The term “alternative” presupposes a set of undesirable energy technologies against which “alternative energies” are opposed. As such, the list of energy technologies excluded is an indicator of what problems that the alternative technologies are intended to address. Controversies regarding dominant forms of energy and their alternatives have a long history.

By

Anubhav Sharma

Mechanical Engg

NIT jalandhar

Spark ignition engine (SI engine) or petrol engine or gasoline engine was developed by Nikolaus Otto in 1876 and compression ignition engine or diesel engine was developed by Rudolf diesel 1897. Both are internal combustion engine and both are used for transportation. Only difference is method of igniting fuel in them.SI engine uses spark while diesel uses temperature generated by compression of air. When they were first built there fuel efficiency was very less but at that time shortage of fuel as well as pollution (global warming) was not a problem. But as no. of vehicles increases these problems comes into focus. Inventor try to overcome it by increasing the efficiency but after so many years of research and work it has been increased to only about 30 to 35% .researcher are trying to increase its efficiency more but even increasing its efficiency to 5 to 10% more would not help because no. of vehicles are increasing at a faster pace and so the consumption of fuel and global warming. The solution available is electric vehicle. An electric vehicle is vehicle propelled by electric motors there are two commonly available electric vehicle designs for automobiles: Battery electric vehicle or BEVs, which convert chemical energy to electrical energy in batteries; and Hybrid vehicle which convert chemical energy to electrical energy via an internal combustion engine and a generator. Electric vehicles deliver power at high efficiency and they have simple mechanical construction. Electric motors also have the ability to convert movement energy back into electricity, through Regenerative braking. Besides being environment friendly, these vehicles do not depend upon single fuel for generating power. The fuel for them is electrical energy which can be generated from no. of renewable as well as non renewable source. Renewable source including solar energy hydro energy etc. These vehicles also have got drawback of slow speed as well as small range per charge. So considerable research is required before they can actually come and compete internal combustion engines.

Anubhav Sharma

Mechanicla Engg

NIT Jalandhar