Alternative Fuels Library

Electric vehicles (EVs) use electricity as a primary or secondary power source instead of conventional motor fuels like gasoline or diesel. Using electricity stored in a battery to power an electric motor has natural advantages over the internal combustion engine, including quieter operation, zero tailpipe emissions, instant acceleration, and significantly cheaper operating and maintenance costs. Go to DriveElectricColorado.org to learn about the variety of vehicle applications, charging levels and more, and check out the Alternative Fuels Data Center Hybrid and Plug-In Electric Vehicles Page.

Ethanol is a renewable fuel made from corn and other plant materials and is considered an alternative fuel under the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPAct). It is used to fuel E85-capable flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs), which are available in a variety of models from U.S. and foreign automakers.  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. E15, another blend, is increasing its market presence. It is approved for use in model year 2001 and newer light-duty conventional gas vehicles. Learn more at the Alternative Fuels Data Center Ethanol Page.

Hydrogen (H₂) is an alternative fuel that can be produced from diverse domestic resources and has the potential to revolutionize transportation and, possibly, our entire energy system. The simplest and most abundant element in the universe, hydrogen can be produced from fossil fuels and biomass and even by electrolyzing water. Simply put, hydrogen is an emissions-free alternative fuel produced from diverse energy sources. Producing hydrogen with renewable energy and using it in fuel cell vehicles holds the promise of virtually pollution-free transportation and independence from imported petroleum. The interest in hydrogen as an alternative transportation fuel stems from its clean-burning qualities, its potential for domestic production, and the fuel cell vehicle’s potential for high efficiency (two to three times more efficient than gasoline vehicles). Learn more at the Alternative Fuels Data Center Hydrogen Basics Page.

Natural gas, a domestically produced gaseous fuel, is readily available through the utility infrastructure. Whether produced via conventional or renewable methods, this clean-burning alternative fuel must be compressed or liquefied for use in vehicles. The advantages of natural gas as an alternative fuel include its domestic availability, established distribution network, relatively low cost, and emissions benefits. Learn more at the Alternative Fuels Data Center Natural Gas Page.

Propane, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) or propane autogas, is the third widest used transportation fuel in the world, following gasoline and diesel. Propane is an odorless, non-toxic hydrocarbon gas at normal pressures and temperatures. When pressurized, it is a liquid with an energy density 270 times greater than its gaseous form. A propane vehicle operates similarly to a gasoline or diesel vehicle by burning the gas in an internal combustion engine. Since the fuel is cleaner-burning, a propane vehicle has fewer emissions, and propane helps reduce our dependence on foreign oil and has been used for decades to power light-, medium-, and heavy-duty propane vehicles.

A very common application for propane is in school buses, where propane can be bought in bulk for much cheaper than diesel to save on operating costs, and the buses are also much quieter. Learn more on the Alternative Fuels Data Center Propane Basics Page.