Though CO2 is the most important greenhouse gas it is not the only emission that comes from a decombustion engine that creates environmental problems. Other gaseous emissions that we don’t normally hear about are Nitrogen Oxides (NOx), Sulfur Dioxide (SO2), Hydrocarbons (HC), and Carbon Monoxide. Each one of these gases has there own set of

All and all the measures are great at reducing the emissions but eventually reducing them isn’t going to be enough. In the future either the scarcity of the prized unrenewable resource oil or the ever looming consequences of global warming and other emission problems will catch up to us sooner or later making it even more evident that a new energy source for our vehicle must be

Solar cars are the oldest suggested answer to the vehicle pollution problem. These cars work by collecting sunshine in the form of photons on photovoltoic panels made of semiconductive material that convert the sun’s energy to electric energy. Usually the energy is stored in a battery for more flexibility and a control system, like on accelerator in a car, it regulates how much power goes to the electric drive motor. However unlike conventional cars, solar cars store energy absorbed when braking rather than wasting it entirely to heat and noise. One problem with solar cars is the fact that the amount of waste produced in production is higher than conventional cars due to the special materials needed to build them (Richard Briggs). This negates the whole propose of switching to an alternate energy source. Second problem that would occur if we were to switch to this energy source that would mean that driving would be restricted to the day. This may work for the office worker but its impossible for the third shift factory worker, the drivers of commercial good, or even the everyday person form going to a late night movie. Obviously this design isn’t very practical for the real world.

Hydrogen cars also know as battery cars is the most recent suggested solution that works by taking hydrogen either in gaseous or liquid form and electrochemically combining it with oxygen to produce electricity that is usually stored in a battery. These cars are equipment with energy saving features like automatic engine shutdown when the vehicle is stopped and regenerative braking that converts kinetic energy into electricity to charge the battery. Converting a nice old car into an electric car would be noticeably less than a new gas powered car. Even though this car is 95% more efficient there are a few problems to consider. First problems is that the car can only go so far before they need to be charged and it takes “a couple of hours to charge”(Rob Driess 2003). Even though Honda’s FCX fuel cell vehicle can 170 miles which is 70 more than Fords (Rob Driess 2003) long distance travelers still don’t want to wait a couple of hours at a hydrogen station while their car is being charged. Another problem is the consumers’ fear that the compressed hydrogen gas might lead to massive explosions during car accidents. However May Gates, the spokesman of Dailmler-Chrysler assured that “The engineering has been done with the fuel tanks to ensure their safety in all kinds of conditions”(Ford 2003). Last problem with hydrogen cars is the fact that in order for them to be practical they will have to install hydrogen-filling stations which will cost both money and time.

environmental problems that come along with it. Nitrogen Oxide and Nitrogen Dioxide are irritants to the lungs, which can aggravate respiratory problems, in addition to being the main cause of smog alerts in urban areas. It also is a precursor of acid rain and contributes to an over-fertilization of small water bodies which can led to algae blooms ()footnote of the nitrogen cycle. Sulfur Dioxide causes lung irritation and acid rain like Nox but it also interferes with a car part (i.e. catalytic converter) that gives the car th

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