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Fuels & Vehicles

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Alternative fuels and vehicles are the bedrock of the Clean Cities Program and exude a significant force in the effort to reduce petroleum consumption in the transportation sector. The alternative fuels detailed here are those defined by the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPAct) and subsequent legislation, including:

Ethanol
Biodiesel
Electricity
Hydrogen
Propane
Natural gas

Vehicles classified as "alternative fuel vehicles" or "AFVs" operate on these non-petroleum fuels.

Ethanol

Ethanol is a domestically produced, renewable, alcohol-based fuel that is produced through the fermentation and distillation of starch crops that have been converted into simple sugars. Feedstocks for ethanol production include include corn, wheat, barley, or agricultural waste. There is currently one ethanol production facility in the State of Michigan, located in Caro. To learn more about this facility, click here.

Ethanol is commonly used to increase octane and improve the emissions quality of gasoline. When used in this manner, it is typically sold as a blend called E10, which consists of 10% ethanol and 90% gasoline. Any conventional gasoline vehicle can run on E10. Despite the fact that E10 has a positive effect on emissions reduction, it is not considered an alternative fuel under EPAct regulations.

When ethanol is sold in a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline, E85, or higher (for example E95), it does qualify as an alternative fuel. Vehicles that can run on E85 blends or higher are called flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs). Many auto manufacturers make these FFVs. To learn more about which specific model vehicles are FFVs, click here.

If you drive an FFV and would like to find out where you can buy E85 locally, click here .

Biodiesel

Biodiesel is a domestically produced, renewable fuel whose primary feedstocks for production include vegetable oils, animal fats, or recycled restaurant greases. Biodiesel is safe, biodegradable, and reduces serious air pollutants such as particulates, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and air toxics. Blends of 20% biodiesel with 80% petroleum diesel (B20) can generally be used in unmodified diesel engines; however, users should consult their OEM and engine warranty statement.

Biodiesel can also be used in its pure form (B100), but it too may require certain engine modifications to avoid maintenance and performance problems. Users should consult their engine warranty statement.

Although there has been a great deal of interest in the development of a large-scale, biodiesel production facility based in Michigan, there are, sadly, no facilities operating at the present time.

If you drive a diesel vehicle and would like to find out where you can buy biodiesel locally, click here .

Electricity

Electricity is primarily used as a transportation fuel to either charge the batteries of battery-electric vehicles or is produced as a by-product of an electrochemical reaction in the stack of fuel cell vehicles.

Pure battery-electric vehicles, EVs, have limited storage capacity and must be plugged into an electrical source in order to recharge their batteries. The electricity to charge the batteries can come from renewable sources, such as wind or photovoltaics, but often it doesn't, since renewables are presently such a small percentage of our nation's grid-electric, energy portfolio. Hybrid electric vehicles operate on a mix of battery-electric and conventional (internal combustion) power.

There are presently three types of battery-electric vehicles that are available in the marketplace. To learn more about models you can presently buy, click one of the options listed below:

Neighborhood Electric Vehicles (smaller, low-speed vehicles)
Hybrid Electric Vehicles
Electric Vehicles

The electricity in fuel cells is produced through the reaction of hydrogen and oxygen in the fuel cell stack. This electricity is then used to power the vehicle. Fuel cell electricity production does not produce any emissions or by-products beyond heat and water at the point of use (in the fuel cell vehicle). However, the hydrogen produced to power most fuel cells often comes from non-renewable sources which do have significant emissions (greenhouse gases, etc.).

No fuel cell vehicles are commercially available at the present time.

Hydrogen

Hydrogen (H2) can either be used directly as a fuel (100% hydrogen or a hydrogen/natural gas blend) in internal combustion engines or in a vehicle's fuel cell to produce electricity.

Unlike petroleum, hydrogen does not exist, in and of itself, in a natural state and must be extracted from other materials. The two most common methods of extracting hydrogen involve the steam reformation of natural gas or the electrolysis of water. Hydrogen produced through electrolysis points the way toward a more sustainable future if the electricity used for the electrolysis procedure comes from renewable sources such as wind or solar.

There are not any Hydrogen vehicles commerically available at the present time.

Propane

Propane or liquified petroleum gas (LPG) is a widely used alternative fuel that can be easily found throughout the country through an established and extensive distribution infrastructure. Most propane is domestically produced as a by-product of crude oil refining and natural gas processing. Propane vehicles have been around since the 1920's and generally run cleaner than gasoline vehicles, with tests showing significant reductions of ozone forming and toxic emissions.

There are over 200,000 on and off-road propane vehicles in the U.S. today. These vehicles can either be "dedicated" (propane only) or bi-fuel (capable of running on either propane or gasoline/another fuel).

To learn more about propane vehicles that you can buy, click on one of the links below:

Heavy-Duty Vehicles

If you drive a propane vehicle and would like to find out where you can fill-up locally, click here (PDF download).

Click here if you need download the free Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Natural Gas

Natural gas is a primarily domestically produced fuel that is readily available across the United States through a pipeline distribution system that extends from the wellhead to the end user. Natural gas can come from natural gas reservoirs, landfill gas, or water/sewage treatment. The majority of natural gas used by vehicles comes from non-renewable sources.

Natural gas is one of the cleanest burning fuels available today and has substantial air quality benefits over gasoline or diesel fuel use - resulting in substantial reductions in carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen oxide.

There are over 130,000 light and heavy-duty natural gas vehicles operating on U.S. roads today. Like propane vehicles, natural gas vehicles can be either dedicated or bi-fuel (natural gas and gasoline/diesel). Dedicated natural gas vehicles tend to result in better performance and lower emissions than bi-fuel vehicles.

To learn more about natural gas vehicles that you can buy, click on one of the links below:

If you drive a natural gas vehicle and would like to find out where you can fill-up locally, click here.