The future of green fuels?

With gasoline prices now fallen to below $2.00 per gallon and the auto industry in a bit of a tailspin, I thought that it might be a good time to discuss the future of green auto fuel technologies. Please vote in our poll on which green auto technology will be of greatest use 5 years from now.

First of all the future of ethanol is as a green auto fuel questionable, at least in the non corn growing areas, where transporting costs are a factor. Ethanol has also been under considerable attack by those who contend that it may not be so environmentally friendly. Biodiesel as a green auto fuel is likewise in a similar situation. Used cooking oil still holds economic benefits for those who are willing to make their own fuel.

Improvements in battery technology will lead consumer preferences for alternate vehicle fuels. The technology has come a long way in recent years and certainly was given a much needed boost by the oil crisis of 2008. Early uses will likely be limited to hybrid applications, with fleet vehicles giving the most immediate paybacks.

Natural gas as green auto fuel has been given a political boost during the crisis by T. Boone Pickens the geologist who insists that the technology is the solution to Americas energy needs. There is almost a need for exploiting this energy source, before it becomes obsolete. Future solar and wind applications will likely could make this commodity worthless. It is clean burning and America has a large supply of it. Will the automakers agree to doing conversions? This really is the big question and my guess is no. Consumer conversions will likely pave the way for this industry.

Water split into HHO for burning in autos has developed a following on the internet. Most are using this green auto fuel technology for the purpose of improving gasoline rather than as a singular fuel. The advantage of HHO is that it burns quicker than gasoline allowing for improved efficiencies for properly tuned automobiles.

Fuel cell vehicles, these vehicles seem to get pushed further and further down the R & D pipeline as a green auto fuel with each passing year. Don't look for this technology to come to your neighborhood anytime soon.