The Energy Office encourages the use of fuel alternatives to petroleum through grants and information. Below are information and links about various alternative fuels.

Biodiesel

Biodiesel is a renewable, biodegradable, nontoxic, fuel produced from domestic renewable resources that can be used in most diesel engines without modification. It can be made from crops like soybeans or canola, or from waste grease and animal fats. For more information, please see the Energy Office’s biodiesel page.

Compressed and Liquid/Liquified Natural Gas (CNG and LNG)

Natural gas is a fossil fuel extracted from gas wells or in conjunction with crude oil production, or produced as a by-product of landfill operations. Natural gas is primarily composed of methane, along with other hydrocarbons such as ethane, propane and butane. It can be stored on a vehicle in a gaseous state (compressed natural gas - CNG) or as a liquid state (liquid/liquefied natural gas - LNG). Natural gas can also be blended with hydrogen to create a hydrogen/natural gas (HCNG) blend.

Natural gas can be used in the full range of vehicles, from passenger vehicles to heavy-duty trucks. Vehicles can be dedicated (operating only on natural gas), or bi-fuel (capable of switching between natural gas and gasoline/diesel).  CNG light-, medium-, and heavy-duty vehicles are available from automobile manufacturers. Also, gasoline and diesel vehicles can be converted to operate on natural gas. LNG vehicles are more limited with their focus being on heavy-duty vehicles. CNG vehicles can be refueled using fast-fill stations or using slow-fill systems installed at residences or businesses.

Electricity

Electric vehicles operate by use of one or more batteries. The cars themselves produce no emissions, operating on the electricity charged to the battery when they’re plugged and recharging. Many people who choose electric cars do so because they save on refueling and on emissions. Most electric vehicles get between 80-120 miles per charge. Electric vehicles are more popular in Europe than in the U.S., because they are better suited for use in cities, and not for commuting.

Ethanol

Ethanol, or ethyl alcohol, is an alternative fuel to gasoline for many vehicles, including trucks and SUVs, called flexible-fuel vehicles (FFVs). It is produced from various grains, wood, fruit, and other plants. Ethyl tertiary butyl ether   (ETBE) is produced by mixing ethanol and isobutylene and reacting them with heat over a catalyst, yielding a mixture that is 42% ethanol. ETBE has a low vapor pressure, which increases gasoline octane (makes gasoline evaporate more quickly), and reduces air pollution, and can help reduce U.S. dependence on oil. For more information, please see the Energy Office’s ethanol page.

Hydrogen

Research and development of hydrogen fuel cells is currently in process. Right now, the cost for a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle is prohibitive to mass-produce and sell on the open market, and the infrastructure for these vehicles is in its infant stage. A few automobile manufacturers have produced demonstration models, or converted current vehicles to run on hydrogen, but the cost of producting the hydrogen is also prohibitive. It may take 10-15 years for these vehicles to affordable to the general public. See the National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s Hydrogen, Fuel Cells, and Infrastructure Technologies Program , U.S. DOE’s Hydrogen Page or U.S. DOE’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy’s Hydrogen, Fuel Cells & Infrastructure Technologies Program for more information.

Methanol

Methanol is a clean burning liquid alternative fuel that can be produced from natural gas, coal, or biomass. Methanol is mixed with gasoline to produce M85 (85% methanol, 15% gasoline). Currently, methanol is being researched for possible applications with fuel cells.

Propane (Liquified petroleum gas or LPG)

Propane is produced as a by-product of natural gas processing and petroleum refining. Vehicles can be propane-dedicated or bi-fuel. It has been used as a transportation fuel since the 1920s. Propane vehicles can produce 60% fewer ozone-forming emissions (CO and NO_x) and a reduction in the emissions of benzene, 1,3-butadiene, formaldehyde, and acetaldehyde.

Solar

Solar-powered vehicles (SPVs) use an array of solar photovoltaic (PV) cells (or modules made of cells) that convert sunlight into electricity to either power an electric motor directly, and/or use solar energy indirectly to charge a battery, which powers the motor. SPVs are practical when sunshine is in abundance. SPVs are still largely experimental at this time.