Is Your Vehicle Efficient? Does It Use Alternate Fuel? Maybe You Can Plug It In!
Sometimes I hear of people not willing to investigate, use or buy hybrid or other alternate fuel vehicles because according to them, "they don't have very much efficiency". That's a ridiculous argument. Because, (duh) there are NO 100% efficient energy conversion/sources out there!
Gas cars and engines waste so much energy from burning the gas-most of it is released as heat and incompletely burned fuel (not to mention friction in the engine, from the tires, and the road).
Sure, they may have a "catalytic converter" to aid in burning and recycling the fuel more effectively-but they still are not much more than 40% "efficient" (if that).
You also have the various car designs that are not aerodynamically sensible. (Lots more starting to pop up again. Crazy, right?) Back in the early 1980s, Ford came out with their then radical "Taurus/Sable" -with the rounded, aerodynamic almost air-craft-like slick design. Some of the car manufacturers bragged about their "low drag / air-friction coefficient"-the streamlining helped to save gas. Soon, almost all the car makers followed with their own "slippery-look" vehicles. And, yes, it became hard to tell the difference between cars-because they all had the "slick, rounded look".
Even semi-truck drivers came to the realization that with the downward-sloping engine cover and with the deflector mounted on their cab roofs, they could squeeze more miles out of their tanks of diesel. With the price of diesel rapidly approaching $5 per gallon, you can expect to see more streamlined semi-truck cabs and trailers out there.
I'm using this Squidoo lens to explore alternate fuel vehicles, and how you can perhaps add them to your repertoire for saving energy and saving money.
Contents at a Glance
- PHEV Vids..... They move when they aren't plugged in!
- Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) can squeeze 1000+ miles from a tank of gas!
- You Want Information on Alternate Fuel/Energy Cars? Look No Further than What's Below!
PHEV Vids..... They move when they aren't plugged in!
PHEV 1000+ miles on a tank of gas
171mpg in Prius Plug-in Hybrid Electric (PHEV)
123mpg in Prius Plug-in Hybrid Electric (PHEV)
100MPG Car ! 1c per mile 1000Miles per tank of gas!
Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) can squeeze 1000+ miles from a tank of gas!
You Want Information on Alternate Fuel/Energy Cars? Look No Further than What's Below!
Well... at least it's good for starters!
Profit from the Peak: The End of Oil and the Greatest Investment Event of the Century (Angel Series) by Brian Hicks, Chris Nelder
Praise for Profit from the Peak
"This book i more...0 points
A Crude Awakening - The Oil Crash
An unforgettable and shocking wake-up call, A CRUD more...0 points
Who Killed the Electric Car?
In 1996 electric cars began to appear on roads all more...0 points
Peak Oil Survival: Preparation for Life After Gridcrash by Aric McBay
How to survive after the oil runs out and there is more...0 points
Winning Our Energy Independence: An Energy Insider Shows How by S. David Freeman
Winning Our Energy Independence shares energy solu more...0 points
The Clean Tech Revolution: The Next Big Growth and Investment Opportunity by Ron Pernick, Clint Wilder
When industry giants such as GE, Toyota, and Shar more...0 points
When industry giants such as GE, Toyota, and Sharp and investment firms such as Goldman Sachs are making multibillion-dollar investments in clean technology, the message is clear. Developing clean technologies is no longer a social issue championed by environmentalists; it's a moneymaking enterprise moving solidly into the business mainstream. In fact, as the economy faces unprecedented challenges from high energy prices, resource shortages, and global environmental and security threats, clean...
0 points
Plug-in Hybrids: The Cars that will Recharge America by Sherry Boschert
A politically polarized America is coming together more...0 points
Convert It! by Michael Brown
This book is the leading how-to resource for elect more...0 points
From the Fryer to the Fuel Tank: The Complete Guide to Using Vegetable Oil as an Alternative Fuel by Joshua Tickell, Kaia Tickell
From the Fryer to the Fuel Tank is the first and o more...0 points
Build Your Own Electric Vehicle by Bob Brant
Electric vehicles have many advantages over their more...0 points
Electric Vehicle Technology Explained by James Larminie, John Lowry
While the classic battery electric car continues t more...0 points
Fuel Cell Systems Explained (Second Edition) by James Larminie, Andrew Dicks
Building on the success of the first edition Fuel more...0 points
"In summary, an altogether satisfying book that puts within its covers the academic tools necessary for explaining fuel cell systems on a multidisciplinary basis." Power Engineering Journal
"An excellent book%u2026.well written and produced." Journal of Power and Energy
Fully revised and updated, the second edition:
- Provides an essential guide to the principles, des...
Fuel Cells: From Fundamentals to Applications by Supramaniam Srinivasan
This is a concise source of the basic electrochemi more...0 points
This is a concise source of the basic electrochemical principles and the engineering aspects involved in the development and commercialization of fuel cells. It provides a lucid description of the applications and techno-economic assessment of fuel cell technologies along with an in-depth discussion of conventional and novel approaches for generating energy.
The first part covers the electrode kinetics and electrocatalysis of charge-transfer reactions, and leading electrochemical technologies wi...
0 points
Microbial Fuel Cells by Bruce E. Logan
The theory, design, construction, and operation of more...0 points
Propulsion Systems for Hybrid Vehicles (Power & Energy) by John M. Miller
The automotive industry is waking up to the fact t more...0 points
Modern Electric, Hybrid Electric, and Fuel Cell Vehicles: Fundamentals, Theory, and Design (Power Electronics and Applications Series) by Mehrdad Ehsani, Yimin Gao, Sebastien E. Gay, Ali Emadi
Air quality is deteriorating, the globe is warming more...0 points
Handbook of Automotive Power Electronics and Motor Drives (Electrical and Computer Enginee)
Initially, the only electric loads encountered in more...0 points
Normally, You Wouldn't Want Sugar in Your Tank... but This "Alternate Fuel" is SWEET!
Then again, at the moment, like all alternatives to our current "fuel crisis", it may take some investment exceeding what you might want to spend.
Also, since the public health folks sometimes scream that High Fructose Corn Syrup isn't that good for your health anyway, ya might as well tank up on it, right?
Already small businesses that depend on vehicles for a main portion of keeping their operation working have invested in this technology to help alleviate their fuel costs.
Yes, there may be certain tax incentives and other incentives, but you should be aware that unless I'm mistaken the Federal government (and I'm sure other governments have a similar "deal") has a bureau that deals with Alcohol (as well as Firearms and Tobacoo) (Strange combination, I know, but hey, it's the government, right?)
Check out the homesite for this concept HERE!
Alternate Fuel/Energy Vehicles -- Moving, even!
ARYANA 792 EV
Forever Electric car ( by wind force generator)
Porsche 914 Electric Car
Fiero electric car battery
Amazing SOLAR and WIND Powered VAN
Solartaxi v CR (3days in the Czech Republic) clip #3
In Combination with Other Energy Alternatives, Hybrid Vehicles Can Really Save!
Even If You Don't Yet Have an Alternate Fuel Vehicle, Here are Tips to Help You Save Fuel!
With a regular-fuel car, there are ways to squeeze more milage out of a tank of gas.
- Make sure that your tires are properly inflated according to the manufacturer's specifications (usually printed on the label on the bottom inside of your drver's side door. Although you might want to be "cool" and have non-recommended mag-wheels and fancy rims and all--just be aware that any differentiation from the manufacturer's standard recommended tires and wheels will affect your milage.
- Make sure your tires are in good shape and have acceptable tread (are not bald!). If you see cupping or ridges in the tires, it may mean that your car is "out-of-alignment". An "out-of-alignment" vehicle will eat up gas and give you lower milage-it's also unsafe with the uneven wear on your tires and uneven traction. Get this checked and fixed as soon as you notice it.
- Be sure your vehicle gets regular oil changes (manufacturer's recommendations range from every 3,000 miles or every 3 months to up to every 5,000 miles-although my manufacturer suggests every 5,000 miles, I do my oil changes and lube jobs more frequently-just for the added efficiency with the car.)
- While we are talking about oil changes and lube jobs-make sure that you maintain and repair the car regularly and at the manufacturer-recommended intervals. Things like the timing belt, serpentine belt, alternator, the brakes, the air filter, and other items have certain times that they are expected to last or work well. After which, they start to have problems. If you inspect and service these parts before they start to have serious problems, you can save yourself from a lot of pain later on.
- Try to keep as little in the vehicle as much as possible--all those pounds of old college textbooks, unused equipment, coolers, tools, add up and increase the load on the engine when it's trying to propel you down the road. Of course, always carry the battery-jump cables, jack and tire-iron and cross-wrench, emergency flares/flashlight in your vehicle-these come in handy during emergencies.
- You might also consider keeping the car washed and polished. When I was working as an airline employee, I learned that regular washing of the aircraft helped reduce the drag and the load the aircraft had to lift (hey, the dirt and dust weighs something, right?). This may be negligible weight for your vehicle, but at least your ride will *look* nice!
When driving:
- Maintain a constant speed once you are moving. No jack-rabbit starts. Start smoothly and accelerate, if possible, rapidly to the posted speed limit. No slam-on-the-brakes stops. Anticipate traffic signals. If the signal turns yellow, slow down and stop.
- Drive with traffic. At or near the posted speed limit. Don't maneuver in and out between cars to advance only a few car-lengths ahead. You'll still get to your destination with about the same timing anyway, and by staying with the traffic, you'll save gas.
- Keep an adequate distance between you and the vehicle in front of you. The standard we were taught in Driver's Ed was, "one car-length for every 10 miles"--if you can get more car lengths, all the better. This gives you room to maneuver if the traffic in front of you comes to a complete and abrupt stop (which happens if someone dropped a file cabinet or bookcase on the road a few cars ahead of you-I've seen this happen on an L.A. Freeway--it made one heck of a 20-car pile-up-- because everyone was tailgating).
- If possible, drive with your windows rolled up--it's less air-friction drag on your car, even with the air-conditioner or heater blower on.
- Avoid using the drive-throughs at coffee-shops, fast-food restaurants, pharmacies, and dry-cleaners (and other establishments that have them). The time you spend idling in the drive-way while waiting for your order to be filled is fuel that's not making your car move. Not only can you get exercise by parking your car and walking into the establishment, but you'll also reduce the extra wear-and-tear on your car. Also, many times you get faster service if you are standing at the counter rather than waiting for someone to respond to you at the speakers in the drive-way. Besides, I've had enough experiences with fast-food restaurants to know that many times, the order is incorrect and you don't find this out until you've already driven away and are down the road. Do you waste even more fuel and milage to drive back to the place to complain and get the situation remedied, or do you "suck it up" and just continue driving down the road with an incorrect order?
Big Trucks Can Run on Used Vegetable Oil.... Exhaust Smells a Bit Like French Fries!
Veggie Oil Vehicles (VOVs) -- When you go to a fast-food joint, and they ask if you'd like fries with that...
Just say, "No, but I'd like your used cooking oil!"
Biodiesel, Straight Vegetable Oil, and Hybrid Cars
HUMMER H1 runs vegetable oil
Device allows vehicles to run on vegetable oil
Filling up mercedes with vegetable oil carbon-netral-car.com
Channel One Russia Vegetable Oil Powered Car Interview
Veggie Car
Let Folks Know About the Fuel Alternatives Available!
Powered By Natural Gas Sticker (Bumper)
Natural Gas -- Another alternative fuel
Sticker (Bumper)
Price: 4.49 
H2O = Fuel Sticker (Bumper)
H20 = Fuel .... Dihydrogen monoxide at its best!
Sticker (Bumper)
Price: 4.49
Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles -- Nope, not a Dodge Charger!
H2epic.com: Our first fuel cell car
Re: hydrogen fuel cell
Honda FCX Hydrogen Fuel Cell Car
Next Gen Fuel Cell Car?
Hydrogen Fuel Cell Cars Run on the Basics.... and Avoid the Pump Altogether
Alternatives for Fuel on the Bay.... eBay, That Is....
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
Hydrogen Fuel Cars -- What a Gas!
BMW HYDROGEN Car Refuelling
Jay Leno Speaks Out On behalf of BMW's Hydrogen Initiative
When You Are in the Market for a New Car -- Time to Upgrade and Make the Change!
Also, since the future is upon us (with both the high fuel prices and the advances in technology), you might want to consider alternate energy vehicles such as the following:
- HEV
- PHEV
- Hydrogen fuel cell
- Hydrogen burning
- Natural gas
- Biofuel
- Used Vegetable Oil
- Horse (just kidding!)
Natural Gas Vehicles Can Reduce the Demand for Regular Gasoline!
Hey, We're Going to Be Held Ransom by Petroleum Until We Develop Something Else!
Quickly! Otherwise, we'll be in deep doodoo! But hey - Deep Doodoo is Fuel!
- Dog Do Fuel -- Operating Under Pooch Power!
- Yup. If you have a "methane digester", most animal waste can be converted to a fuel that is usable by Natural Gas Vehicles! This article explains a bit about what's going on in California....
- More Dog Doody Duty
- Like the article says, we spend a lot of energy taking care of our pets, maybe some of that energy can be retrieved in a methane digester lab! (Hey, does this make it a lab retriever?)
- A humorous take on poop power!
- This article gives another perspective to the power of the pooches and the #2 effort in California (San Francisco in particular).
- Dog Power by National Geographic!
- Another article that explores excremental energy!
- About.com Environmental Issues Article about Pooch Power
- Good Article that continues the explanation of how this process works!
- More Excremental Fuel Options!
- This article describes more about the methane produced by cows and how to capture it so it 1) does not add more carbon and greenhouse gases to the atmosphere and 2) so you can use the methane gas to power not only electrical generators but also to use for powering natural gas vehicles.
- Methane Gas Production from Animal Waste
- This article expands on the fact that the United States' dairy, swine, and beef farms could produce more than 340 million BTUs of gas a year. That's enough to replace about 2.5 billion gallons of heating oil, or about 20 percent of U.S. heating oil consumption. (Not to mention, powering a whole lot of natural gas vehicles!) (and... this doesn't even count all the poop produced by our pets--cats, dogs, rabbits, gerbils, guinea pigs, and hamsters... --but that might be a bit extreme, eh?)
Really... Let Folks Know About Alternate Energy!
Compressed Natural Gas Vehicles -- Keep The Pressure On!
CNG refueling
Bio-/maakaasulla rallia - Compressed natural gas rally car
Want to Get an Economical, Fuel-Efficient, Energy-Conserving Vehicle?
Check out these links...
- CalCars! Energy Efficient Cars for California!
- The California Car Initiative (CalCars) is a non-profit startup formed by entrepreneurs, engineers, environmentalists and consumers. They promote plug-in hybrids (PHEVs)--which are like regular hybrids but with larger batteries and the ability to re-charge from a standard outlet (mostly at night). With PHEVs, local travel is electric, and the gas-tank is for backup.
- Hybrids-Plus
- You can get your own PHEV through Hybrids-Plus. Contact them through this website!
- The Electric Auto Association - Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle Group Wiki
- The EAA-PHEV.org website (Electric Auto Association - Plug in Hybrid Electric Vehicle). This website functions as a wiki on all things pertaining to electric vehicles.
- Greasecar Vegetable Oil Fuel Systems
- This website provides information for converting a vehicle into one that uses used vegetable oil for fuel--a sort of "biodiesel". Check out the website for more information.
- Veggie Powered Systems
- This site provides information on Veggie powered systems -- using vegetable oil as fuel--and these aren't just wimpy little cars--these are the big dogs--the big trucks!
- Hypermiling! No More Need to Compare Gas Prices!
- Hypermiling is a way to increase your car's gas mileage by making skillful changes in the way you drive, allowing you to save gas and thereby enabling you to better withstand rising oil and gas prices. (Just use common sense--some techniques are dangerous and/or illegal.)
- Clean MPG
- An "online community" that helps you to raise your fuel economy and lower emissions in whatever you drive!
- Honda's FCX-Clarity -- A Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle
- Still "experimental" in that there will be only a few of these things on the road in California this year (the first one just came off the assembly line in Japan), these cars are the wave of the future. Of course, the movers and shakers will be the first to get them--it's rumored that Jamie Lee Curtis is one of the first to get one. Honda claims that the FCX Clarity has a range of about 270-miles per tank of hydrogen. This equals about 74 miles per gallon. Since the vehicle can reach speeds of up to 100 miles per hour, it's definitely not a "golf-cart". Check out this website to see what an "electric-vehicle" can be!
- Solar Car... SOLAR1
- This news item describes and provides photos of the car with the license plate: SOLAR1 ...
Imagine a car that NEVER has to go to a gas station! A car that, while sitting in the parking lot all day, is POWERING UP! Totally cool! And yes, in a pinch, it *does* come with an extension cord! - Happy Biodiesel Day! August 10, 1893.
- On August 10 in 1893, an engine invented by Rudolf Diesel operated on peanut oil (a "biofuel"--but technically not "biodiesel" because it hadn't been transesterified) the first time in Augsburg, Germany.
- CommuterCars.com: Cool Website, Cool Car!
- This car is perfect for the plugged up traffic we have when commuting to and from work. A two-passenger vehicle, reviewers say that it is like a motorized bobsled! Cool, or what?
- Tesla Motors -- Home of the Electric Roadster!
- This car is a real head-turner. Yeah, it doesn't look like the funky electric-cars... this thing looks like it should be parked next to the Ferraris and the Lamborghinis and the Lotus and the Viper and so on.... Check it out! (and tell them, Dave sent you!)
- Solar Max Advantage - A General Blog on Alternate Energy (just started)
- With the frustration of higher oil prices and all the problems it's causing, I decided to start a blog on alternate energy (which includes how you power-up your electric cars!). Drop on by and visit! Tell your friends.... pass the links around... we'll beat the oil crisis head-on!
- Water-Powered Cars? Hey, it works for the Space Shuttle!
- Okay, I'm skeptical, too... But as a biology major with a chemistry minor in college as well as having worked at a laboratory where they were investigating "cold fusion", I figure I might was well keep an open mind. The information presented here is best looked at by mechanics and automotive buffs. Folks already know what adding a little nitrous-oxide to the fuel mix will do... but hey, the information here (and the great illustrations) really get one thinking of possibilities!
Don't Run Out of Gas, Yet. Drop a Note Here and Say "Hi"....
LeslieBrenner wrote...
In addition to the vehicles you highlight, there's also the work of MIT scientist Dr. Cohn and his plasmatron, which converts gas to plasma and burns more efficiently. The device looks like a large spark plug.
Then there's the air car designed by Guy Negre, which India's Tata car company has made a production deal with. The air cars will also go into limited production in the US, in New Paltz, NY, in 2010. And an Australian engineer, Angelo di Prieto, has designed a highly efficient rotary air engine for EngineAir.com.au.
Posted May 22, 2008
steveffeo wrote...
Hi Dave excellent lens hi 5 and welcome to thew alternative energy group
Posted May 20, 2008
