Meet Luke Tonachel,an alternative energy transportation expert

Luke Tonachel, an energy expert with the Natural Resources Defense Council, works to develop strategies that will reduce U.S. oil dependence and promote clean vehicle and fuel technologies.

TFK:
Can we do without oil and gasoline?

Tonachel:
Right now, most of us still use oil and gasoline to power our cars, but there are all sorts of new car technologies being created that either require a lot less gas, or none at all. Some of these include hybrids (which run on both gas and a battery, but never need to be plugged in), electric (which runs on electricity - you charge it like a cell phone), and biofuels (a clean fuel usually made from plants).

Another technology we need to take advantage of is fuel efficiency or better mileage - going farther on the same amount of energy whether it's gasoline or electricity. The government has rules about this, but they have barely changed since 1985.

TFK:
Why do we need alternative-power cars?

Tonachel:
Almost all cars today run on gasoline, which is made from oil, a limited energy source that creates lots of pollution -- particularly carbon dioxide, which traps heat and causes global warming. To help stop global warming, we need to use alternative-power cars that do not pollute as much because they run on cleaner energy.

TFK:
Why do they cost more than regular cars? What will change that?

Tonachel:
Not all alternative-power cars are more expensive. Flex-fuel vehicles, which can run on both gasoline and biofuels, cost the same as a regular car. Some other types do cost more because they are a new form of technology and, much like the latest version of the Xbox, they are in demand, so their price is a bit higher. And by saving fuel, cleaner, more efficient cars also save money at the gas station.

TFK:
Explain how vehicles move and what types of alternative power vehicles are available?

Tonachel:
There are 3 types of ways to make vehicles move: (1) Use an engine that burns a fuel (like a typical gasoline car), (2) use electric motors to drive the wheels and (3) use a combination of an engine and an electric motor, such as a hybrid gasoline-electric vehicle.

Cars and trucks that have engines can burn gasoline or diesel or switch to fuels that cause less pollution. Examples of alternative, greener fuels are ethanol, biodiesel and natural gas... Vehicles that can burn gasoline or ethanol are often referred to as flexible-fuel vehicles.

There are a number of alternative power vehicles that are in development, and they can run on all different types of energy sources - biofuels, hydrogen, electricity, etc. The main type that is already in driveways across the country is the hybrid vehicle.

TFK:
What is a hybrid car? It still uses gas, so is that good?

Tonachel:
Hybrid gasoline-electric vehicles (or 'hybrids') have both a fuel engine and an electric motor to turn the wheels, along with an extra big battery, while regular cars just have engines. A special battery onboard captures energy when the vehicle is coasting to a stop or going down hill and then powers the electric motor.

Hybrids are a great choice because they partially run on their electric motors, which draw power from a battery instead of from the gas tank (this also lets the gasoline part of the system work most efficiently). And when hybrids do use gasoline to run their engines, they still use a lot less gas than a regular car, which means they cause less pollution. Hybrid cars are sometimes quicker than regular cars, and there are even people who race hybrid cars.

TFK:
How is natural gas different than gasoline?

Tonachel:
Gasoline is the liquid we use to run our cars, and it is made from oil. Natural gas is also a fossil fuel - which means it comes from plant and animal materials that have been underground for millions of years - but it comes as a vapor instead of a liquid. While there are a handful of cars and trucks equipped to run on natural gas, we mainly use it to heat our houses, generate electricity, and cook our food. Natural gas burns much cleaner than gasoline, oil or coal.

TFK:
Some cities are reviving diesel trucks for firetrucks and other vehicles. Is diesel energy-efficient?

Tonachel:
Diesel fuel has a lot more energy per gallon than gasoline, which means diesel engines are more efficient. It is especially good for pulling big, heavy loads. Diesel also used to mean lots more pollution. But that is changing thanks to new fuel formulas that allow for better pollution controls on the engines. Soon, we may be seeing more diesel cars on the road, too (they are already very common in other parts of the world).

TFK:
What about electric and solar cars? What about alternative fuel like biofuel? What are fuel cells? What is ethanol?

Tonachel:
As battery technology gets better, we will see more and more electric cars - starting with hybrid cars that can also get a charge from the socket, letting them use even less gasoline. As for solar, there is a competition every year to see which car can go farthest and fastest using only the energy of the sun. Every year the results get better, but these are still very small, specially built vehicles. While we could see solar panels used to boost hybrid or electric vehicles soon, mass-market solar cars are still a long way off.

Biofuel is fuel for cars that comes from plants - such as corn, sugar cane or even certain types of grass. Since it is created from something that can be grown, it can be renewable and not as limited in supply, like oil or coal. It is becoming increasingly popular in America. In Brazil, most cars run on fuel made from sugar cane.

Fuel cell vehicles are electric vehicles that have their electricity generated by a hydrogen fuel cell. When hydrogen gas mixes with air in a fuel cell, a chemical reaction produces electricity. Unlike conventional gasoline vehicles which pollute as you drive, fuel cell vehicles emit only water out of their exhaust pipes.

Ethanol, which can be made from corn or grasses, is better than burning gasoline because it burns more cleanly. Additionally, it uses a renewable resource that can be grown right in our own backyards.

TFK:
Aside from walking or biking, what is the most energy-efficient form of transportation?

Tonachel:
Public transportation, such as subways, trains and buses, are a great choice for people who live in or near cities. Since these forms of transportation take large groups of people to the same place at once, it creates a lot less pollution than if everyone drove their cars separately. And if you are taking a car, take your friends and family along instead of traveling separately.

Angelique LeDoux
Go Back To Q&A Home