If you own a car, I am sure you would agree with me when I say that "a car is the most convenient mode of transportation." All vehicles that facilitate transportation of people and materials from one point to another make our life easier. In fact, if it weren’t for the availability of vehicles, traveling distances would have been quite a pain. But as is the case with everything that makes our life easier, there is always a price to pay. In case of vehicles, we not only pay when we buy them or use them but we also pay for their existence.

There are an estimated 800 million on-road vehicles in the world today. If we consider the amount of fuel needed to run them and the amount of exhaust produced by running them, we are looking at a colossal figure that is chewing up our planet in two ways. Not only are we depleting natural resources in the search for new fossil fuel reserves but we are also producing tons of vehicular exhaust to pollute the environment. It is a double edged sword that is slicing-up the future of mankind on Earth.

The ill effects of environmental pollution are already posing a threat. I am sure you would already be familiar with terms like Global Warming.

Man realized the hazards of vehicular exhausts long ago and numerous efforts have been made ever since with a view to curtail this menace. Unfortunately, not many substantial breakthroughs have been achieved in this regard even though research has always been in full swing. These efforts are aimed at finding alternative fuels, reducing vehicle emissions and using environment-friendly materials to manufacture vehicles.

One such effort to save our environment has been gaining prominence over the last decade. This is the concept of "Green Vehicles".

So what exactly is a Green vehicle? Is this the answer to all the environmental concerns associated with vehicles?

A Green Vehicle is one that is designed to operate in a way that causes minimal harm to the environment. Hence, the term "Green" is not a color but a dynamic concept that involves manufacture of eco-friendly vehicles from non-toxic and salvageable materials producing minimal exhausts by using alternative fuels like hydrogen, solar energy, electricity, compressed gasses etc.

These days, a vehicle needs to surpass the Euro-6 emission standards to qualify as a Green Vehicle.

The need for Green Vehicles has been fueled by the increasing awareness among people regarding the hazardous effects of fossil fuel based vehicles. The introduction of Green Vehicles is a positive step aimed at protecting the environment on both counts i.e. reducing vehicular pollution and preventing over-exploitation of natural fossil fuel resources.

So what types of Green Vehicles are available today and how do they function?

The search for alternative fuels has lead man to explore sources that are readily available and pose the least threat to the environment. Based on the type of fuel used, the following types of green vehicles are available in the market today.

Hybrid Vehicles - Not many hybrid cars confirm to the Euro-6 standards and hence a hybrid vehicle may or may not be a Green Vehicle. Hybrid cars function on two main power sources out of which, one is an electrical system. A petrol/diesel engine or a gas motor in combination with an electric motor can cut-down emissions up to 45%. Hybrid cars also utilize kinetic energy produced due to braking to power the on-board electronics.

The main feature of a hybrid car is the minimal use of the primary engine whether petrol/diesel or gas-powered with the help of a self-charging electrical system functioning as the secondary engine. These vehicles have a greater mileage while maintaining the comforts and power of a normal vehicle.

Electric Vehicles - Electric Vehicles do not utilize any other fuel apart from electricity. These are Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEVs) that utilize electricity to charge the batteries that run the car. The electric car uses rechargeable batteries that function as the engine and power every function of the car. There are no moving parts in an electric vehicle and that makes it light, easy to maintain and cost effective.

Hydrogen Vehicles - These are hydrogen powered vehicles that utilize the chemical energy created by reacting hydrogen to power a special mechanical engine in the vehicle. Hydrogen is one of the most abundant elements in the world. Hydrogen is the source of Sun’s energy and further enhancements of this concept would definitely prove to be a successful alternative to fossil fuels.

Bio-diesel Vehicles - These vehicles utilize modified diesel produced from vegetables and animal fat. Such concepts are cost effective and produce significantly low emissions. This alternative is slowly gaining popularity.

Nitrogen Vehicles - These vehicles utilize compressed Nitrogen as the main fuel. Since Nitrogen is the main constituent of air, there is abundance of it to be used as a fuel. Such concepts are in development and when perfected, could turn out to be a great alternative fuel.

The search to find the best alternative to fossil fuel is never-ending. The aim is to find the most energy-efficient source that is cheapest to obtain or produce and readily available. Green Vehicles will continue to evolve in the future and we might see some more types introduced.

"Green Vehicles" is definitely the way forward and expect this concept to take precedence in the years ahead.

James Rodham

QualityAutoParts.com