Every vehicle needs some form of fuel which can be the source of its energy to move it from one point to another. Some vehicles can be pulled by animals like bull, cow, horse where the energy of the animal is used to move the vehicle. Now in this jet age, we need a faster way of transport. However fast a horse can be, it cannot compete with the expected speed of this age even if we forget about the cost and hassle of maintaining the horse.
We are now focused on engine driven vehicles. The engines can be of various types which can be broadly classified into –
- Thermal Engine
- Electric Engine
- Physical Engine
based on their source of energy. This is a scientific or engineering topic and we can discuss that separately some other time.
Now where is this energy coming from?
This is a big question. We have energy stored in various form. But the most common form of energy used in moving vehicles like bus, car or train comes from fossil fuel.
What is fossil fuel?
Before we talk about fossil fuel, let’s know what is fossil and how it is formed.
Fossils are the preserved remains or traces of remains of ancient organisms. They are rock.
Fossil fuels are made from decomposing plants and animals. These fuels are formed in the earth’s crust and contain carbon and hydrogen, which can be burned for energy. Coal, Oil and Natural gas are example of fossil fuel – Quoted from National Geographic encyclopedia.
In simple word, all animal body and plants contain carbon. Over more than millions of years, the plants and body of animals get buried under soil and the pressure and heat converts it to hydro-carbon containing material which are inflammable like crude oil. This crude oil after processing provides us with petrol, diesel and other petroleum biproducts.
Petroleum Products for running Cars, Buses and other vehicles
Petrol, Diesel and gasoline are major forms of fuel derived from petroleum which are widely used across the globe. With increasing number of cars, buses, trucks and other automobiles, the demand for petroleum products is increasing every day. Our earth has limited reserve of petroleum and it is going to deplete soon if we do not think of an alternative. So it is high time to adopt an alternative energy source for our vehicles or else the day is not far off when our cars will stop.
Pollution caused by Fossil fuel usage
Coal and crude oil are primary source of energy. According to National Academies of Sciences, 81% of total energy used in the US comes from coal, oil and natural gas. These are the primary contributor for three-fourth of the emissions from human activities in the last 20 years in the US.
Transport sector contributes about 23% of global GHG (Greenhouse Gas) emission which is quite significant.
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