Today’s car buyers have options available other than the traditional gas-powered vehicles – alternative fuel vehicles. Alternative fuels are derived from resources other than petroleum. Some of these fuels are produced domestically, which reduces our dependence on foreign oil, and some are derived from renewable sources. Often, alternative fuels produce less pollution than gasoline or diesel. To promote alternative fuels, the Federal government offers tax incentives to consumers purchasing qualifying alternative fuel vehicles.
Lets take a look at some of these alternative fuel vehicles and the pros and cons associated with them:
Hybrids
What makes hybrids different from regular cars is that they basically use two powertrains: an electric motor and a gasoline engine. The electric motor draws its power from a large battery pack that is recharged by the gas engine and by energy recouped from the brakes.
Pros: Hybrids have the potential for excellent fuel economy, run on existing gasoline supplies, and drive just like regular cars.
Cons: Some hybrids cost much more than similar traditional cars. Some hybrids also don’t live up to the gas mileage some buyers expect.
Ethanol
Ethanol, or ethyl alcohol, is the most promising gasoline substitute. It has long been used as an oxygenate additive or blend since it burns cleaner than gasoline. It also produces less greenhouse gas emissions than conventional fuels.
Most ethanol fuel in the U.S. is made from corn and sold at gas stations in the Midwest, close to where it’s made. Standard ethanol fuel is called E85, which means it is 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. The gasoline is needed in the mixture to give the fuel enough volatility to start the engine readily.
Pros: Domestically produced from corn, with the potential to someday be made from a wide variety of waste materials. 10-percent blends (called E10) can be burned in any new car. Over 5 million cars can use E85.
Cons: Cars get about 25% lower fuel economy running on E85 than gasoline. Difficult to find, since fewer than 1% of U.S. gas stations carry E85. Federal fuel economy credits awarded to automakers for E85 cars lower overall fuel economy for all cars. Ethanol made from any food crop can negatively affect food prices.
Biodiesel
Biodiesel is an alternative fuel made from vegetable oil that can be used to power diesel engines. It is renewable, nontoxic, nonexplosive, and biodegradable. It also burns more cleanly than petroleum diesel.
Pros: Biodiesel results in 30% better fuel economy than equivalent gasoline vehicles. It is widely available and any diesel car can run on a blend of renewable biodiesel fuel. (A 5-percent blend is typical.) With some effort and a cost investment, diesel engines can be converted to run on pure waste vegetable oil.
Cons: Vehicles that run on biodiesel usually have more engine noise and vibration. The price for biodiesel is slightly higher than regular gasoline, and therefore cuts into gas savings.
Hydrogen Fuel Cells
Hydrogen-powered electric cars using fuel cells seem like the perfect solution to pollution problems and dependence on foreign oil. They don’t use combustion but rather an electro-chemical reaction whose only major byproduct is water. Fuel cells have been used for years to power spacecraft, and hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe. However, there are still kinks to be worked out with this technology.
Pros: Hydrogen fuel cells produce no emissions other than water vapor. Equivalent fuel economy is about twice that of gasoline vehicles. Hydrogen is abundant and some of it can be made from renewable energy.
Cons: Fuel cells are expensive, durability is limited and the acceptable range requires extremely-high-pressure on-board hydrogen storage. There are few places to refuel and hydrogen is very expensive to transport. Hydrogen fuel is currently made from nonrenewable natural gas.
Battery Electric Vehicles
The battery electric vehicle (BEV) is a an electric vehicle that uses chemical energy stored in rechargeable battery packs. Battery electric vehicles use electric motors and motor controllers rather than internal combustion engines.
Pros: Battery electric vehicles produce no emissions and the cost per mile is tiny compared to gasoline-powered vehicles. Battery electric vehicles have a universally available recharging infrastructure and electricity can be partially derived from renewable sources.
Cons: Battery electric vehicles have long recharging times and a limited range.
Compressed Natural Gas Vehicles
Compared to conventional gasoline or diesel vehicles, compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles are much cleaner. However, there is only one production natural gas vehicle currently available in the United States: the Honda Civic GX.
Pros: CNG costs much less than gasoline, burns much cleaner and provides comparable power.
Cons: Huge gas tanks reduce trunk space and carry the equivalent of only a few gallons of gasoline. There are few places for consumers to refuel in most of the country, plus refueling can be very slow.
