Today, Tomorrow, and Always

Future Car Technologies – Today, Tomorrow, and Always

Gas prices are rising. They have been noticeably rising for the last five years and there is no doubt in anyone’s mind that they will continue to rise in the years to come. The cost of fuel continually reminds us of the disadvantages of owning a vehicle; well, our wallets are constantly reminded, anyway.

The sudden and dramatic increase in the cost of gas, coupled with increased awareness of the worlds shrinking fossil fuel reserves, has spurred developments of alternative fuel sources and hybrid power trains.

Hydrogen Powered Vehicles

At the forefront of these new technologies is hydrogen power. Hydrogen, as it just so happens, is one of the most abundant resources on the planet and when it is combusted it leaves very little waste. In fact, the primary emission of a hydrogen powered vehicle is water.

Hydrogen needs to be compressed at high pressure in order to be stored in a way that can be used in a combustion engine. This process is currently expensive and impractical for the typical driver, though, you can be certain that as they become more mainstreamed, the price will come down.

Fuel Cells

Fuel cells act as a silent generator, creating an electric current from specific elements and conditions. There are many different types of fuel cells, and as the technology has advanced we have learned how to create more powerful fuel cells that take up less space.

Obviously, this has great applications for automotive technology. Vehicles powered by fuel cells, which, in themselves, are usually made from hydrogen, leave little or no waste behind, and are surprisingly efficient.

The only major drawback right now is that the range for a vehicle powered by fuel cells is quite small. This limitation is continually being improved upon and will likely match current rates within a few years.

Electric Vehicles

Though not a new idea, electric cars are gaining popularity as the cost of running them ($0.005 to $0.01 per mile) becomes realized. At one cent per mile, anyone can afford to drive an electric vehicle. As soon as the technology catches up with the concept expect electric vehicles to become commonplace.