Fueling Our Future with Alternative Fuels

In a world full of opinions on climate change, one thing is generally agreed on by all: the need for alternative fuels is at hand. With the current dependency on a fossil fuel that will eventually run out, the time gets shorter day by day that these alternative fuels will need to be readily available for all. Currently, a few of them have been introduced into the current markets, but have yet to yield a high response from the buying public.

Ethanol has had the highest success when presented as a viable option. E85, a blend of gasoline that contains 85% ethanol, is the highest percentage used in certain engines that are designed to run on the mixture. Most engines that are in production today can run on a blend of up to 10% ethanol without any problems. With the recent developments of cellulosic ethanol, ethanol fuel made from cellulose-containing organic matter, customers could see a surge in automobiles designed to run on the higher blends of ethanol based fuels.

Electricity has seen a greater focus on alternative energies used in order to be more friendly to the environment. Solar energy has been harnessed to be used in many different ways, including heating water, producing electricity for homes, and heating greenhouses to produce crops in environments not normally suited for such growth. This used in connection with the creation of electric cars is a powerful combination used to avoid use of any fossil fuels in the powering of automobiles. Cars that can be plugged into an electric power source exist and are being developed so that they are more affordable for everyone to purchase.

Hydrogen fuel is also being developed in the ever growing process of finding the most affordable and environmentally friendly source of fuel. Studies have shown to prove that most hydrogen cell automobiles are 2-3 times more efficient than the internal combustion engine. The process to develop and produce hydrogen products is still in the beginning stages and is an option that seems to be something we may see later than other alternative fuels.

The need and desire to be more environmentally friendly with the sources of energy that are used fuels the research and development of many types of alternative fuels. It is only a matter of time before the creation of a viable alternative fuel source is found and manufactured for use by all.

More and more people recognise the benefits of going green, there has been a shift in the way many approach life. From recycling initiatives and pledges to cut carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, to companies adopting environmental policies, the whole world seems to be acknowledging the need for a greener planet.