1. Auto Upkeep Basic Car Care, Maintenance, and Repair (2nd Edition)
Chapter 1 - Introduction and How Cars Wor
Auto Upkeep Basic Car Care, Maintenance, and Repair (2nd Edition)
Chapter 18
Alternative Fuels and Designs
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2. Chapter 1 - Introduction and How Cars Wor
Fuel for Thought
Why is it important to learn about alternative fuel vehicles?
What is the difference between a renewable and a non-renewable resource?
What issues influence the usability of alternative fuels?
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Objectives
Upon completion of this chapter and activities, you will be able to:
Identify differences in automotive design, depending on the fuel source.
Compare and contrast advantages and disadvantages between vehicles types.
Compare petrobased and biobased fuels.
Calculate the payback period on an alternative fueled vehicle.
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4. Purpose of Alternatives
Increase energy efficiency
Lessen petroleum dependency
Reduce or eliminate emissions
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Biodiesel Vehicles
Biodiesel, an alternative to running 100% petroleum-based diesel (petrodiesel), is a renewable resource made from animal fats, vegetable oils, or recycled cooking grease through a refining process called transesterification.
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Flex-fuel E85 Vehicles
E85 vehicles are automobiles that can burn a blended fuel that contains 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline.
Ethanol is a grain alcohol made from renewable resources, commonly corn.
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Natural Gas Vehicles
Natural gas, abundant in North America, is approximately 90 percent methane in pipeline form and is the cleanest fuel currently available for vehicles.
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Propane Vehicles
Currently there are more than a quarter of a million vehicles on the road in the United States and millions worldwide powered by propane.
Propane, also known as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), is colorless and odorless. An odorant is added as a safety measure in the detection of leaks.
When used in automobiles, propane is also called Autogas.
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Bi-fuel Vehicles
A bi-fuel vehicle has two separate fuel storage and delivery mechanisms.
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Hybrid Vehicles
How Hybrids Work
A hybrid is any vehicle that has multiple sources of power.
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Hybrid Vehicles
How Hybrids Work
Increased fuel economy
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Hybrid Vehicles
How Hybrids Work
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Hybrid Vehicles
Regenerative Braking
Regenerative braking is when the electric motor acts as a generator capturing kinetic energy that would normally be lost as heat.
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Hybrid Vehicles
High Voltage Battery Pack
The hybrid battery pack is usually found under the back seat, behind the back seat, or in the trunk.
These batteries, commonly nickel metal hydride (NiMH) or lithium-ion, can hold a great deal more energy than a standard lead acid battery.
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Hybrid Vehicles
Plug-in Hybrids
Being researched
Mild Hybrids
Use a integrated starter/generator
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Electric Vehicles
Pure all-electric vehicles need to be plugged into an electrical outlet to recharge their high voltage batteries between use.
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Solar Vehicles
Solar powered vehicles are basically all-electric vehicles that are powered by the sun’s energy collected with hundreds of photovoltaic (solar) cells.
Not currently practical for mass-produced cars.
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18. Hydrogen Powered Vehicles
Burn Hydrogen in an Internal Combustion Engine
Hydrogen can be burned in a modified internal combustion engine (ICE).
An engine burning hydrogen instead of gasoline is 25% more efficient.
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19. Hydrogen Powered Vehicles
Hydrogen Fuel Cell
A hydrogen fuel cell vehicle is an electric vehicle that gets its energy from hydrogen gas.
A catalyst is used in a fuel cell to trigger a reaction that strips the electrons from hydrogen.
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Technological Issues
Environmentally Friendly
Sustainable
Renewable
Affordable
Practical
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Summary
The exponential growth of technology, fossil fuel prices, and consumer acceptance of new technology will drive the marketplace.
Consumers have a wide variety of vehicle types to consider. The alternative fueled and designed vehicles available to consumers are attracting attention.
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