| June 24th, 2009 by admin |
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The Race To Turn Your Car’s Engine Green
The Race To Turn Your Car’s Engine Green
The revolution is underway. Auto manufacturers are racing to develop new technologies that are both environmentally friendly and fuel efficient. The pursuit of “green” automotive technology was once considered a novelty. However, it is quickly becoming the standard by which future fleets will be judged.
Carmakers are taking a few different routes in order to meet the challenge. Some are exploring how to use their existing platforms to integrate green features into their gas-powered engines. Others are expanding their diesel capacity. Still others are focusing on the next evolutionary stage of hybrids. Below, we’ll briefly discuss each of the three paths toward a greener engine.
Gas-Powered Engines Are Still A Contender
Judging by the headlines in the popular media, you might think that gasoline engines are about to become all but extinct. Not quite. In fact, they will likely by produced by carmakers for many years to come. That’s not to suggest that auto manufacturers are resting on their laurels hoping green technology fails to gain traction. Instead, they’re pushing forward with new technology, such as turbocharged direct fuel injection systems. A fuel injector is installed within the combustion chamber of each cylinder. The result? Higher performance, better fuel efficiency, and fewer emissions.
Diesel Engines: An Older Technology Revisited
Diesel engines have traditionally been overshadowed by their gas-powered brethren. Long ago, they produced an odor that many found unpleasant and generated noise while driving. Those issues have since been resolved. The advantage of diesel is that the fuel burns more efficiently. Cars with diesel engines enjoy better gas mileage and cleaner emissions.
Until today, the selection of diesel vehicles was severely limited. Few automakers produced them. That’s changing. Over the next few years, you’ll see new models introduced by Ford, Toyota, and BMW. Plus, as the technology expands and sales grow, more carmakers are likely to join the group.
The March Of The Hybrids
Vehicles equipped with hybrid gas-powered engines and battery-powered motors are no longer new. Most major carmakers have shifted their platforms in order to make hybrids a larger portion of their inventories. That momentum isn’t likely to change anytime soon. In fact, auto manufacturers are exploring ways to expand hybrid technology even further.
The original design relied heavily upon the gasoline-powered engine while the battery motor picked up the slack. During the next few years, we’ll see models coming off the factory floor that employ diesel engines, hydrogen-based fuel cells, and other technologies.
The race to turn your vehicle’s engine into an environmentally friendly system is gaining speed. Green technology no longer means sacrificing design, comfort, or engine performance. With better fuel economy, lower emissions, and declining prices, it’s likely the trend will reach the tipping point in the near future.
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