Transportation Alternatives (continued - p2 of 2)

Ethanol, Biodiesel, Biofuels and other Alternative Fuels

Starch crops are converted into sugars via fermentation to produce ethanol, which is then distilled and mixed with other fuels or used alone as a gasoline alternative. Even the Model T Ford was originally designed to use ethanol, but minor adjustments may be necessary to use 100% ethanol in today's gas powered cars.

Biodiesel is an alternative fuel which is simply filtered vegetable oil that may be used in place of diesel (100% with some engine modifications) or even for heating, lighting and cooking. However, the combustion of even ethanol, biodiesel and other bio fuels produces or releases pollutants such as CO2, NOx and aldehydes (i.e., formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, etc.). Like hydrogen, it also takes as much or more energy to produce bio fuel than the energy it yields. Home production would be impractical and nearly impossible for the average person, while large scale production would greatly increase prices on food and other commodities, and it would require a significant amount of water and land space that could be put to better uses (such as for food and housing).

Hybrid Vehicles and Electric Cars

Electric motors are easy to come by, widely distributed, affordable, have fewer parts and last much longer than their gas powered counterparts. Most electric vehicles can go about 80-120 miles on a single charge, they are quiet, require little maintenance, can go just as fast in just as short a time as gas powered cars, and are eco-friendly. Even if the electricity used is not derived from renewable energy sources, electric vehicles still produce about 97% less pollution than petroleum dependent vehicles.

The average cost to build or convert your own electric vehicle ranges between about $10,000 and $20,000 (including batteries), while the average cost to purchase an electric vehicle may cost a minimum of $25,000 or more. The average battery bank provides about 72-240 volts, usually requiring 12 (12 volt) to 20 (6 volt) batteries, which must be replaced every 15,000-100,000 miles. The financial and environmental expense of energy storage is likely the primary hurdle to the common use of electric cars today, but this problem could be overcome by replacing the typical non-renewable chemical batteries with affordable, nontoxic, earth friendly forms of energy storage. Ultra and super capacitor batteries for example can be charged in minutes or even seconds, they usually outlast the vehicles (or whatever else) they are used in, and they can even be used for quickly capturing and releasing energy for regenerative breaking.