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Ford Motor Company is Working On a Diesel Hybrid Car
Many stories and rumors are circulating in the motor world of different discoveries and concepts that can further revolutionize the hybrid technology in motor vehicles, but many questions have also arisen. For example, why haven't some of the pre-existing technology been incorporated with the hybrid innovation. This includes the diesel hybrid concept. Along comes Ford.
Diesel engines have been vastly popular in Europe and Asia. While North Americans have not embraced the diesel engine as much as their overseas neighbors, improvements to diesel engines have been made in the United States which negate the characteristics which rendered it a poor choice here. Recent developments have eliminated the excessive smoke generated and the loud rattling noises of the engines. Another boon to the use of this engine, is the increasing production of biodiesel fuel. Combining hybrid technology and the new biodiesel fuel seems to be a better solution to our growing problems.
Biodiesel Fuel | Biodiesel is a renewable fuel, derived from vegetable oils and animal fats. It is seen as an alternative to petroleum diesel and is part of the solution of the depletion of natural resources like oil. Biodiesel can be used in modified engines by itself or added to regular diesel fuel. Additionally, it is a viable substitute for heating oil! Biodiesel is now cleaner and is also cheaper than regular gasoline. |
The Reflex, which could be the basis for future diesel hybrid cars, operates much the same way as gas/electric hybrid cars do. It utilyzes a hybrid battery pack to provide backup power to the car. These batteries get recharged by the diesel engine and the heat generated by braking. The diesel Hybrid car by Ford does use lithium-ion batteries, the same kind used in the latest gadgets today - cellular phones and portable computers. Most hybrid cars use nickel-metal hydrite batteries because they are far more cheaper, but lithium-ion batteries have far more power capacity.
But the Reflex also extracts power from solar cells located inside the headlamps and taillamps. This technology is patented by Ford. And here is something that should be included in every new model vehicle. There are solar cells placed in the roof of the car. These small solar panels provide power to fans that operate inside the car to cool the interior when it is parked under the hot sun. Imagine never having to climb into a oven-like car in the summer again!
Hybrid diesel car technology is not yet readily available. Until then, we can certainly increase the use of biodiesel fuel in traditional diesel cars and trucks. And when the technology is refined, thee hybrid diesel vehicle be an important addition to our need to drive cars that fit into a renewable and sustainable world.
About the author: Scott Harker is the publisher of the website: I See the Light | Solar Energy.
Biodiesel-Maker's Energy Secrets- The Absolute Best Method Of Making Biodiesel At Home. Create your own fuel source...! |
