AFV FAQ
Important Links


Alternative Fuels & Vehicles FAQ

What are alternative fuels?
The Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPAct) defines alternative fuels as non-petroleum based fuels that could help reduce the dependence on foreign oil. The following lists alternative fuels that are currently commercially available:

New fuels are currently under research and development. Emerging fuels already considered or could be considered an alternative fuel by EPAct includes:

Other fuels, not currently designated as an alternative fuels, are in the process of being petitioned for consideration under EPAct.

*Added in 1999 as an official alternative fuel, through not readily commercially available

**EPAct only considers ULSD produced from non-petroleum and renewable sources an alternative fuel

back to top

What is an alternative fuel vehicle?
The Energy Policy Act (EPAct) defines alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) to include any dedicated, flexible-fuel, or dual-fuel vehicle designed to operate on at least one alternative fuel. AFVs are available in a variety of models ranging from sedans, SUVs, pickup trucks and vans to heavy-duty buses and trucks. 

For more information on alternative fuels and vehicles, visit the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy’s (EERE) Alternative Fuels & Advanced Vehicles Data Center (AFDC) at http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/

back to top

What does “advanced technology vehicle” or “advanced vehicle” refer to?
“Advanced technology” or “advance vehicle” refers to vehicles such as electric, hybrid-electric, plug-in hybrid and fuel cell vehicles.  All these vehicles use electricity to power the motor.  The difference between the technologies is how the electricity is generated, stored and utilized.

back to top

What is a converted or conversion vehicle?
When an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) vehicle that was originally designed to run off conventional gasoline is altered aftermarket to run on alternative fuel or a combination of gasoline and alternative fuel, the vehicle is considered a conversion vehicle.  It can also be referred to as retrofitting or a retrofitted vehicle. The most common conversion are altering vehicles to run on compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).  There are essentially three types of conversions: dedicated, dual-fuel and bi-fuel. Dedicated operates exclusively on the alternative fuel. Dual-fuel has separate fuel tanks for the gasoline and alternative fuel and the desired fuel is accessed by flipping a switch to select tanks. Bi-fuels utilize both fuels in the combustion change simultaneously in specific calibrated proportions. All conversions (except pure battery electric) must meet EPA standards. Converted vehicles operating in California must also meet California Air Resource Board (CARB) rules. Conversions should be completed by qualified system retrofitters using EPA-/CARB-Certified systems from Small Volume OEMs (SVM).

back to top

What incentives and laws are relative to alternative fuel vehicles?
There are many federal and state laws and incentives related to alternative fuels and vehicles, fuel efficiency, and other transportation-related topics. For more information, visit the following websites:

back to top

How can I find an alternative fuel station?
New alternative fuel stations are coming online every day. The AFDC has a good fuel station locator with search options by fuel, state and even routing capabilities: http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/stations/find_station.php
They even have an application available for your internet-enabled cell phone: http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/locator/m/station/

back to top

What are the prices of alternative fuels compared to conventional gasoline?
DOE’s EERE’s Clean Cities publishes a quarterly Alternative Fuel Price Report designed to compare alternative fuel prices in the US in relation to gasoline and diesel prices. The following chart shows the most recent data available for comparison. The report can be found here: http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/price_report.html.

Overall Average Fuel Prices (as of October 2009)

 

Nationwide Average Price for Fuel This Report

Nationwide Average Price for Fuel Last Report

Change in Price This Report vs. Last Report

Units of Measurement

Gasoline (Regular)

$2.64

$2.44

$0.20

per gallon

Diesel

$2.79

$2.54

$0.26

per gallon

CNG

$1.86

$1.73

$0.13

per GGE

Ethanol (E85)

$2.27

$2.13

$0.14

per gallon

Propane

$2.69

$2.48

$0.21

per gallon

Biodiesel (B20)

$2.88

$2.69

$0.19

per gallon

Biodiesel (B99-B100)

$3.19

$3.08

$0.11

per gallon

back to top

Is there a complete list of available AFVs?
YES! AFVi has produced the first-ever Buyers’ Guide for alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles and will serve as the single source for alternative fuel vehicle products and services. The 2009/2010 AFV Buyers’ Guide will include photos, specifications, and descriptions of all alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles, plus a directory of industry partners.

A searchable listing of commercially available AFVs from 2001-current model year is available through AFDC’s Vehicle Make/Model Search: http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/progs/vehicles_search.php
A PDF listing of 2010 model year vehicles: http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/pdfs/my2010_afv_atv.pdf
Another searchable listing is available from FuelEconomy.gov’s: http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/byfueltype.htm

back to top

Frequently Used Alternative Fuel & Vehicle Related Acronyms

AB 32

Legislation designed to reduce global warming impacts in California

AFDC

Alternative Fuels and Advanced Vehicles Data Center (sponsored by DOE's Clean Cities)

AFV

Alternative Fuel Vehicle

AQMD

Air Quality Management District

ASME

American Society of Mechanical Engineers

ASTM

American Society for Testing and Materials

ATV

Advanced Technology Vehicle

B100

100% (neat) biodiesel

B20

20% biodiesel, 80% petroleum diesel

BEV

Battery Electric Vehicle

Btu

British Thermal Unit

CAAA

Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990

CAFE

Corporate Average Fuel Economy

CAP    

Clean Air Plan

CARB

California Air Resources Board

CGH2

Compressed Gaseous Hydrogen or Compressed Hydrogen

CLEAR Act

Congress Leads by Example through Alternative-Fuel Resources Act

CMAQ

Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program

CNG

Compressed Natural Gas

CO

Carbon Monoxide

CO2

Carbon Dioxide

DGE

Diesel Gallon Equivalent

DOC

Diesel Oxidation Catalyst

DOE

U.S. Department of Energy

DPF

Diesel Particulate Filters

E10

10% ethanol, 90% unleaded gasoline

E85

85% denatured ethanol, 15% gasoline

EDTA

Electric Drive Transportation Association

EERE

U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

EGR

Exhaust Gas Recirculation

EPA

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

EPAct

Energy Policy Act of 1992

EPIC

Ethanol Promotion and Information Council (now Growth Energy)

EV

Electric Vehicle

FCV

Fuel Cell Vehicle

FFV

Flexible-Fuel Vehicle

FHWA

Federal Highway Administration

GGE

Gasoline Gallon Equivalent

GVWR

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating

H2

Hydrogen

HC

Hydrocarbon

HDT     

Heavy-Duty Truck

HDV    

Heavy-Duty Vehicle

HEV

Hybrid Electric Vehicle

HOV

High Occupancy Vehicle

ICE

Internal Combustion Engine

ILEV

Inherently Low Emission Vehicle

kg

kilogram

kg/d

kilogram per day

kg/h

kilogram per hour

LDT

Light-Duty Truck

LDV

Light -Duty Vehicle

LEV

Low Emission Vehicle

LNC

Lean NOx Catalyst

LNG

Liquefied Natural Gas

LPG

Liquefied Petroleum Gas

lpm

liter per minute

LSV

Low Speed Vehicle

MDT

Medium-Duty Truck

MDV

Medium-Duty Vehicle

MPa

Megapascal (35 MPa = 5000 psig = 350 bar)

NBB

National Biodiesel Board

NEV

Neighborhood Electric Vehicle

NGV

Natural Gas Vehicle

NGVA

NGVAmerica

NHTSA

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Nm3/h

Normal Cubic Meters Per Hour

NOx

Oxides of Nitrogen

NREL

National Renewable Energy Laboratory

OEM

Original equipment manufacturer

PEMFC

Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell

PERC

Propane Education and Research Council

PHEV

Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle

PM

Particulate Matter

PM10

Particulate Matter Less Than 10 Microns in Diameter

psi

Pounds Per Square Inch

psig

Pounds Per Square Inch (Gauge Pressure)

PZEV

Partial Zero-Emissions Vehicle

RFA

Renewable Fuels Association

RVP    

Reid Vapor Pressure

SCR

Selective Catalytic Reduction

SIP

State Implementation Plan

SULEV

Super Ultra-Low-Emission Vehicle

ULEV

Ultra Low Emission Vehicle

V2G

Vehicle to Grid

VALE

Voluntary Airport Low Emission Program

VOC

Volatile Organic Compound

ZEV

Zero Emission Vehicle

back to top

BIODIESEL

What is biodiesel?
Biodiesel is a domestic, renewable fuel that can be made from vegetable oils, animal fats, or recycled restaurant greases.  Pure or neat biodiesel is known as “B100” and is considered an alternative fuel by the EPAct.  It is not, however, the same as raw vegetable oil. It goes through a refinery process called transesterification to remove the glycerin, the by-product of biodiesel production.  Biodiesel can be blended with any level of petroleum to create a biodiesel blend.  The most common blend is B20 (20% biodiesel and 80% diesel).

What kind of vehicles can use biodiesel?
Any vehicle that currently uses petroleum diesel can use up to a B20 biodiesel blend with little to no modification to the engine.  However, not all diesel manufacturers cover biodiesel use in their warranties. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends consulting your vehicles manufacturer to see if they approve the use of biodiesel in their vehicles. See the National Biodiesel Board’s Standards and Warranties at http://www.biodiesel.org/resources/oems/default.shtm for more information.

What are the benefits of using biodiesel?
Biodiesel provides many health, environmental and security benefits. Using biodiesel, compared to petroleum diesel, reduces the amount of emissions, including unburned hydrocarbons (HC), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfates, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, nitrated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and particulate matter (PM). Naturally, the higher the blend, the better the emission reduction. Biodiesel is domestically produced, reducing our dependence on foreign oil and can also be used in many conventional diesel engines, expanding the current supply of petroleum diesel. It is also non-toxic making it safety to store and transport than petroleum diesel.

What is the biodiesel production level in the U.S.?
Approximately 700 million gallons of biodiesel was produced in the US in 2008, with 628 fueling stations available. The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) has set a goal of replacing the equivalent of 5 percent of the nation’s on-road diesel fuel with biodiesel by 2015.

back to top

ETHANOL

What is ethanol?
Ethanol is an alcohol-based fuel that is produced by fermenting and distilling starch or sugar crops (usually corn, barley and wheat or sugar cane and fruit) to turn it into simple sugars.  U.S. ethanol is currently derived mostly from corn.

Can I use ethanol-blended fuel in my vehicle?
It depends.  Most likely, you’re already using ethanol in your vehicle without knowing it.  All vehicles are capable of running on low-level blends up to E10 (10% ethanol and 90% gasoline) without any engine modifications needed since they are “substantially similar” to gasoline according to the EPA. In fact, nearly half of U.S. gasoline now contains up to 10% ethanol to boost octane or meet air quality requirements. Anything higher than E10 cannot be used legally in non-flexible fuel vehicles.

What is E85?
E85 is a blend of ethanol (85%) and gasoline (15%).  Only E85 or higher is considered an alternative fuel by the EPAct.

Can I use E85 in any vehicle?
No.  E85 is for use in flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs).  You might have heard these vehicles referred to as “flex fuel” vehicles.  FFVs can run on E85, conventional gasoline or a combination of the two. 

Will my gas mileage be the same with E85 as with regular gasoline?
Unfortunately, no.  According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, ethanol blends will reduce the miles per gallon a vehicle gets by 20-30% compared to that of pure gasoline because ethanol contains less energy than gasoline.  However, engines are being designed to increase fuel efficiency while using ethanol blends.

How many FFVs are on the road in the US?
According to the AFDC’s trend study of Total Light-Duty E85 FFVs in Use, there are approximately 7,289,908 FFVs on the road in 2008 in the U.S. These FFVs are served by more than 1,900 E85 fueling stations.

back to top

ELECTRICITY/ELECTRIC VEHICLES

What is an electric vehicle?
An Electric Vehicle (EV) or Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) can be defined as a vehicle that uses chemical energy stored in rechargeable battery packs. The energy comes from an electric grid which can be powered by several sources including coal, nuclear, solar, wind and/or geothermal.  It employs an electric motor and motor controllers instead of an internal combustion engine (ICE) as in gasoline powered vehicles.

Are EVs and Hybrids the same thing?
No.  Electric vehicles are run solely by an electric motor, where hybrid vehicles combine the internal combustion engine (ICE) of a conventional vehicle with the battery and electric motor of an electric vehicle.

What are the benefits of an electric vehicle?
More than 95% of the electricity used to charge EVs originates from domestic resources, thus reducing the nation’s dependence on foreign oil. EVs are zero emission vehicles, which means they produce no tailpipe or evaporative emissions that contribute to air pollution.  However, electricity production is not pollution-free. Also, due to less moving parts than an ICE, service requirements for EVs are fewer than those for gasoline-powered vehicles.

What is the availability of EVs in the US?
As of 2009, there are no light-duty electric vehicles made by major auto manufacturers. However, several niche manufacturers will be releasing light-duty electric vehicles for public availability sometime in 2010. There are currently many neighborhood electric vehicles (HEVs) in production and used to a variety of applications such as neighborhood commuting, light hauling, and delivery. Another niche application includes electric scooters and bikes.

back to top

HYBRIDS

What is a hybrid vehicle?
A Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) is a vehicle with two or more distinct power sources to propel the vehicle. HEV most commonly refers to vehicles utilizing a combination of a battery-powered electric motor and a gasoline-powered ICE. However, hybrids of the future will also be powered by alternative fuels including but not limited to biodiesel, natural gas and propane.  A HEV uses regenerative braking, capturing of energy normally lost through braking and coasting, to recharge the batteries. Therefore it never needs to be plugged in. 

How does a hybrid vehicle work?
There are two types of hybrids: series and parallel. A series engine uses either the electric motor or ICE to propel the vehicle. A parallel engine uses the electric motor to provide extra power to the ICE during times of need like acceleration and stop-and-go driving.

Are hybrid cars available to the public?
YES! HEVs are becoming more readily available each year. Most of the major car manufacturers offer HEVs in their vehicles offerings. In fact, in 2008 there were over 16 light-duty hybrid models offered and over 300,000 sold in the US. HEVs come in a variety of vehicle classes including compact to SUV’s to heavy-duty transportation vehicles like buses.

What are the benefits of a hybrid?
HEV offers many of the same benefits as a BEV including reduced emissions, and reduced petroleum use.  HEVs offer better fuel economy than a conventional ICE-only powered vehicle and higher speeds and ranges than a BEV.

What is the fuel economy for a hybrid?
Like any other vehicle, the MPG will vary by make, model and size of the vehicle.  Mileage numbers for 2009 hybrids range from 20 city/20 highway for hybrid SUVs to 48 city/45 highway for the top mileage hybrid car, according www.fueleconomy.gov. AFDC calculates that a hybrid car will use nearly 50% less gallons of gasoline over its lifetime than a car with average fuel economy (4,566 gallons versus 8,714 gallons).

What about new hybrid technology like hydraulic hybrids? What are they?
In a hybrid hydraulic vehicle (HHV), the engine is coupled with hydraulic pump/motor(s) and hydraulic accumulators to create the hybrid system. HHVs can have a parallel or series system. In a parallel system HHV, the conventional vehicle powertrain is supplemented by the addition of the hydraulic system. In a series system HHV, the conventional transmission and driveline are replaced by the hybrid hydraulic powertrain and the energy is transferred from the engine to the drive wheels through fluid power.

back to top

PLUG-IN HYBRID ELECTRIC

What is a hybrid vehicle?
Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV) combines the best of the technologies utilized in BEVs and HEVs. It can be powered purely by electricity like a BEV or a combination of ICE and battery-power as with a HEV.  The combination offers increased driving range over a purely BEV and increased fuel economy over a HEV. It is currently in pre-commercialization production stages of research and design. However there are a few companies offering conversions of HEVs to PHEVs.

back to top

HYDROGEN

What is Hydrogen?
Hydrogen gas is the simplest and most abundant element in the universe.  However, very little hydrogen gas exists by itself in the Earth’s atmosphere. It is usually found in the form of water, hydrocarbons (such as methane) and other organic matter. “Unlocking” it from these compounds is one of the challenge of using hydrogen as a viable alternative fuel. Hydrogen is mainly being researched as an energy source for fuel cell vehicles.

What are the benefits of hydrogen?
Hydrogen has many benefits including energy security and health and environment. Hydrogen can be produced domestically, thus decreasing our dependence on foreign oil. In conjunction with fuel cells, hydrogen has tremendous potential in other energy applications such as generators and grid electricity production. In fuel cell use, its only emission is water, therefore it has good health and environmental impacts. 

Are hydrogen vehicles available for public use?
There are no hydrogen vehicles commercially available. Research and development is currently being conducted with hydrogen to power Fuel Cell Vehicles. These vehicles are also not commercially available but are being tested with select organizations that have access to hydrogen refueling stations. As of March 2009, there are only 58 stations in the US.

back to top

FUEL CELLS

What are Fuel Cells?
Fuel cells can be likened to the battery of an electric car. Like a battery, it powers the electric motor with electricity. Unlike a battery, it generates the electricity rather than just storing it. Fueled by hydrogen and oxygen, it generates power by a chemical reaction with the only by products being water and heat.  Fuel cell availability is limited mainly due to the expensive materials, such as platinum, used to produce them. 
What are fuel cell vehicles?
Fuel cell vehicles utilize fuel cells and hydrogen to generate power to propel the vehicle. Hydrogen is stored in onboard fuel tanks.   Inside the fuel cell, hydrogen and oxygen combine to produce electricity, which is stored in a battery and powers the electric motor of the vehicle.

Are fuel cell vehicles available to the public?
Fuel cell vehicles, for the most part, are still in research and development stages. However, they are coming closer to production as technology and infrastructure improves. A small number are actually commercially available, for lease only, in Southern California, where hydrogen fueling stations are accessible.

back to top

METHANOL

What is methanol?
Methanol is commonly known as wood alcohol and occurs naturally in the environment due to the biological processes between vegetation, microorganism and other living species. It is created synthetically by a process using natural gas as a feedstock. However, almost any carbon-based feedstock can be used.

What is the availability of methanol-fueled vehicles?
Today, methanol-fueled consumer vehicles are largely unavailable on the market. Methanol is still used as a fuel for competition monster trucks and dirt bikes, drag and mud racing vehicles, and model airplanes. Methanol was used by INDY race cars until the end of the 2006 season when they switched to ethanol.

back to top

NATURAL GAS

If you are interested in learning about the use of natural gas as a transportation fuel and natural gas vehicles, check out our recent publication Natural Gas Vehicles:The Decision Starts Here.

What is natural gas?
Natural gas is 90 percent methane and contains a mixture of hydrocarbons that is produced from gas wells or from crude petroleum production.  It is clean burning, domestic and readily available for consumers.

Can natural gas be used in any vehicle?
No.  There are vehicles that are made specifically to run on natural gas (“dedicated”) and others that are bi-fuels that can use natural gas or conventional fuels (like gasoline or diesel). The two types of natural gas that can be stored in a vehicle are compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied natural gas (LNG). 

Are natural gas vehicles available?
Yes, there is one light-duty original engine manufacturer (OEM) commercially available CNG vehicle- the Honda Civic GX.  Other natural gas vehicles are available through conversions or system retrofits by small volume manufacturers.  These vehicles include light-, medium- and heavy-duty vehicles and include applications from taxi fleets, to transit and school buses, to refuse haulers.  According to NGVAmerica there are over 120,000 NGVs on the road and over 1,100 fueling stations in the US.

How does NGV performance compare to conventional fuel vehicles?
Typical range for a NGV run on CNG or LNG is less than a conventionally fueled vehicle because of the lower energy content of natural gas.  Extra storage tanks can increase range, but the extra weight might displace payload capacity.  However, horsepower, acceleration and cruise power is the same.

What is the future of natural gas?
There has been much discussion recently about natural gas being the immediate solution for our nation’s oil dependence. It is produced domestically and an extensive infrastructure already exists. It is also helping to pave the way for future technology development such as fuel cells vehicles as natural gas is a good source of hydrogen for hydrogen powered fuel cell vehicles. Furthermore, as both hydrogen and natural gas are gaseous fuels, the lessons learned for developing natural gas technologies may pave the way for further hydrogen technology production.


back to top

PROPANE

What is propane?
Propane, or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), is a naturally occurring by-product of natural gas processing and petroleum refining.  It is the third most common used vehicle fuel behind gasoline and diesel.

What kinds of vehicles run on propane?
Currently only one commercially available light-duty vehicle is available, a propane-dedicated Ford F-150 truck through ROUSH Industries.  However, most light-duty vehicles can be converted to run on propane by a certified installer. Propane engines and fueling systems are more readily available for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles like school buses and street sweepers.  According to the National Propane Gas Association there are over 190,000 propane-powered vehicles in the US, served by 2,267 propane fueling stations.

What are the benefits of propane?
Propane is a domestic resource that is readily available to the public through an established infrastructure. By increasing the use of propane it diversifies our fueling options thus decreasing our dependence on foreign oil. Compared to gasoline, propane produces significantly fewer emissions. It is also a very safe fuel. Propane tanks are 20 times more puncture resistant than gasoline and the least flammable of all alternative fuels.

back to top

P-SERIES

What are P-Series fuel?
P-Series fuel is a blend of natural gas liquids (pentanes plus), ethanol, and the biomass-derived co-solvent methyltetrahydrofuran (MeTHF), all of which are domestically produced, renewable and nonpetroleum ingredients. It can be use as a substitute for gas or blended in any proportion with gasoline and used in a FFV fuel tank. P-Series fuels were officially designated as an alternative fuel by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) in 1999. However, it is not widely produced to used in vehicles yet.

Can I use P-Series in any vehicle?
No. P-Series is not gasoline and not be used in a regular gasoline powered vehicle. P-Series can only be used in flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs).

Where can I get P-Series fuel?
Currently, P-Series is not being produced in large quantities and is not widely used.

back to top