Energy

As a result of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 and the growing uncertainty with the situation in the Middle East, South America and Europe, the United States is now forced to re-think its energy policy so that it can lower energy consumption of and dependence on foreign oil. Just as the automobile replaced the horse-drawn carriage so it is time for the electric battery to replace the gasoline engine. We are at the dawn of a new age when one can plug their car into an electric outlet and re-charge it for travel up to sixty miles or more. But with any wholesale change comes the requirement of a transitional mechanism. Hence the need for a vehicle that can run alternatively on both gasoline and electricity. The goal of course would be to make a total conversion within a reasonable amount of time. Most of the electricity produced in the United States comes from coal-fired power plants so the concern by some is that a reduction in tailpipe emissions would be offset by an increase in air pollution from the power plants. Others argue that the sheer volume of reduced vehicle emissions would fall far greater than plant-produced air pollution. We may even see a coalition of military hawks and environmentalists as fuel efficiency brings about both security and a better climate.Few would argue that two factors influence consumer's choice of transportation more than anything else: gas mileage and appearance. Ever since the automobile became available to the average consumer, it has always been considered a status symbol much like the clothing we wear and the houses we live in. The price of electricity is pale compared to the price of gasoline so this factor is virtually a no-brainer. The choice of appearance however, will always linger as long as we believe that "appearance makes the person". But this factor can also be addressed during the transition phase since it appears that most vehicles today can be modified to use both fuel sources. As for the future, the old tried and true marketing techniques will convince most people that buying the style of car available will guarantee that the "future won't pass them by". Just as Japanese cars promoting fuel efficiency in response to the oil embargo of the 1970's sparked the Big Three to respond accordingly so will the shift to electric vehicles change the market once again. Perhaps this time General Motors, Ford and Daimler Chrysler will get the "jump on the competition" and in so doing, save themselves from bankruptcy.

replies?

This is an old thread, over a year, and the member writing it has been suspended (or something like that) for the moment. However, I will take a crakc at it.I think you've got your focus wrong on the electric/gas mix. The cars of the future (say in the next decade or two) will run on electricity, but not by plugging it up to an outlet. Ever hear of something called hydrogen? There are currently four major ways to store Hsub2. One is under pressure, which is expensive, takes a lot of space, and not that great. Another is freezing Hsub2, but it has the same drawbacks, though potentially more expensive. The third is to store Hsub2 in metal solids, but those take a lot of room, are extremely heavy, and expensive. THe best method, is to store it in a hydride, particularly Sodium Borohydride. The one problem is that right now NaBHsub4 (sodium borohydride) is about $50 US/Kg. All that's needed is a cheap method to manufacture it, and we have a fully recyclable fuel system. Best part is, the catalyst for the reaction has been found, fuel cell costs are dropping, and new methods of NaBHsub4 are being researched, and thee are a couple of promising methods, though none of the companies involved are willing to diverge that much information.

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All a man's knowledge comes from his experiences

And since he is suspended for the moment, and since I see no other energy thread on the first page (at default setting), I say that some of us oughta debate or whatever about the future of energy, esp. since gas prices are rising again.

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All a man's knowledge comes from his experiences