jeepdreamer
Expedition Leader
Gotta stop...
Haven,
You brought up a point that I hear often and so Please..Don't take this as directed at you, I'm just venting in general.
I hate that line..."they still think of old semi engines"... Just grates against my nerves. The misconception towards diesels has hardly, if ever been attempted to be countered. We spend millions of dollars a year to educate people about all sorts of things, from the enviornment to suicide prevention. When was the last time you heard of a government agency or private college offering information towards the benefits of diesel? How often is the concept or potential of bio diesels as a replacement fuel touted? So Why not diesel??
Oh..they are just big, stinky truck engines...Please! The aspects of diesel are so unrealized that it is borderline criminal that we have ignored them for as long as we have. But then again, why wouldn't we?
Diesel is more expensive in the US...Well why is that? As mentioned it is less refined than gas? So the extra expense is elsewhere...like in taxes! Diesel is taxed at a higher rate to originally cover the wear and tare of corporate trucks running up and down the highways. Sure...they do...but there are so many other ways to skin that cat that taxing all diesel is just rediculous.
And since both diesel and gasoline are "fossil fuels"...lets not forget the huge corporate influances to shun anything that may threaten thier stranglehold on our wallets. Both of these FFs are finite...when exactaly they run dry is far to large a debate but the best idea would be an alternative now, before that happens, right? And while everyone is jumping up and down over electric vehicles and hybrids...I just have to say Why? That is an entirely new, extremely expensive system with little to no track history. And lets not forget the initial buy in for everyone to phase out their dino-burners for the E-ticket. I just can't get on board with this as a good, workable solution. Not to mention that the current Lithium batteries have...well, lithium! Which is even less common on earth (by far) than fosil fuels, and once used has no known way to be disposed of...? Then what?
Let me stop ranting a little and offer an idea. Suppose you set up a small booth on any street corner and offered to talk to people. Your entire speel is about this great, easily and cheaply manufactured fuel source that could be used in current vehicles with little to no modifications. This fuel source was less harmful (less, not uber free zero impossible dream kind but low) and was produced as a by product of the same source that powers ones house for free? How many people would you think would be interested in learning that they could have free electricity AND free fuel to drive around..? And from a source that is almost limitless and has little negetive residual effects?? Think some people would buy it? Think they would want to know more?? I think so..esp when they realize its not some future sci-fi wet dream requiring a space ship and all the money ever...plus 50 years to develop and would force them to change how they live now. I think sold in that manner we could get past this mindset that is about as useful as repression and descrimination. I would be willing to guess that younger folks would find current diesels far more appealing when shown in their current and future potential contexts. Its just a matter of turning on the light of education and opening the door to freedom from fossil fuels.
Solar farms are a reality. The alge that can be produced in the solar tubes is one of the best sources for biodiesel material. In essance a circular energy plant that is self regenerating.
ok...sorry all...rant over.
Haven,
You brought up a point that I hear often and so Please..Don't take this as directed at you, I'm just venting in general.
I hate that line..."they still think of old semi engines"... Just grates against my nerves. The misconception towards diesels has hardly, if ever been attempted to be countered. We spend millions of dollars a year to educate people about all sorts of things, from the enviornment to suicide prevention. When was the last time you heard of a government agency or private college offering information towards the benefits of diesel? How often is the concept or potential of bio diesels as a replacement fuel touted? So Why not diesel??
Oh..they are just big, stinky truck engines...Please! The aspects of diesel are so unrealized that it is borderline criminal that we have ignored them for as long as we have. But then again, why wouldn't we?
Diesel is more expensive in the US...Well why is that? As mentioned it is less refined than gas? So the extra expense is elsewhere...like in taxes! Diesel is taxed at a higher rate to originally cover the wear and tare of corporate trucks running up and down the highways. Sure...they do...but there are so many other ways to skin that cat that taxing all diesel is just rediculous.
And since both diesel and gasoline are "fossil fuels"...lets not forget the huge corporate influances to shun anything that may threaten thier stranglehold on our wallets. Both of these FFs are finite...when exactaly they run dry is far to large a debate but the best idea would be an alternative now, before that happens, right? And while everyone is jumping up and down over electric vehicles and hybrids...I just have to say Why? That is an entirely new, extremely expensive system with little to no track history. And lets not forget the initial buy in for everyone to phase out their dino-burners for the E-ticket. I just can't get on board with this as a good, workable solution. Not to mention that the current Lithium batteries have...well, lithium! Which is even less common on earth (by far) than fosil fuels, and once used has no known way to be disposed of...? Then what?
Let me stop ranting a little and offer an idea. Suppose you set up a small booth on any street corner and offered to talk to people. Your entire speel is about this great, easily and cheaply manufactured fuel source that could be used in current vehicles with little to no modifications. This fuel source was less harmful (less, not uber free zero impossible dream kind but low) and was produced as a by product of the same source that powers ones house for free? How many people would you think would be interested in learning that they could have free electricity AND free fuel to drive around..? And from a source that is almost limitless and has little negetive residual effects?? Think some people would buy it? Think they would want to know more?? I think so..esp when they realize its not some future sci-fi wet dream requiring a space ship and all the money ever...plus 50 years to develop and would force them to change how they live now. I think sold in that manner we could get past this mindset that is about as useful as repression and descrimination. I would be willing to guess that younger folks would find current diesels far more appealing when shown in their current and future potential contexts. Its just a matter of turning on the light of education and opening the door to freedom from fossil fuels.
Solar farms are a reality. The alge that can be produced in the solar tubes is one of the best sources for biodiesel material. In essance a circular energy plant that is self regenerating.
ok...sorry all...rant over.
