The history of alternative fuel can be found as far back as the 1900’s but as a result of political and economical factors, the development of alternative fuels was curtailed. Fossil fuels are still the mainstay of the economy but in the 1970’s, there was a extreme fuel shortage in America that led to taking a serious view of alternative fuels. Due to an over reliance on fossil products, America were at the mercy of foreign countries with oil supplies to run their economy. This led to a shift in thinking when in 1973, OPEC reduced its production, corresponding causing a spike in oil prices. As a result the world has to take a serious view of the reliance and in 1978, diesel engines began regaining popularity as well as other alternative fuel such as biodiesel.
Now, almost 3 decades later, the world has awakened to many other sources of alternative fuels. Ethanol is one of the fuels that is taken its place and is essentially make from grain. Researchers have come up with a certain form of grain alcohol that can power a combustion engine as well as oil-based products but more friendly to the environment. In addition, it is much economical to produce too besides creating more jobs for corn farmers.
Other forms of alternative fuels are methane, propane, and hydrogen that can be used to power modern vehicles. But to effectively run such fuels on traditional engines, changes have to be done. Thus, this led to the advance of the modern alternative fuels vehicles.
Technology and environment have much less to do with the development of alternative fuels than mere politics. To a certain degree, it is true as politicians, being politicians, tend to lean on mass opinions. With global warming becoming fashionable, politicians lean towards supporting and developing alternative fuels.
Whatever the cause, it has been proven without any doubts that alternative fuels contribute effectively to the environment. Looking back into the development of alternative fuels, great stride has been made and the present and near future, new technologies will emerge to make it an exciting technology.
Different types of alternative fuels continue to make big stride and will continue as fossil fuels are limited and will eventually dry up. Being environmental aware is essential but alternative replacements are needed and scientists will persist to make alternative fuels technologies more cost effective as well as efficient to use so that the population will take to it. ---------- Jason is the creator of websites and recycling and composting are his concerns. You can access the website at http://www.lookatcomposting.com.
