What will be the next great innovation defining earth-friendly transportation? Hydrogen fuel cells? Engines running on compressed air? Electric vehicles that plug into windmills and run on solar power? We may not yet know, but Earthcars is always investigating the newest and most promising green car concepts.
Upcoming Technology
Mercedes F600 Hygenius (Hydrogen-powered vehicle)
One of the most commonly touted “silver bullet” solutions to the energy challenge is the hydrogen fuel cell. As an electrochemical conversion unit, a hydrogen fuel cell combines hydrogen and oxygen to form electricity. Water and heat are the only waste products. Of course, the raw hydrogen must be created somehow, but as renewable energy sources go mainstream that process becomes cleaner. Fuel cells should not be confused with internal combustion engines that burn hydrogen.
Some companies have experimented with injecting compressed air into conventional engines, moving the pistons up and down without requiring gasoline or diesel combustion. Others are converting hybrid-electric vehicles into plug-in HEVs and attaching them to renewable power. Natural resources such as wind, water and sunlight have yet to be utilized in their full capacities.
Chevy Volt (Hydrogen-powered vehicle)
Regardless of which alternative energy solutions are most prominent in the current marketplace, there will always be better and more efficient means of transportation down the road. Stay tuned.
Quick Tip
Do not top off your fuel tank, as excess fuel can leak into the environment and cause contamination.