Automakers are building zero-emission vehicles due to dwindling fuel supplies, rising gasoline prices, and pollution concerns. Zero-emission vehicles can be powered by electricity or hydrogen, but true zero-emission vehicles are powered by solar or wind energy. Hybrids are not true zero-emission vehicles. Solar-powered cars need sunlight to run, and there are waiting lists for hydrogen and electric cars. Tax breaks are available for owners of zero or partial emission vehicles. However, the manufacturing process still produces pollution, and the effects of car wear on pollution are unknown.
Emissions from gas-powered cars are not only the cause of ozone depletion, but the American Lung Association has said it is a frequent cause of lung disease. This, in addition to dwindling fuel supplies and rising gasoline prices, has prompted automakers to start building zero-emission vehicles. A zero emission vehicle, also called a ZEV, is a car that does not create pollutants.
Zero emission vehicles can be powered by two different sources: electricity or hydrogen. Some forms of both electric and hydrogen cars, particularly those powered by fossil fuel plants, also pollute. The true types of zero emission vehicles are powered by solar or wind energy.
The first zero emission vehicle was the electric car. When powered by batteries that are recharged by solar or wind energy, electric cars emit dramatically less pollutants than those powered by a fossil fuel power plant.
Zero emission vehicles can also run on hydrogen. Those that use fossil fuels can produce as much pollution as gas-powered cars. Hydrogen cars that use solar power to generate hydrogen from water produce no emissions.
Vehicles like hybrids are not true zero emission vehicles. Hybrids are cars that run on both gasoline and environmentally friendly means such as electricity. These are called partial zero emission vehicles because although they produce much less pollution than traditional fuel-powered vehicles, they still emit pollutants.
One problem that has hampered the production of zero emission vehicles is the cost associated with producing solar and wind power. The pressing need for vehicles powered by a source other than fuel has been steadily driving down additional costs.
Another problem in manufacturing solar powered cars is the need for sunlight. Solar-powered cars need sunlight to run, so factors like weather, time of day, and time of year must all be taken into account to ensure a consistently powered vehicle.
Buyers interested in purchasing a zero emission vehicle should start their search early. Companies that make hydrogen and electric cars do so in small numbers, and there are usually waiting lists. Ford, Chrysler, Toyota, Honda, Chevrolet, and General Motors make some type of zero-emission vehicle.
Buyers may also be encouraged to become owners of zero or partial emission vehicles due to the associated tax breaks. Some states in the United States provide driving benefits to owners of zero or partial emission vehicles; that is, individual drivers of zero or partial emission vehicles in some states are allowed to drive in carpool lanes.
It should be noted that although these vehicles are emission-free, they do not minimize the level of pollution produced in the manufacturing process, and the effects of pollution caused by car wear have yet to be determined.
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