Abstract
The feasibility of adding AFVs (alternative fuel vehicles) to the Lotus Rental Car fleet is examined in the attached research. The advantages and disadvantages of AFVs were analyzed. In addition, the environmental effect of AFV use on future generations is also discussed. By comparing the overall information and data of AFVs vs. petroleum-fueled vehicles, and researching how other fleets have successfully incorporated AFVs, the result is conclusive evidence that the addition of AFVs to the Lotus fleet is a viable course of action for the future of Lotus.
The Feasibility of Adding Alternative-Fuel Vehicles
To the Lotus Rental Car Fleet
In the competitive business environment most
…show more content…
Using alternative fuels helps reduce our nation's dependence on imported oil and improves air quality. The Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPAct) defines alternative fuels as electricity, ethanol, natural gas, propane, methanol, hydrogen, and biodiesel (U.S. Department of Energy, What is the Energy Policy Act of 1992, para. 2).
One of the main issues that requires examination is to find out more details regarding the many different types of alternative fuels. With that thought in mind, the next step in our research process was to weigh the pros and cons of the various alternative fuel types that would be feasible for the Lotus Company to consider.
Since we are dealing with a rental fleet, both the cost of implementing a certain type of alternative-fuel vehicle as well as the availability of refueling stations must be considered when comparing the viability of the different fuel types. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the availability of refueling stations is an issue for vehicles that run on propane and natural gas (U.S. Department of Energy, Alternative Fuels, para.8). With the number of refueling stations being inadequate for propane and natural gas, these two alternative fuels can be ruled out as an option for the Lotus fleet because the Lotus customers are not going to rent vehicles if refueling stations are not readily available. In addition, the problems with using natural gas vehicles are going to
For years environmentalists have been screaming about going green, recycling and reusing products, and so forth. So the idea of our vehicles using alternative fuel sources would be a welcomed change. With the dozen of vehicles and fuel sources being introduced, it is now a possibility to add alternative fuel vehicles to our rental car fleet. Through this presentation, gasoline and alternative fuel vehicles will be fully outlined; the history, the sources of fuel, and consumer incentives will all be explained.
In researching the data, I discovered that the use of biodiesel is an alternative fuel source as well. This fuel, a 20/80 mixture, does not require any type of retrofitting of the engine. This product has the added ability of cleaning out the particles that have built up by the use of using diesel fuel throughout the engine and fuel system. These particles are expelled via the exhaust or fuel filter. The only cost that will incur would be the cost to replace the fuel filter during the initial uses of the product until the entire system is clean. (Biodiesel facts, et. al, 2012)
In the article, “ Why the Gasoline Engine Isn’t Going Away Anytime Soon,” Joseph B. White writes about the reality of the old school, yet productive ways how the internal-combustion engine is going to stay in the competitive market. While at the same time he describes the change for the industry is coming just at a gradual slow pace. For years environmentalists and energy saving specialists could not accomplish what high oil prices did in just a couple years. Changing the game of auto makers focus to make improvements to their engines. The idea of changing from oil to electricity is possible but there is few chances of it succeeding until the future. The author states that cars powerful enough to serve more than one function are the basic need
We have developed a process that has been successful in improving fuel economy and engine life while simultaneously reducing harmful emissions output.
In fact, the average fuel efficiency of new passenger vehicles steadily declined from the 1980’s until 2004. This was due to the loopholes which car manufacturers found in the CAFE standards. CAFE treated “light trucks” much more leniently than cars, and allowed them to have considerably less fuel efficiency than cars. This caught the attention of car manufacturers, who then looked at how CAFE defined a light truck. They
It is with great pride that I announce Global Research Corp, National Motor Company, and Filters Inc. have entered into a strategic alliance that will allow approximately half of the 1 billion cars on the road and their owners freedom from traditional fossil fuels and ability to use biofuels with our transition package named The Gas Replacer. The advancement in biofuel technology has reached the point where Global Research Corp can now introduce a viable and sustainable alternative with National Motor Company and Filters Inc.to a global audience with your help!
The United States is one of the large fossil fuel consuming country. Most of the automobile vehicle in the country run on the fuels like gasoline and diesel. These fuels are responsible for the increase in pollution. The demand for this fuel is increasing day by day. It is necessary to find alternative fuels because at some point these fuels are going to end. To encourage users to use cleaner vehicles to avoid pollution federal and state governments provide users significant incentives.
Environmental concerns have been raised from time to time because of the dependency on the gasoline-fueled engine as the chief auto powertrain technology. This has resulted in exposing many automobile users to unpredictable prices of fuel. These issues were, however, the reason for
Well we all know that the energy system is very unstable because the total energy available on the earth is limited, and man has exploited all the conventional technologies to fulfill his needs. By the use of these conventional technologies, the world also has a disability, with problems such as global warming. Consumption of energy by man increased gradually as his wants also increase. The conventional energy resources mainly include fossil fuels, but research shows that this fuel source will be depleted completely in approximately 20-25 years. This could cause major setbacks around the world. As a result, we need an alternative source of fuel that could keep the world running on its wheel. One possibility is ethanol. Chemically extract
Diesel or gasoline; which is better for me? With today’s advances in technology and engineering, the decision is not as easy as one may think. There are several considerations to evaluate and weigh before making the decision to buy a diesel or gasoline powered vehicle. The following essay provides a short history of each while providing key facts to inform a prospective buyer which is better for him or her.
Diesel is the fuel of choice in the European automotive market, due to the fact that it provides high-torque, efficient alternative to gasoline. The American view of diesel, however, is much less positive overall – most Americans remember the noisy, smoky diesels of decades past and know little about the quiet, clean diesels of the present. One of the best arguments for the switch to diesel fuel in the United States is that a fueling infrastructure is already in place, as transportation companies rely on diesel fuel to distribute goods across the United States (Is Diesel). This would negate the need to construct an entirely new infrastructure, which could cost hundreds of billions of dollars. Diesel is also considerably more environmentally friendly than gasoline, due to the fact that it is less refined (a process which uses large amounts of energy) and that it is more efficient than gasoline (ACEA). The combustion process in a diesel engine, which exerts high pressure on the fuel to ignite it, is the source of the motor’s increased
The transportation industry has continued to grow from the first production of the car in the 1990s by Karl Benz. Since this time there have been an outstanding number of model cars, airplanes, buses, motorcycles and scooters, and many other transportation vehicles that uses the standard type of fuel, gasoline. Society as a whole has yet to realize the harmful effects gas powered vehicles have on our ecosystem. Unfortunately, due to lack of this information, the overwhelming price difference between the types of transportation, and convenience, this ever-growing problem my never change until it's too late.
Many of the issues facing America’s manufacturers are being increasingly solved by technological advances. The automotive industry is currently experiencing a technological expansion in alternative energy sources. The need for alternative energy sources is being pushed by consumers and the government. Consumers have become more environmentally aware and conscious about their carbon footprint. Additionally, economic conditions and rising gas prices have put pressure on manufacturers to increase gas mileage. In Kansas, gas prices were consistently above three dollars a gallon from 2010 to the end of 2014 (kcgasprices.com).
Fossil fuels are an important part of life. When you turn on the lights, watch TV, or take a shower, the electricity that you are using is being generated by fossil fuels. The three types of fossil fuels are coal, crude oil, and natural gas. They all take millions of years to form, so they are considered to be “non-renewable”- eventually, the fossil fuels will all be used up. One dangerous biological effect of using fossil fuels is ocean acidification. Extracting and transporting fossil fuels can also be very dangerous. Environmentally damaging accidents such as groundwater contamination, land subsidence, and oil spills occur frequently. Global warming is another possible environmental effect. Fossil fuels have a crucial role in modern
Alternative sources are the only absolute way we can secure the safety of our environment. Everyday carbon monoxide is released into our air. This is creating holes in the ozone layer and exposing humans to deadly fumes (Bad Greenhouse, 1). More money available to scientists who study alternative fuels will allow them to do more extensive testing and research. Although the world is not yet running