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Why Go Hybrid?. An Introduction to global energy issues and how hybrid vehicles could help with the crisis. What is the problem?. Fossil fuels & the Energy Crisis Politics Environment. http://www.shifting-gears.com/shifting_gears7.24.2005.html. Fossil Fuels.
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Why Go Hybrid? An Introduction to global energy issues and how hybrid vehicles could help with the crisis
What is the problem? • Fossil fuels & the Energy Crisis • Politics • Environment http://www.shifting-gears.com/shifting_gears7.24.2005.html
Fossil Fuels • Fossil fuels- hydrocarbon deposits, such as petroleum, coal, or natural gas, derived from living matter of a previous geologic time and used for fuel • The amount of fossil fuels is limited due to the lengthy process of forming them • Fossil fuels, when used, create emissions that are harmful to the environment • Fossil fuels are a Nonrenewable Energy Source • Americans are most dependent on #1Oil, #2 Coal, and #3 Natural Gas
Peak Oil • Peak Oil-point where oil extraction reaches its peak and the supply begins to decline • Have we reached peak oil? • We can only speculate • Bad News! • We won’t know until after the fact • We have no way of knowing when we reach peak oil until it is too late and supplies begin to run out
An example of a peak oil estimate from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) http://money.cnn.com/2004/11/02/markets/peak_oil/
The BIG Question: When will we run out of our nonrenewable energy? • Predications range between 2074-2111 • We need to plan now • Develop alternative fuels • Decrease reliance on fossil fuels
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Social Issues • U.S. politics and international relations • U.S. demand for oil forces it to buy oil from other nations • Dependency for oil puts the nation at risk during wartime • Decreasing availability of oil is a huge problem for developing nations that are very dependent on fossil fuels • Developing nations do not have the money to develop alternatives to fossil fuels • By using hybrids we become less reliant on other nations!
What do we do? • Find an alternative fuel? • Develop a more efficient way of using current fuel? • Keep living life like nothing is wrong?
Why go hybrid? Cost Time $ Now Now- 5 Years >$ 10-20 Years $$$$$$ *Total Fuel Cycle Impacts of Advanced Vehicles Stodolsky, Gaines, Marshal, An, Eberhart
To go hybrid or not to go hybrid… • Some people feel switching to hybrid vehicles is the answer to the energy crisis • Others are not so sure hybrids are the answer • Now let us compare the pro-hybrid and no-hybrid groups
GO hybrid! • Tax incentives • The Federal tax incentive can be thousands of $ • An individual in the 27% tax bracket can save $500/yr • Some state and local gov’ts have developed their own incentives • Free parking for hybrid owners in Los Angeles, CA • Fuel efficiency • Hybrids can be more efficient than IC vehicles but the driver needs to be a responsible driver
Go hybrid! • Hybrids run cleaner • Burn less fuel, therefore create fewer emissions • Reduce GH gases up to 90% • Some hybrids can run solely on their electric engines, creating no tailpipe emissions at all
Go hybrid!! • Look like normal vehicles • Lexus RX 400h • Honda Accord Hybrid • Ford Escape Hybrid SUV Honda Accord Hybrid, http://autoweb.drive.com.au/cms/A_101888/newsarticle.html
GO hybrid!! • Lower dependence on foreign oil • Hybrids run quieter • Feel good factor • Doing your part to reduce energy crisis • Save $$ in a time of rising gas prices
NO hybrid! – A different view • Some drawbacks to hybrid vehicles exist • To be an informed citizen, one should be aware of other perspectives on this issue
NO hybrid! • Hydride-nickel batteries • Heavy • Costly • No plan for disposal • Hybrids are expensive • Consider both U.S. and other nations • What are developing nations supposed to do who may not be able to afford the technology? • Tax breaks will stop by 2007
NO hybrid! • Hybrids are expensive • Consider both U.S. and other nations • What are developing nations supposed to do who may not be able to afford the technology? • Brings up a lot of issues with foreign aid • U.S. cannot develop hybrid technology in a bubble
NO hybrid! • Long wait lists to buy hybrid • Hybrids weigh up to 300 lbs more than IC vehicles • Increased weight results in lost horsepower • Reliability Unknown
Conclusions • An alternative to traditional IC cars should be developed for several reasons • Energy crisis • Environmental • Cost of oil • Want to learn how a hybrid works? http://kpix.autobytel.com/content/shared/articles/templates/index.cfm/article_id_int/132