Pros and Cons of Alternative Fuels for Cars

Rising gas prices, environmental pollution and new technology are all contributing to the rise in popularity of alternative fuels, such as ethanol, electricity, biodiesel, liquefied petroleum gas, natural gas and hydrogen. Each of the different alternative fuels has its distinct advantages and disadvantages.

Ethanol

Ethanol is an alcohol produced by distilling crops like corn. The main goal of ethanol fuel is to reduce dependence on foreign oil and to reduce greenhouse gases. E10 is made of 10 percent alcohol and 90 percent gasoline and can be used by all vehicles. E85 is made of 85 percent alcohol and 15 percent gasoline. Only flexible fuel vehicles (FFV) can use them. Although ethanol provides a more economically and environmentally friendly alternative, only FFVs can use E85. Ethanol is also not as powerful as gasoline, which results in fewer miles per gallon.

Electric Vehicles

Electric vehicles feature numerous batteries with stored electricity. The vehicles run on these batteries until they need to be recharged. The recharging process is as simple as plugging it into an outlet. Because they don't burn gasoline, it creates less pollution. However, these vehicles can only travel up to 100 miles on average before they need to be recharged. The electricity needed to charge them is usually generated by power plants which do produce pollution.

Biodiesel

Biodiesel is created from animal fats, vegetable oils and recycled greases. Biodiesel is a blend of petroleum diesel and biodiesel, noted by B100, B20, B5 and B2. B2 contains 2 percent biodiesel. Manufacturers warn against using grades higher than B5 because of possible engine damage. Oils and greases that have not been converted to biodiesel will damage the engine. Although biodiesel is safe and non-toxic, it is not as powerful as normal diesel and creates more nitrogen oxide emissions.

Natural Gas

Natural gas is mostly made of methane and burns very cleanly. There are two forms of natural gas for vehicle use, compressed natural gas and liquefied natural gas. Some vehicles are dedicated natural gas vehicles, meaning they only use natural gas, while most are bi-fuel vehicles, using natural gas and conventional gasoline. Natural gas vehicles produce up to 90 percent less smog and 40 percent less greenhouse gases, but are rare and not as efficient.

FCV

Pure hydrogen powered vehicles can be referred to as fuel cell vehicles (FCV) or zero-emission vehicles. This is because the engine works by taking hydrogen and breaking it into positive ions and electrons. The electrons are used to create electricity and both the positive ions and electrons combine with oxygen to create water. There is virtually no pollution. Its waste product is water and heat. But these vehicles are rare because of the cost of its technology. Also, there are few gas stations that pump pure hydrogen, which is why some FCVs use hydrogen-based fuels which do create some pollutants.