Off Topic — HabitableZone

Off Topic » in reply to Every solution poses new problems which need attention.

A solution already exists

Buy this: http://www.aptera.com/

It incorporates technology that is superior to compressed natural gas vehicles. What T-Boone is suggesting is that everyone adopt old technology, just because it uses a somewhat cleaner fuel that is produced domestically. But that doesn't solve the underlying problem of energy efficiency, and limited sources of fuel. Natural gas won't last any longer than oil if it is used in cars on a large scale. In fact energy consumption will increase by about 18 percent, the amount needed to compress natural gas to 3000 psi so it can be carried around in the vehicle. This is the diametric opposite of what needs to be done. But I'm not going to argue endlessly, I feel that the market will eventually pursuade people to adopt the newer lightweight, aerodynamic, plug-in electric technology. A car that gets 150 mpg actually reduces total energy consumption by 80 percent compared to conventional vehicles. The remaining 20 percent is almost all electric power. If you never travel more than 75 miles from home, you will never use the liquid-fuel powerplant. Even then, you're talking about a highly tuned constant speed generator that can easily achieve 60 percent efficiency vs. the 20 percent of variable speed engines, and it can use a variety of fuels. It can be flex fuelled, or it can be run on 100 percent ethanol, or hydrogen, or natural gas, or whatever. Let's face it, most of the improvements in performance of internal combustion engines have been achieved through the use of electrical components, right on up to onboard computers that control the transmission, ignition, fuel, and even monitor tire pressure with wi-fi. I say we just get rid of the IC engine entirely, and realize some real benefits.

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