Fuel Cell Vehicles vs. Hybrid Cars

With gas prices as high as they are these days, people are desperately looking for ways to cut down the cost of driving. For instance, instead of going out three different times in one day, now it is more economical to plan out where you are going ahead of time to cut down on excess driving and wasting gas. But suppose there was a car we could drive that would save us money and be better for the environment? Many people believe that hybrid cars are the answer.

Hybrid cars use less gasoline than the cars we are used to driving today. Even though they are being promoted as less expensive to maintain and more energy-efficient, these hybrid cars have yet to overtake the automobile industry. It is still rare to see many hybrids out on the road today. Newer technology has suggested the possibility of fuel cell vehicles, which typically run off of a hydrogen fuel source as opposed to gasoline. The way that a fuel cell works completely eliminates the process of combustion which makes them virtually pollution-free. However, these cars have supposedly been "in the making" for decades now, and they are projected to cost almost $1,000,000 per vehicle. Also they would not work in cold climates and as of now there are no places to fuel them.

So with our national fuel economy in no better shape than it was in the 1980's, it is time to make some decisions. This is where the factor of opportunity cost comes into play. Should we invest in cars that do not depend so much on oil and gasoline that are better for our environment? What would we be giving up in exchange? I don't think that Americans will change how or what we drive anytime soon. High gas prices are hard to deal with now, but not many people cannot afford million-dollar cars as an alternative.

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/hybrid-car.htm -- How Hybrid Cars Work
http://www.sae.org/fuelcells/fuelcells-how.htm -- How Fuel Cells Work
http://www.soultek.com/clean_energy/hybrid_cars/fuel_cell_vehicles_versus_hybrid_cars_Part_1.htm -- Hybrid Cars vs. Fuel Cell Vehicles

by: Dana Ingraham