Katerina Swanson
Alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) are vehicles that run on fuels other than conventional petrol or diesel. The UK government defines alternative fuels as fuel or power sources which serve, at least partly, as a substitute for fossil oil sources in the energy supply to transport. Examples of alternative fuels include electricity, biofuels, hydrogen, and compressed natural gas (CNG). Electric vehicles (EVs) are growing in popularity, with many countries offering incentives for their adoption. However, electricity is not yet the main source of fuel for most cars, and there are still some challenges to be addressed, such as charging times and infrastructure. Other alternative fuels, such as biogas CNG and hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), offer renewable and environmentally-friendly options but may have limited compatibility with existing vehicles and refueling infrastructure. With the internal combustion engine's dominance expected to end in the future, alternative fuels and advanced technology vehicles are becoming an increasingly important topic, as governments and consumers seek to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and address environmental concerns.
Characteristics of Alternative Fuel Cars
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Vehicles that run on fuels other than conventional petrol or diesel |
| Examples of Alternative Fuels | Hydrogen, liquid or gaseous biofuels, synthetic fuels, compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), electricity, biodiesel, ethanol, dimethyl ether (DME), ammonia, biogas CNG, hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), straight vegetable oil (SSO), solar power |
| Benefits | Reduced carbon emissions, lower running costs, no tailpipe emissions, improved fuel economy, reduced fuel consumption, renewable energy source, improved efficiency, reduced costs |
| Disadvantages | Longer refuelling time, dead weight, expensive upfront costs, lack of infrastructure, dangerous chemical reactions if fuels are mixed or processed incorrectly |
| Examples of Alternative Fuel Vehicles | Plug-in hybrids, self-charging hybrids, fully electric vehicles, flex vehicles |
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What You'll Learn
Electric cars
Plug-in hybrids act like EVs but can also operate like gas-electric hybrids when the charge is depleted. Electric motors are technically more efficient than gasoline or diesel engines and can be cheaper per mile, although this depends on the local cost of electricity versus gasoline or diesel. EVs also tend to cost more upfront.
When considering an EV purchase, it is important to think about charging options, range needs, and how EVs drive compared to gasoline-powered vehicles. Many shoppers also have concerns about electric car batteries and range anxiety. However, becoming an informed EV shopper can help relieve these concerns.
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Hybrid cars
Alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) are vehicles that run on fuels other than conventional petrol or diesel. The UK government defines alternative fuels as "fuel or power sources which serve, at least partly, as a substitute for fossil oil sources in the energy supply to transport".
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Hydrogen cars
An alternative fuel vehicle (AFV) runs on fuels other than conventional petrol or diesel. Examples of alternative fuels include hydrogen, liquid or gaseous biofuels, synthetic fuels, compressed natural gas (CNG), and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
The main rationale for hydrogen vehicles is to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and associated greenhouse gas emissions and localised air pollution from transportation. However, hydrogen cars are subject to several drawbacks. Hydrogen is difficult to store and transport due to the small size of its molecules, and it is highly flammable. Additionally, the production of hydrogen from natural gas leads to high carbon emissions, and there is a high energy input requirement in the production and transportation of hydrogen.
As of 2021, there were only two hydrogen car models publicly available in select markets: the Toyota Mirai and the Hyundai Nexo. The Honda Clarity was produced from 2016 to 2021 but is no longer in production. Hydrogen cars have not seen widespread adoption due to the rapid rise of electric vehicles and the associated development of battery technology and infrastructure.
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Biogas cars
Alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) are vehicles that run on fuels other than conventional petrol or diesel. The UK government defines alternative fuels as "fuel or power sources which serve, at least partly, as a substitute for fossil oil sources in the energy supply to transport".
Biogas is a completely renewable fuel produced from biomass and consists mostly of methane. It can be produced from organic waste and be used for electricity or as vehicle gas. The main advantage of biogas cars is the 72% lower CO2 emissions when compared to petrol-powered vehicles, thus making them qualify as ‘green’ class cars. This makes biogas cars exempt from the annual vehicle tax and, in the case of company cars, the income tax benefit value is reduced by 40%.
The development and upscaling of biogas cars and other alternative fuel vehicles will require a holistic, technology-neutral, and long-term legislative framework to make this development possible.
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Solar cars
Alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) are vehicles that run on fuels other than conventional petrol or diesel. The UK government defines alternative fuels as "fuel or power sources which serve, at least partly, as a substitute for fossil oil sources in the energy supply to transport".
Solar arrays on solar cars are mounted and encapsulated very differently from stationary solar arrays. Solar arrays on solar cars are usually mounted using industrial-grade double-sided adhesive tape right onto the car's body. The arrays are encapsulated using thin layers of Tedlar. Some solar cars use gallium arsenide solar cells, with efficiencies of around 30%, while others use silicon solar cells, with efficiencies of around 20%. The battery pack in a typical solar car is sufficient to allow the car to go 250 miles (400 km) without sunlight and to travel continuously at speeds of 60 mph (97 km/h).
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Frequently asked questions
An alternative fuel car is any car that doesn't run on conventional petrol or diesel. This includes electric cars, hybrids, and cars that run on biofuels, hydrogen, or compressed natural gas (CNG).
Alternative fuel cars can help to improve efficiency, cut costs, and reduce emissions. For example, electric cars produce no tailpipe emissions and are generally cheaper to charge than fuelling a conventional car.
Examples of alternative fuels include electricity, biofuels (such as bioethanol and biodiesel), hydrogen, and compressed natural gas (CNG).
Alternative fuel cars are becoming more widely available, with many manufacturers now offering electric and hybrid models. You can test-drive alternative fuel vehicles at some centres, such as the Innovation Centre in Glasgow, UK.
