Electricity

Currently, Electricity is used to power both all-electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. Both vehicles are propelled by electrical energy that is stored in a battery located internally. Vehicles running on electricity produce no tailpipe emissions and can greatly reduce the dependence on petroleum and its consumption. Plug- In hybrid vehicles can also be powered by conventional or other alternative fuels in addition to the energy stored in the battery. Plug-in hybrids have an internal combustion engine and an electric motor that runs on the energy stored in batteries. These batteries can be charged by any outdoor electrical power source. Like Plug-In Hybrid Vehicles, all-electric vehicles (EVs) also run on an electric motor that is easily charged by any outdoor power source. It however, does not run on any other fuel type and widespread use of these vehicles could dramatically reduce petroleum use. Electricity Fueling costs vary across the U.S. depending on a range of variables but are reasonable in comparison to that of gasoline.

Residential Electricity Prices: A Consumer’s Guide

Natural Gas

Natural Gas is a domestically produced, clean-burning alternative fuel. It has great domestic resource base, commercial availability and can produce significantly less harmful emissions than gasoline or diesel. It is environmentally safe by providing no threat to soil, surface water, or groundwater and is non-toxic, non-corrosive, and non-carcinogenic. Natural gas must be stored onboard a vehicle in either a compressed gaseous (CNG) or liquefied (LNG) states. Natural gas vehicles are a highly advanced alternative fuel technology. It offers the benefit of both light and heavy duty vehicles being able to run on CNG and CNG powered vehicles getting the same fuel economy as a conventional gasoline vehicle with an average cost of one-third the price of gasoline at the pump. It is the affordability and practical nature of these vehicles that allows all U.S. based, full-sized transit bus manufacturers to offer CNG buses and over 150,000 NGV’s on the road today in the U.S. alone

Propane

Propane (or liquefied petroleum gas, LPG) is a by- product of natural gas processing and crude oil refining. It is non-toxic and environmentally safe. It is the world’s third most common engine fuel with about 9 million in use around the world, according to the Department of Energy. While propane sold as fuel can be a mixture of propane and other gases it is specified that for propane to be used as a transportation fuel it must be 90% propane, no more than 5% propylene, and 5% other gases. (Gas Processors Association Specification) About 85% of the propane used in the United States is produced domestically. It is dispensed and stored in its liquid state and can be used to fuel both light and heavy-duty vehicles.

Propane Basics

Propane Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emissions: A Comparative Analysis

Biodiesel

Biodiesel is a renewable, nontoxic, and biodegradable alternative fuel made from new and used vegetable oils and animal fats. It is a cleaner- burning alternative for petroleum- based diesel fuel. Most diesel vehicles can run on pure or blended with petroleum diesel without engine modification. B20, twenty percent biodiesel and eighty percent petroleum is the most common blend used in the United States. The use of Biodiesel fuels provides energy security and emissions and safety benefits.

Biodiesel Benefits

Ethanol

Ethanol is a naturally oxygenated fuel made from various plant materials such as corn, grains, crop waste, and forestry waste which collectively are called “biomass”. E85 (85% ethanol, 15% gasoline) is considered an alternative fuel blend that is becoming increasingly available and can be used in flexible fuel vehicles. Ethanol, the same chemical compound as alcoholic beverages, is a renewable, largely domestic transportation fuel and helps reduce the amount of imported oil and greenhouse gas emissions. It works well in internal combustion engines and was once thought by Henry Ford that it would become the world’s primary fuel before gasoline became so easily accessible.* There were approximately 6 million E85 vehicles on U.S. roads by the end of 2006, according to the National Ethanol Vehicle Association and other studies have estimated that it could replace 30% or more of U.S. gasoline demand by 2030.* (EERE)

Ethanol: The Complete Energy Lifecycle

Fuel Blends

Blending amounts of alternative fuel with conventional fuel is an important option for reducing petroleum consumption. Examples of low-level fuel blends include E10 (10% ethanol/90% gasoline), B5 (5% biodiesel/95% diesel), and B2 (2% biodiesel/98% diesel). Blends can also consist of two types of alternative fuels, such as hydrogen and compressed natural gas (HCNG), which can be a combination of 20% hydrogen/80% CNG. (EERE)

Hydrogen

Hydrogen is used to fuel internal combustion engines as well as fuel cells. These vehicles are more efficient than conventional combustion engines and contain low to zero emissions or harmful tailpipe exhaust, in fuel cells the only emissions found is water. Fuel cells powered by hydrogen have the potential to revolutionize transportation in the U.S. Hydrogen, as an alternative fuel is in the early stages of development and the U.S. Department of Energy is leading major research and development efforts to make hydrogen-powered vehicles more affordable and practical for widespread use.