Imitation Hybrids Renault has fitted out a small car with an automatic stop/start feature. When the vehicle is stationary, the engine stops running just like a hybrid. When the clutch is depressed and the car is in gear, the
Electric
Why Don’t We Have All-Electric Cars? Electric cars are attractive from a cost point of view. An electric motor is far cheaper to make than a gasoline engine. It has few moving parts and experiences very little wear. Electric
Diesel Hybrids
Diesel Hybrids The hybrid trains and busses described above are diesel powered – as are nearly all commercial vehicles. This is simply because compression ignition (diesel) engines are the most efficient internal combustion engines available, and also have an
Complication and Cost
Complication and Cost There are two problems with the hybrid concept: complication and cost. Ford’s Escape Hybrid has a 4-cylinder engine instead of a six. However, this does not begin to cover the extra cost of the storage battery, electric
Series Hybrid
Series Hybrids Some European municipal busses have been designed as hybrids. One full-sized model uses a small 2litre diesel producing around 100 horsepower. (A conventional bus has 200-300bhp.) This engine is not connected to the drive wheels. It simply powers
Cellulosic Ethanol
Cellulosic Ethanol by Peter Bursztyn Cellulosic ethanol is just ethanol. Instead of coming from the fermentation of starch and sugar, it originates from cellulose. This is the stiff material which makes corn and wheat stalks stand erect, and the major
Ethanol and Toxic Emissions
Ethanol and Toxic Emissions by Peter Bursztyn There is a widespread belief that engines burn cleaner on ethanol-containing fuel than on gasoline. This is not really true. The substances present in the exhaust gases change, but the exhaust certainly never
Ethanol In Use
Ethanol In Use by Peter Bursztyn Pure ethanol fuel is available in Brazil where many cars have been designed to use it. 100% ethanol is unlikely to ever be used in North America or Europe. This is because ethanol is
Ethanol: Unintended Consequences
Ethanol: Unintended Consequences by Peter Bursztyn When the idea of biofuels was first suggested, it should have been obvious that increased demand for crops destined to become fuels would raise their price. In the U.S.A., the crop of choice has
Ethanol: Unintended Consequences
Ethanol: Unintended Consequences by Peter Bursztyn When the idea of biofuels was first suggested, it should have been obvious that increased demand for crops destined to become fuels would raise their price. In the U.S.A., the crop of choice has