in my mind, offer the best balance of range, and ease of use.
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