Go Gas-Free With These 6 Alternative Fuels

No Plugs Required

Electric vehicles are becoming more prominent on U.S. roadways. While electricity could be considered an alternative fuel, it’s only one of many ways to reduce dangerous emissions from the use of fossil fuels in transportation. For generations, automakers and energy researchers have been exploring a range of alternative fuels – many of which deserve continued investigation.

The list includes biodiesel, compressed natural gas, ethanol, hydrogen, liquefied natural gas, and liquefied petroleum gas. What is the source of the fuels? How practically could we shift to them on a meaningful scale? Which ones will work in the car in your driveway? Here’s a quick look at the options. 

Biodiesel

Made from vegetable oils, animal fats, or recycled restaurant grease, biodiesel can be used in various blends in any diesel-burning vehicle. The various feedstocks must be processed into a uniform and consistent fuel before use.

Most new diesel engines are built to run on fuels with a blend of biodiesel and more common petroleum-based diesel. The rating of blends is determined by the percentage of biodiesel in the mixture compared with petro-diesel. For example, B5 contains five percent bio-based diesel, while B20 is made up of 20 percent biodiesel. Many manufacturers specify that their engines can safely run on a certain percentage blend, such as B20 – but not stronger blends.

According to the National Biodiesel Board, 2016 models that are able to run on biodiesel include: BMW 328d, BMW X3 xDrive28d, Ram 1500 EcoDiesel, Ram 3500 HD, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Chevrolet Colorado, Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD/3500HD, Chevrolet Express 2500/3500 Cargo Van, Ford Transit, Ford Super Duty F-250/F-350/F-450, GMC Sierra Denali 2500 HD/3500 HD, GMC Canyon, Jaguar XE, Land Rover Range Rover/Range Rover Sport, Mercedes-Benz E250 BlueTEC, Mercedes-Benz GL350 BlueTEC, Mercedes-Benz GLE300d 4MATIC, and Nissan Titan XD.

Compressed Natural Gas

Comprised of gaseous methane stored at high pressures, compressed natural gas is usually extracted from wells. The gaseous fuel can be pumped into a car in a way that’s similar to pumping gasoline. On board, the fuel – which is clear, odorless, and non-corrosive – is stored in high-pressure tanks resembling Scuba tanks.

The U.S. Department of Energy lists several 2016-model-year vehicles that are able to run on compressed natural gas, including: Chevrolet Impala, Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, Ford F-150, Ford Super Duty F-250, Ford Transit, GMC Sierra 2500 HD, Ram 2500, and Honda Civic.

Ethanol

Also known as ethyl alcohol, ethanol is a naturally occurring alcohol made from plant material. It has been used as a gasoline alternative and additive for decades. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, at least 97 percent of the fuel on the market today contains some ethanol, with E10 – 90 percent gasoline, 10 percent ethanol – being the most common blend.

Ethanol is also available in a flex fuel formula known as E85. Containing between 51 and 83 percent ethanol, the blend can be used to fuel numerous vehicles, which commonly have a “flex fuel” designation.

The list of 2016 vehicles able to safely use E85 fuel Alternative Fuels Data Center includes: Audi A4 Quattro, Audi A5 Quattro, Audi Allroad Quattro, Audi Q5, Buick LaCrosse, Buick Verano, Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Impala, Chevrolet Silverado 1500/2500, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, Chrysler 200, Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, Dodge Grand Caravan, Dodge Journey, Ford Explorer, Ford F-150, GMC Sierra 1500, GMC Terrain, GMC Yukon, Jeep Cherokee, Jeep Renegade, Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 4Matic, Mercedes-Benz E350 4Matic, Mercedes-Benz GLA250 4Matic, Mercedes-Benz GLE350 4Matic, Nissan Titan, Ram 1500, and Toyota Tundra.

Several websites offer a guide to finding an E85 gas station near you, including EthanolRetailer.com and E85locator.net. Many companies also offer mobile apps that also can be used to find stations.

Hydrogen

After decades of development, hydrogen fuel cell cars are finally being mass-produced for sale in Japan, Europe, and the United States. The Toyota Mirai fuel cell sedan was the first to go on sale when it was made available in California in 2015. Honda’s hydrogen-powered vehicle, the Clarity, arrives later in 2016.  Mercedes-Benz announced that it will begin selling a plug-in hydrogen version of the GLC starting in 2017.  Hyundai offers a fuel cell version of its Tucson SUV in limited numbers.

The successful deployment of fuel cell cars will depend on the expansion of hydrogen fueling infrastructure – starting in California and following in the Northeast before expanding across the United States. It’s a promising alternative because water vapor is the only emission from a hydrogen-powered car. Hydrogen cars can be refueled in about five minutes and provide hundreds of miles of driving range.

Liquefied Natural Gas

Liquefied natural gas is made by purifying, then super-cooling, natural gas to negative 260 degrees Fahrenheit. During this process, many elements are removed to yield methane.

After the liquefied natural gas is produced, it must be stored at extremely low temperatures in in a cryogenic tank – a challenge what has limited its widespread use. The U.S. Department of Energy reports that liquefied natural gas is primarily used in medium- and heavy-use commercial trucks, rather than passenger vehicles.

Liquefied Petroleum Gas

Mixing butane and propane together yields a combination known as liquefied petroleum gas, which can be used for cooking, heating, and powering vehicles. When it is used in vehicles, liquefied petroleum gas can also be called “autogas.”

The gas is produced either by refining petroleum or “wet” natural gas, a process that is unlikely to cause water- or ground-level pollution. When burned in a vehicle, it doesn’t produce soot. However, some studies show that it emits more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere than regular petrol.

Liquefied petroleum gas may be used in some diesel engines, but you should confirm that your vehicle has been certified by the manufacturer to use liquefied petroleum gas before giving it a try.