Ameer Randolph
The primary source for fueling cars is petroleum, which is made from crude oil and natural gas. In 2022, petroleum products accounted for about 90% of the total US transportation sector energy use. However, with the growing concerns about the environmental impact of emissions from internal combustion engines, there has been a renewed interest in electric vehicles (EVs) and alternative fuels such as biofuels, methanol, and ethanol. While EVs offer a way to reduce direct emissions, their production and charging can still contribute to carbon emissions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Primary Source of Fuel | Petroleum products made from crude oil and natural gas processing |
| Examples | Gasoline, distillate fuels (mostly diesel fuel), jet fuel, residual fuel oil, propane |
| Alternative Fuels | Biofuels (ethanol, biodiesel, biomass-based diesel/distillates), methanol, electricity |
| Electric Vehicles | Powered by an electric motor and an on-board battery pack |
| Environmental Impact | Gasoline vehicles contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and can impact the environment if spilled |
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What You'll Learn
Petroleum products
In 2022, the United States consumed about 8.78 million barrels per day of finished motor gasoline, which accounted for about 43% of its total petroleum consumption. This high consumption is due to the large number of vehicles in use and the miles traveled per vehicle. The transportation sector in the US relies heavily on petroleum products, with about 90% of its energy coming from these fuels in 2021.
However, there is a growing interest in alternative fuels due to the diminishing supply of non-renewable energy sources and the environmental impact of gasoline-powered vehicles. Biofuels, such as ethanol and biodiesel, are often blended with petroleum fuels and are becoming more popular as an alternative energy source.
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Biofuels
The EU has introduced directives to promote the use of biofuels and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The EU's biofuels policy focuses on the development of second-generation biofuels and overcoming market barriers. The Bioethanol for Sustainable Transport (BEST) project aims to demonstrate an extensive substitution of petrol and diesel by bioethanol through the introduction of vehicles and distribution lines in several towns and/or regions.
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Electric vehicles
There are two kinds of EVs available to purchase: battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). BEVs use stored electrical energy in a battery pack to fully operate and move the vehicle. PHEVs can use either an electric motor powered by an on-board battery pack or an internal combustion engine that uses fuel stored in on-board tanks to power the vehicle. The internal combustion engine can use gasoline, diesel, natural gas, propane, or biofuels; however, nearly all PHEVs available in the United States use gasoline.
BEVs and PHEVs will continue to increase their shares of total light-duty vehicle sales through 2050, with BEVs growing the fastest of the two. Sales growth will depend on a number of factors, including lower EV purchase prices and the development and expansion of an EV battery-charging infrastructure.
The viable energy sources being proposed for EVs include batteries, fuel cells, capacitors, and flywheels. At present, batteries have been identified as the major EV energy source because of their technological maturity. However, none of the available energy sources, including batteries, fuel cells, ultracapacitors, and ultrahigh-speed flywheels, can fulfil all the demands of EVs to enable them to compete with gasoline-powered vehicles. Instead, EVs can adopt the concept of multiple energy sources, or hybridization of energy.
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Gasoline
To address these concerns, alternative fuels, such as biofuels, have gained interest. Biofuels like ethanol and biodiesel were some of the first automobile fuels but were replaced by gasoline in the early 1900s. Today, most motor gasoline in the US contains up to 10% ethanol, and biofuels contribute about 6% to the transportation sector's energy consumption.
The selection of the right type of gasoline for a vehicle is essential for its performance and long-term health. Gasoline is graded based on octane levels, which indicate the fuel's stability and resistance to "knocking" or "pinging" during combustion. Regular unleaded gasoline, typically with an 87 octane level, is suitable for most cars, while some high-output engines require premium gasoline with higher octane levels (91-94). Using the correct octane level is crucial, as using a lower octane fuel than recommended can reduce performance and potentially damage the engine over time.
Additionally, it is important to distinguish between gasoline and diesel fuel. Diesel fuel is specifically designed for vehicles that use it and should not be used in gasoline engines, as it can cause significant performance issues and damage to the fuel system.
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Natural gas
CNG vehicles operate similarly to gasoline-powered vehicles, with spark-ignited internal combustion engines. The engine functions the same way as a gasoline engine, with the fuel stored in a tank or cylinder, typically at the back of the vehicle. The high-pressure gas is transferred from the fuel tank through the fuel lines, where a pressure regulator reduces the pressure to a level compatible with the engine's fuel injection system. Finally, the fuel is introduced into the intake manifold or combustion chamber, where it is mixed with air, compressed, and ignited by a spark plug.
One advantage of natural gas vehicles is their safety. In the event of an accident, methane does not accumulate in depressions and does not produce a flammable mixture of vapors and air. As gas is lighter than air, it evaporates immediately, making leakage less hazardous. Cylinders containing methane have thick and robust walls that are repeatedly checked during manufacturing to ensure pressure resistance.
Another advantage of natural gas vehicles is their environmental impact. Cars are the main source of air pollution, especially in big cities. The conversion of cars and buses to natural gas can help reduce emissions and improve air quality. Emissions from natural gas-powered cars are five times less harmful than those of gasoline-powered cars. Additionally, methane does not contain impurities, so it does not produce sediments in the fuel system during combustion.
Despite these advantages, the use of natural gas vehicles faces some limitations, including fuel storage and infrastructure for delivery and distribution at fueling stations. The cylinders required for CNG and LNG take up more space than gasoline or diesel tanks, which can impact the cargo capacity of the vehicle. Additionally, the number of CNG and LNG refueling stations is lower than those for liquid fuels.
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Frequently asked questions
Petroleum products made from crude oil and natural gas processing are the primary source of fuel for cars.
Gasoline, diesel fuel, jet fuel, and residual fuel oil are some examples of petroleum products used for transportation.
Biofuels, electricity, methanol, and ethanol are some alternative fuel sources for cars.
Electric vehicles (EVs) use an electric motor powered by an onboard battery pack that can be charged by plugging into an electricity source.
Electric vehicles do not directly emit carbon dioxide (CO2) and can help reduce dependence on fossil fuels, but they may have a larger "carbon footprint" when considering the electricity used to recharge batteries and the emissions involved in manufacturing.
