Why use alternative fuels?
Alternative fuel vehicles (AFV) are an attractive money-saving option for drivers. More important, vehicle emission pollution is a health and environmental hazard that threatens generations to come. The time is right for alternative fuel vehicles! The technology has matured, and it’s time to switch. Alternative fuels include electricity, ethanol, natural gas, propane, methanol and gasoline blends (M85), biodiesel, and hydrogen. Any of these choices reduces our dependency on foreign fuels and increases air quality. According to Automotive Counseling and Publishing (2004), “nationwide registrations for new hybrid vehicles rose to 83,153 in 2004, an 81% increase over 2003, according to R. L. Polk & Co. Since their introduction in 2000, hybrid sales are up more than 960% but represent a small percentage of the 16.8 million vehicles sold in the US during 2004.
The reasons will vary from one individual to another, but here are a few to consider: Petroleum is a non-renewable resource. Petroleum extraction has peaked; this means that it will become increasingly difficult (expensive) to extract what remains buried in the earth. Burning hydrocarbons pollutes the air we all breathe. Buying gasoline directly supports violent criminal enterprises and people like Dick Cheney. Countries fight wars for oil. If there was less reliance on—and demand for—oil, engaging in wars for oil would become unnecessary. Some alternative fuels may be produced very inexpensively, allowing individuals and governments to use funds for other purposes. Note: ExxonMobile recently reported record earnings.
