Monday 2 November 2009

Ecologically - Blue Is The New Green

We are all very aware that cars are the cause of 25% of carbon gas emissions into the environment which aids global warming. Governments, scientists and environmentalists have all come forth with their plans/ideas to reduce this threat to global warming.

As individuals we have all been encouraged to make our individual efforts to help the environment, be it by not using countless plastic bags from supermarkets, sorting our rubbish out into separate sacks for safer environmental disposal to leaving our cars in the driveway and getting on our bikes. All very noble and helpful.

What are we then to make of the biggest manufacturer of aircraft in the world, Boeing, stating they are expecting official approval of biofuel use in the near future.

A Boeing official is reported as stating "the certification will happen sooner than anyone thinks, "within 3-5 years we will have approval for the commercial use of biofuels". The official also added that aircraft would not require any modification to operate on a mix of their current fuel kerosene, and biofuel.

Some people might see this mixed fuel proposal as a step forward in curtailing the advance of global warming and being of help to the environment.

Before you think of embracing this new idea lets have a look at some relevant facts, 1) the proposed biofuel needs to be produced, 2) there are 13000 commercial aircraft currently in use.

It is estimated that the ratio of biofuel to kerosene will be 30/70. As the aircraft industry currently uses 85 billion gallons of kerosene per annum, to provide that 30% mix of biofuel from soya beans for example would require the equivalent land mass of Europe being set aside for this purpose.

In fairness to Boeing they are not alone in the aircraft world on this matter. Airbus and British Airways have been conducting trials with Rolls Royce, while Air France-KLM, who are the worlds' largest airline by revenue, have also given their backing to biofuels.

In contrast to aircraft the motor industry would appear to be making progress in producing cars more friendly to the environment.

The U.S.A. which has traditionally been the home of the big gas-guzzling cars is now turning towards "european" models with more of an emphasis on green credentials and economy.

European and Asian car makers seem to be responding better and quicker to market trends demanding greener and more economical cars.

Without doubt the car industry is experiencing a very difficult time. In the UK from Sept.'07 to Sept.'08 new car registrations fell by 27%. In Sept '08 alone Toyotas' Japanese sales alone fell by nearly 50%. Even in the giant growing economy of China car sales have slumped, which is also the case for France, Germany, Brazil, Mexico and India.

The future, as seen from today's perspective, in the car industry seems to be focused on two types of car:- the "city" car and the green economical and environmentally friendly car.

Electric city cars are now in production by nearly all manufacturers but the limitation of distance driving has still not been overcome; also the basic infrastructure of support is not there and battery replacement is a costly item. As their name implies they are mainly limited to cities and until technology improves there they will remain.

In contrast the buzz in the car industry is all about small petrol and diesel cars. Perhaps mindful of eco-fatigue "blue is the new green". European and Japanese car makers seem now to be including blue in all their branding to identify their green cars??

With the European Commission shortly expected to ratify a new carbon emissions target of 130grams per kilogram those car makers that have taken this onboard are expected to cash in.

Car makers across the spectrum now have models which are attaining levels well below 130g/kg, and returning over 60 m.p.g. The magic target for all car makers for carbon emissions is 100g/kg and is reportedly already being attained by a certain Asian manufacturer.

For those of you who cannot afford a new economical car friendly to the environment and global warming do not give up,there is now, at minimal cost, the alternative of a water to fuel conversion system which will give near zero carbon gas emissions and greatly increase m.p.g.
Author Resource:- Bill is now retired but as a keen motorist has driven on most continents of the world and has a keen interest in environmental issues, these account for only a couple of his many varied interests. For further info on the Water4gas fuel conversion system please visit..http://www.the-car-hub.co.uk/

No comments:

Post a Comment