Sylvie Willis
Gasoline, a refined petroleum distillate, is the most common fuel for cars. It is used to power vehicles all over the world, including cars, motorcycles, scooters, boats, lawnmowers, and other machinery. Diesel, another fuel option, is also derived from petroleum but through a different refining process. It is commonly used in heavy-duty vehicles such as trucks and agricultural equipment. Other alternative fuels include liquefied petroleum gas, compressed natural gas, liquid nitrogen, and electric batteries. The type of fuel a car requires depends on its engine specifications, with some high-performance engines needing premium-grade gasoline.
Characteristics and Values of Gasoline
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Chemical Composition | Complex mixture of hundreds of different hydrocarbons, mostly saturated and containing 4 to 12 carbon atoms per molecule |
| Physical State | Transparent, yellowish, and flammable liquid |
| Boiling Point | Between 30° and 200° C (85° and 390° F), adjusted to altitude and season |
| Octane Rating | Ability to resist premature ignition (knocking) measured by this rating; tetraethyl lead was added to increase it but is no longer used due to health hazards |
| Additives | Detergents, anti-icing agents, antioxidants, mineral spirits, isopropyl alcohol, 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene, etc. |
| Production | Derived from fractional distillation of petroleum in oil refineries; approximately 72 liters from a 160-liter barrel of crude oil |
| Use | Fuel for spark-ignited internal combustion engines in automobiles, aviation, and off-road motor vehicles |
| Storage | Gasoline containers should be kept more than half full, properly capped, and stored away from high temperatures |
| Exhaust | Exhaust gases are channelled out through the tailpipe via the exhaust system |
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Gasoline/petrol
Gasoline, or petrol, is a fuel made from crude oil and other petroleum liquids. It is a high-volume, profitable product produced in crude oil refineries. Gasoline is mainly used in vehicle engines and is the most familiar fuel type for cars and light-duty trucks in the US.
The term 'gasoline' originates from 'gas' plus the chemical suffixes '-ole' and '-ine'. 'Petrol' comes from the Medieval Latin word 'petroleum' (L. 'petra', meaning rock, and 'oleum', meaning oil). Interest in gasoline-like fuels began with the invention of internal combustion engines, which could be used for transportation. These early engines, known as Otto engines, were developed in Germany during the last quarter of the 19th century. The fuel for these engines was a relatively volatile hydrocarbon obtained from coal gas.
Gasoline is chemically composed of organic compounds derived from the fractional distillation of petroleum and later enhanced with additives. It is a transparent, yellowish, and flammable liquid. The characteristics of gasoline depend on the type of crude oil used to produce it, the setup of the refinery that produces it, and any other ingredients included in the blend, such as ethanol. On average, about 74 liters (20 US gallons) of gasoline are available from a barrel of crude oil, with the remainder being products ranging from tar to naphtha.
The ability of a particular gasoline blend to resist premature ignition (which causes knocking and reduces efficiency) is measured by its octane rating. Tetraethyl lead was once used to increase the octane rating but is no longer used in automotive gasoline due to health hazards. Most of the finished motor gasoline now sold in the US contains about 10% fuel ethanol, which helps to meet renewable fuel standards and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
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Diesel
The use of diesel fuel originated from the German scientist and inventor Rudolf Diesel, who designed a compression-ignition engine in the late 1890s. Diesel's original prototype used illuminating gas as fuel, but he also tested a coal-dust prototype in 1899. However, this suffered from piston ring failure due to coal dust deposition. Diesel's engine was eventually designed for liquid fuels, and he patented his original design in 1892.
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Electric cars
Gasoline, diesel, and CNG (compressed natural gas) are the most common fuels for cars. Gasoline vehicles are the most familiar option, as almost every make and model of car and light-duty truck in the US offers a gasoline version. Diesel engines generally offer better fuel economy and lower maintenance costs, while CNG vehicles produce fewer carbon and greenhouse gas emissions.
However, the automotive industry is moving towards electrification, with many manufacturers offering electric vehicles (EVs). Electric cars run solely on electricity stored in a battery within the car. They are more efficient than gasoline or diesel engines and can provide cheaper operation per mile, although this depends on the local cost of electricity versus gasoline or diesel. EVs tend to cost more upfront, but they can be charged at home and have lower maintenance requirements.
There are several options available for consumers interested in purchasing an electric car. The Hyundai Ioniq 5, for example, is equipped with an 800-volt architecture that makes charging station stops quick and painless. The Porsche Taycan is another example of a delightful electric car to cruise in, with the heart of a sports car. The Renault Megane is slick to drive and conventionally desirable, with a well-finished cabin. The Dacia Spring is an excellent choice for those seeking a low-impact electric car, as it weighs about the same as its petrol equivalent.
For those seeking a more affordable option, the 2026 Kia EV4 is designed to be an affordable electric option for everyone. The Fiat Topolino is another small EV option available in Italy, France, and Germany. However, it is essential to note that smaller EVs have not gained much popularity in the US, where the focus is on making electric cars bigger, such as 3-row SUVs.
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Octane ratings
Most cars run on gasoline, which is a fossil fuel. Gasoline vehicles have an internal combustion engine, which is spark-ignited. Gasoline is injected into the combustion chamber, where it is combined with air, and the air/fuel mixture is ignited by a spark from a spark plug.
The standard way to test octane is with an octane testing engine. Primary Reference Fuels (PRF) of precisely known octane values are formed by combining iso-octane, heptane, and other known standards. These PRFs are used to determine the pressure at which a fuel will spontaneously combust (auto-ignite) in a testing engine. The octane number is the average of two different octane rating methods: motor octane rating (MOR) and research octane rating (RON).
In the US, unleaded gasoline typically has octane ratings of 87 (regular), 88-90 (midgrade), and 91-94 (premium). Most gasoline vehicles are designed to run on 87 octane, but some use higher octane fuel. Higher octane fuel may be required for engines that use a higher compression ratio and/or use supercharging or turbocharging to force more air into the engine.
Using a lower octane fuel than required can cause the engine to run poorly and can damage the engine and emissions control system over time. It may also void your warranty. Many newer vehicles can adjust the spark timing to reduce knock, but engine power and fuel economy will still suffer. Under normal driving conditions, a higher octane fuel may not provide any benefit. However, during severe-duty operation, such as towing a trailer or carrying heavy loads, a higher octane fuel may improve performance and gas mileage and reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.
Some car manufacturers have been requiring or recommending premium gasoline (a high-octane grade of fuel) for their vehicle models. Ethanol, which has a much higher octane rating than gasoline, is often blended with gasoline to boost its octane rating. Most gasoline in the US contains up to 10% ethanol, with blends of up to 15% available in some areas.
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Other alternative fuels
Most cars run on gasoline, a refined petroleum distillate, which is available at almost every gas station. However, there are several alternative fuels available that can be used to fuel cars.
Electricity
Electric cars run solely on electricity stored in a battery within the car. They are gaining popularity as they help the United States improve efficiency, cut costs, and reduce emissions. Electric cars need to be charged before they can be driven, and charging stations are becoming more widely available.
Ethanol
Ethanol is a widely used renewable fuel made from corn, other plant materials, or recycled cooking grease, and is blended with gasoline for use in vehicles. In the US, ethanol is made mostly from corn and blended with gasoline up to 85% (E85). Ethanol generally burns cleaner than gasoline or diesel.
Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)
CNG cars and trucks typically produce fewer carbon and greenhouse gas emissions than gasoline or diesel vehicles. However, they are currently used mainly in fleets, and on-the-road fuelling is less available than for gasoline.
Biodiesel
Biodiesel is a renewable fuel that can be manufactured from vegetable oils, animal fats, or recycled cooking grease for use in diesel vehicles. Biodiesel is available at some gas stations and is generally more expensive than gasoline.
Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)
Liquefied petroleum gas is another alternative fuel. However, most vehicles are not built to accept LPG, so it is not a widely used alternative.
Liquid Nitrogen
Liquid nitrogen is another alternative fuel option, but like LPG, most vehicles are not built to accept this type of fuel.
Dimethyl Ether (DME)
DME is a promising fuel for diesel engines, petrol engines, and gas turbines due to its high cetane number. Only moderate modifications are needed to convert a diesel engine to burn DME, and it results in very low emissions.
Ammonia
Ammonia has been proposed as a practical alternative to fossil fuels for internal combustion engines. It can be used in existing engines with only minor modifications, and when produced using coal, the CO2 emitted has sequestration potential.
Alternative fuels can help reduce petroleum use and cut oil consumption, and individual consumers are becoming increasingly interested in them. However, alternative fuel prices can fluctuate based on location, time of year, and global market conditions.
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