Renewable Sources:
* Electricity: Electric vehicles (EVs) use battery packs charged from the electric grid.
* Hydrogen: Hydrogen fuel cells convert hydrogen gas and oxygen into electricity, producing only water as a byproduct.
* Biofuel: Biodiesel and ethanol are derived from renewable plant sources and can be used in modified gasoline engines.
* Solar: Solar-powered cars use solar panels to generate electricity, though they usually require supplementary power sources for longer journeys.
Other Sources:
* Compressed Natural Gas (CNG): CNG is a cleaner-burning alternative to gasoline, but requires specialized refueling infrastructure.
* Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG): LPG is a readily available and relatively clean-burning fuel, but its energy density is lower than gasoline.
Hybrid Systems:
* Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs): HEVs combine a gasoline engine with an electric motor to improve fuel efficiency.
* Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs): PHEVs can be plugged in to recharge their batteries, allowing for extended electric-only driving.
Future Possibilities:
* Nuclear: Nuclear power plants could potentially provide clean electricity for large-scale electric vehicle charging.
* Other: Researchers are exploring other potential sources like geothermal, wind, and even kinetic energy.
The best alternative to gasoline depends on factors like cost, availability, environmental impact, and driving range.
