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HYBRID WINS THE RACE FOR ENVIRONMENTALLY
SOUND VEHICLES
By Erica Hoff
A recent study reveals the greener machine.
A study conducted by Massachusetts Institute of Technology predicted the use of Hybrid cars will surpass the environmental benefits of hydrogen fueled cars until at least 2020.
Hybrid cars are powered by a combination of electric motors with small petroleum engines, which reduces smog emissions and increases fuel economy.
According to the study, hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles have low emissions and energy use on the road, but converting a hydrocarbon fuel such as natural gas or gasoline into hydrogen to fuel such vehicles uses substantial energy and emits greenhouse gases.
The study was published in January after the Bush administration announced a plan to develop hydrogen fuel, which will be supported by $1.2 billion in government funds.
Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham said in January it should be cost-effective to produce hydrogen-fuel cars in large numbers and have them in showrooms by 2020. The cars could reduce U.S. demand for foreign oil by 11 million barrels per day by 2040, according to the Energy Department.
Even with extensive research, a hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle would not be better than a diesel hybrid in terms of total energy use and greenhouse gas emissions by 2020, the study said. This is because most of our hydrogen supply currently comes from natural gas.
However, in the future, analysts say, large amounts of hydrogen will be separated from water, where it bonds with oxygen, through the use of alternative energies like wind and solar power. At the moment, the green method of making hydrogen is too expensive, according to the study.
MIT Researchers predict that hydrogen cars will win out beyond 2020.
“If auto systems with significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions are required in, 30 to 50 years, hydrogen is the only major fuel option identified to date,” said John Heywood.
“If we learn how to do it, I think that’s absolutely wonderful, but I wouldn’t hold my breath,” said Malcolm Weiss, a researcher with MIT’s Laboratory for Energy and Environment.