Introduction

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New car options

Ideas from the Fringe

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Driving a fuel-efficient conventional car or being environmentally thoughtful about how you use your current car not enough for you? You might be ready for ... the wacko fringe.

We caution you, however, that the ideas that follow are only for the most tofu-empowered among us. They involve sacrifices in comfort and flexibility that many of us may not be willing to make.

But, hey, somebody's got to be a pioneer, right?

With that said, here's what little we know about ...

Electric Vehicles   Biodiesel Vehicles

Electric Vehicles
Tree-Hugging Factor: 5 out of 5 trees

Electric vehicles are not for most people. They have one enormous downside: their range. Most electric vehicles can travel only about 50 to 100 miles before needing at least several hours to be recharged.

Since your typical American drives only about 27 miles a day, an electric vehicle might be acceptable for most days. The downside, however, comes when you need to run some errands, forgot something at work and have to drive back, want to take that weekend trip out of town, or make an emergency trip to the bowling alley. If an electric vehicle is your only car, you might find your style seriously cramped. But if it's a second car and used only for a commute to work, it could be for you.

There are other downsides to electric vehicles as well: poor acceleration, limited battery life, and the need to replace all those batteries when they're worn out, in six to eight years or so.

How do electric vehicles work? They actually use no gasoline at all. The electric motor (or motors) that turns the wheels are powered by a large bank of batteries inside the car which need to be recharged frequently--usually on a daily basis.

The good news with electric vehicles is their lack of emissions: there aren't any. Not from the car, anyway. Since electric vehicles get their power from the electrical outlet in your house, the pollution comes from the increased demand at the nuclear (or, more likely, coal) power plant down the street. However, since electric generating plants have elaborate emission-control systems (at least compared to your run-of-the-mill Taurus), driving an electric car will result in about a 95 percent net reduction in pollution compared to a conventional car.

Finally, because there's no internal combustion engine in an electric car, a lot fewer repairs are needed. No timing belts, water pumps, radiators, fuel injectors, or exhaust systems means fewer boat payments to your mechanic. And you'll never have to pay for a tuneup or oil change. But you will be paying some of this cost up front, due to the high cost of most electric vehicles. (We were tempted to say "outrageously high prices." Just thought you should know.)

Right now there are several electric vehicles from which to choose: GM's EV-1; electric versions of the Toyota Rav4, the Ford Ranger, and the Dodge Caravan Epic; and an entire line of vehicles from a company called Solectria.

Electric Vehicle Resources: Check out the cars.com electric vehicle area, with up to date information on how electric vehicles work, who makes them...and what's ahead for EV's. Research specific models, find an electric vehicle dealer near you, or get your questions answered at the Department of Energy's Alternative Fuels Data Center Electric car rentals: EV Cars Virginia Wesleyan College's Comprehensive Alternative-Fuel-Vehicle Directory Electric car rentals in California and Florida and electric scooter sales: Zapworld Places to recharge your electric car in California: the Clean Car Map

Biodiesel
Tree-Hugging Factor: 5 out of 5 trees

Ever heard of biodiesel? Neither had we, until one of our flakier listeners who actually drove a van that ran on used vegetable oil (no, we're not kidding) called in.

Just what is biodiesel? Biodiesel is a form of fuel that's made from vegetable, plant, or seed oil. It can be used in any vehicle that runs on diesel fuel. Most often, it's mixed in with regular diesel fuel.

Biodiesel is much better for the environment than regular diesel. Pure biodiesel has no lead or sulfur dioxide emission and reduced levels of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and particulates--all of which are some of the causes of acid rain, global warming, soot, and smog.

The bad news, however, is that biodiesel fuel rots out rubber parts like hoses and seals. More-durable replacement parts, made from a material called fluoroelastomer, are available if you're planning on running soybeans through your engine.

Another downside is that biodiesel contains 12 percent less energy then regular diesel. If you pour it into your fuel tank, you'll notice a decrease in power and fuel efficiency.

Biodiesel is available all around the country. It can even be ordered in 55-gallon drums. More-daring drivers have run their vehicles on nothing more than vegetable oil--often using the cooking oil from the fryer at their local diner.

Biodiesel Resources General biodiesel information is available at the Biodiesel Information Centre The Pacific Biodiesel is a commercial source for biodiesel fuels and information. Check out the veggie van that's been driving around the country, and get info on how you can use biodiesel at the Veggie Van Web site. Virginia Wesleyan College's Comprehensive Alternative-Fuel-Vehicle Directory

Introduction

Driving and Maintenance tips

New car options

Ideas from the Fringe