Alternative Fuels For Your Car by Laura Eggers Underhill

So many different types of alternative fuels are being developed, that it’s a very exciting time, somewhat like it must have been when the many varieties of crude cameras were being developed in the 19th century.

The primary goal is to produce fewer emissions, which not only are harmful to the air we breathe, but are also screwing up the planet in general. Another major goal is to reduce our dependence on oil, which is rapidly being depleted, partially resulting in unfathomable price hikes. Plus, the less we are dependent on foreign sources of oil, the better, for painfully obvious reasons.

In addition to hybrid cars, which use a combination of a gasoline engine with an electric motor powered by a battery, there are also flex-fuel vehicles, bi-fuel vehicles and converted vehicles which all allow you to use some form of alternative fuel, either alone or in combination with gasoline or diesel. Even plug-in electric hybrids are being developed which can use gasoline mixed with other fuels as a back-up source to electricity.

Types of alternative fuels used in cars include electricity, biodiesel, natural gas (methane), ethanol, methanol (wood alcohol), propane, hydrogen gas, and p-series fuels.

Biodiesel can be combined with petroleum diesel. Biodiesel is made from animal fats or vegetable oil, so we can produce it right here in the United States. It burns cleaner than pure diesel.

Electricity can come from fuel cells or a battery, and can be combined with gasoline for the most common hybrid car. There are all-electric cars, plug-in hybrids (which can acquire electricity from an outlet in your garage), or fuel cell cars.

Ethanol, otherwise known as E85, is usually combined with regular gasoline in various percentages. This is alcohol based and made from biomass or grains, such as wheat or corn. Since we can easily produce that, it frees us from foreign dependence on oil. It also burns cleaner. Flex-fuel vehicles that use 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline are already out there on the roads in several models.

Methanol was being combined with gasoline, but may be used in fuel-cell cars in the future. It comes from coal.

Natural gas, or methane, can power certain cars, which can run on either natural gas or gasoline, depending on what is available. It can be gotten from landfills, natural gas fields, or as a byproduct of oil drilling or coal mining. It must be compressed or liquefied to use in an automobile. It is possible to have bi-fuel vehicles, which run on regular gasoline or natural gas.

P-Series fuels are clear and can be used alone or combined with gasoline.

Hydrogen as fuel for cars is still in development. Hydrogen comes from water, which is still plentiful on this earth. It can be harnessed from petroleum refining in the form of natural gas, or it can come from running electricity through water. It must be converted to liquid or highly compressed to store it in the car, so it looks like it will be used mainly to power fuel cells in electric vehicles. It can also be mixed with natural gas for certain engines.

We usually think of propane as a fuel for camping lanterns and stoves, but it can also be used to power a car. It is a byproduct of natural gas and crude oil refining.

The more that these alternative fuels are used, the more that standard gasoline vehicles will stand out for their foul, smelly exhaust, until it will become positively embarrassing, (not to mention prohibitively expensive), to continue driving around harming the environment with one. Let’s hope that time comes soon.

About the Author

Laura Eggers Underhill writes for http://www.totally-hybrid-cars.com, a site for learning about the various hybrid cars available.

Ever hear of converting your car to run on water and gas? To find out what all the excitement is about, Click Here!

Biodiesel-fuel for the 21st Century by Fei Lim

n this new age where fuel is the most precious commodity available, it is time that mankind turned to a more efficient, safer, cleaner, renewable fuel for use in our massively transportation dependent society. The answer to a century of wars over oil and the horrendous aftermath thereof are simply, in one word - biodiesel. Biodiesel has been around for over a century, but only recently has the world awakened to a need for fuels at any cost that will not destroy our already fragile ecosystem, and you will soon know why the whole world should be excited.

Biodiesel was first synthesized back in 1893 before the first diesel engine was even developed. Biodiesel is essentially oil of any type-be it animal fat or vegetable oil that has been reacted with an alcohol in a process called transesterification. The chemical name of the results of this reaction is mono-alkyl ester or biodiesel, and glycerol-common glycerin. Biodiesel can be used as an alternative to petrodiesel in more applications than you may think.

Biodiesel has some very interesting properties. While not as energy dense as common petroleum diesel, it is a much cleaner fuel with lower sulfur, and it burns cleaner leaving the atmosphere less harmed. Biodiesel even cleans engines which have been run on petroleum diesel from the inside, dissolving deposits of gunk and particulates that originated in typical petroleum fuel. Biodiesel's main lure is the fact that in theory we could supply the world's energy needs from one safe clean alternative fuel that is 100% renewable.

As for applications, biodiesel can be utilized in most locomotives that you are already aware of, with little or no changes to the engine. This means that if you have a vehicle that runs presently on diesel-be it a sport utility vehicle, station wagon, car, or tractor trailer truck-it can run on biodiesel with only one step. That step is filling the tank! This is the primary reason why biodiesel could revolutionize the fuel industry. With biodiesel, there is no need to upgrade our present fleets of trucks, cars, trains, vans, and boats that run on diesel into prohibitively expensive solar powered vehicles; we can simply pull them into a gas station that offers biodiesel and fuel up. It is true that any engine built for diesel can run on biodiesel, the only issue that could come up is with engines that were built before 1992. Many of these engines have rubber parts that would slowly be dissolved by biodiesel. But the modifications required can be done in a few minutes by any mechanic. Also, other than transportation most diesel generators as well as heaters can be run on biodiesel without modifications. This means that we can generate electricity using this exciting new renewable fuel. There was even a test flight in early 2008 of a jumbo jet run only on biodiesel. The potential of biodiesel to revolutionize our energy industry is enormous, not to mention the economic opportunities for farming nations that depend on the agricultural industry to survive. Many of these nations have begun to plant many acres of oil rich crops that are then sold to make biodiesel all over the world. The real opportunity for biodiesel to save our energy dependent society lies in algae. Algae has proven to be capable of a higher yield per acre of biodiesel convertible oil than any other plant. With time and effective engineering of an efficient algae farming method, we will be able to utilize the solar energy more efficiently than ever, and we will easily be able to answer the worlds energy needs with biodiesel.

You know a bit more than you did about biodiesel. Biodiesel may not be the holy grail of energy sources, but it comes pretty close in these times of oil wars and a rapidly depleted ozone layer. Perhaps you should look into biodiesel as your personal alternative fuel today. The more informed we are as a society, the brighter the future may be for our children. Biodiesel is not the fuel of tomorrow, I dare to say it is the fuel of today. Cleaner, renewable, convenient, and available; biodiesel may be a turning point in the world's energy resources.

About the Author

Find used cars, fast cars, and hybrid cars at VehicleRide.com.

Roaming in Style: the EarthRoamer XV-JP by Jason Moore

When people talk about off-roading and how much fun it is, it's highly likely that you'll also hear them mentioning the famed Jeep in the same breath, as Jeep is world-renowned for its mud-plugging potential.
Now the iconic off-roader comes in an even more fun package, not to mention a survivalist gear that's guaranteed to make any zealous outdoorsman jump with glee.
EarthRoamer Xpedition Vehicles, says its website, are designed to travel to four-wheel drive accessible, remote locations and provide a comfortable year-round camping experience without dependence on external power or utility hook ups.
EarthRoamer has recently introduced a tweaked Wrangler - one that will definitely be the object of desire for off-road enthusiast yet. The XV-JP comes equipped with the usual upgraded suspension, winch, high-intensity lighting and other necessities for a serious off-road excursion, but there's more. There's also the complete camping setup, including a tent mounted atop the roof offering users three different material choices to match the elements, along with a queen-size bed, a solar power battery backup, an engine-heated hot water tank and a cassette toilet. Now that makes for a dream camper, doesn't it?
Here are more details from the company's website (www.earthroamer.com/):
EarthRoamer XV-JP
The Jeep Rubicon Unlimited based EarthRoamer XV-JP is designed to carry two adults on technical four-wheel drive trails to remote camping locations. Once in camp, the XV-JP's Loftop™ can be deployed to provide nearly 9 feet of interior stand up height and a queen-size bed in the loft. Underneath the cantilevered loft, the rear tent can be dropped down for an additional bug free living space. The XV-JP comes equipped with 25 gallons of fresh water capacity, an inside cassette toilet, inside shower, sink and cooking facilities. Plenty of light and ventilation is provided by an abundance of screened windows. An electric fan provides additional ventilation when needed and the forced air furnace will keep you cozy on cold nights and when winter camping.
About EarthRoamer The company says its website, places high importance in preserving the environment for generations to come. This is the primary reason why they design renewable energy sources like solar and biodiesel into their systems. All of their vehicles utilize solar energy as a primary power source for lights and appliances.
About Jeep Jeep is an automobile marque (and registered trademark) of DaimlerChrysler. The marque, like all other Chrysler subsidiaries, became part of DaimlerChrysler when Daimler-Benz merged with the Chrysler Corporation in 1998. Jeep is also maker of top of the line Jeep parts like the Jeep catalytic converter.
About the Author
Jason Moore, a 35 year old freelance writer from Austin, Texas. He also works as a marketing analyst for an established auto parts store in the country.

Aura Green Line Added To 3 Federal Fleets In Kansas by Anthony Fontanelle

Three Kansas City area federal agencies added Monday the new 2007 Saturn Aura Green Line hybrid vehicles to their fleets. Two vehicles were delivered by the federal General Services Administration (GSA) to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 office in Kansas City, Kan. One is for EPA and one for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in Kansas City, Mo. A third will be added to the GSA fleet in Kansas City, Mo.
Regional Administrator for the NHTSA's Central Region Romell Cooks received the keys to a new Saturn Aura Green Line hybrid. "While safety of the motoring public is a key concern of the NHTSA, we are equally concerned about the fuel efficiency of our passenger cars and light trucks," Cooks said. "These types of vehicles will make a difference."
GSA ordered fifty Saturn Aura Green Line vehicles this year to be delivered nationwide. The Saturn Aura Green Line hybrids are assembled at the General Motor Corp.'s Fairfax Assembly plant in Kansas City, Kan. The Aura Green Line is a mild hybrid, following the VUE Green Line as the second vehicle in Saturn's lineup incorporating GM's belt alternator starter system.
Same with the Vue, the Aura Green Line features the 2.4L Ecotec engine mated to an electric motor or generator and the 4T45-E four-speed automatic transmission. This powertrain is rated at 164 horsepower and 159 pound feet of torque. The electric motor or generator bolsters the gasoline engine during launch and under wide-open throttle.
The Saturn Aura Green Line also flaunts trusted auto parts from the automaker such as the Saturn clutch kit, body parts, filters, spark plugs, radiators, cold air intake and more. The hybrid has an EPA estimated fuel economy of 28 mpg city and 35 mpg highway, which the automaker claims is up to a 30 percent improvement over the Aura XE. The Saturn Aura Green Line is eligible for a $1300 US Federal tax credit, as well as several state tax credits. The hybrid has been on sale since late March this year.
The Green Line is a variant of Saturn Aura. The Aura is a crucial product line for both Saturn and General Motors. Its production is part of a product rejuvenation for Saturn to push the company into the black at the same time to compete tightly with European imports. So far, feedback to the Aura has been positive, both in terms of sales and reviews.
Executive Order 13423, signed by President Bush in January, compels federal agencies to raise alternative fuel use by ten percent annually. GSA's fleet management division has delivered 3,581 bi-fuel and 20 biodiesel vehicles to regional federal agencies. Executive Order 13423 is aimed at strengthening federal environmental, energy, and transportation management of the nation.
EPA Region 7 Administrator John Askew accepted the vehicle for the environmental agency. Askew said, "Using fuel efficient vehicles like the Saturn hybrid we're receiving today just makes sense. Not only does it protect the environment by reducing emissions, but using less fuel strengthens our energy security."
GSA Heartland Region Administrator Bradley Scott said, "GSA is proud to join EPA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration as government leaders in using and supporting environmentally friendly vehicles, and we look forward to providing energy efficient vehicles and alternative fuel-use cars to more federal agencies in the future."
Executive Order 13423 also directs federal agencies with more than 20 motor vehicles to reduce petroleum consumption by two percent annually through 2015. The Saturn Aura's estimated fuel mileage is 35 miles per gallon. With the alarming global warming concerns, lawmakers and automakers are enduring the burden.
About the Author
Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive buff who grew up in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.