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| 2016 Nissan Leaf charging port. Photo courtesy of Nissan. |
A growing number of drivers don’t like how dependent modern
society is on gasoline. The fact is that gasoline use comes with many
drawbacks. The prices can be volatile, meaning another gas crises could pop up
at just about any time. Gasoline also produces quite a bit of air pollution
when it’s burned, which in turn triggers a number of other problems that affect
everyone. There is also the issue that oil is often obtained from areas of the
world where there is much political and social strife, which is why some people
want to utilize energy sources that are closer to home.
There are quite a few alternative fuels in existence today.
10. Hydrogen. Despite the concerns about flammability that
some have brought up, using hydrogen to power a car is actually safer than
using gasoline, which is a highly volatile liquid. Hydrogen can power two types
of vehicles: fuel cell cars and those that use a combustion engine that runs on
hydrogen instead of gasoline. Some hydrogen vehicles are available to consumers
right now, but they are restricted to markets like California.
9. Electricity. You likely have heard about electric
vehicles like the Tesla Model S. Instead of using combustion to propel the car
forward, the powertrain draws energy from a battery or an array of batteries.
Electric motors come with many advantages, including full torque delivery from
a standstill and quiet operation, which would also cut down on noise pollution
in cities.
8. Hybrid powertrains. There is a large variety of cars on
the market today that use both gasoline and electricity. Some run off gasoline
engines and electric motors, while others use a gasoline generator to power the
electric motor (like the Chevrolet Volt). The advantage of hybrid cars is that
the allow drivers to go longer distances than most other setups, without having
to stop for fuel.
7. Biodiesel. Diesel-powered vehicles are catching on at an
increasing rate in the United States. They can be fueled by traditional diesel,
or by a variety that is brewed using cooking oil and grease. Creating such a
fuel mixture takes some expertise, but with the right training a car owner can
become a pro before too long, making it possible to refuel in your own garage.
6. Liquefied natural gas. In areas like the United States,
natural gas is actually plentiful. Even though it is a fossil fuel, it doesn’t
produce as much pollution as burning oil or coal. Liquefying the gas takes
cooling it to the point it changes state, which also helps it produce more
energy when it is burned. It is currently used to power large industrial
trucks.
5. Ethanol. Corn is in high supply inside the United States,
which has led to the creation of “corn fuel” or ethanol. Crops are
used to create a type of alcohol that isn’t fit for human consumption but that
can power a vehicle. Some other countries create ethanol using other plant
substances, like in Brazil where sugar cane is in high supply.
4. Compressed natural gas. You have likely seen vehicles on
the road with a CNG sticker on them, indicating the car runs on this
alternative fuel. It literally uses the same fuel as your water heater and
maybe even your stove at home. CNG stations pressurize the gas so that it
doesn’t take up as much space. This alternative fuel is significantly cheaper
than gasoline or diesel, but in some areas there are few fueling stations.
3. Liquefied petroleum gas. This fuel is used for camping
stoves and even by some caterers as a way to keep large quantities of food
warm. By keeping it under extreme pressure, the gas stays a liquid and contains
more energy per square millimeter. The fuel isn’t common in North America, but
it is available in northern Europe as well as some parts of Asia.
2. Liquid nitrogen. Nitrogen is a common substance, making
it a good candidate for a future source of fuel. It doesn’t pollute nearly as
much as fossil fuels. The fuel flows into an engine where it is heated up, and
the resulting energy from the expansion turns mechanical parts like turbines to
propel the car forward.
1. Compressed air. It might sound bizarre, but a vehicle can
be powered by compressed air. High-pressure tubes store the air. The air is
released into the engine, which converts the air’s expansion into energy that
moves the pistons. There are electric motors in the car that work to compress
the air.
Ten Alternative Fuels for Vehicles
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