Biodiesel, Hybrid or Hydrogen?

Question

I will be getting one of these soon, but can't make up my mind. Please give your thoughts and reasons. And also, which is easier to maintain?

Thanks!

Answer 1

I just stick with a gas gussler...i know gas prices are high but still its not that big of a deal just cut down on driving...car pool

Answer 2

I agree ...wait a few years for a new vehicle.

Answer 3

biodiesel, no, it sells for 25% more than regular diesel.  It'll never fly on its own, stick with plain diesel.

Hybrids, if you drive the open roads, no stopping, then NO.  The hybrid increases milage from capturing the energy in braking, minim braking, no savings.

Hydrogen is not a fuel, its a battery, you'd be better off with just a battery powered car. Skip all the steps required to make hydrogen and just use the electricity.  Every step in the process from getting to your car from the source cost money.  H2 has to many steps.

Answer 4

Hydrogen is going to be a nightmare when it comes to finding fuel for it.  Hybrids running on petrol or cars that can run on biodiesel (and conventional diesel) can fill up almost anywhere but hydrogen fuelling stations aren't exactly all over the map.

Hybrids don't seem to actually save any money over conventional petrol cars (though they do have lower emissions) although the technology should eventually improve to the point at which they are cheaper to run.  Diesel still has problems with particulate matter (though no where near as bad as it used to) which are largely solved by running on biodiesel if you can get it.

Now you can make biodiesel yourself but it may be illegal if you don't fill in extra paperwork for the fuel taxes you are required to pay (not paying those fuel taxes is illegal, people who used biodiesel have been charged over it) and you might find that the price advantage home made biodiesel had over diesel from the pump disappears when that's taken into account (not to mention the hassle of filling out the paperwork to pay those taxes).

Answer 5

You want Hydrogen Fuel Injection!

Check out this car by RONN MOTOR CO

http://ronnmotors.com/cms/index.php?opti...

I know it is a bit pricey but if you can't afford that much you can contact Hydrorunner, Inc.

http://www.hydrorunner.com/about-us.html

and have a hydrorunner installed on the car/truck you have now!

Answer 6

Biodiesel from algae or landfill waste.

Answer 7

I don't know that much about Biodiesel.  Seems like it would be nice to fill up with used vegetable oil.  I've hear that they can smell a little like a fast food joint, though.  

I own a hybrid and like it very much.  Toyota maintains it with regular 5K check ups.  They warrant the battery and the tires for 100K.   Gas mileage is great.  (45-50 mpg)  The ten gallon tank will get you up to 500 miles and then you can fill it for around $40.  

Hydrogen may be the next step.  The problem is distribution.  Filling stations will only be on the coasts (California -- New York -- maybe Florida) for quite a while.

Answer 8

Hydrogen.

its powerful

its just as safe as gasoline

it produces a great engine note

honda and gm are making in-home h2 fueling stations

its affordable-2.50 a gallon

Answer 9

frankly, the industry is in transition now.

i'd go on craig's list and buy a used car.

when i looked a bit ago, there was a real nice honda civic that got 35 mpg for under $5k.

in a few years, there'll be a much wider choice, and the reliability and maintenance will become more clear.

i think that we don't know what will predominate in 5-10 years.

i think i was nearly 40 before i bought my first new car.

another thing to keep in mind, when the industry changes, the resale values of all the current cars will plummet.

you might not want to get caught with something you don't like, but can't sell.

on the other hand, if gas goes up a bit more, you'll be able to get a hummer for half price.

they're just sitting on the lot today, getting moldy.

Answer 10

You forgot to mention natural gas (methane)! It's clean, it's cheap, it's domestic, and it actually exists now. I have 2 cars that run on it, both made by Ford in 1999 and 2000. Honda also makes one - the Civic GX. You can't always find a place to fill them up, so check out my sources below to make sure there's a station around you before you go out and buy one. If not, start bothering your local government officials to get some infrastructure in, because this is a great deal and a great way to get off gasoline completely. Good luck!