When Henry Ford told a New York Times reporter that ethyl alcohol was "the fuel of the future" in 1925, he truly believed it. It was in fact, a sentiment shared by the entire automobile industry. "The fuel of the future is going to come from fruit like that sumach out by the road, or from apples, weeds, sawdust -- almost anything," he said. "There is fuel in every bit of vegetable matter that can be fermented. There's enough alcohol in one year's yield of an acre of potatoes to drive the machinery necessary to cultivate the fields for a hundred years." Of course his forecast was never realized, because by that time any distilled alcohol was outlawed. The 18th Amendment had been in effect since 1919, and would stay the law of the land until 1933, unfortunately. This time line coincides with the enormous growth of the automobile industry.
Back then, there wasn't yet a gas station on every corner. In fact, Henry Ford's Model T came in a variation that allowed the driver to switch the carburetor to run the engine on farm-made ethyl alcohol. Most farms at that time were equipped with stills so this allowed the driver to refuel when needed. Remember that Fords vision was for everyone to be able to have an automobile. This did not sit well with John D. Rockefeller, who had even backed Ford financially. His Standard Oil Company had a monopoly on gasoline and he wanted all automobiles to run on it. Ford and the rest of the industry just wanted to sell their autos to everyone, and the most readily available fuel was distilled alcohol. What Rockefeller did next was brilliant. His actions however, would change the entire history of not just the United States but the entire world, leading to the energy and security problems of today.
Rockefeller saw an opportunity to take advantage of the Alcohol Temperance Movement that had been trying to limit the use of alcohol for more than 25 years. He gave the equivalent of $60million in today's dollars to an obscure group pushing for the complete elimination of alcohol called the Women's Christian Temperance Union. Rockefeller took a stand against alcohol and turned what was essentially a local effort to curb consumption into a national movement that eventually led to prohibition. He made sure that the bill included anything distilled, alcoholic or not. Thus making sure that all vehicles would run on his gasoline. His greed has brought us to where we are today.
Were you aware that bio diesel, electric and HHO technology is not as difficult or expensive as we have been led to believe? I will give you the facts on these conversions, and a source to find out more if you're interested.
Like biodiesel, biofuels are not only stemming the tide of global warming but helping support American agriculture. The critics though, argue that it takes almost as much energy (thus adding to pollution) to create them, as you might get from the clean fuel itself. I feel that anyone making ethanol should be required to utilize only clean energy, like solar and wind power, to process the fuel. Of course, there are those who are not waiting for this to happen, and have decided to take matters into their own hands. You can't just dump a few gallons of vegetable oil in your tank however. You will ruin your engine. The conversion is grassroots technology, and for the most part a do it yourself process. Although the government seems to be behind it in theory, I wouldn't go changing over until you investigate it thoroughly. If you are interested in learning more about homemade biodiesel however, there is a source.
Most of the manufacturers of electric cars just don't get it. They expect that to save the planet we will put up with 50 mile range before having to recharge, and a speed of 60mph.Even imports, with all the talk of being so advanced in hybrid technology, don't offer anything that gets more than forty mpg. They should be selling cars that get twice that mpg. The technology exits, and it is no where near as expensive as everyone leads us to believe. Well, there are some do it yourselfers' that promise their conversion will give you 100 mile range, and it only cost a few hundred dollars. I think that if you are someone that does not drive on the highways often, an electric car might be perfect. In addition the government will give you a tax credit for driving a clean fuel vehicle.
Although hydrogen cells are what most experts claim to be the fuel of the future, I have found a grassroots movement that uses water as fuel today. You will still have to take the occasional trip to the gas pump, because water is supplemental to your gas or diesel fuel, and 100% water cars are still on the drawing board. Moreover, extracting energy from water to double or triple your fuel economy is VERY EASY. This is not new technology. People have been using water to gas converters in vehicles for years. This is proven technology. Using a simple device, you can use the electricity from your battery to separate water (H2O) into a gas known as HHO. HHO is two parts' Hydrogen and one part Oxygen. HHO is a supercharged gas that burns effectively and produces significant energy, greatly improving your fuel economy. Incredibly, the waste product is water! The green car of the future just might be sitting in your driveway. Because the hydrogen is produced On-Demand, this technology is perfectly safe for you and your passengers. Imagine going from 20-25 mpg, to 50-60 mpg or more, and at the same time reducing your carbon foot print.
Well these are the options you have if you're not thinking of buying an electric or hybrid in the near future. Obviously, I couldn't go into great detail in this article, but if I have piqued your interest, you can get all the facts at: My RecomMANNdations You can also find sources to cheap new and used auction bargains, and companies that will give you a new car free or pay you to drive your own vehicle.
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In his late 50's, Avery Mann considers himself to be a Jack of all trades and master of quite a few things. He spent most of his adult life as a struggling actor. Because of that he has acquired an abundance of knowledge, he now would like to share with the rest of the world. You can always find new and inspirational ideas at My RecomMANNdations :
