The slowing economy, the increase in jobless people is prompting a re-think of the choices they make when it comes to choosing their next cars according. The ever increasing prices of oil and Gasoline which has hit a high $3.00 per gallon, is getting more and more people to consider getting either flex-fuel capable vehicles or other alternative fueled cars. These hybrids, which are now more common than you think thanks due to mass manufacturing of already, tested brands like the Toyota Prius and many others are gaining ground for they offer better fuel economy and have less impact on the environment. The other alternative fuels in current study and development are Methanol, Ethanol, Hydrogen and even the dirty old diesel engine is getting a second lease at life with people opting to go for them and alternative fueled cars rather than the gas guzzling cars of yesteryears. Diesel engines have been in use for quite some time but mainly in the mass transport industry such as trucking and hauling of freight to and from ports. They have their share of SUV’s and cars but if the current trend in gas prices shows no slowing down, there might be no other choice but to trade in that gas guzzler for a new diesel or alternative powered car.
Diesel is known to be a not so good performer in the environmental side of things but better and improved engine technology which has come out with cleaner, better and more fuel efficient diesel engines but it still has many issues that can be addressed by alternative fuelled cars. These hybrids on the other hand do have downsides such as battery lifecycle and emissions which can be comparable to current gas powered vehicles. They are slowly but surely getting better and they are sure to be seen more and more everyday, as people shift to better, more fuel efficient vehicles. The choice between gas, diesel and alternative fuelled vehicles has always been a choice of trade off’s between economy, environmental impact and other contributory factors. With the price of gas almost tripling in the last 5 years, the shift to cheaper alternatives (or the not so cheaper ones as with alternative fueled cars) in hopes of keeping the regular Joe on the road while maintaining an environmentally acceptable stance all of us should partake in. So it would only be time before we see more electrical charge stations, methanol and other alternative fuels being offered at the nearest gas station you stop at to fuel up.