Hydrogen is great, but many years down the road.
What is here now is a conversion kit for Diesel engines to run on used cooking oil and grease from those fast food restaurants that dot the country.
To prove this could be done, an individual from my location drove a Volkswagen Jetta from North Carolina to California and back on about $14.00 worth of fuel, mostly from the initial fill up.
This has led to an aspiring industry and one that has gained much attention throughout parts of the country. This self invented filtration system has been refined and is now becoming quite the fuel buster. In High Point, North Carolina, one business is backed up with the conversion of fleet vehicles. The process typically involves a filtration system and a secondary tank for the recyled grease and some modification to the engine. Typical costs are between $1500-$2500 per vehicle but for some fleets annual fuel saving are in the tens of thousands and even in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.
A small fuel tank remains for actual diesel fuel. This starts the engine and warms up the grease. As we know the grease hardens and gels to a near solid state. But once warmed up and liquified, it is good to go.
For those that are not wanting to pull into the local McDonalds and the Drive Thru and say, "Fill er up", this particular facility also picks up the grease from local establishments, refines it and sells it at a fraction on the cost of regular diesel fuel.
You should do a search for this process, it may be the true bio-diesel, and is gaining steam and respect throughout the southeast. The bi-product is a cleaner burning fuel, great fuel efficiency, and your exhaust smells like french fries.
Beyond that, I am a fan of Diesel vehicles. Newer diesel motors are much more cleaner and fuel efficient. For auto manufacturers, Volkswagen leads the way with diesel options in the Golf, Jetta, Beetle, and the Passat.
I had a diesel New Beetle that I used as a commuter vehicle as I was drive 92 miles in between hospitals. This was an automatic. Highway miles was in the area of 42-44 mpg, city perhaps 33-35 mpg. A co-worker had a 5 speed Jetta diesel (all the diesel models are called TDI) that swore on occasion getting nearly 52 mpg on the highway.
Don't let the notion of a diesel lull you into thinking slow sluggish vehicles. All of these models are turbo charged. When I test drove the 5 speed Jetta diesel, I was flying from the start. I opted for the automatic Beetle (one of the most comfortable and quietest vehicle I have ever experienced) as my wife does not drive a 5 speed should she ever need it.
The addition of two more dogs in training for therapy necessitated a bigger vehicle. Yes, I miss the "Turbo Bug" (that was the personalized license plate)
Technology exists today for alternative fuels and it has for many years. But we have too many persons of power in each others pockets...the automakers, the oil companies, the refineries. Plus, that technology for Hydrogen and other products had been at the ready for years.
Until gas hits $100.00 a barrel and we start paying $10.00 a gallon, there will not be a wholesale concerted effort to push alternative fuels.
When I was in europe a couple of years ago the SmartCars were everywhere and so cool. Estimates were nearly 80 miles to a gallon. They will now be introduced to the US market but at only 70 dealerships nationwide. Pathetic. This is the perfect inter city, metropolis commuter vehicle that is not only so damn fuel efficient, two vehicles can park in one space. However, I would imagine by the time they undergo US specs for catalytic converters and what not that fuel efficiency will probably drop off by about 20% or better. They were exceptionally affordable in Europe with a 2 door, a 4 door, and even a convertible that was simply outrageous!
The point to these comparisons is that if you are concerned about fossil fuels, renewable resources, pollution, green house gases, and the whole pandora's box, until there is a unified effort and a cry that enough is enough, there is not much we, as individuals, can do. With the exception that if you need a great commuter vehicle and want to impact the amount of gas you burn as well as save in the wallet, then look at the alternatives that are out there. Even some of the gasoline models are great. Another co-worker just bought the Honda Civic coupe, very sporty styling and great looking car, that is rated at 30 city/40 highway.
Right now there just are not that many alternatives for us, the average consumer. But the fact is some alternative do exist and if that is a valid concern then by all means research and educate yourself.
