It's one thing to drive a vehicle that's called "eco-friendly" - it's another to actually know why and how said vehicle is better for the environment than the one your neighbor is driving? Do you know what the difference is between a hybrid and a plug-in electric vehicle? Don't feel too bad if you don't because you're far from the only one.
Here's a brief rundown of the what's what in environmentally-conscious vehicles so the next time someone asks you your thoughts on the low-emission trend, you can nod knowledgeably and add your two cents to the conversation. Or even better, make a green choice should you be in the market for a new set of wheels!
Plug-in electric
Plug-in electric vehicles have no emissions thanks to an internal combustion engine that does not require the use of a gasoline-powered engine. Instead they use battery packs and energy from your local grid, but do not require the frequent trips to a local station or the accompanying oil changes of a more traditional vehicle. Nor do they have the fuel tank and other components of the car you are probably used to driving. Instead you simply plug your vehicle into an electrical outlet, much the way you would with your cell phone that requires recharging.
Though electric cars have no fuel emissions to consider, they do consume electricity and should the demand for the vehicles ever be great enough, could significantly increase the demand for electricity.
Hydrogen-powered
A hydrogen-powered vehicle may be one of the most eco-friendly of all - a vehicle that runs on clean water with absolutely no carbon emission. But is it realistic? Experts say not yet, though there is a push to make it happen. The BMW Hydrogen 7 version of a hydrogen vehicle has been a hit with celebrities like Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie and Kristen Davis, while America Ferrera (aka Ugly Betty) has been rumored to be a fan of the Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell. However, the fact remains, the high costs of manufacturing fuel cell vehicles and the lack of infrastructure to actually support them.
In a car with a hydrogen internal combustion engine, the hydrogen burns the same was as the fuel does in a traditional vehicle. In a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, the reaction between hydrogen and oxygen produces water and electricity to power an electric traction motor.
Solar-powered car
This type of vehicle almost explains itself. Much the same as solar panels work to power a home, they work to provide power to a car. These panels are used to generate electricity by converting sunlight into energy. Because sunlight is already used to provide heat and electricity to homes, some hold onto the hope that they can revolutionize the auto industry.
Currently solar cars are mostly built as an experiment by teams in a competition, not as viable vehicles to be purchased on a lot by consumers. These cars use different types of batteries in its electrical system including lead-acid batteries, nickel-metal hydride and Lithium ion batteries.
Hybrid
Hybrid vehicles use two sources of power, such as the internal combustion engine you would find in a traditional vehicle with a rechargeable system such as a battery or an electric motor. Hybrids are not just limited to the production of cars, but include SUVs, trucks and even buses.
The two sources used in hybrid vehicles is rapidly expanding to include plug-in hybrids, diesel-electric hybrids that rely on bio diesel and even hydrogen fuel cell hybrid.
Fuel-efficient
These vehicles don't technically classify as one the green cars as they do not necessarily utilize any of the aforementioned technology. Instead these vehicles are "traditional" ones that get great gas mileage and have reduced emissions.
It also turns out the even the newer cars don't always equal the best; often times older models of some cars get more miles per gallon. The 1996 Geo Metro XFI for example, achieves the same number of miles per gallon as the Toyota Prius, however without the recent manufacturing process to factor in.
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