One of the biggest trends in the automotive industry is the use of electric engines to conserve fuel and help the environment. Since fossil fuels are in limited supply and oil companies will soon reach the peak oil stage of petroleum production, the future of driving depends on powerful, efficient engines that run on alternative sources of energy.
Electricity is the buzzword
Electric engines are gaining popularity because they cost less to power and produce less carbon dioxide than petroleum engines. Although charging up an electric engine still releases carbon into the atmosphere through the coal used to generate electricity, the carbon footprint of an electric car is lower than that of a gas-powered vehicle. Additionally, the government offers incentives on eco-friendly vehicles to offset their higher initial cost.
Eco Fuel and Eco Engines
Another trend in the automotive industry is the alteration of existing cars to make them eco-friendly. For example, the Dodge Ram EcoDiesel 1500, which runs on diesel fuel to offer better fuel economy, is a popular alternative to the gas-powered Dodge Ram. The engine of the EcoDiesel produces less toxic emissions than a standard diesel engine, which makes it much better for the environment.
Hybrid gaining in popularity
Hybrid cars are a combination of electric and gas-powered vehicles, and they contain two engines that work at different times. When the car is in low gear, the electric engine is able to provide much higher torque than the gas engine, so drivers save a lot of money on fuel. At higher RPMs, the gas engine doesn’t use as much fuel, so hybrid cars do a good job of conserving energy overall.
These advancements are paving the way for the super-efficient vehicles of the future. Electric and hybrid cars not only produce less carbon dioxide, but they can actually store the energy released when the brake pedal is pressed. The lithium-ion batteries in these cars store the excess energy generated during peak power times, making it more economical to drive electric cars at night and on cloudy days. In the future, these silent, emission-free vehicles will help reduce climate change and prevent wars fought over oil.
