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Getting a Green Car

Getting a green car is not about choosing a particular shade of green from the colour chart, it’s all about getting a car that runs on an alternative fuel source.

And if you’re going to turn your back on petrol and diesel, what are the alternatives? A hybrid car, which usually combines the old technology with a new one, or an electric, biodiesel, or hydrogen car?

Okay, first things first. You’re considering choosing a ‘green’ car because you’re a. concerned about the ice-cap melting into the sea; b. it will save you money on taxes (via the car tax system and maybe even the congestion charge); or, c. both.

Now, lets say a few words about car engines and modern drive systems. The manufacturers have not been slow in picking up the new vibes and engines, and cars, are vastly improved in terms of CO2 emissions and efficiency, than say 20 years ago. Most cars now boast very good miles per gallon figures and their power units are quieter, and less polluting. Some also feature clever gizmos, which means they stop and start within nano seconds, saving fuel, and can ‘glide’ for extra efficiency.

But, although ground-breaking, most experts now agree that as cars burn diminishing and carbon creating fossil fuels, they, ideally, should be a thing of the past.

That will take some time and that’s where the hybrid car comes in. This is most commonly a mixture of a traditional combustion engine and an electric power plant. The engine basically re-charges the electric power unit which then takes over the driving strain for as many miles as it can manage. It’s a clever solution, although because its uses the old technology, it is seen as a necessary halfway house, but not the ideal solution for the future.

Although the electric car has seemingly been around for decades, it has never quite managed to shake off the milk cart image. Electric power plants are getting better, but they still suffer from lacking a lot of bottom end power (torque) and having a short life (due to the batteries needing re-charging quite quickly). And, of course, there is a fundamental flaw. Electricity for use in the car is mostly generated from fossil fuels, so it really defeats the purpose of having an electric car. If we turn to wind power, or other alternative generation method, then the electric car might yet have its day. And, of course, to re-charge the batteries, you have to make sure you plug it in at night; there’s no popping down to the local garage.

Biodiesel is cheaper, more efficient and cleaner than oil-based diesel. Nowadays, most biodiesel is a blend of bio fuels and diesel, giving a mixture that can run cars on a hybrid basis (they can run biodiesel, or straight diesel). There is chip fat of course, but most engines have to be adapted to use that.

But unfortunately biodiesel, once seen as the saviour of the world’s climate problems as it’s derived mostly from plant crops, and not fossil fuels, has had some unfortunate side effects. Food crops have become fuel crops with food shortages as one result, and great land grabs have been made to keep up with demand, with terrible environmental effects, such as cutting rain forests down to provide the land. Once the dream solution for environmentalists and politicians alike, biodiesel is in danger of becoming an unwanted nightmare.

Hydrogen is 100% clean and produces a fuel that can power a car in the traditional manner. Bingo, except that to produce the necessary hydrogen to fuel the car, it has to be done using fossil fuels and great energy is needed. The second issue is that few garages are taking hydrogen seriously and are not providing fuelling points. So unless you drive only around the place where you can refuel, the vehicle is basically a working hypothesis. Now hydrogen is one of the best long term bets, but you wouldn’t use your last dollar on the wager.

And, ironically, as the current economic crisis bites and the price of oil continues to drop, bringing traditional fuel costs down, will there continue to be an incentive for different fuels? Maybe yes, maybe not.

Getting a green car is a laudable aspiration, just make sure it can still serve the purpose.