BYD Auto nosed out ahead of General Motors (GM), Toyota and Nissan on Dec. 15 by debuting China’s first mass-produced plug-in hybrid, the F3DM. Though it’s not much to look at and has a rather forgettable name, it’s an impressive step forward for hybrids, the auto industry and China.
The F3DM gets juiced from a normal electricity outlet and pushes up to 60 mph in a respectable 10 seconds, also runs up to 60 miles on electricity before gas power kicks in. It’s not a sports car, to say the least; the F3DM feels much more like the conservative Toyota Camry inside and out, and starts at $22,000. Also its near-silent engine adds to the impressive driving experience, heightening awareness of the wind and humming tires sounds.
Warren Buffet (MidAmerican Energy, controlled by Berkshire Hathaway) invested $231 million in BYD a short time ago to charge the electric car into the American market by 2010, clueing in analysts in China’s potential in developing environmentally-friendly cars.
However, what BYD faces in implementing the F3DM hybrid car is the weak infrastructure in China. Most people live in large apartment buildings where recharging plug-ins are extremely scarce.
What is natural gas fuel for vehicles?
Ethanol comes from any starch or sugar-based feedstock, the most common in America being corn (sugar cane is preferred in Latin America). It’s produced for vehicle use by breaking down the plant matter (corn, sugar cane, cheese whey, potato waste) and fermenting it to produce alcohol. It’s basically moonshine, but it’s “denatured” to prevent human consumption.
History of natural gas for cars
Ethanol’s been around forever. It’s the intoxicating ingredient in alcoholic beverages and has been used in every culture in history. The synthetic, fuel-based form was developed in 1827 through a few independent scientists.
However, exorbitant taxes on industrial alcohol during the Civil War prevented further research and distribution. From 1908, Model T Fords and other early cars were easily adapted to run on ethanol, but in 1920, during the Prohibition, sellers of the bio-fuel were accused of teaming up with moonshiners. Ethanol development got knocked off the bio-fuel radar entirely until the 1990s when global pollution and dependence on foreign oil became concerns.
Using natural gas in your vehicle
Ethanol also comes in various blends (the name/percentage similar to biodiesel). E10, also known as “gasohol,” is 10% ethanol and 90% can be used in all gasoline-fuelled vehicles; E85 (85% ethanol; 15% gasoline) can only be used in flex-fuel vehicles.
Ethanol Pros and Cons
Pros:
Produced domestically; lowers dependence on foreign oil
Renewable source of energy
Increases octane content and gasoline lubricity
Reduces toxic emissions contributing to air pollution*
Cons:
Increased nitrogen oxide emissions (contributing to air pollution)
More expensive than traditional diesel
Limited availability of refueling stations
Lower fuel economy in cars
Some research reports ethanol production consumes more energy than it produces
Resources:
www.feueleconomy.gov, “Alternative Fuels,” “Natural Gas”
Consumer Energy Council of America, “Bio-Fuels Facts”
