"Advancements in science and technology are driving the future of the automotive industry," says John Clor, Detroit bureau editor for Edmunds.com. "Reaping the benefits of these forward thinking improvements will not only be the consumer but the environment in many cases as well."
According to Edmunds.com, the Internet's pioneer and leader in providing free, third-party automotive information, these are a few of the high tech trends you can expect coming down the road in the next century.
The Green Revolution
General Motors' groundbreaking EV1, the first major market all-electric vehicle, has paved the way for alternatively fueled vehicles. Spurred by new government regulations for cleaner running engines and an inevitable depletion of natural resources, here's a quick look at the newer technologies being considered by auto manufacturers:
Fuel cell
This technology offers an infinitely renewable power source with almost zero pollutants. Originally conceived in 1839, a fuel cell works like a continuous battery in reverse. The fuel cell converts chemical energy into electricity via a simple oxidation process. Most prototypes in development use either hydrogen or methanol to drive the cells. Researchers estimate another 10-20 years before fuel cell- powered cars enter the market.
Hybrid
These vehicles, which are now on sale in the U.S. market (see sidebar for details), use a blend of high tech innovations to produce electronic drive, which in turn is backed by a traditional internal combustion engine for main motive power. Hybrid vehicles offer a practical and affordable way to increase fuel efficiency while at the same time reducing emissions. These vehicles present a viable and logical transition from gasoline dependence to more renewable resources.
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