The Toyota Prius and the Ford Escape Hybrid are just two of the vehicles mentioned in this short overview of innovative passenger cars currently available or being developed that feature alternative power sources instead of the traditional internal combustion engine. This entry from the Show Me Science Advanced series points out that as we approach a point of peak oil extraction, the need to reduce our reliance on nonrenewable resources increases, as does the necessity of cutting back emissions while complying with stricter government regulations and mandates. Viewers will learn about several alternative fuel technologies here—including hydrogen fuel cells, electric plug-ins, gas-electric hybrids, and natural gas—exploring both the advantages and current obstacles faced in bringing the technology to market. While acknowledging that these new cars won't “fix our current concerns overnight,” the program points out that they are “a step in the right direction.” Other titles in the series include: Agriculture—Feeding a Hungry Planet, Propulsion—Technological Advances, Robotics—Advances in Engineering, Solar Power—An Alternative Energy Source and Wind Power—A Renewable Energy Source. Recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (E. Gieschen)
Show Me Science Advanced: Fuel Technology—Transportation Innovations
(2010) 14 min. DVD: $44.95 (downloadable teacher’s guide available). TMW Media Group. PPR. Volume 26, Issue 3
Show Me Science Advanced: Fuel Technology—Transportation Innovations
Star Ratings
As of March 2022, Video Librarian has changed from a four-star rating system to a five-star one. This change allows our reviewers to have a wider range of critical viewpoints, as well as to synchronize with Google’s rating structure. This change affects all reviews from March 2022 onwards. All reviews from before this period will still retain their original rating. Future film submissions will be considered our new 1-5 star criteria.