Green car technology is taking over the automobile industry across the globe. The electric, plug-in hybrid or hybrid cars, that use alternative fuel, are more eco-friendly and efficient means of conveyance than the conventional (gasoline or diesel) vehicles. The pollution and impact of carbon emissions on environment have been a major issue for a long time, and such new car technologies are emerging as the potential solution. Our dependency on non-renewable resources and increasing fuel prices has forced automakers, consumers and government to go for more green cars.
How Green cars work?
Electric cars: Electric cars derive power from rechargeable batteries that act as a fuel tank, and supply energy to the electric motor for acceleration. In electric cars, a controller directs the power supply from batteries to electric motor. These rechargeable batteries power all the electronic devices and components in the car. The electric cars come with a new car technology called regenerative braking. This technology enables the electric vehicles to recharge the battery from the energy released while braking. About 60% of electrical energy, delivered from the power batteries, is transmitted to the wheels.
Hybrid cars: Hybrid cars work on an electric motor and a conventional internal combustion (petrol and diesel) engine. Both the energy sources can be configured together for better fuel economy, improved driving range, more power or additional auxiliary power. The electric motor and batteries transmit power to the wheels, while the conventional engine supplies power to the car at cruising speed.
Plug-in hybrid electric cars: Plug-in hybrid electric cars combine a conventional (petrol or diesel) engine with an electric motor and a power grid of rechargeable batteries. These eco-friendly cars can be plugged-in to an external power outlet and recharged for driving up to an extended distances on all electric mode. There are two types of plug-in hybrid configurations – Series plug-in hybrids and Parallel or Blended plug-in hybrids. Unlike the regular hybrid vehicles, the plug-in hybrid cars have different battery capacities and their fuel economy depend on various factors such as driving conditions, driving style and accessories used.
Most modern technologies have their own benefits and challenges, so as the green car technology. The eco-friendly vehicles have lower carbon emission, better fuel economy and are more efficient and economical than the conventional ones. Moreover, these vehicles reduce our dependency on fossil fuels such as petroleum, natural gas etc. However, hybrid or electric cars have low power output, poor handling and high cost of maintenance.
