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In the simplest form, an alternative fuel is one that is not produced by using crude oil. They are simply fuels that replace conventional gasoline as a means of powering vehicles. Alternative fuels have desirable energy efficiency and pollution reduction features. The 1990 Clean Air Act encourages development and sale of alternative fuels.
More specifically, the Energy Policy Act (EP Act) of 1993 gave a more in-depth definition of what they consider to be alternative fuels. The United States Department of Energy recognizes the following as alternative fuels:
Mixtures containing 85% or more by volume of alcohol fuel, including methanol and
denatured ethanol
Natural gas (compressed or liquefied)
Liquefied petroleum gas (propane)
Hydrogen
Coal-derived liquid fuels
Fuels derived from biological materials
Electricity (including electricity from solar energy)
100% Biodiesel (B100)
Pure biodiesel (B100) is considered an alternative fuel under EP Act. Lower-level biodiesel blends are not considered alternative fuels, but covered fleets can earn one EP Act credit for every 450 gallons of B100 purchased for use in blends of 20% biodiesel or higher.
Through the Alternative Fuel Petition Program, third parties can petition the Department of Energy to add alternative fuels to the above list. People are always on the lookout for new ways to combat rising fuel prices and develop fuels that are not only good for the environment, but for the consumer’s checkbook as well.
Basically, alternative fuels include methane, propane, ethanol, and compressed gas among others. We’ll examine some of these a little later in the book, but alternative fuels don’t fall into one compact category other than the one that defines them as an option over gasoline.
It’s kind of exciting to think about the fact that we can now power our vehicles using things like vegetable oil, animal fats, and even wood! It brings to mind the movie “Back to the Future” where Doc would power his DeLorean time machine using garbage as fuel!
