What is the best alternative-energy for vehicles?

Question

OK, I used to be all gung-ho about ethanol, but I have heard too many bad things about it. For one, ethanol takes as much energy to produce as it releases. Also, it will be MORE expensive than gas, and pollute almost the same amount.

Biodiesel seems to be a good one, but it may damage engines over long periods of time, as it contains water.

So what is going to be the actual alternative energy that replaces gasoline? Heck, I may even drive one, as long as it meets my few but strict standards:

1. It has to cost less than, or at least no more than, gasoline.
2. It has to take no more time to fill up than gasoline.
3. My car can sacrifice no performance due to it.
4. My car can be no more expensive due to it.

All-electric cars MAY work, but the problem will be having "energy-stations" around the country, and also charging a vehicle quickly, like filling it up with fuel. An overnight charge will be no good for someone on a cross-country trip.

So, what will it be, and why?

I asked this in politics because it will be a BIG issue in a few years.

Answer 1

-------
Electric is the best choice, and I will show you exactly why. Much of the 'anti-EV' talk around here is based on 30-year old electric cars - but technology has not stood still.
*
First, let's dispense with hydrogen. Fuel cell cars are electric cars (including batteries, because fuel cells can't make enough current for acceleration by themselves.) This means a fuel cell car will always be more expensive, and heavier, than a pure electric car. It will be more expensive to fuel as well, and more polluting (from the energy used to make hydrogen), because hydrogen is less efficient at storing energy than batteries. GM's Sequel fuel cell car is nearly 5,000 pounds, heavier than any pure electric car (twice the weight of the Tesla electric sports car.)
*
Electric vehicles are extremely efficient, and do not have to be expensive to buy. Take a look at this page about EVs you can find for as little as $5000:
*
http://squidoo.com/cheap-electric-car
*
If you want something better than a cheap EV, here's the latest cutting-edge EV:
*
http://zapworld.com/ZAPWorld.aspx?id=4560
*
The ZAP-X outputs 644 horsepower, 155mph top speed, 350-mile range, charges in just 10 minutes, and has a 300,000 mile battery life. If EVs catch on, there will be 10-minute chargers at service stations, so we can take long trips.
*
Or, with a 350-mile range, just pull into a hotel, and charge it from a wall plug while you sleep. Go more than 350 miles per day by charging it while you eat meals.
*
I drive my electric car around for only about a penny per mile in electricity. High efficiency means more miles on less energy, which is why it's so cheap to drive on electricity. It's also why EVs make very little pollution, even if powerplants burn dirty fuel. But the best part is that a car-sized solar panel only costs about $1000. Put one up to help with charging, and your cost per mile - and pollution output - drops to almost ZERO. Name me another fuel that can beat that number.
-----

Answer 2

the problem with electric cars is just where does the energy you charge them with come from? a power plant that most likely is using a fossil fuel lol.. it's just a round about way to create the same problems. ethanol can be created by bacteria.. so it may take some energy.. but we aren't the ones expending it.. so bio-ethanol is my number 1. hydrogen fuel cells will be great when the technology gets a little better... I would be interested to see if there is a practical application for the ion propulsion the EU has been working with for their space programs.

Solar is an obvious great answer!.. imagine a car that was "painted" with solar cells.. that would cut down on the need for other power supplies.. only in long night drives or periods of prolonged storms..


now this is just one of my personal theories.. but I think we should work on plants and bacterias that create energy.. imagine a battery that all you have to do is add water and the occasional pack of fertilizer to keep the algae/bacteria going in it and it produces enough energy to function as a normal battery.. we know plants and bacteria can produce light and energy.. we should be working on ways to engineer that to our advantage.

Answer 3

I think hydrogen or electric.

I like hydrogen right now, because I think the infrastructure is already in place with all of the gasoline stations. Conversion is problematic, to some extent, as is the need to ramp up on hydrogen processing. But H is "clean" and efficient.

In the long-term, however, I think we've got to create and advance technologies that will supersede current alternatives.

Agree about ethanol. A bit like burning down the house to clean up the living room...

Answer 4

All-electric is aproaching the point where it'll be viable for most common uses of automobilies (like commuting). The only question is how do you generate the electricity. While hippie tricks like wind and water are cute and even work in communities right next to raging rivers or the like, and while solar works for running lightbulbs durring the day. The only really viable efficient, non-emmitting source for that electricity is nuclear.

All-electrics wouldn't be practical for marathon cross-country driving, since they take too long to re-charge, but marathon cross-country driving isn't the primary use for most private vehicles - commuting and other day trips are.

Answer 5

Hydrogen combustion.

They are fast, reliable. Hydrogen is abundant and the only waste material from the vehicles is good old H2O.

ONly drawbacks is that there are only prototypes and due to that there is really no estimate as to how costly and how viable mass production would be.

Answer 6

GM is still working on their hydrogen fuel cell...I think it a fantastic choice...no gasoline AT ALL....and the only emissions from the cars is water.

Answer 7

I think electricity or some type of fuel cell. Right now I think the hybrid designs are best but they could probably be more efficient than they are currently.

Answer 8

Hydrogen is probably the best bet right now...but who knows what the future will hold?

Answer 9

We need to start by recognizing the problem, and then investing resources into solutions. THEN, we can explore all of the possibilites. Right now, we don;t have crap to go on. Perhaps aborted fetuses is the new energy source... (sorry, couldn't resist)