What is the future of Green Transportation?

Transportation is something few of us could live without, yet the cost to environment continues to be expensive. In terms of both business and social use, it would appear that less environmentally damaging cars are some way off; while hybrids exist and do work, they haven’t proved hugely popular with the general public. 

However, at least hybrid cars do exist, as well as exciting developments in hydrogen powered car technology. Yet this is somewhat bizarre, considering the motor car is in no way the biggest polluter in terms of human transport systems. In fact, the type of vehicle responsible for the worst climate effect is actually the one seemingly least targeted by those looking to reduce their carbon footprint; the airplane. 

Air travel has made the world smaller; we can now hop back and forth between countries – and even continents – with relative ease. We are so used to the concept of flying; people think nothing of boarding an aircraft to shorten a five hour drive into a 45 minute flight. It’s become routine. 

Yet airplanes are the biggest polluters, far outstripping motor cars – and all other forms of transport – when it comes to pollution and environmental damage. Many people who drive a hybrid will think nothing of boarding an airplane for a week in the sun, yet the cost to the environment of such a journey is considerable. 

While the general public may be somewhat – perhaps deliberately – ignorant to the environment damage planes cause, it would appear that a few plucky inventors are well aware of the issue. What is more, they’re determined to find a way to travel by air with as little environmental impact as possible. We may be a way off a hybrid aircraft, as the power required by a 747 is intense, but there is another alternative. 

The concept of a solar powered airplane may seem unusual, but in actuality it makes sense. For one thing, most conventional aircraft fly above the clouds at around 35,000 feet. If a solar powered plane were able to reach this height, there would be the added benefit of the supply of solar rays not being disturbed by cloud cover. This should lead to increased efficiency, meaning the entire idea could genuinely be viable. 

The technology is very much in its infancy, though it does have a familiar appearance. The new generation of aircraft are akin to the first non-solar planes in their basic functionality, usually only having space for one pilot. Across the wings, hundreds of solar panels join together to power the engine and achieve lift. These solar panels are the only recognizable different from normal light air craft; and ‘light’ is an important word. For a solar powered plane to truly be able to fly, it needs to be incredibly light, and most inventors have thus turned to the favorite of super car manufacturers; carbon fiber. 

NASA and various private airspace industries have thrown themselves into the challenge with gusto, and have even produced prototypes that can fly at considerable height with a single pilot. However, the technology is in its infancy, and many problems remain. With weight a huge problem, it is unlikely the conventional 747 will be replaced by its environmentally friendly, solar powered cousin in future, but the idea is indeed taking root.