We
have just experienced a century of automobile geniuses -
those who have designed, automated, optimized and
perfected every single part of the present
transportation. Much of the system we enjoy today is the
result of inventions that began around 1890 and were
largely completed by 1910. As automobiles and electric
lights replaced horse carriages and gas lamps,
technologies that had prevailed for centuries became
obsolete in a matter of years, making the 20th century
the age of fossil fuels.
Today, technology in automobiles has become so complex
that any further development are considered "Concepts".
In this century, we will find geniuses concentrating
their efforts on changing the propelling system of an
automobile rather than just making them more
comfortable. New Technologies that do not rely on fossil
fuels (Petroleum and natural gas) will soon flourish and
be included in vehicles on a large scale. According to
several recent estimates, based on currently known oil
reserves, oil production will peak within the first few
years of this century. However, experts believe that a
technology based on fossil fuels cannot be sustained for
much longer. Even if additional reserves are discovered,
the continued reliance on fossil fuels as a primary
energy source over the coming years could release
billions of tones of pollutants into the atmosphere.
Thus, the development of pollution - free and efficient
fuels are moving rapidly from the experimental stage to
commercial reality.
The series of revolutionary new technologies such as
wing turbines, solar cells, geothermal heat, biomass and
ocean power are in about the same stage of development
today as that of the internal combustion engines in
1890s. Although some of these clean and efficient
technologies have already been developed and
commercialized, bulky construction and the large
expenses involved preclude their practical application
in many cases.
As fossil
fuel resources and legislation regarding pollution
problems is further tightening worldwide, engineers are
battling to come out with an alternate source of energy
to the conventional Internal combustion engine Alternate
fuels include LPG, CNG, ELECTRICITY, HYBRID, SOLAR
ENERGY, HYDROGEN, FUEL CELLS, ALCOHOL - METHANOL,
ETHANOL, BIOGAS, NITRO-METHANE, ETC....
Please click on the link on the Top of this page to
learn more about the feasibility, commercial & Technical
viability of these conversions to your existing vehicle
from India point of view.
The major problem leading to research & Development of
alternate sources of energy is "Pollution". Exhaust
emission contains a number of gases. Oxygen and Water
are harmless. Carbon Monoxide is poisonous. Other gases
react with light to create Smog - These are called
Hydrocarbons.
In 1960s, worldwide, and 1980s in India, before the
legislation came into force, the conventional cars such
as Ambassador and Fiat required 140 grams of fuel to
travel one Km. Out of this about 7 grams of fuel which
was unburned came out of the tail pipe to mix with
atmosphere to form pollution.
Most Euro II compliant cars in India, require about 75
grams of fuel to travel one Km. Out of this about 2
grams of fuel comes out of the tail pipe mixing with
atmosphere to form smog.
Combating Pollution lead to introduction of Catalytic
converters in all new cars.
Yet another milestone in this direction is introduction
of alternate sources of energy.
At top of the priority worldwide is now Water -
Hydrogen powered vechiles.