Alternative Fuel Types

Biodiesel is a domestically produced, renewable fuel that can be manufactured from vegetable oils, animal fats, or recycled restaurant grease for use in diesel vehicles or any equipment that operates on diesel fuel. Biodiesel’s physical properties are similar to those of petroleum diesel.

Natural gas, a domestically produced gaseous fuel, is readily available through the existing natural gas distribution system. Whether produced via conventional or renewable methods, this clean-burning alternative fuel must be compressed or liquefied for use in vehicles.

Hydrogen, when used in a fuel cell to provide electricity, is a zero tailpipe emissions alternative fuel produced from diverse energy sources. Currently, drivers of light-duty fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) can fuel up at retail stations in less than 5 minutes and obtain a driving range of more than 300 miles.

Electricity is considered an alternative fuel under the Energy Policy Act of 1992. Electricity can be produced from a variety of energy sources, including natural gas, coal, nuclear energy, wind energy, hydropower, and solar energy. This electricity can be stored in batteries or used to produce hydrogen. Electric vehicles (EVs)—the collective term for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.

Propane, also known as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) or propane autogas, has been used worldwide as a vehicle fuel for decades. It is stored as a liquid, and propane fueling infrastructure is widespread.

Ethanol is a renewable fuel made from corn and other plant materials. Ethanol use is widespread, and more than 98% of gasoline in the U.S. contains some ethanol. The most common blend of ethanol is E10 (10% ethanol, 90% gasoline). Ethanol is also available as E85 (or flex fuel)—a high-level ethanol blend containing 51% to 83% ethanol, depending on geography and season—for use in flexible fuel vehicles.