Alternative energy vehicles?

Question

What are the types of alternative energys being used (or planned) for cars?

Answer 1

First I want to add something to Dana's statement.

The ZAP brand of cars is a hoax.  Every time ZAP has said they had a product it mysteriously fall's through.  The ZAP-X was supposed to have launched this year, then next year, then the year after....I believe a class action lawsuit is actually in the works because ZAP sold dealer licenses for several years now without releasing a product.

If you want a good run down of normal car's that are being developed simply look at GM's website.  They are developing an array of vehicles designed to remain just as feasible as today's automobile's(they get 300-400 miles before they need a fill up or charge and actually fit people into them).

These basically run the technology gambit.  Everything else that is out there(technology wise) is not so much a vehicle, they are more similar to a golf cart than a car.

Not to mention the huge number of proposed technologies that are nothing more than a hoax for people to sink their cash into.

Answer 2

As many as can be imagined. Electric, hydrogen, solar cells, water driven, air driven, newer batteries for longer distances and the technology goes on. The newest ballyhoo is about plug in capable charged batteries--HUH! We had them in pure battery electrics thirty years ago. Why can't the manufacturers

get that technology NOW?

Spaartawo...

Answer 3

Mostly plug-in hybrid and electric.

Available in California in October 2008, the Aptera typ-1e will cost about $27,000 with a top speed of 95 mph and range of 120 miles per charge.

http://www.aptera.com/details.php

Soon thereafter Aptera will introduce the typ-1h, a plug-in hybrid version of the typ-1e with a 40-60 mile range on purely electrical energy, and a range of over 600 miles total when in electric/gas hybrid mode, for around $30,000.  On a 120 mile trip, the typ-1h will get 300 miles per gallon.  The shorter the trip, the higher the efficiency.

http://www.aptera.com/details.php

Available in late 2009, the ZAP Alias will cost $30,000, have a top speed of 100 mph, and a range of 100 miles per charge.

http://zapworld.com/electric-vehicles/el...

Soon thereafter the ZAP-X will be available at a cost of $60,000 with a top speed of 155 mph and a range of 350 miles per charge.

http://zapworld.com/electric-vehicles/el...

Available in 2009, the Miles Javlon will cost $30-35,000 with a top speed of 80 mph and a range of 120 miles per charge.

http://www.milesev.com/index.asp#hsv.swf

Phoenix Motorcars will start selling their SUT to individuals in late 2008 or early 2009.  It will cost $45,000 and have a top speed of 100 mph with a range of 100+ miles per charge.

http://phoenixmotorcars.com/

There is a lot of research going into hydrogen cars at the moment also, but that technology has some fundamental problems (i.e. hydrogen currently comes from fossil fuels, there's no transportation and storage infrastructure, etc.), so hydrogen cars are still at least several decades away from widespread use, unlike electrics.

Answer 4

like previously stated mainly electric

but there is also hydrogen(BOOOO!!!!!)

natural gas

and compressed air

Answer 5

Hydrogen fuel cells are being planned. Electric cars have been around for awhile.