CLEAN CARS! By: Jaime Gonzalez

What kind of cars do your parents have?

What do their cars run on?

Do you think they make our air dirty?

Cars, Trucks, & Air Pollution Transportation is the largest single source of air pollution in the United States. It causes over half of the carbon monoxide, over a third of the nitrogen oxides, and almost a quarter of the hydrocarbons in our atmosphere. With the number of vehicles on the road and the number of vehicles miles traveled escalating rapidly, we are on the fast lane to smoggy skies and dirty air.

Ingredients of Air Pollution Particulate Matter - particles of soot and metal that can get stuck in our lungs. Hydrocarbons - gas that irritates the respiratory system. Nitrogen Oxides - cause lung irritation and weaken the body’s defenses against respiratory infections such as pneumonia and influenza. Carbon Monoxide – blocks the transport of oxygen to the brain, heart, and other vital organs in the body. Sulfur Dioxides - reacts in the atmosphere to form fine particles and poses the largest health risk to children and asthmatics.

Cars, Trucks, & Green House Gases Motor Vehicles are responsible for almost a quarter of annual US emissions of carbon dioxide, the primary global warming gas. Only three countries in the whole world produce more CO2 than the United States and this number is growing. -Three factors that contribute to CO2 emissions from cars and trucks: - amount of fuel used. - amount of fuel used. - amount of CO2 released when fuel is consumed. - amount of CO2 released when fuel is consumed. - number of miles traveled with vehicle. - number of miles traveled with vehicle.

Cars, Trucks, & Green House Gases continued… Three solutions: -Increase fuel efficiency -Switch to Clean Renewable Fuels -Reduce Driving

Hybrid Vehicles combine an internal combustion engine with a battery and electric motor. This combination offers the range and refueling capabilities of a conventional vehicle, while providing improved fuel economy and lower emissions.

Electric vehicles run on electricity stored in batteries and have an electric motor rather than a gasoline engine. Electric vehicles are zero emission cars because they have no internal combustion engine so they have no tailpipe exhaust and no evaporative emissions from the fuel system.

Hybrid fuel cell vehicles are zero emission and run on compressed hydrogen fed into a fuel cell "stack" that produces electricity to power the vehicle. A fuel cell can be used in combination with an electric motor to drive a vehicle – quietly, powerfully and cleanly.

Biodiesel is a diesel replacement fuel made from new and used vegetable oils or animal fats that have been chemically reacted with an alcohol. In the United States, most biodiesel is made from soybeans. Biodiesel is also made from canola oils and from waste stream sources including used cooking oils or animal fats. Biodiesel in its pure form, 100 percent biodiesel, is known as “neat diesel” or B100. But it can also be blended with conventional diesel, B5 is 5 percent biodiesel and 95 percent conventional diesel and B20 is 20 percent biodiesel and 80 percent conventional diesel. The use of higher-level biodiesel blends tends to require fuel and engine parts seals and elastomers that are compatible with biodiesel and other usage considerations.

Ethanol is an alcohol made primarily from corn. Because ethanol is derived from feedstock that is grown, it is considered a renewable fuel. In addition, since the feedstock for ethanol can be domestically produced, it reduces the nation's dependence on foreign oil.

Plug-in hybrids are similar to traditional hybrids but are also equipped with a larger, more advanced battery that allows the vehicle to be plugged in and recharged in addition to refueling with gasoline. This larger battery allows you to drive on a combination of electric and gasoline fuels. Some plug-in hybrids will offer 10 to 40 miles of all- electric range and will behave very much like battery electric vehicles until the battery is nearly depleted and the engine starts.

What alternative fuel vehicles have you seen on the road?

Hybrid Toyota Prius

Plug-In Hybrid Chevy Volt

Electric Nissan Leaf

Let’s Clean Up! We all have to breathe the same air and live in a world where gasoline will eventually be depleted! You guys are the future so let’s start changing the way you think about transportation now! Information Provided By:

How Hydrogen Fuel Cells Work