Can These 3 Alternative Fuels Save You Money?
11:41 PM // 0 comments // sb blogger // Category: Diesel , Fuel , Politics //By Jonathan English
Since the cost of a gallon of gasoline has skyrocketed to over four dollars a gallon, researchers are busy looking for alternative fuels that can save us money. Three of the alternative fuels researched are Biodiesel, electricity and ethanol.
Biodiesel is a renewable fuel produced by a variety of vegetable oils and animal fats. Aside from being used in its pure form, biodiesel can also be blended with other products available. To the delight of environmentalists, biodiesel burns clean and it is non toxic and biodegradable. It's also less combustible and relatively easy to produce domestically and can even be made at home but this is not recommended. If strict guidelines are not followed it could damage an expensive diesel engine. It's safe to handle, store and transport making it very desirable from a security and health standpoint. While the US biodiesel industry is still not very big, it is gaining support.
Electricity can be used to power pure electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. Electric vehicles (EVs) work by storing energy in batteries and powering the wheels by an electric motor. Storage capacity and distance are limited. Some have on board chargers and others require a plug-in. Besides being small and quiet, these cars don't have tail pipe emissions. These cars are mostly used to commute short distances, light hauling, and they don't go any faster than 35 mph. Batteries have to be replaced about every four years or 20,000 miles. Since demand is not strong, no major manufacturer has come up with an entirely electric model yet. But some small independent manufacturers have found a niche market and increasing demand.
Ethanol is produced from a variety of plants known as biomass. In the U. S., ethanol is primarily made from corn but in Brazil they use sugar cane. It contains the same chemical compound found in alcohol. Researchers are focusing their effort on Cellulosic Ethanol Feedstock. This particular type of fuel would be derived from yard waste like wood chips, wheat straw and leaves, forestry waste and paper products. Ethanol producers grow certain types of grass for this purpose. Benefits include total manufacture domestically, low greenhouse emissions and creating jobs in depressed employment sectors.
A gallon of pure ethanol contains 34% less energy than a gallon of gas and gets lower gas mileage. Even if the cost of ethanol is lower than gasoline to create competition, it can only be used in flex fuel vehicles. The U.S. Department of Energy supports these alternative fuels on the basis of higher energy security, and a lower impact on public health and the environment. Research estimates that ethanol and biofuels will potentially cut down the gas demand in the United States by 30% by 2030. And, generally speaking, prices usually go down whenever demand decreases. - 39468
Biodiesel is a renewable fuel produced by a variety of vegetable oils and animal fats. Aside from being used in its pure form, biodiesel can also be blended with other products available. To the delight of environmentalists, biodiesel burns clean and it is non toxic and biodegradable. It's also less combustible and relatively easy to produce domestically and can even be made at home but this is not recommended. If strict guidelines are not followed it could damage an expensive diesel engine. It's safe to handle, store and transport making it very desirable from a security and health standpoint. While the US biodiesel industry is still not very big, it is gaining support.
Electricity can be used to power pure electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. Electric vehicles (EVs) work by storing energy in batteries and powering the wheels by an electric motor. Storage capacity and distance are limited. Some have on board chargers and others require a plug-in. Besides being small and quiet, these cars don't have tail pipe emissions. These cars are mostly used to commute short distances, light hauling, and they don't go any faster than 35 mph. Batteries have to be replaced about every four years or 20,000 miles. Since demand is not strong, no major manufacturer has come up with an entirely electric model yet. But some small independent manufacturers have found a niche market and increasing demand.
Ethanol is produced from a variety of plants known as biomass. In the U. S., ethanol is primarily made from corn but in Brazil they use sugar cane. It contains the same chemical compound found in alcohol. Researchers are focusing their effort on Cellulosic Ethanol Feedstock. This particular type of fuel would be derived from yard waste like wood chips, wheat straw and leaves, forestry waste and paper products. Ethanol producers grow certain types of grass for this purpose. Benefits include total manufacture domestically, low greenhouse emissions and creating jobs in depressed employment sectors.
A gallon of pure ethanol contains 34% less energy than a gallon of gas and gets lower gas mileage. Even if the cost of ethanol is lower than gasoline to create competition, it can only be used in flex fuel vehicles. The U.S. Department of Energy supports these alternative fuels on the basis of higher energy security, and a lower impact on public health and the environment. Research estimates that ethanol and biofuels will potentially cut down the gas demand in the United States by 30% by 2030. And, generally speaking, prices usually go down whenever demand decreases. - 39468
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