It is part of the accepted wisdom of sustainable transport that we are not all going to be running cars on alternative energy forms any time soon. What we are hoping for is rather that the transition to the day when we can will be smoothed by, among other things, hybrid energy vehicles. There are countless opinions on which is the best way of achieving that goal. Some say that hydrogen powered vehicles are the future, and point to the Honda Clarity as the possible trail-blazer for that option. However, there is some time to wait before we can expect to see many people driving them, as it is not slated for mass production for at least a few years.
While we wait for the Clarity and its fellow-travelers to become a realistic option for environmentally-conscious drivers, it is important that we explore other options. Quite apart from anything else, we can all agree that one of the major problems involved in selling green transport to its eventual users is the up-front cost. As much as we would like to see green vehicles replace their less environmentally-stable competitors on our roads, we have to accept that early adopters of just about any technology tend to end up being the ones who pay the highest price. Being honest, we would all have to agree that some people just do not see the environment as a priority – and others simply cannot afford the premiums that you need to pay to drive green.
Water fuel cells have been a controversial technology since they were first unveiled by Stanley Meyer a few decades ago. After courts decided that his model was unworkable, the technology was more or less shelved for a time while alternatives were considered. At present, there is some hope that recent innovations in the sphere may hold the key to a technology that sounds too good to be true. The signs are that it will be possible to run a car using water as an alternative fuel – but as yet, the mass availability which one would hope for remains elusive. There are, however, a number of initiatives posted on the Internet as to how drivers can put in place their own technology for hydrogen-producing water fuel cells.
Additionally, there is a move towards “plug-in” hybrid vehicles which, as the name suggests, operate from a battery which is charged from an electricity mains supply. At the moment, the technology is expensive, but experts are confident that in the near future the price will come down. For this reason there are people prepared to hold out, but the technology exists today for those who are prepared to invest in a conversion that will, in time, pay for itself. The options available are expanding by the day, but among the difficulties inherent are the facts that, at present, there just are not many service stations which are compatible with the technology. As time goes on this will surely change – the future is in green transport, in whatever form it may take.
Are you putting off reviewing or changing your car insurance coverage? Visit Auto Insurance Rates Direct today for information on how to determine what coverage you need, then find it at a good price. Protect your whole family (including car insurance for young drivers) with the policy that's right for you.
Click the XML Icon Above to Receive Cars Articles Via RSS!
