What kind of vehicle should America switch over to in order to fuel ourselves, provide more jobs and...?

Question

keep everyone on the road so they don't loose their jobs? In otherwords, something affordable to switch over to virtually overnight.

Answer 1

subway
light rail
bicycle
feet

stop living 50 miles from your job

Answer 2

I think Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive is the correct thinking. This is not some radical technology that requires us to give up our gasoline-powered engines...it merely makes our gas-powered engines much more efficient by intelligently deciding WHEN we need to use the gas power (for accelleration power, etc). When we don't need the gas power, it switches to electric.

I had the privilege of driving a Toyota Prius, the first vehicle with the HSD. It's really weird hearing the engine cut out completely when you're stopped at a light. It's also fun to watch on the gauge how when the wheels are spinning, you're actually generating electricity to recharge the battery.

I think the HSD is the best idea. Here in the Midwestern US, they're also touting E-85 (a fuel that's 85% ethanol), but that's mostly to appease the corn-growers. E-85 is less expensive than regular gasoline, but it's still north of $2/gallon, and your mileage isn't that much better using E-85. Hybrid Synergy Drive...Toyota's on the right track. If we all embraced this technology, the cost would come down quite a bit, and we'd all drive vehicles that got 40-50 miles to the gallon.

Answer 3

The answers aren't that simple because a lot of the business of Automobiles and Energy is NOT dictated by the American Public; but by the government and the businesses themselves. The main Auto Manufacturers say that what they build is what the American public wants-and that's mostly true- yet, we can chage things by refusing to purchase SUV's-big huge trucks-and faster and faster cars. If we made purchase decisions that supported fuel-efficient cars-then it would change what the manufacturers make. Myself-I'd like a Honda Civic Hybrid, or anything that gets 40-50 mpg, plus offers decent room and features.Not too huge-but not too small. Plus-most americans don't want diesel cars and trucks-which are more fuel efficient. I hope this helps.

Answer 4

Simple question to answer.... BIODIESEL is the only alternative fuel that can easily be mass produced anytime soon. It it VERY low polluting and provides only 10% less energy than petroleum diesel. Sooo I'm betting you will see the price of old Diesel VW's and Mercedes go up and up. You can even burn straight vegetable oil (SVO) from Wal Mart for less than Diesel from the pump! The modification is not complicated. See links below to learn more. Read up on Diesels because that technology is here now and well understood. Researchers have been working with oil shale for over 40 years and it is still not economical and is highly polluting unlike vegetable oil. It also takes more energy to make hydrogen gas so it is not economical (forget fuel cells...(These are big companies burning your tax dollars in the name of federal grants on research). Bank on vegetable oil (and your farmer) for the future... Nothing will be overnight! We will have huge energy problems as the worlds greatest consumer of energy so prepare for a crash in a few years! ENERGY IS EVERYTHING!

Answer 5

No vehicle will be an overnight switch. hybrid though is about the closest thing since it is proven still keeps jobes and is not too expensive. fuel cells are still too expensive, no infrastructure for hydrogen distribution and still a major problem, lots of power (coal/pollutants) is still needed to make the hydrogen. battery is limited on distance and again no infrastructure for refueling.

Answer 6

I think people should start switching to hybrid cars. It's unfortunate that the US automakers are so behind the times with hybrid vehicles.

Answer 7

I seriously think that america's new transportation method should be Biodiesel. I think using vegtable oil is alot cleaner for our enviroment, and is alot cheaper. Gas prices theses days are going way out of the roof.

Answer 8

We could begin to transform oil shale and coal into usable oil in just the time it would take to build the industry to do it. But long term, we need to evolve from pertoleum to hydrgen.

Answer 9

Hybrid cars

Answer 10

Air powered cars.