Alternative Fuel Vehicles

A alternative-fuel vehicle is an automobile or other other vehicle that can typically run off an alternative type of fuel. Some of these vehicles are also flexible-fuel vehicle or dual-fuel vehicle which can alternate between two sources of fuel. Diesel engine cars which can run on biodiesel diesel mixed with varying levels of diesel. Some cars carry a natural gas tank and one can switch from it to gasoline.

Propane

Propane, also known as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), has been used to fuel vehicles since the 1920s. More than 200,000 propane vehicles in the United States and about 9 million worldwide use propane. Cars, pickup trucks, and vans; and medium- heavy-duty vehicles such as shuttles, trolleys, delivery trucks, and school buses; and off-road vehicles such as forklifts and loaders. Propane vehicles can be equipped with dedicated fueling systems designed to use only propane, or bi-fuel fueling systems that enable fueling with either propane or gasoline. A number of manufacturers produce medium-duty propane vehicles. Several companies offer buses, shuttles, and trolleys that can be fueled with propane. Check out our listing of current model year heavy-duty vehicles for details. Most light-duty propane vehicles on the road are aftermarket conversions. Propane is the most accessible of the liquid and gaseous alternative fuels. All states have publicly accessible fueling stations; approximately 3,000 are documented. The time needed to fill a vehicle with propane is comparable to that needed for gasoline or diesel fuel. The tanks are filled to no more than 80% capacity (there is an automatic shutoff on the tanks), to allow for liquid expansion as ambient temperature rises. Factory-installed light-duty truck conversion costs about $2,500 over the conventional vehicle base price; non-factory conversion costs also average about $2,500. Some states offer incentives for propane use LINKSSSSSSSSSSS see our incentives and laws page for details. Maintenance Considerations according to the National Propane Gas Association, some fleets report 2-3 years longer service life and extended maintenance intervals for propane vehicles. However, manufacturers and converters recommend conventional maintenance intervals. In addition, tanks that hold propane require periodic inspection and certification by a licensed inspector. Propane is safe and has a very narrow flammability range. Adequate training is required to operate and maintain vehicles running on propane. Please see the training page for current information on sessions pertaining to the operation, maintenance, and fueling of alternative fuel vehicles or contact the Propane Education and Research Council.

Benefits

• 60% fewer ozone-forming emissions (CO and NOx) than reformulated gasoline
• 98% reduction in the emissions of toxics (compared to regular gasoline)
• Costs less than gasoline
• Propane is a domestic resource
• Performance is similar to those of gasoline-powered vehicles.

Drawbacks

• Range is less than gasoline vehicles
• Extra storage tanks (can increase range, but at the expense of payload capacity)
• Filling station scarcity

NATURAL GAS (CNG)

Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) or Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) filling stations are located in most major cities and in many rural areas. Traditionally used by fleets and heavy-duty trucks, a slow shift has been towards offering natural gas pumps at existing gas stations. LNG is available through suppliers of cryogenic liquids. Natural gas vehicles are just as safe as today's conventional gasoline and diesel vehicles. They use pressurized tanks, which have been designed to withstand severe impact, high external temperatures, and environmental exposure. The most popular and widely reknown vehicle offered for the public has been the Honda Civic GX NGV (Natural Gas Vehicle). It has been recognised by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as the cleanest internal-combustion vehicle in the world.

Natural gas can cost less than gasoline and diesel (per energy equivalent gallon); however, local utility rates can vary. Purchase prices for natural gas vehicles are somewhat higher than for similar conventional vehicles. The auto manufacturers' typical price premium for a light-duty CNG vehicle can be $1,500 to $6,000, and for heavy-duty trucks and buses it is in the range of $30,000 to $50,000. Federal and other incentives can help defray some of the increase in vehicle acquisition costs. In addition, fleets may need to purchase service and diagnostic equipment if access to commercial CNG/LNG vehicle maintenance facilities is not available. Learn more about NGV tax incentives. Retrofitting a conventional vehicle so it can run on CNG may cost $2,000 to $4,000 per vehicle.

Maintenance Considerations High-pressure tanks that hold CNG require periodic inspection and certification by a licensed inspector. Find a certified cylinder inspector on the CSA - International Web site.

Fleets doing on-site maintenance may need to upgrade their facilities to accomodate NGVs. Costs for upgrading maintenance facilities will depend on the number of modifications required.

Some natural gas vehicle manufacturers now recommend oil changes at intervals twice as long as similar gasoline or diesel models (10,000-12,000 miles). Refer to the vehicle owner's manual or consult the manufacturer to determine proper maintenance intervals.

Benefits

• Cost of a gasoline-gallon equivalent of CNG can be favorable
• Natural gas is mostly domestically produced.
• Almost all the imports coming from Canada.
• Service lives 2 to 3 years longer than gasoline or diesel vehicles
• Extended time between required maintenance.
• Bi-fuel NGVs offer a driving range similar to that of gasoline vehicles.

Drawbacks

• Vehicle range for CNG and LNG vehicles is less than gasoline and diesel-fueled vehicles
• Payload capacity may be compromised
• Filling station scarcity

HYDROGEN

Hydrogen powered vehicles represent an attractive option for reducing petroleum consumption and improving air quality. Most hydrogen vehicles are powered by fuel cells that produce no air pollutants and few greenhouse gases. If fueled with pure hydrogen, fuel cells emit only heat and water as a byproduct. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are not yet commercially available. However, they are currently being demonstrated in several applications in fleets throughout the country. Honda has placed several prototype light-duty FCX fuel cell vehicles city fleets. California transit agencies are testing fuel cell buses in service. BMW made the first production internal combustion hydrogen fueled vehicle. The 745h, powered by a 4.4-liter V8 which can use either hydrogen or premium unleaded gasoline. Modifications from the regular gasoline V8 involve the intake ports, which have additional injector valves for hydrogen. These engines come off the same production line as the other BMW V8 powerplants and are installed in the vehicle using the same assembly techniques. Running on hydrogen, the 745h produces 184 HP and can achieve a top speed of 133 miles per hour. The cruising range is 190 miles. When you add this to the 400-mile range of the normal gasoline tank, the 745h has a 600 mile range. The use of sustainable hydrogen simply as a substitute fuel for gasoline could also get a boost from fuel cell development problems. Any gasoline engine, can, theoretically be adapted to use hydrogen fuel. Internal combustion engines provide the various benefits offered by gasoline power in the type of vehicles most people are accustomed to driving.

The downside to all these technological acheivements is that a hydrogen fuel infrastructure has yet to be built. Sure, there has been a token handful of filling stations built in Germany around airports in Munich and Berlin for publicity photos. The few Hydrogen filling stations actually open to the public can be found in Berlin, Germany, Reykjavik, Iceland and Chino, California.

Benefits

• Zero air pollutant emissions
• Few greenhouse gas emissions
• Internal combustion hydrogen engines show remarkable potential
• Work well in heavy duty applications (buses, construction equipment)

Drawbacks

• Infrastructure almost non-existant
• Pricing of fuel cells impractical for private plated vehicles
• Fuel cell realiability not known
• Poor fuel mileage (internal combustion hydrogen applications)

ELECTRICITY

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Electric Vehicles (EVs) come in a variety of shapes and sizes. They can be light-duty delivery vehicles or heavy-duty trams and buses. Because the range of an EV (approximately 80 miles) is limited by weight, design, and the type of battery used, EVs are particularly well suited to short-distance, high-use applications—those that demand frequent starts and stops. The largest concentration of EVs is in California and the western United States. The most publicly known electric car was the General Motors EV1. It was offered for lease only from the 1996 model year. It was discontinued in 2002, General Motors citing poor sales in their decision to axe production. Other major car makers such as Honda also ceased production of their electric vehicles. Conspiracy theories suggest General Motors never really wanted the cars to take off and they intentionally sabotaged their own marketing efforts because they feared the car would cannibalize its existing business.

Some manufacturers produce neighborhood electric vehicles (NEVs), which use similar battery technology and are zero emission vehicles. On the downside, most do not satisfy requirements for fleets and can only be used as token transportation on private roads.

Electric vehicles use batteries and other energy storage devices to store electricity that powers the electric motor in the vehicle. Batteries must be replenished by plugging in the vehicle to some kind of outlet power source. Electricity production may contribute to air pollution, depending upon the method.

Initial commercial production electric vehicles are priced from $15,000 to $40,000. Individuals and businesses that purchase electric vehicles may qualify for a federal tax credit if they meet the requirements established by the IRS in Publication 535. Many states offer additional incentives for the purchase of alternative fuel vehicles.

Service requirements for EVs are fewer than those for gasoline-powered vehicles. EVs don't require tuneups, oil changes, timing belts, water pumps, radiators, fuel injectors, or tailpipes. They do, of course, require battery maintenance.

Benefits

• Zero emissions
• Cost of electricity per kilowatt-hour usually compares favorably to that of gasoline
• Electricity used originates from domestic resources, reducing dependence on imported oil.
• Fewer service requirements
• Good acceleration characteristics

Drawbacks

• Very poor range (50 to 130 miles)
• Use of heating and air conditioning can make range even worse
• Cost of battery replacement (nearly equivalent to the cost of a new motor)
• Gasoline electric hybrids are less of a compromise

BIODIESEL

Biodiesel blends can be used in any light- or heavy-duty diesel engine. Biodiesel blends are being used in heavy-duty vehicles throughout the country. The most common blend of biodiesel is B20 (20% biodiesel / 80% diesel), B100 (neat biodiesel) and blends of less than 20% biodiesel can also be used.

Vehicles that use biodiesel include school and transit buses, refuse haulers, military support vehicles, farm equipment, and national park maintenance vehicles. Biodiesel fueling of light-duty diesel vehicles is less common. It is important to always consult your vehicle manufacturer to make sure they approve the use of biodiesel in their products. Biodiesel is available in various parts of the United States and in visit the fueling station locator page to find locations offering biodiesel. To obtain biodiesel through bulk suppliers, contact the National Biodiesel Board for a list of registered suppliers.

As with all vehicles, adequate training is required to operate and maintain vehicles running on biodiesel. The flashpoint of biodiesel is significantly higher than that of conventional diesel fuel, which makes the fuel safer in general. Neat biodiesel is nontoxic, biodegradable, and emits fewer carcinogens in the exhaust than conventional diesel fuel.

Using biodiesel blends requires little or no engine modification and maintenance costs are comparable to those of conventional diesel vehicles. Neat biodiesel costs range from $1.95 to $3 per gallon, depending on the feedstock and supplier. In general, B20 will cost $.20 to $.40 per gallon more than conventional diesel. For more information, download the Alternative Fuel Price Report from the AFDC. All diesel fuels require special measures for use in cold temperatures. Biodiesel has a higher cloud point than conventional diesel. However, the same strategies used to ensure operability of conventional diesel fuels in wintertime will also work for biodiesel blends. These include the use of additives and blending with No. 1 diesel.

Benefits

• Reduced emissions ( hydrocarbons -20%, carbon monoxide -12%, particulate matter -12%)
• Biodiesel is domestically produced (reduces dependence on imported oil)
• Helps boost the agricultural sector of the economy.
• Biodiesel is renewable (made from domestically grown crops like soybeans and mustard seed)
• Lubricity is improved over conventional diesel fuel
• Performance, HP, torque, acceleration, cruising speed, fuel economy similar to diesel
• Cetane number for biodiesel is significantly higher than that of conventional diesel fuel

Drawbacks

• Energy content of B100 is 10%-12% lower than conventional diesel

External Links

U.S. Department of Energy - Official Site

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency - Official Site