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Transportation of the Future
by Lawson Schaller
Transporting ourselves and our baggage throughout our daily lives requires a significant amount of energy. There are a number of eco-friendly choices available for transportation. Walking and biking are probably the best alternative for our health and the environment. Riding the bus or train can be a good option. Electric scooters are another option for the more adventurous, single occupancy folks.
Another option is car sharing. One local company, Fun Ride, allows easy and affordable access to a selection of vehicles—including electric cars, hybrids and other eco-friendly choices The car share option allows one to avoid the cost of ownership while having easy access to an eco-friendly car.
Alternative Fuels
Over the years emerging fuel technologies have gained media attention, government support, and/or venture capital interest, only to fade for one reason or another. It has been reported that peanut oil ran a motor in the early 1900’s. As mentioned in last months column, some claim hemp oil is a bio-fuel option. Fairly recently, hydrogen was considered the fuel solution. It, of course, still faces significant obstacles and challenges and it's fate remains uncertain.
Ethanol has had high hopes and received support via the Federal Energy Policy Act of 2005. All technologies have unforeseen and unintended consequences. Ethanol had an impact on commodity prices such as corn. Some claim the demand for ethanol caused the clearing of forests in South East Asia to allow for the growth of crops that produce ethanol. Flex fuel vehicles, compressed natural gas, and propane are other options that seem to have a foothold in the marketplace. More recently there is big hope for algae based bio-fuels.
It is encouraging that a variety of fuel options are currently available, more are on the horizon, and that the electric car is again gaining attention and investment.
Electric Cars
Electric cars appear to be moving toward the forefront of consideration and technology again. Many are skeptical about the return of the electric car and point out the easy come /easy go of prior attempts. As mentioned in last month's column, there are powerful forces at work in the marketplace. Some strong-willed, influential, wealthy individuals and corporations invested in competing technologies will fervently protect their financial interests against emerging technologies. Also at play are changing legal and political force. The documentary by Chris Paine, Who Killed the Electric Car, illustrated the challenges involved in breaking through with cleaner, less expensive, and more environmentally prudent alternatives to gas powered automobiles.
Tesla motors, an electric car manufacturer, has been in the headlines with its recent IPO (initial public stock offering). Electric vehicles are currently available and many major auto manufacturers will be offering more electric cars in the next few years. Some are predicting electric cars to have cornored approximately one third of the market by 2025.
Hybrids such as the Toyota Prius, which have both electric and gasoline engines, have become common and have gained reputations for good reliability. These and cars that are strictly electric have their challenges, including the need for better battery technology, energy to charge the batteries, and the need to supply a source of that energy. Can our electric grid handle the potential future demands of electric cars? Can older homes handle that extra demand—is the electrical capacity and wiring adequate? With smart grid technology, other technological advancements, and clever problem solving, many of these problems will likely be overcome, but there is work to be done.
The changing face of transportation is exciting and full of promise. The solutions that emerge from creative minds will be surprising and innovative. Move over Jetsons!
Great Horned Owl image on banner by Cleve Nash |
