The cars, trucks and aircraft we use in the United States are all petroleum powered and we are dealing with some of the side effects of this. Things like air pollution and global warming are a direct result of decades of petroleum use. Plus, the sales staff at Lynch of Mukwonago, WI, a full service Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram dealer, feel that geo-political stability of the world is greatly affected by petroleum use as most of it comes from the volatile Middle East. You probably know that there are alternative fuels that can be used from transportation. Here is a list.
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1. Natural Gas
Although technically a “fossil fuel,” natural gas is an alternative fuel that burns far cleaner than petroleum-based fuel. One of the main problems with natural gas is that the distribution channel requires miles of steel pipes. You can’t fill a ship or trucks with the stuff so getting natural gas to end users is expensive.
2. Ethanol
Ethanol is an alcohol-based fuel that is made by distilling fermented crops such as corn, barley or wheat. Ethanol can be used to power vehicles with specially modified engines or blended with gasoline and used in conventional engines. In some countries, such as Brazil and other Latin American countries, ethanol is a commonly available fuel and is a genuine alternative to gasoline.
3. Biodiesel
Biodiesel is another plant-based alternative fuel. Instead of utilizing a fermentation process, however, biodiesel is created by extracting oils from certain plants and animal fats. It’s easy to utilize because present internal combustion engines can be converted to burn biodiesel in pure form. It can also be added to petroleum diesel and used in unmodified engines.
4. Electricity
Electricity can be used as a transportation “fuel” for electric vehicles (EVs). Electric vehicles store power in batteries that are recharged by plugging the vehicle into a standard electrical source. A frequent criticism of EVs is that while they may not generate pollution themselves, the electricity generation process may be polluting. This, of course, is quite true, especially if the power generation plant is coal-based. If the electricity is generated via solar, wind or hydro methods, then the system is free from pollution.
5. Methanol
Methanol, also known as wood alcohol, is another plant-based fuel that can be used as an alternative fuel. Methanol is produced from a synthesis gas (carbon monoxide and hydrogen) that is derived from plants. It can be used in flexible fuel vehicles designed to run on M85. M85 is a blend of 85 percent methanol and 15 percent gasoline. Not that this is not the same as E85 flex fuel vehicles that are designed to burn ethanol.
6. Hydrogen
Today, hydrogen is being tested on a limited scale in Southern California with a series of hydrogen refueling stations and the hydrogen-powered Toyota Mirai. Basically hydrogen-powered cars are electric cars but the electricity comes from the chemical reaction that occurs when hydrogen and oxygen are combined in fuel cells. While hydrogen cars are non-polluting, critics voice concerns that converting the United States to a hydrogen-based energy infrastructure would be a massive affair.
7. Propane
Propane, also called liquefied petroleum gas or LPG, is a byproduct of natural gas processing and petroleum refining. Already widely used as a fuel for cooking and heating, propane is also a popular alternative fuel for vehicles. May cities and towns are already using propane powered cars and buses.
As you can see, there are quite a few alternative transportation fuels that could be used in place of petroleum-based fuels. Will any of these rise to the forefront and challenge petroleum? With most of the fuels discussed, it is unlikely because of the distribution infrastructure involved. The most promising one is electricity and several manufacturers are making plug-in EVs and hybrids today.