The five major problems that afflict vehicles today are:

· Tightening of Environmental Regulations

Implementing linear motors as the primary drive system in automobiles will be an innovative solution to the problems that plague the car industry. Most of these problems stem from the use of the internal combustion engine. The incorporation of fuel cells as the power source will correct many of the dilemmas by providing clean, replenishable energy. In February 2003 General Motors Corp. sold 333,572 new cars and trucks in the United States [ghy]. At that rate General Motors (GM) will sell just over 4 million new vehicles annually for 2003. Each of these cars will thrust emissions into the atmosphere, further harming the environment. With the average car achieving 24 miles per gallon in 2000 and a gas price of $1.57 per gallon fuel costs add up [abc]. General Motors, a world leader in automobile manufacturing, can best utilize these advances in automobile planning. By applying linear motors and fuel cell technology, GM will set new standards in car design in America.

Electricity is created by the alternator attached to the engine and is used to power the electrical components and accessories. Translating the power from the engine to the wheels depletes the original power created by the engine. A study performed at Washington University calculated that the average percentage of power reaching the wheels is 30% [wus]. This breaks down from 100% energy in the fuel and subtracting 35% for pushing the piston; 20% in overcoming engine friction and pumping the air and fuel; and 15% transmission and axle frictional losses. If the entire power generated by the engine were transferred to the wheels, the internal combustion engine would be extremely efficient. Even though gasoline engines are not efficient and are unclean, GM has advanced car design and manufacturing techniques in recent years. Their analysis of engine performance and many timing features have lead to superior running and lower emissions. The dependency on international oil supplies and the amount of hazardous exhaust gases have yielded creative solutions to these problems.

· Non-methane organic gas (NMOG) by 87 percent

6.0 Recommendations of Alternative Fuels to Gasoline and Diesel

Some topics in this essay:
Fuel Cells, Washington University, Motor Linear, Northeastern University, Los Angeles, Cell Placement, Cincinnati Machine, Solutions Automobiles, Paris Motor, Disadvantages Difficulties, linear motors, fuel cell, fuel cells, natural gas, linear induction, linear motor, internal combustion, internal combustion engine, combustion engine, proton exchange membrane, hydrogen oxygen, magnetic field, hydrogen fuel cells, linear induction motors, linear motors fuel,