|
North American society developed with the industrial revolution, allowing for non-traditional solutions to age-old problems. Automobile development was a key point to this industrialization. This invention allowed nearly everyone to get from one place to another independent of schedules common to public transit, the restrictions in drop-off and pick-up points and provided an advancement over the horse and buggy technology developed by age-old cultures.
Having become used to private transportation, individuals today have come to expect the freedom to travel from place-to-place at his or her convenience. The automobile has allowed us that independence and over time, we have come to expect certain performance levels and comfort in our mode of individual transportation. As a result, public transportation in the U.S. is seen as restrictive, and it is well below the standards of public transportation systems in other parts of the world.
Additionally, with the introduction of more environmentally friendly cars, the hoped-for results are disappointing, as are the performance and/or safety expectations. Some electric hybrids have performance issues and the complexity of the drive systems means more can go wrong - more parts means more to break down. Note, too the need to environmentally deal with the battery packs that no longer hold a charge and watch out for the cost of battery replacement! Cars made to run on hydrogen fuel cells may not have performance issues, but the environmental impact and the energy needed to generate such fuel negates any advantage a fuel cell powered vehicle might generate. There are safety issues, too, in storing the cells. Remember the Hindenburg?
It could appear that our days of independence could come to an end - except for groups of entrepreneurs who are trying to develop acceptable alternatives. PDT Engines, Inc. is one of those groups.
|
|
