Hybrid cars versus diesel and biodiesel
I just responded to a post of my criticism of CNN's hybrid hype article, where someone commented that hybrid cars were hype and that biodiesel was the answer. (more)
This train of thought seems to come up often.
While I commend biodiesel users, I do not see it as viable answer to oil dependency, though I can see it as a part of the solution. In particular, I would love to see a biodiesel hybrid vehicle.
Still, it does take a extra energy to produce biodiesel. Is that energy clean and cheap? Additionally, it would take a lot of land to create enough biodiesel to end foreign oil dependency. Inevitably, I believe, it would be agribusiness that would dominate biodiesel, and the land would become even more polluted with pesticides and fertilizers.
Is that really the best solution?
Granted, compared with today's hybrid technology, biodiesel makes a strong case. However, plug-in hybrids and experimental hybrids have been demonstrated to achieve as much as 250 mpg, and some believe a biodiesel hybrid could achieve as much as 500 mpg.
The potential of hybrid technology offers too much upside not to invest, and if combined with diesel and biodiesel, offers a real solution to ending foreign oil dependency in the short term, while ending oil dependency in the long term.
This train of thought seems to come up often.
While I commend biodiesel users, I do not see it as viable answer to oil dependency, though I can see it as a part of the solution. In particular, I would love to see a biodiesel hybrid vehicle.
Still, it does take a extra energy to produce biodiesel. Is that energy clean and cheap? Additionally, it would take a lot of land to create enough biodiesel to end foreign oil dependency. Inevitably, I believe, it would be agribusiness that would dominate biodiesel, and the land would become even more polluted with pesticides and fertilizers.
Is that really the best solution?
Granted, compared with today's hybrid technology, biodiesel makes a strong case. However, plug-in hybrids and experimental hybrids have been demonstrated to achieve as much as 250 mpg, and some believe a biodiesel hybrid could achieve as much as 500 mpg.
The potential of hybrid technology offers too much upside not to invest, and if combined with diesel and biodiesel, offers a real solution to ending foreign oil dependency in the short term, while ending oil dependency in the long term.
Labels: clean diesel, Foreign Oil Dependency, Hybrid Vehicles, plug-in hybrids
posted by Dahcredyns at
9:49 AM
3 Comments:
I'm not an expert on biodiesel but many advocate that algae farms or hemp could supply all the biodiesel that the U.S. needs.
I'm not an expert on biodiesel but many advocate that algae farms or hemp could supply all the biodiesel that the U.S. needs. Also, what about a hybrid that uses E85?
I'm all for the biodiesel hybrid. I think it is one of the best ideas around. Ultimately; however, my favorite is still a solar powered hybrid vehicle, but there are still a good number of technological hurdles to be overcome.
Post a Comment
<< Home