[MLUG - DISCUSSION] Hybrid vehicles/alternative fuels

[McIntosh Jason <EMAIL:PROTECTED>]

Thought I'd post some thoughts on this real quick after reading some  
of peoples comments on the state of the union speech.

First, people keep talking about Hybrid vehicles like they're a great  
way to save money and overall an excellent investment, and overall  
more environmental friendly.  I had to up a few points, and perhaps  
get some additional input:

The first thing to mention, is regarding hybrids.  What about the  
batteries?  Specifically, what about when the batteries wear out?   
What is the cost to replace them?  What is the cost/environmental  
impact of producing these batteries and recycling them?  Is a hybrid  
really that much more environmental friendly if battery replacement/ 
dumping causes as many problems as an equivalent gas engine over a  
period of time?  Is there any study of the impact in a 5/10 year  
period evaluating ALL the factors?

The other thing to mention is this - the price of producing hybrids  
and electricity is still high, unless you're talking nuclear or  
fusion reactors (fusion of course being only a dream at this point).   
SO, from an environmental standpoint, wouldn't a better system to be  
to produce cleaner burning engines/coal plants?  Or, to look at  
alternate solutions?

Personally, I'm still leaning towards Diesel/Biodiesel as renewable  
fuel sources.  Long term, I'd say hydrogen fuel systems are even  
better as they have far fewer emissions.  As an intermediate step,  
I've seen several things on hydrogen injection systems into diesel  
engines, which though initially expensive, use distilled water to  
give a big boost in performance, reduced emissions, etc. etc.

I talked a bit about one car and the concept here:
http://poetshome.com/mcintoshj/?p=432

to repost some links on diesel/hydrogen systems:
http://www.hydrogen-boost.com/Diesel.html
http://thefraserdomain.typepad.com/energy/2005/11/hydrogen_boost_.html
http://www.greencarcongress.com/2005/11/hydrogenenhance.html

Cheers!

Jason


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