Alternative Fuel Vehicles

Alternative Fuel Ethanol Vehicles

What Types of Vehicles Use Ethanol & Ethanol Blends (E85, etc.)?

Alternative Fuel Vehicle Information: Ethanol

All gasoline vehicles are capable of operating on gasoline/ethanol blends with up to 10% ethanol. In fact, some states require the seasonal or year-round use of up to 10% ethanol as an oxygenate additive to gasoline to mitigate ozone formation. These low percentage oxygenate blends are not classified as alternative fuels. We speak of ethanol vehicles as those specifically manufactured to be capable of running on up to 85% denatured ethanol, 15% gasoline (E85), or any mixture of the two up to the 85% ethanol limit. E85 may be seasonally adjusted in colder climates such that the real proportion of E85 is less than 85% ethanol. Vehicles manufactured for E85 use are commonly called flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs). View the FFV fact sheet (PDF 288 KB) to get a snapshot of information on flexible fuel vehicles, conversion information, costs/benefits, and more. For more information on lower percentage ethanol blends, please see our site on fuel blends. For more information on alternative fuel vehicles capable of fueling with higher percentages of ethanol, read on. Download Adobe Reader.

Light-duty FFVs include a wide range of vehicles, from compacts to sport utility vehicles to pickup trucks. Unlike bi-fuel natural gas and propane vehicles that have two unique fueling systems, FFVs have only one fueling system. To qualify as an alternative fuel vehicle (AFV) for tax credits, incentives to meet requirements for mandated fleets (federal, state, and fuel provider fleets) under the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPAct), a vehicle must be capable of using fuel blends up to 85% ethanol.

Ethanol Vehicle Availability

FFVs are widely available. There are more than 5 million FFVs currently on the road in the U.S. today but many owners may be unaware that they may fuel with E85. Check your owner's manual, visit with your dealer, or see our list of current model year FFVs to determine if you drive a vehicle that can fuel with E85.

Ethanol Fuel Availability

E85 fueling stations are located primarily in the Midwest; more than 1,000 public E85 stations are available across the United States. The actual fueling process is the same as fueling with gasoline or diesel. Visit our station locator to find the stations in your area.

Vehicle Experience

FFVs have recently become widely used by consumers, but they have operated in private and government fleets for years. Take a look at our Clean Cities fleet success stories for details.

Ethanol Vehicle and Fuel Costs

E85 is usually sold at prices comparable to regular grade gasoline, although prices vary regionally. For more information on fuel prices, download the Alternative Fuel Price Report.

With the mass production of some E85 compatible vehicles, original equipment manufacturers usually offer these vehicles at the same prices as comparable gasoline vehicles. The Clean Fleet Guide has a FFV Cost Calculator tool that calculates the costs and benefits of using E85 in your FFV instead of gasoline.

Maintenance Considerations for Flex Fuel Vehicles

Special lubricants are no longer required for FFVs. Use E85 replacement parts (identify E85 as the fuel when ordering). Maintenance assistance is available from local dealers; practices are very similar, if not identical, to those for conventionally fueled vehicles.

Benefits of Ethanol / E85 & Flexible Fuel Vehicles

Compared with gasoline-fueled vehicles, most ethanol-fueled vehicles produce lower carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide emissions and the same or lower levels of hydrocarbon and non-methane hydrocarbon emissions. Oxides of nitrogen (NO_x) emissions are about the same for ethanol and gasoline vehicles. E85 has fewer highly volatile components than gasoline and so has fewer evaporative emissions.

Ethanol has a high octane rating (108 +), which is beneficial in engines that are designed to operate on higher octane fuels. However, because ethanol is blended with gasoline in E85 the actual octane level rating will vary by season and location. Unlike gasoline, the octane rating of E85 is rarely posted on the pump and doing so is not required by law.

General Motors has a fun "Cornulator" on its Live Green, Go Yellow Web site. Use it to estimate barrels of oil saved by fueling with E85.

Ethanol-Fueled FFV Vehicle Performance

A gallon of ethanol contains roughly 66% of the energy of a gallon of gasoline. However, as it is most commonly blended, E85 contains 71% of the energy of gasoline. In actual use, drivers can expect a fuel economy reduction of at least 15% relative to gasoline. Some auto manufacturers are installing larger fuel tanks, so the range of FFVs is similar to gasoline vehicles. Power, acceleration, payload, and cruise speed of vehicles operating with E85 are comparable to those operating with equivalent conventional fuels.

Additional Ethanol Information Resources:

American Coalition for Ethanol
(605) 334-3381
American Lung Association of the Upper Midwest
(651) 227-8014
Clean Fuels Development Coalition
(301) 718-0077
General Motors Live Green Go Yellow website
EERE Information Center
1-877-EERE-INF (1-877-337-3463)
Ethanol Promotional and Information Council (EPIC)
National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition
(877) 485-8596
Renewable Fuels Association
(202) 289-3835

Article Source: U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy (EERE)

Hydrogen Cars, Trucks, and Buses Are the Answer We Need

The Reality of Vehicles Powered by the Fuel of the Future: Hydrogen

By Lance Winslow

We all know that the United States of America is addicted to foreign oil. Gasoline and diesel are the fuels that drive us around both literally and figuratively; without fuel the transportation and distribution that America needs to survive would not exist. Currently the U.S. automakers are working to build over 4 million ethanol enabled Flex fuel cars in the next year alone. This is a very good start to breaking the United States addiction to oil.

The ethanol E85, which uses 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline will help ease the burden but it is more of a short-term solution for the next decade or two and not the long-term solution we will be facing in the future. As India and China demands more and more fuel this will bring the world oil price per barrel up drastically. America needs another solution in the future and it so happens there is one available. Hydrogen fuel cells; President Bush has recently discussed such advanced transportation technology in California and gave a speech on the subject. Here is an excerpt of his official statement;

"I strongly believe hydrogen is the fuel of the future. That's what we're talking about. Hydrogen is used in a fuel cell that can power a car that uses no gasoline, produces no pollution or greenhouse gas emissions. Hydrogen vehicles can be twice as efficient as gasoline vehicles. Hydrogen can be produced from domestic energy sources, which means it has the potential — a vast potential — to dramatically cut our dependence on foreign oil."
- President George W. Bush (April 22, 2006)

You see, there are already hydrogen-powered vehicles being used in California (buses). And companies like UPS are also considering hydrogen powered trucks to drive between terminals as a hedge against high fuel prices, which will help them compete for higher profitability in the already very aggressive and competitive ground transportation shipping business. If over the road trucks and buses use hydrogen cells then there will be less soot and pollution in the air. Eventually and hopefully perhaps work trucks and cars will also run on hydrogen fuel cells.

Visit Lance Winslow's Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance in the Online Think Tank and solve the problems of the World; www.WorldThinkTank.net/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lance_Winslow
http://EzineArticles.com/?Hydrogen-Cars,-Trucks,-and-Buses-Are-the-Answer-Indeed&id=187557

Using Biodiesel in Vehicles

What Types of Vehicles Run on Biodiesel?

Biodiesel Fuel Information

Biodiesel blends can be used in any light- or heavy-duty diesel engine. However, it is important to check with your manufacturer before using biodiesel. As with any fuel, an engine component failure caused by the fuel may not be covered under warranty.

Biodiesel blends are being used in a number of heavy-duty vehicles throughout the country. The most common blend of biodiesel is B20 (20% biodiesel / 80% diesel), but B100 (neat biodiesel) and blends of less than 20% biodiesel can also be used.

Vehicles that have successfully used biodiesel include school and transit buses, refuse haulers, military support vehicles, farm equipment, and national park maintenance vehicles. Biodiesel fueling of light-duty diesel vehicles is less common. It is important to always consult your vehicle manufacturer to make sure they approve the use of biodiesel in their products.

Fleets looking to comply with the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPAct) must use fuel blends that contain at least 20% biodiesel. For more information on EPAct go to the EPAct Web site. For more information on fuel blends of 20% biodiesel or less, please see our site on fuel blends.

Biodiesel Fuel Availability

Biodiesel is available in various parts of the United States; visit the fueling station locator page to find locations offering biodiesel. To obtain biodiesel through bulk suppliers, check Biodiesel Industry Contacts for a listing or contact the National Biodiesel Board for a list of registered suppliers.

The Biodiesel Driving Experience

In the United States, more than 10 million miles have been driven on neat biodiesel and biodiesel blends. Learn about Biodiesel Success Stories as part of the Clean Cities Program.

Biodiesel Safety

As with all vehicles, adequate training is required to operate and maintain vehicles running on biodiesel. The flashpoint of biodiesel is significantly higher than that of conventional diesel fuel, which makes the fuel safer in general. Neat biodiesel is nontoxic, biodegradable, and emits fewer carcinogens in the exhaust than conventional diesel fuel.

Biodiesel Fuel Costs

Using biodiesel blends requires little or no engine modification and maintenance costs are comparable to those of conventional diesel vehicles. Neat biodiesel costs range from $1.95 to $3 per gallon, depending on the feedstock and supplier. In general, B20 will cost $.20 to $.40 per gallon more than conventional diesel.

Maintenance Considerations for Biodiesel Vehicles

Always check with the vehicle manufacturer before fueling with biodiesel. In older vehicles, high-percentage blends of biodiesel (greater than 20%) can affect fuel hoses and pump seals made from certain elastomers. The effect is lessened with lower percentage blends. Elastomers (found in hoses and gaskets) that are biodiesel-compatible are required for use with B100 and high-percentage biodiesel blends.

All diesel fuels require special measures for use in cold temperatures. Biodiesel has a higher cloud point than conventional diesel. However, the same strategies used to ensure operability of conventional diesel fuels in wintertime will also work for biodiesel blends. These include the use of additives and blending with No. 1 diesel.

To protect equipment and ensure trouble-free operation, B100 used for blending with conventional diesel should meet the ASTM D6751 specification.

Benefits of Biodiesel Alternative Fuel

According to the National Biodiesel Board, using a B20 biodiesel fuel blend can reduce vehicle emissions:
- Unburned hydrocarbons - 20% reduction
- Carbon monoxide - 12% reduction
- Particulate matter - 12% reduction
Biodiesel is domestically produced, so its use helps reduce the nation’s dependence on imported oil and can help boost the agricultural sector of the economy.
Biodiesel is a renewable fuel made from domestically grown crops like soybeans and mustard seed. Biodiesel can also be produced from recycled cooking grease.
When using biodiesel, lubricity is improved over conventional diesel fuel.

Biodiesel Vehicle Performance

Horsepower, torque, acceleration, cruising speed, and fuel economy are similar to those for diesel fuel.
The energy content of B100 is 10%-12% lower than conventional diesel. This leads to roughly 2% lower energy content in B20 blends.
The cetane number for biodiesel is significantly higher than that of conventional diesel fuel.

Additional Biodiesel Information Resources

National Biodiesel Board
(573) 635-3893 or (800) 841-5849