Regan Brown
Cars have used fuel since their invention, but the type of fuel has evolved over time. The most common type of fuel for cars is gasoline, which is stored in a tank and transferred to the engine's fuel injection system via a fuel line. However, with growing concerns about environmental impact, zero-emission cars that run on electricity and hydrogen are becoming more popular. Other alternative fuels include diesel, liquefied petroleum gas, compressed natural gas, and liquid nitrogen. The type of fuel a car uses depends on various factors such as engine type, performance, emissions, and cost.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fuel types | Gasoline, diesel, electric, biofuel, ethanol, liquefied petroleum gas, compressed natural gas, liquid nitrogen |
| Most common fuel type | Gasoline |
| Second most common fuel type | Diesel |
| Least common fuel type | Liquefied petroleum gas, compressed natural gas, liquid nitrogen |
| Fuel delivery system | Fuel line, fuel pump, fuel tank |
| Fuel injection system | Fuel injection |
| Engine type | Internal combustion engine, spark-ignited |
| Fuel economy | Diesel engines generally offer better fuel economy than gasoline engines |
| Fuel cost | E85 is less expensive than gasoline |
| Fuel performance | Premium-grade fuel offers better performance than regular fuel |
| Fuel stability | Higher octane rating indicates greater stability |
| Fuel resistance | Higher octane rating indicates greater resistance to pre-ignition |
| Fuel emissions | CNG cars produce fewer carbon and greenhouse gas emissions than gasoline or diesel cars |
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What You'll Learn
Electric cars
Range anxiety is a common concern for shoppers considering an EV. However, becoming an informed EV shopper can relieve some or all of these concerns. It is important to understand how much range you need and the factors that can impact an EV's estimated range. For example, the Dacia Spring is a low-impact electric car that weighs about the same as its petrol equivalent.
Another concern for shoppers is the electric car battery. However, these concerns are often focused on the wrong issues. It is possible to preserve an EV's battery capacity and range through proper maintenance.
Some popular electric cars include the Porsche Taycan, the Hyundai Ioniq 5, the Renault Megane, and the Skoda Elroq.
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Gasoline
The composition of gasoline depends on the oil refinery that produces it, as not all refineries have the same processing units. The various refinery streams blended to make gasoline have different characteristics. Some important streams include straight-run gasoline, sometimes referred to as naphtha, which is distilled directly from crude oil. Once a leading source of fuel, naphtha's low octane rating required organometallic fuel additives, primarily tetraethyl lead, prior to their phase-out from the gasoline pool, which began in 1975 in the United States.
The octane rating of gasoline is a measure of how resistant the fuel is to pre-ignition. A low octane rating can cause engine knocking and reduced efficiency in reciprocating engines. Most cars are designed to combat the effects of pre-ignition, and regular gas is usually a suitable choice. However, some luxury and high-performance cars are equipped with higher compression engines, which are more likely to experience pre-ignition, and therefore require a premium grade of gas.
In the United States, gasoline remains the most widely used fuel for cars and light-duty trucks. It is also used in aviation, off-road motor vehicles, and racing car motors, although these tend to use leaded gasoline.
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Diesel
While diesel engines were once much heavier than comparably sized gasoline vehicles, this is no longer an issue due to modern manufacturing methods. They also had a reputation for being noisy, but this issue has been mostly resolved by new technology.
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Octane ratings
The octane rating of a fuel is a measure of its stability and its ability to avoid 'knock' or pre-ignition. Knock or pre-ignition occurs when fuel is prematurely ignited in the engine's cylinder, which can degrade efficiency and damage the engine. It is characterised by a rattling or knocking sound. The higher the octane rating, the more resistant the gas is to pre-ignition.
The use of higher octane fuels enables higher compression ratios, turbocharging, and downsizing/downspeeding, all of which enable greater engine efficiencies and higher performance. Some luxury and high-performance cars with higher compression engines are therefore likely to require a premium grade of gas. However, regular gas is a perfectly acceptable choice for most cars, as their engines are built to withstand pre-ignition. It is important to follow the factory recommendation in the owner's manual, especially during the warranty period.
In recent years, automotive manufacturers have been increasingly recommending or requiring premium gasoline for their vehicle models. This has led to a rise in the price difference between premium and lower octane grades.
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Ethanol blends
E85 is a popular alternative fuel, particularly in the United States and Europe, and offers several benefits. It is less expensive than gasoline, although it results in lower miles per gallon. E85 also burns cleaner than gasoline or diesel, contributing to improved air quality and reduced carbon monoxide emissions.
In addition to E85, there are other common ethanol blends such as E5, E7, and E10. E10, composed of 10% ethanol and 90% gasoline, is widely used in over 20 countries, including the United States, Brazil, and India. It is approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for use in any conventional, gasoline-powered vehicle and helps boost octane ratings, meet air quality standards, and satisfy renewable fuel standards.
E15 is another blend that is gaining popularity and is approved for use in model year 2001 and newer light-duty conventional vehicles. Intermediate blends like E25 (25% ethanol, 75% gasoline) and E30 (30% ethanol, 70% gasoline) are also available for FFVs, providing owners with a range of options. These blends are dispensed using blender pumps, which store and mix fuel from two tanks to offer different grades of gasoline.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, cars use fuel. The type of fuel depends on the car.
The most common type of fuel used by cars is gasoline. Other types of fuel include diesel, ethanol, electricity, and hydrogen.
The type of fuel your car needs depends on its make and model. You can refer to your car's owner's manual to find out the recommended fuel type.
The main difference between the different types of fuel is their composition. Gasoline, for example, is a petroleum-based fuel, while diesel is a denser form of petroleum. Ethanol is plant-based and renewable, often made from corn or soybeans. Electricity is stored in a battery within the car, and hydrogen is used in zero-emission cars.
