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Home , Alternative fuel, Alternative fuel vehicle, Biodiesel, Electric vehicle, Fuel cell vehicle, Hybrid electric vehicle

DOE/GO-102001-1142 FS143 August 2001 Advanced Technology and Alternative

Surveys show that Americans are con- 67 percent of the oil we consume in the cerned about the environment, global —more than we produce. warming, and related issues. Yet many Today, our country imports more than don’t realize that the and trucks they 54 percent of its oil supply, and it's drive are a major source of these prob- estimated that this could increase to lems, and that there are alternative 75 percent by 2010. choices they can make today. According to the U.S. Federal Highway Most of us drive or ride in vehicles that Administration, the average ( are powered by -based fossil or ) on the today emits — or diesel. Some people, more than 600 pounds of air however, are choosing to drive vehicles each year. These pollutants (such as car- that run on smaller amounts of fuel, bon monoxide, dioxide, nitrogen and/or partially or completely on fuels dioxide, and particulate matter) contribute other than diesel or gasoline. These to and to many health problems. For advanced and vehicles example, smog can cause eye and respira- (AFVs) help reduce our dependence on tory tract irritation, and foreign oil imports, save us money on fuel can inhibit the ability of a person's blood costs, and improve our air quality. to carry to vital organs.

Why Drive an Advanced or The average vehicle, through its combus- ? tion of fossil fuels, also emits greenhouse Transportation accounts for more than gases. Greenhouse gases—such as carbon Warren Gretz, NREL/PIX07070 Gretz, Warren Advanced and alternative fuel vehicles help reduce emissions that cause , smog, and global warming.

This document was produced for the U.S. Department of (DOE) by the National Laboratory (NREL), a DOE national laboratory. The document was produced by the Information and Outreach Program at NREL for the DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. The Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Clearinghouse (EREC) is operated by NCI Information Systems, Inc., for NREL / DOE. The statements contained herein are based on information known to EREC and NREL at the time of printing. No recommendation or endorsement of any product or service is implied if mentioned by EREC.

Printed with a renewable-source ink on paper containing at least 50% wastepaper, including 20% postconsumer waste Today’s Alternative Fuel Choices Alternative fuels not only burn cleaner— producing lower emissions—but some are even renewable, unlike fossil fuels, which means we could develop a continu- ous supply of them. The alternative fuels in use today include , , , , , , and .

Biofuels are renewable since they are produced from —organic matter, such as plants. They generate about the same amount of (a ) from the tailpipe as fossil fuels, but the plants that are grown to produce the biofuels actually remove

Warren Gretz, NREL/PIX00246 Gretz, Warren carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This snowplow in runs on ethanol. Therefore, the net emission of carbon dioxide will be close to zero. dioxide, , , hydrocar- bons, and chlorofluorocarbons—surround Ethanol the Earth's atmosphere like a clear thermal blanket, allowing the sun's warming rays The most widely used alternative trans- in and trapping the heat close to the portation fuel is ethanol. Ethanol is an Earth's surface. This natural greenhouse typically made from corn or corn effect keeps the average surface tempera- byproducts, using a process similar to ture at around 60˚F (33˚C). brewing beer. Vehicles that run on ethanol have lower carbon monoxide and carbon However, the increased use of fossil fuels dioxide emissions than traditional vehi- during the last century has created an cles. enhanced greenhouse effect, known as In the United States, we blend more than global warming. And transportation has 1.5 billion gallons of ethanol with gasoline played a large role in this increase. each year to produce E10 (10 percent ethanol and 90 percent gasoline.) E10 can During the 1990s, the annual growth rate be used in most of the vehicles we’re of U.S. from driving on the today. As a result, transportation averaged 1.6 percent. In we’re already using E10 across the country 1999, some 82 percent of U.S. greenhouse to improve vehicle performance and gas emissions consisted of carbon dioxide reduce air pollution. Alternative fuels released by the of energy fuels. The U.S. Environmental Protection Today we also have some vehicles that not only burn cleaner, Agency (EPA) estimates that each year the can use a higher blend of ethanol – up to average light vehicle in the United States 85 percent – called . These vehicles, but some are even releases 10,000 pounds of carbon dioxide known as flexible-fuel vehicles, can use into the air. Motor gasoline contributed E85, gasoline, or any mixture of the two. renewable. close to 300 million metric tons of carbon E85 is available in many parts of the coun- dioxide, making it the largest single try but primarily in the Midwest. source of U.S. carbon dioxide emissions.

By reducing vehicle emissions, AFVs and advanced vehicle technologies help combat both air pollution and global .

2 Biodiesel Biodiesel is an ester (similar to vinegar) that can be made from several types of oils, such as vegetable oils and animal . There are about Each year about 30 million gallons of biodiesel are produced in the United 100,000 natural gas States from recycled cooking oils and oil. vehicles in the Biodiesel is currently not available to the United States. general public. Some federal, state, and transit fleets, as well as tourist boats and launches, use biodiesel either alone or blended with another fuel. Biodiesel is typically used as a blend— 20 percent biodiesel and 80 percent petroleum diesel—called B20. B20 can be used in a conventional diesel with essentially no engine modifications.

There is also a growing interest in using NREL/PIX03830 Gretz, Warren biodiesel where workers are exposed to There are approximately 600 public, CNG , in to control local refueling stations across the country. pollution near airports, and in that face restricted use unless vehicles. Some and fleet vehicles emissions can be reduced. currently run on M85, which contains 85 percent methanol and 15 percent gasoline. Methanol Natural Gas Methanol, another alcohol-based fuel, is usually produced from natural gas, but Natural gas is a mixture of , it can also be produced from biomass. mainly methane. It can be produced either Therefore, it has the potential to help from gas wells or in conjunction with reduce petroleum imports. crude oil production. Natural gas is a clean burning, domestically Methanol-powered vehicles emit smaller produced fuel that generates significantly amounts of air pollutants, such as hydro- less carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, carbons, particulate matter, and nitrogen particulate matter, and nitrous oxide oxides, than do similar gasoline-fueled compared to similar vehicles. It is used in vehicles as (CNG) or (LNG). There are about 100,000 natural gas vehicles in the United States. Nearly one of every five new transit buses in the United States runs on natural gas.

Propane (LPG), com- monly called propane, is a mixture of at least 90 percent propane, 2.5 percent butane and higher hydrocarbons, and ethane and propylene make up the remaining balance. It is a byproduct of natural gas processing and/or petroleum refining. Soybean Board/PIX04231 can be used to make biodiesel, which powers this .

3 In 2000, close to 7,600 on-road EVs in the United States consumed electricity at an amount equivalent to about 1.7 million gallons of gasoline.

Hydrogen Hydrogen is a simple, abundant element found in organic matter, notably in the hydrocarbons that make up many of our fuels, such as gasoline, natural gas, methanol, and propane. As an energy car- rier like electricity (not an energy source), it must be manufactured. Hydrogen can be made by using heat to separate it from the hydrocarbons. Currently, most hydro- gen is made this way from natural gas.

Hydrogen can be combined with gasoline, ethanol, methanol, or natural gas to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions. Because the only byproduct of hydrogen is water, only the engine from a hydro- gen-fueled vehicle emit small amounts of Warren Gretz, NREL/PIX06167 Gretz, Warren air pollutants. The sun’s energy, via a photovoltaic module, is used to recharge this . Hydrogen is already the fuel of choice for propelling space shuttles. It is also being A propane-powered vehicle can't run as explored for use in internal combustion far on a tank of gas as a comparable gaso- . Although hydrogen can be line-powered vehicle, but propane gener- burned in an internal combustion engine, ates lower vehicle emissions. Propane Propane is a or serve as a fuel additive, there's more emits 64 percent less reactive organic interest in using hydrogen to supply fuel compounds, 20 percent less nitrogen publicly accessible cells that power EVs (see “ Vehi- oxide, and 20 percent less carbon monox- cle” on page 6). ide than a similar gasoline vehicle. alternative fuel. P-Series Propane is a publicly accessible alternative P-Series is a relatively new alternative fuel. There are fueling stations in all states. fuel. It is a blend of ethanol, methylte- Today there are more than 270,000 on- and trahydrofuran (MTHF), and pentanes, off-road, propane-powered vehicles in the with butane added for blends used in United States. severe cold weather. Electricity Because both the ethanol and the MTHF Electricity is considered a fuel when can be produced from renewable biomass used in vehicles. Electric vehicles use resources, emissions from producing and various types of batteries and other using P-Series are substantially less than mechanisms to store the those from gasoline. electricity used to run a vehicle. While the electricity production process for vehicles P-Series was initially designed as a fuel to may contribute somewhat to air pollution, help fleets meet the U.S. an electric vehicle (EV) itself does not, Act 's requirement to purchase more resulting in much lower emissions per AFVs. Therefore, P-Series will initially be mile traveled. sold to fleets. Eventually it will be avail- able to the general public too.

4 Bifuel or Dual-Fuel Vehicles Bifuel vehicles have two tanks— one for gasoline and one for either natural gas or propane, depending on the vehicle. The vehicles can switch between the two fuels.

Dedicated vehicles Dedicated vehicles are designed to be fueled only by an alterna- tive fuel. EVs are a special type of dedi- cated vehicle. EVs—like small cars and —are perfect for driving short distances and where low top speeds aren't an issue, such as in small neighbor- hoods. Some EVs today though can break most highway speeds. Some large shuttle buses are also EVs. Warren Gretz, NREL/PIX08394 Gretz, Warren This engine runs on gasoline and electricity. High-Efficiency Advanced Vehicles Alternative Fuel Vehicles No matter what the fuel, the higher the Most major automakers produce and fuel economy of a car or truck, the less it sell AFVs—cars, light- and heavy-duty pollutes. (The “Fuel Economy Guide” Web trucks, shuttle buses, transit buses, off- site listed on page 8 can help consumers road vehicles, and even boats. Many choose the most fuel efficient vehicle mod- AFVs are sold as fleet vehicles, but some els.) are now available to the public. In fact, Fuel economy becomes even more impor- you may already be driving around in tant when you consider the growing an alternative fuel-capable vehicle and popularity of sport utility vehicles (SUVs). You may already not even know it. Look in your owner’s According to Automotive News, General manual or on the inside of the fuel com- Motors expects SUVs to outsell every be driving around partment door for information on what other car and truck by 2005. If we could fuels are appropriate for your vehicle. double the fuel economy of SUVs, we in an alternative There are three basic types of AFVs: could save more than 5000 gallons of fuel flex-fuel, bifuel or dual-fuel, and per vehicle over its lifetime. fuel-capable vehicle dedicated vehicles. Some new cars on the market now offer and not even know it. really impressive improvements in fuel Flex-Fuel Vehicles economy. Other advanced technologies A flex-fuel vehicle (FFV) has one tank are under development and will soon be and can accept any mixture of gasoline available in new vehicles. and either methanol or ethanol. P-Series fuel is designed to run in FFVs also. It’s estimated that 1 to 2 million FFVs are already on American roads.

5 Warren Gretz, NREL/PIX08392 Gretz, Warren

This HEV, made by and available today, averages about 50 miles-per-gallon.

Hybrid Electric Vehicles Compression-Ignition Direct-Injection (CIDI) Engines In 2000, two automakers — and Researchers are Toyota — began selling hybrid electric CIDI engines are the most efficient inter- vehicles (HEV). Additional models from nal combustion engines available today. working on making other automakers are expected to follow. Vehicles with CIDI engines have the ability to directly inject fuel into the fuel cell components HEVs, which combine the internal com- of an engine to bustion engine of a conventional vehicle ignite the fuel by compressing it. competitve with with an , can achieve about twice the fuel economy of conventional Turbocharged Direct-Injection (TDI) internal combustion vehicles. An energy storage system stores Diesel Engines the power to run the electric motor. Batter- engines. ies are by far the most common energy This is the turbocharged version of the storage choice. But researchers are still CIDI engine, which is popular in exploring other energy storage options. and now available in automobiles sold in the United States. The TDI engine’s fuel HEVs reduce smog-forming economy is 20 percent greater than con- pollutants by running more efficiently. ventional diesel engines. But because of their internal combustion engines, they are not zero-emission vehi- cles. However, the first HEVs on the Spark-Ignition Direct-Injection (SIDI) market emit a third to one half the amount Engines of greenhouse gases emitted by standard Standard gasoline engines use a spark to gasoline vehicles. Later models may cut ignite the fuel. Like CIDI engines, SIDI emissions even more. engines inject fuel directly into the com- bustion chamber. However, SIDI engines Advanced Drive Trains have the advantage of burning gasoline The drive train is the system within the and different types of alternative fuels. vehicle that transmits power from the engine and directs it toward the , and varies the amount of force (torque) The fuel cell is one of the hottest advanced that rotates the wheels. vehicle technologies. Many researchers expect this technology to be used in vehi- cles by 2010.

6 Fuel cells, which convert hydrogen and oxygen into fuel-cell technology has the potential to provide us with electricity, have been researched for use in vehicles for another energy-efficient, cost-competitive transportation many years, and their development and performance option that will help lower emissions and reduce depen- have progressed. Because they produce only water vapor dance on petroleum. as emissions, fuel cells are ideal power sources for trans- Toward the Future portation. They can be used as the main power for an electric vehicle, or in conjunction with an internal Automakers and researchers will continue to develop combustion engine in a . and improve on the transportation technologies we've discussed. They're exploring better ways to use Fuel cells convert the of a fuel into usable fuel cells, alternative fuels, and EV and HEV systems. electricity and heat without combustion as an intermediate They are also working on new ways to store energy, step. Fuel cells are similar to batteries in that they produce and creating lightweight advanced materials to make a by means of an electrochemical process. vehicles that run cleaner and use less fuel. Unlike batteries, however, they store their reactants (hydrogen and oxygen) externally and operate continu- In addition to the technologies available now, researchers ously as long as they are supplied with these reactants. across the United States are developing new advanced technologies—for use in cars, , pickup trucks, Today, researchers are working on making fuel cell sport utility vehicles, buses, and heavy-duty trucks—that components—considering their size, weight, and cost— will steer us toward an even cleaner future with more competitive with internal combustion engines. Although available, domestic fuel resources. researchers still have several obstacles to overcome,

Resources Provides detailed information and contacts on alternative fuels. The following are sources of additional information on alternative fuels, AFVs, and advanced technology American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) vehicles. The list is not exhaustive, nor does the P.O. Box 85102 mention of any resource constitute a recommendation Sioux Falls, SD 57104 or endorsement. Phone: (605) 334-3381 Ask an Energy Expert Fax: (605) 344-3389 DOE's Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Web site: www.ethanol.org/main.html Clearinghouse (EREC) Promotes the increased production and use of ethanol P.O. Box 3048 Merrifield, VA 22116 DOE Office of Transportation Technologies (OTT) Phone: 1-800-DOE-EREC (1-800-363-3732) Web site: www.ott.doe.gov/ Fax: (703) 893-0400 E-mail: [email protected] Partners with the domestic transportation industry to Online submittal form: develop advanced transportation technologies and fuels www.eren.doe.gov/menus/energyex.html for the general public. Consumer Energy Information Web site: Electrical Vehicle Association of the Americas (EVAA) www.eren.doe.gov/consumerinfo/ 701 Pennsylvania Ave., NW Energy experts at EREC provide free general and technical Third Floor – East Building information to the public on many topics and technologies Washington, DC 20004 pertaining to energy efficiency and renewable energy. Phone: (202) 508-5995 DOE's Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Net- Fax: (202) 508-5924 work (EREN) Web site: www.evaa.org/ Web site: www.eren.doe.gov/ Works to advance EV transportation technologies and Your comprehensive online resource for DOE's energy supporting through policy, information, and efficiency and renewable energy information. market development initiatives. Organizations DOE Alternative Fuels Data Center National Alternative Fuels Hotline: 1-800-423-1363 Web site: www.afdc.doe.gov (Continued on page 8)

7 (Continued from page 7) Web Sites AFV Fleet Buyer’s Guide Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) OTT Web site: www.epa.gov/ Web site: www.fleets.doe.gov/ Global Warming Web site: www.epa.gov/ Provides information on the AFVs available for fleets globalwarming/ and how to acquire them. Provides more information on air pollution, vehicle emissions, greenhouse gas emissions, and global warming. Clean Cities Program OTT Web site: www.ccities.doe.gov Partnership for a New Generation of Vehicles (PNGV) Encourages the use of AFVs and their supporting Web site: www.ta.doc.gov/pngv/cover/pngvcover.htm infrastructure throughout the nation. A partnership between the U.S. federal government and U.S. automakers that aims to strengthen the country's competi- DOE’s Hydrogen Information Network tiveness by developing technologies for a new generation of Web site: www.eren.doe.gov/hydrogen/ vehicles. Provides a variety of information on hydrogen, including fuel cells. Association (RFA) One Ave., NW, Suite 820 Washington, D.C. 20001 EPAct Fleet Information & Regulations Phone: (202) 289-3835 OTT Fax: (202) 289-7519 Web site: www.ott.doe.gov/epact E-mail: [email protected] Discusses the AFV acquisition requirements for fleets Web site: www.ethanolrfa.org under the Energy Policy Act (EPAct) regulations.

Striving to expand the production and consumer EVWorld.Com use of ethanol fuels. Web site: www.evworld.com/ United States Council for Automotive Research Features information and news on the EV community, (USCAR) education, investments, and industry. Web site: www.uscar.org/ A group of U.S. automakers that strives to further Fuel Economy Guide strengthen the technology base of the domestic auto industry. DOE and EPA Web site: www.fueleconomy.gov/ Helps consumers find and compare the fuel Research Laboratories economies of many vehicle makes and models. Center for Transportation Analysis Program Oak Ridge National Laboratory OTT Web site: www-cta.ornl.gov/ Web site: www.ott.doe.gov/hev Center for Transportation Technologies and Systems Features information on HEVs, their components, where to National Renewable Energy Laboratory buy them, and on current HEV research and development. Web site: www.ctts.nrel.gov/overview.html Hybrid Electric Vehicle Laboratory Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory Web site: http://ev.inel.gov/dynamometer.html National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory EPA 2000 Traverwood Drive Ann Arbor, MI 48105 Phone: (734) 214-4200 Transportation Technology R&D Center Argonne National Laboratories Web site: www.transportation.anl.gov/

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