I hear it all the time. People arguing about alternative energy in cars, and generally coming to the conclusion that gasoline is still the best option. I get that, gasoline is incredibly well suited as a transportation fuel. Its energy-dense, convenient, and for many years it was cheap and abundant. As more and more cars find their way onto the roads and CO2 emissions reach critical mass, however, things have got to change. The problem is, people reject change and generally like to stick with what they’re used to. Especially when it comes along with a lower perceived risk. But are those alternatives people argue about really that bad?
Ethanol is one of the most controversial biofuels, as there is a valid argument to be made against it. Since ethanol started being used as an oxygenate in gasoline to reduce carbon monoxide emissions, there have been concerns that growing crops such as corn and soybeans specifically for the production of biofuels detracts from the available land available for food production. This would be true if we intended to replace all current petroleum fuels with biofuels from crops, but that is far from the intention. Currently, the production of biofuels has enhanced rural economies and strengthened agricultural communities by reducing their energy costs and adding value to their crops, livestock, and byproducts. In a statement for a subcommittee hearing on Renewable Energy before congress, member of the Board of Directors for the Montana Farmers Union Dan Downs said, “Through emerging technology we can dramatically increase the production of liquid transportation fuels […] and we can produce biomass and turn crop residues, ag byproducts and wastes into value added energy feedstocks. This linkage between local agriculture and renewable energy is the key to diversifying our energy markets and creating new economic opportunity for rural America” (United States, “Renewable Energy” 5). In that quote, he hints at emerging technologies that could convert waste streams into valuable energy sources, further reducing the need for dedicated biofuel crops.
Opponents also argue that the reduced energy density and highly corrosive properties of ethanol make it unsuitable as a gasoline alternative. All cars produced today currently have fuel systems that can handle at least 10% ethanol, while flex-fuel equipped vehicles have systems rated for up to 85% ethanol. The technology clearly exists to design ethanol-safe fuel systems that do not corrode, while there are plenty of manufacturers of ethanol resistant fuel lines, injectors, and pumps available in the aftermarket and racing industry. The reduced energy density can be offset by its high octane rating and excellent thermal characteristics, as engines tuned appropriately could run at higher efficiency. This is an area where motorsports data from IndyCar, Time Attack, and other series could be applied to road going vehicles.
EV’s are not free from mass criticism either, despite their recent growth in popularity. EV criticizers cite the environmental impact of their battery production and disposal as well as the fact that most electrical energy powering EVs comes from the nations power grid, which is still powered by approximately 78% fossil fuels (EIA). In order to refute these arguments, the Union of Concerned Scientists conducted a study entitled “Cleaner Cars from Cradle to Grave,” to determine the overall environmental impact of EVs as compared to conventional automobiles. They found that even when increased manufacturing emissions of the batteries are taken into consideration, EVs produce less than half of the global warming emissions of a conventional car, as the reduction in tailpipe emissions offsets its manufacturing emissions within 16 months of use or less. They also analyzed the overall footprint of EVs based on the operating regions’ dependence on fossil fuels, and determined that about 66 percent of the population live in areas where powering an EV on the regional electricity grid produces fewer global warming emissions than a 50 MPG gasoline car (Nealer 2). It is cleaner to drive an EV wherever you live, and those statistics will only go up as EVs become more efficient and the nation continues to supplement the power grid with renewable energy sources.
References
Nealer, Rachael, et al. “Cleaner Cars From Cradle to Grave.” Union of Concerned Scientists, Nov. 2015. https://www.ucsusa.org/sites/default/files/attach/2015/11/ Cleaner-Cars-from-Cradle-to-Grave-full-report.pdf.
United States, Congress, Senate, Committee on Appropriations. “Renewable Energy with a Focus on Cellulosic Ethanol and Biodiesel.” U.S. Governement Printing Office, 2006. 109th Congress, 2nd session, document 3-153.