Alternative fuels and vehicles are the bedrock of the Clean Cities program and exude a significant force in the effort to reduce petroleum consumption in the transportation sector. The alternative fuels detailed here are those defined by the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPAct) and subsequent legislation, including:
Vehicles classified as "alternative fuel vehicles" of "AFVs" operate on the non-petroleum fuels listed above.
Electricity
Electricity is primarily used as a transportation fuel to either charge the batteries of battery-electric vehicles or is produced as a by-product of an electrochemical reaction in the stack of fuel cell vehicles.
Pure battery-electric vehicles (EVs) have limited storage capacity and must be plugged into an electrical source in order to recharge their batteries. The electricity to charge the batteries can come from renewable sources (such as wind or photovoltaics), but often it doesn't, since renewables are presently such a small percentage of our nation's grid-electric, energy portfolio. Hybrid electric vehicles operate on a mix of battery-electric and conventional (internal combustion) power.
There are several types of battery-electric vehicles that are available in the marketplace. To learn more about models you can buy, click one of the options listed below:
The electricity in fuel cells is produced through the reaction of hydrogen and oxygen in the fuel cell stack. This electricity is then used to power the vehicle. Fuel cell electricity production does not produce any emissions or by-products beyond heat and water at the point of use (in the fuel cell vehicle). The hydrogen produced to power most fuel cells, however, often comes from non-renewable sources which do have significant emissions (greenhouse gases, etc.).
No fuel cell vehicles are commercially available at the present time.
Hydrogen
Hydrogen (H2) can either be used directly as a fuel (100% hydrogen or a hydrogen/natural gas blend) in internal combustion engines or in a vehicle's fuel cell to produce electricity.
Unlike petroleum, hydrogen does not exist in and of itself in a natural state and must be extracted from other materials. The two most common methods of extracting hydrogen involve the steam reformation of natural gas or the electrolysis of water. Hydrogen produced through electrolysis points the way toward a more sustainable future if the electricity used for the electrolysis procedure comes from renewable sources such as wind or solar.
There are no Hydrogen vehicles commerically available at the present time.
Propane
Propane or liquified petroleum gas (LPG) is a widely used alternative fuel that can be easily found throughout the country through an established and extensive distribution infrastructure. Most propane is domestically produced as a by-product of crude oil refining and natural gas processing. Propane vehicles have been around since the 1920s and generally run cleaner than gasoline vehicles, with tests showing significant reductions of ozone forming and toxic emissions.
There are over 270,000 on and off-road propane vehicles in the U.S. today. These vehicles can either be "dedicated" (propane only) or bi-fuel (capable of running on either propane or gasoline/another fuel).
To learn more about propane vehicles that you can buy, click here. If you drive a propane vehicle and would like to find out where you can fill-up locally, click here.
Natural Gas
Natural Gas is a domestically produced fuel that is readily available across the United States through a pipeline distribution system that extends from the wellhead to the end user. Natural gas can come from natural gas reservoirs, landfill gas, or water/sewage treatment. The majority of natural gas used by vehicles comes from non-renewable sources.
Natural gas is one of the cleanest burning fuels available today and has substantial air quality benefits over gasoline or diesel fuel use - resulting in substantial reductions in carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen oxide.
There are over 130,000 light and heavy-duty natural gas vehicles operating on U.S. roads today. Like propane vehicles, natural gas vehicles can be either dedicated or bi-fuel (natural gas and gasoline/diesel). Dedicated natural gas vehicles tend to result in better performance and lower emissions than bi-fuel vehicles.
To learn more about natural gas vehicles that you can buy, click here. If you drive a natural gas vehicle and would like to find out where you can fill-up locally, click here.