What is the Future of fuel saving technology.

[Matt530i]

Originally Posted by Snake Vargas

It's very difficult to ever get more energy out of something than you put in, but it's probably the method that IMO makes the best use of the forms of energy to conserve what we have and to make efficient use of natural sources.

Just a quick clarification. I meant to say that it takes way more energy to get hydrogen from electrolosis than you put in. End result is the production of hydrogen is not economically feasible unless someone figures out how to make it more efficient.

[Matt]

I forgot to add ethanol as an option... my mistake.

I see many of you pointing towards hybrids. There is a few issues with these cars though. For instance the reason there so expensive is the energy cost to build one. In actuality they take more energy to build then they could ever save. Another thing is the cost of batteries and the weight of them. In 5 years the batteries will be replaced, costing the consumer about 1k to replace.

The real reason we see so many hybrids is because the gov puts a huge tax incentive on them. Companies produce them and make almost nothing on them. The factory makes very little money and the dealer makes very little money. I dont see this method as the future..

[Snake Vargas]

Originally Posted by Matt530i

Just a quick clarification. I meant to say that it takes way more energy to get hydrogen from electrolosis than you put in. End result is the production of hydrogen is not economically feasible unless someone figures out how to make it more efficient.

That's what I thought you meant. I was just saying that it's a better, IMHO, use of energy to use electricity from renewable sources such as wind, solar and waves to make hydrogen from water than it is to burn fossil fuels. You'll never get more energy than you put in, but at least you can use sources wisely to get the types of fuels you want.

Matt, have you got any proof that it takes more energy to make a hybrid than it will ever recover?

I was going to add that normal fossil fuel burning cars don't recover any energy at all, but I guess that it'd just be a red herring.

[YoungWarrior]

Hybrids are over hyped. They just conceal the problem instead of fixing it. Once were out of fuel hybrids will no longer exist. Fuel cell is the way and in japan you can buy fuel cell cars.

[Deutsch]

Originally Posted by YoungWarrior

Hybrids are over hyped. They just conceal the problem instead of fixing it. Once were out of fuel hybrids will no longer exist. Fuel cell is the way and in japan you can buy fuel cell cars.

I disagree on the fuel cell bit, but hybrids were never meant to be a long term solution in the first place. I think we should all let this issue go and accept it for what it is. Petrol won't run dry in our lifetime anyway, it's all hysteria, and people need to stop buying into the media and all of it's manipulated hype.

[Mr. M]

Originally Posted by Deutsch

I disagree on the fuel cell bit, but hybrids were never meant to be a long term solution in the first place. I think we should all let this issue go and accept it for what it is. Petrol won't run dry in our lifetime anyway, it's all hysteria, and people need to stop buying into the media and all of it's manipulated hype.

If we have this attitude, then what would be left of our future generations?

Even though petrol may last long enough for us, there is no real tangible solution yet for the next batch of people after us, when we pass away. We should start thinking now of our future.

[Deutsch]

Originally Posted by Mirage77

If we have this attitude, then what would be left of our future generations?

Well, if you're reading my words from a short sighted point of view, then I guess that's a reasonable point of view.

It's quite obvious that we're not going to stick to petrol forever, at the same time I dont' think people should panick about rising gas prices, it is what it is. If you need to drive or you want to drive, well you're gonna do it. In the meantime I'd let the engineers from various car makes and petrol companies as well as alternative fuel makers worry about what we're going to do next, and what will be the best alternative choice for all of society in our daily means of transportation in getting from point A to point infinite. Let the people who can actually do something to make a serious impact on the situation worry. I think people too many times get worked up and go into a frenzy over things they have no control over. About the best you can do in this situation is either a) limit your driver, or b) dont' drive at all. Yes, it's that easy.

[bum-man]

Originally Posted by YoungWarrior

Hybrids are over hyped. They just conceal the problem instead of fixing it. Once were out of fuel hybrids will no longer exist. Fuel cell is the way and in japan you can buy fuel cell cars.

Totally agree here. Most people don't realise how horribly inefficient the internal combustion engine is, even with all the technology out today i.e. direct injection, multi valve, and turbochargers they still don't come as close to advanced brushless electric motors. It's unfortanate, and the hard core petrol heads will surely cry, I know I will be dissapointed when the day comes...

[Matt]

Well, actually consumers will determine what method of automotive fuel saving we use. The companies will supply it and the consumers will choose the best method..

[Deutsch]

Originally Posted by Matt

Well, actually consumers will determine what method of automotive fuel saving we use. The companies will supply it and the consumers will choose the best method..

I disagree. The best method will be the most viable alternative resource, that is independent of the consumer decision making, and all dependent on economic and enviromental factors.