Ameer Randolph
The most common fuel for cars is gasoline, a refined petroleum distillate. However, there are several other types of fuel available, including diesel, electricity, ethanol, biodiesel, and liquefied petroleum gas. Electric cars are becoming increasingly popular, with a 135% increase in electric vehicles on the road between 2020 and 2022. In addition to electric cars, alternative-fuel vehicles, such as hybrid-electric and hydrogen-powered cars, are also gaining traction. The variety of fuel options available highlights the ongoing evolution in the automotive industry, as manufacturers and consumers seek more sustainable and efficient ways to power vehicles.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Most Common Fuel Type | Gasoline |
| Other Common Fuel Types | Diesel, Electric, Biodiesel, Ethanol, Hydrogen, Hybrid-Electric |
| Gasoline Start-up Time | Quick |
| Gasoline Acceleration | Fast |
| Gasoline Combustion | Quiet |
| Gasoline Engine Operation | Quiet |
| Gasoline Energy Source | Powerful |
| Diesel Efficiency | 30% Higher Than Gas-Powered Vehicles |
| Diesel Vehicle Life | Longer Than Gasoline Vehicles |
| Diesel Pollution | Less Than Gasoline |
| Biodiesel Emissions | 74% Lower Than Petroleum Diesel |
| Ethanol Use | Added to Gasoline as an Additive |
| Ethanol Vehicles | Some Models Run on 100% Ethanol |
| E85 | Blend of 15% Gasoline and 85% Ethanol |
| E85 Vehicles | Flex Fuel Vehicles |
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Gasoline
The characteristics of gasoline depend on the type of crude oil used to produce it, the setup of the refinery that produces it, and other ingredients that may be included in the blend, such as ethanol. For example, the formulation of gasoline may differ depending on the location where it is sold or the season of the year. Federal and state air pollution control programs that aim to reduce carbon monoxide, smog, and air toxins require oxygenated, reformulated, and low-volatility gasoline. Some areas of the country are required to use specially formulated gasoline to reduce certain emissions, and the formulation may change during winter and summer. The main difference between winter- and summer-grade gasoline is vapor pressure.
Straight-run gasoline, sometimes referred to as naphtha, is distilled directly from crude oil. Catalytic cracked gasoline, or catalytic cracked naphtha, produced with a catalytic cracker, has a moderate octane rating, high olefin content, and moderate aromatic content. Hydrocrackate, produced with a hydrocracker, has a medium to a low octane rating and moderate aromatic levels. Alkylate is produced in an alkylation unit, using isobutane and C3-/C4-olefins as feedstocks. Finished alkylate contains no aromatics or olefins and has a high Motor Octane Number (MON). Isomerate is obtained by isomerizing low-octane straight-run gasoline into isoparaffins.
Ethanol is a popular biofuel made from sugar cane, barley, corn, and other natural resources. It is added to common gasoline as an additive to help cut down on hazardous emissions. According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), more than 98% of U.S. gasoline contains ethanol, typically E10 (10% ethanol, 90% gasoline). However, gasoline with higher percentages of ethanol also exists. E85, also called flex fuel, is an ethanol-gasoline blend containing 51% to 83% ethanol. E85 can only be used on Flex Fuel Vehicles, which are specially designed to run on gasoline, E85, or any mixture of the two.
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Diesel
However, diesel fuel is non-renewable, and some types of diesel fuel can have a negative impact on vehicle performance. These include black diesel, biodiesel, and other enhanced diesel products. Biodiesel is made from vegetable oils, animal fats, or recycled cooking grease, and it burns much cleaner and emits less carbon dioxide than diesel. However, some scientists fear that growing crops for biodiesel will lead to deforestation.
In the United States, diesel fuel sold for on-highway use is ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD), which has a sulfur content of 15 parts per million or less. This requirement was issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 2006 to reduce the harmful air pollution emissions caused by sulfur in diesel fuel.
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Electric
When the accelerator of an electric car is pressed, power is transferred from the battery to the electric motor. The motor is powered, resulting in the drive shafts turning the wheels. When the car brakes, the car begins to decelerate and the motor becomes an alternator, generating power. This power is then sent back into the battery. Electric cars have 90% fewer moving parts than a petrol or diesel car, and AC motors are the most common.
The BYD Dolphin is an example of an electric car that delivers a smooth, efficient drive while reducing a driver's carbon footprint. It is a budget-friendly, sustainable option for city commuters and eco-conscious drivers. The Peugeot e-2008 is another electric car option, a stylish, compact SUV that combines performance and practicality. This model provides a smooth, comfortable driving experience for city streets or longer journeys.
Leasing an electric car is a fantastic alternative to buying, as it allows drivers to enjoy the benefits of an electric vehicle without the long-term commitment and high upfront costs. With flexible leasing terms and competitive monthly rates, driving electric can be accessible and stress-free.
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Ethanol
While ethanol is not widely used as a general automobile fuel, it is added to common gasoline as an additive. According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), more than 98% of U.S. gasoline contains ethanol, typically E10 (10% ethanol, 90% gasoline). However, gasoline with higher percentages of ethanol also exists, such as E85 (51-83% ethanol), also called flex fuel. E85 can only be used on Flex Fuel Vehicles, which are specially designed to run on gasoline, E85, or any mixture of the two.
The use of pure hydrous or anhydrous ethanol in internal combustion engines (ICEs) is possible only if the engines are designed or modified for that purpose. High percentage ethanol mixtures are used in some racing engine applications since the very high octane rating of ethanol is compatible with very high compression ratios. The first production car running entirely on ethanol was the Fiat 147, introduced in 1978 in Brazil by Fiat.
Brazilian flex-fuel vehicles can operate with ethanol mixtures up to E100 (hydrous ethanol with up to 4% water), while in the United States, all light-duty vehicles are built to operate normally with an ethanol blend of 10% (E10). Brazilian law mandates a blend of around 25% ethanol and 75% gasoline (E25) for all light-duty vehicles. By December 2011, Brazil had a fleet of 14.8 million flex-fuel automobiles and light trucks and 1.5 million flex-fuel motorcycles that regularly used neat ethanol fuel (E100).
While ethanol can be a cost-effective fuel made from renewable resources, it also has some drawbacks. For example, standard carburated engines should not run on ethanol as they are not computer-regulated and can suffer from poor mileage and potential damage to the fuel system. Additionally, in small engines such as lawnmowers, higher concentrations of ethanol can be corrosive to carburetors and cause hotter running conditions and potential engine failure.
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Biodiesel
While biodiesel has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil fuels, there are concerns about its impact on land use changes, deforestation, and the competition between food and fuel production. The environmental impact of biodiesel is complex and depends on factors such as feedstock type, production methods, and land use changes.
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Frequently asked questions
Most cars run on gasoline, a refined petroleum distillate. However, the number of electric vehicles on the road is growing.
Alternative fuels include biodiesel, ethanol, propane, natural gas, hydrogen, and electricity.
Alternative fuels can emit less carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide, contributing less to smog and environmental pollution. Biodiesel emissions are 74% lower than those from petroleum diesel. Electric vehicles release half as much greenhouse gas emissions as gas-powered cars.
Your car's manual should dictate the fuel type your car needs. There should also be a label on the fuel door that indicates the type of fuel your car requires.
