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Engines of the Future
What the Devil Will They Look Like?
Contrary to what has happened in industries like computers or biotechnology, the motor industry hasn't really made a lot of progress in the last century. All cars still depend on a traditional internal combustion engine. But lately things have started to change and people are beginning to realize that the cars of the future will have to rely on less wasteful, environmental-friendly energy sources.
But how will the engines work? The most common and widely concepted and tested sollution is the electric car. Using electricity is indeed very good for the environemet (Although there is the question of the damage caused by the increase in demand for electricity) and should become cheaper soon. But the big downside is that, much like any other battery, the battery inside your car will need to be recharged - about every 3 hours of driving or so. Another setback is the fact that electric cars will perform poorly. You won't see them go upper of 80kph - not in the near future anyway.
Another suggestion is engines that use natural gas to power them. Not much different than steam engines, these engines will certainly have no problem in the performance department. They have 2 major problems. One is their price and the other is safety. Highly flammable materials will have to be dealt with with caution.
I don't claim to be a prophet, but the solution that looks to me most likely to succede internal combustion is a hybrid electrical/internal combustion car. It pretty much combines the advantages of both. When you're in town, you are not going very fast anyway,you're always near a refueling/recharging station, and pollution is a great concern. So the car uses Electricity. But when the car goes out to the great wide open, where pollution is negligible, recharging stations are nowhere to be found and speed is required, the car switches to the good old IC engine.
When will this happen? hybrid cars will be in the stores by 2002 but will take some time to catch on. Until then Diesel engines are a good deal, because refueling is 1/3 the cost and emissions of CO2 (=pollution) are fewer. Diesel is available right now. You can buy a diesel-powered car and save both your money and the earth, as long as you're willing to settle for a somewhat slower car.
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