What is more likely to happen, a new fuel is found are/or different ways of producing it and piston engined cars are powered by this better fuel similar to the way it is now or electric cars? Obviously both are going to happen but which is going to completely take over the auto industry in the future? This is excluding possibility of hybrids.
If electric cars take over whats going to happen to mechanics? And everything I’ve been learning for years will be like a waste if electric cars become the norm so I’m really worried about this.
5 Responses
Electric cars still need tire changes, lube jobs, sometimes battery changes, etc. And drivers will still get into fender-benders. Mechanics will still have work to do. I wouldn’t worry.
You simply have to improvise, adapt and overcome, as they say in the Marine Corps. :-)
EDITED TO ADD for the poster below worried about “toxic heavy metals” in electric car batteries: Future electric car batteries (such as the Chevy Volt) will be Lithium Ion. Lithium is the lightest metal on the periodic table of elements, not a toxic heavy metal (such as lead, which is used in LEAD-ACID BATTERIES OF CURRENT REGULAR CARS).
Dont worry – unless your 2 years old – I dont think they will be without a gas engine for a while yet.
Or some alternative fuel engine for backup.
I am one of the few certified hybrid repair facilities in Michigan, other than dealers. And the technology is great – but the perts labor and time is way to much.
The green gas is what is important when your talking hybrid – electric or any other alternative.
How about a steam powered car? – WATER.
most likely biofuel. electric cars produce more pollution in the end. their massive batteries contain a lot of very poisonous heavy metals and every so many years, the car is gonna need a new battery which will lead to a HUGE amount of toxic metals. Also, the entire US is built for gas cars. gas stations just need to be converted for biofuel, with electric, billions will be needed to change them.
the biofuel is certainly interesting. However, the battery electric car would be better for the in city driving. The electric motor is many times more efficient than the internal combustion engine. Battery technology is improving not only in lighter weight but capacity as well. If you have doubts about the battery electric car, check out http://www.acpropulsion.com
Better still, go to http://www.evcanada.org and have a look at the Real Green vehicles listed. As for the current production hybrid electrics, they still require an engine for primary propulsion. GM’s Volt, being a series hybrid will deffinitly be more efficiant and you have the ability to drive on battery only.
Biofuels (biodiesel in particular) are a better answer for a while.
Vehicle range is not an issue. The infrastructure is in place (fuel stations, mechanics, manufacturing capability). The environmental footprint is smaller than grid-electric vehicles. An interesting fact: Canola-biodiesel is the highest yield (kW/acre) solar power source per acre by a huge margin. Biofuels are carbon-neutral and 100% renewable.
Electric vehicles are great, but they are not there yet. They are expensive. Batteries require regular replacement. Electric vehicles are also costly. A gas/diesel power train (engine, transmission axles) costs about $800 to the auto manufacturers. Battery-electrics have a way to go.
This is the technical argument. People make decisions for many other reasons. If one sets aside the “feelings” that combustions engines are leaky, oily, messy things; and electrics are fundamentally clean (don’t forget the power plant) – the winner is biofuels.