Rajan Wilcox
The demand for alternative-fuel vehicles is growing, with more ecologically-minded motorists seeking clean-air alternatives to traditional gas-powered cars. Car companies have been researching and developing hydrogen-powered, fuel-cell vehicles (FCEVs) for years, and there are currently nine vehicles on the road today that utilize this technology, including Honda's Clarity Fuel Cell, Hyundai's Nexo Fuel Cell SUV, and Toyota's Mirai. Other alternative fuels on the road include biodiesel, which can be made from vegetable oils, animal fats, or recycled cooking grease, and dimethyl ether (DME), which is a promising fuel for diesel and petrol engines.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Types of alternative fuels | Biodiesel, electricity, ethanol, hydrogen, natural gas, propane, renewable diesel, sustainable aviation fuel, dimethyl ether |
| Types of alternative fuel vehicles | Electric vehicles (EVs), gas-electric hybrids (HEVs), plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), fuel cell vehicles |
| Car brands that make alternative fuel vehicles | Honda, Daimler AG (Mercedes-Benz brand), GM, Hyundai, Toyota, Chevrolet, Fiat, Ford, Peugeot, Renault, Mitsubishi, Toyota, Citroën, Nissan |
| Factors influencing the adoption of alternative fuel vehicles | Environmental concerns, cost savings, government incentives and regulations, technological advancements, convenience, performance |
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What You'll Learn
Electric vehicles
The lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions of battery-electric vehicles are lower than emissions from hydrogen, PHEV, hybrid, compressed natural gas, gasoline, and diesel vehicles. This is true even in places where electricity generation is relatively carbon-intensive, such as China, where electricity is predominantly generated from coal.
Several car brands have introduced electric vehicles to their lineups. Honda, for example, has been actively involved in developing alternative fuel vehicles, focusing on both hybrid and electric technologies. Their new electric vehicle, the Honda Prologue, is designed for long-range capability and advanced driver-assist features. Daimler AG, a leading multinational automotive corporation known for its Mercedes-Benz brand, recently introduced the EQS, an all-electric luxury sedan featuring advanced electric driving technology and significant driving range.
Other electric vehicles on the market include Hyundai's Nexo Fuel Cell SUV and Toyota's Mirai, both of which utilise fuel cell technology. GM's hydrogen-powered Chevrolet Equinox is another example, and the company is also involved in solar car racing, sponsoring competitions such as the World Solar Challenge.
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Hydrogen-powered cars
As of 2022, there are approximately 17,000 hydrogen-powered vehicles on US roads, all of which are in California, the only state with a network of retail hydrogen fuelling stations. This is in contrast to the three million electric vehicles that have been sold in the US.
Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles (HFCVs) use the same kind of electric motor as a battery-electric car. However, they are powered by a fuel-cell stack, where hydrogen combines with oxygen from the air, producing electricity and water vapour. Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles are technically a series hybrid, and are sometimes classified as fuel-cell hybrid electric vehicles (FCHEVs).
The experience of driving an HFCV is almost identical to driving a battery-electric vehicle. However, hydrogen fuel cells are most efficient at a steady power output, which makes them suitable for backup power use. The power demands in the average car vary, and the fuel cell in the Toyota Mirai, the best-selling hydrogen car in the US, is rated at 90 kW (120 horsepower). This is not enough to accelerate onto a fast-moving highway, so Toyota adds a high-voltage, low-capacity battery to the Mirai.
The hydrogen-powered cars currently or previously offered for sale include the Honda Clarity Fuel Cell, the Hyundai Nexo SUV, and the Toyota Mirai. Honda has ended production of the Clarity, and Hyundai has sold about 1,600 Nexo SUVs in six years. Toyota, the company most devoted to hydrogen power, has sold about 14,300 Mirai sedans across two generations in the US.
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Hybrid vehicles
There are several benefits to using hybrid vehicles. Firstly, they offer improved fuel efficiency and reduced emissions compared to conventional gasoline or diesel vehicles. This is especially true for diesel-electric hybrids, as diesel fuel has a higher energy density than gasoline, resulting in better fuel economy. Additionally, hybrid vehicles provide cost savings for drivers, as they are eligible for federal tax incentives in the US. For example, individuals can receive a tax credit of up to $7,500 if they purchase a new plug-in hybrid vehicle.
Several car manufacturers have introduced hybrid vehicles to their lineups. Honda, for instance, has been actively involved in developing alternative fuel vehicles, including hybrid and electric technologies. Toyota, another leading automaker, was the first to mass-produce a hybrid vehicle with the Prius and continues to innovate in the alternative fuel market. Other manufacturers producing hybrid vehicles include Chevrolet, Fiat, Ford, Peugeot, Renault, Mitsubishi, Citroën, and Nissan.
While hybrid vehicles have gained popularity, there are still some considerations regarding their wider adoption. One factor is the cost of these vehicles, as they may be more expensive than traditional gasoline-powered cars. Additionally, the availability of charging infrastructure can impact the convenience and feasibility of owning a hybrid vehicle, especially for those who drive longer distances or have limited access to charging stations.
Despite these challenges, the demand for hybrid vehicles continues to grow as consumers become more environmentally conscious and seek cost-effective alternatives to traditional gas-powered cars. With improvements in battery technology and the expansion of charging networks, hybrid vehicles are likely to play an increasingly important role in the transition towards more sustainable transportation options.
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Biodiesel cars
Biodiesel is a renewable fuel that can be manufactured from vegetable oils, animal fats, or recycled cooking grease for use in diesel vehicles. All diesel vehicles, whether biodiesel or conventional diesel, share the same internal combustion engine and components. This means that all diesel vehicles can operate using biodiesel. However, some original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) do not approve the use of higher-level blends of biodiesel. Before using biodiesel, it is important to check the OEM engine warranty to ensure that higher-level blends of this alternative fuel are approved. A primary advantage of biodiesel is that it can improve the lubricity of the fuel at blend levels as low as 1%. All OEMs approve the use of B5. The Engine Technology Forum provides a list of diesel vehicles with warranties covering blends above B5.
Several companies are leading the way in the development of alternative fuel vehicles, including Honda and Daimler AG. Honda has been actively involved in developing alternative fuel vehicles, focusing on both hybrid and electric technologies. Daimler, known for its Mercedes-Benz brand, has introduced the EQS, an all-electric luxury sedan that features advanced electric driving technology and significant driving range.
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Natural gas vehicles
The use of natural gas in vehicles began in Italy in the 1930s and later in New Zealand in the 1980s. At the peak of its use in New Zealand, 10% of the country's cars were converted to natural gas, totalling around 110,000 vehicles. Today, there are more than 135,000 NGVs on US roads and more than 23 million worldwide.
CNG is often used for bulk storage and pipeline transport of renewable energy and can be mixed with biomethane, which is derived from landfill biogas or anaerobic digestion. This allows for the use of CNG in mobility with significantly lower carbon emissions compared to regular diesel-powered vehicles. LNG, on the other hand, must be stored in cryogenic cylinders at extremely low temperatures.
Some examples of NGVs include the Volkswagen Golf TGI 1.4 BlueMotion, the Volkswagen Caddy/Caddy Maxi Life EcoFuel CNG, and the Citroën C3 1,4 GNV.
Many countries provide tax incentives for natural gas-powered vehicles due to their environmental benefits. Lower operating costs and government incentives to reduce pollution from heavy vehicles have driven the adoption of NGVs for commercial and public use, such as in trucks and buses. However, challenges to NGV adoption include the storage and refueling of natural gas, as well as the lower number of CNG and LNG stations compared to liquid fuel stations.
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Frequently asked questions
Some examples of alternative fuel include biodiesel, electricity, ethanol, hydrogen, propane, and renewable diesel.
Honda, Hyundai, and Toyota are some car brands that make alternative fuel vehicles. Honda has been actively involved in developing alternative fuel vehicles, focusing on both hybrid and electric technologies. Honda's Prologue and Clarity Fuel Cell are examples of their electric vehicle lineup. Hyundai's Nexo Fuel Cell SUV is another alternative fuel vehicle that utilizes hydrogen fuel cell technology. Toyota, a pioneer in the mass production of hybrid electric vehicles with the Prius, also offers the Mirai, which runs on hydrogen fuel cell technology.
Some examples of alternative fuel vehicles include the Honda Prologue, Honda Civic GX, Honda Clarity Fuel Cell, Hyundai Nexo Fuel Cell SUV, and Toyota Mirai. Additionally, the Chevrolet Equinox is a hydrogen-powered vehicle, and the Sinclair C5, ELF, and TWIKE are small vehicles that utilize human power to improve battery life.
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