Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle Benefits

Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) promise many benefits for consumers, fleets, and the nation. These advanced vehicles have the potential to cut fuel use and costs, increase U.S. energy security, protect public health and the environment, and enhance the U.S. electrical system. Government and...

How Hybrids Work

Hybrid-electric vehicles (HEVs) combine the benefits of gasoline engines and electric motors and can be configured to obtain different objectives, such as improved fuel economy, increased power, or additional auxiliary power for electronic devices and power tools.Some of the advanced technologies typically...

Airports

Airports provide many opportunities for alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles and have demonstrated many implementation successes. Airports are uniquely suited for these vehicles for many reasons. The duty cycles of airport vehicles feature high mileage, long idle times, and frequent stopping....

Why is fuel economy important?

Saves You MoneyYou can save $200-$1,500 in fuel costs each year by choosing the most efficient vehicle that meets your needs. This can add up to thousands of dollars over a vehicle’s lifetime. Fuel-efficient models come in all shapes and sizes, so you don't have to sacrifice utility or size.You can...

What is a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle?

Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) can be charged with electricity like pure electric vehicles and run under engine power like hybrid electric vehicles. The combination offers increased driving range with potentially large fuel and cost savings, emissions reductions, and other benefits.Plug-in...

What is biogas?

Biogas is the gaseous product of the anaerobic digestion (decomposition without oxygen) of organic matter. It is typically made up of 50-80% methane, 20-50% carbon dioxide, and traces of gases such as hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen. In contrast, natural gas is typically made up of more than...

What is a hybrid electric vehicle?

Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) typically combine the internal combustion engine of a conventional vehicle with the battery and electric motor of an electric vehicle. The combination offers low emissions, with the power, range, and convenient fueling of conventional (gasoline and diesel) vehicles—and...

Fuel Economy Benefits

Increasing vehicle fuel economy benefits drivers by saving them money, the United States by making it less dependent of foreign oil, and the environment by releasing fewer emissions into the air.Fuel SavingsSaving Money: photo of a hand putting money into a piggy bank.The primary benefit of employing...

What is a fuel cell vehicle?

Fuel cell vehicles use a completely different propulsion system than conventional vehicles, which can be two to three times more efficient. Unlike conventional vehicles, they produce no harmful exhaust emissions—their only emission is water. Other benefits include increasing U.S. energy security and...

How Natural Gas Vehicles Work

Light-duty natural gas vehicles work much like gasoline-powered vehicles with spark-ignited engines. This schematic shows basic CNG fuel system components.CNG enters the vehicle through the natural gas fill valve (A) and flows into high-pressure cylinders (B). When the engine requires natural gas, the...

What is Fischer-Tropsch diesel?

Fischer-Tropsch (F-T) diesel is synthetic diesel fuel produced by converting gaseous hydrocarbons, such as natural gas and gasified coal or biomass, into liquid fuel.Fischer-Tropsch Diesel as an Alternative FuelFischer-Tropsch diesel can be substituted directly for conventional (petroleum-derived) diesel...

What is a propane vehicle?

Propane, also known as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), has been used in vehicles since the 1920s. It is considered an alternative fuel under the Energy Policy Act of 1992 and qualifies for alternative fuel vehicle tax incentives.Today, most propane vehicles are conversions from gasoline vehicles. Dedicated...

B20 and B100: Alternative Fuels

The interest in biodiesel as an alternative transportation fuel stems mainly from its renewable, domestic production; its safe, clean-burning properties; and its compatibility with existing diesel engines.Biodiesel can be legally blended with petroleum diesel in any percentage. The percentages are designated...

What is Natural Gas?

Natural gas is a mixture of hydrocarbons, predominantly methane (CH4). As delivered through the pipeline system, it also contains hydrocarbons such as ethane and propane and other gases such as nitrogen, helium, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, and water vapor. See the AFDC Fuel Properties database...

What is ultra-low sulfur diesel?

Ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) is diesel fuel with 15 parts per million (ppm) or lower sulfur content. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requires 80% of the highway diesel fuel refined in or imported into the United States (100% in California) to be ULSD as of 2006. One hundred percent must be...

What is hydrogen?

Hydrogen is the simplest and most abundant element in the universe—it is number 1 on the periodic table of elements (this link takes you to Los Alamos National Laboratory's site). At Earth surface temperatures and pressures, it is a colorless, odorless gas (H2). However, hydrogen is rarely found alone...

Diesel Vehicles

Diesel vehicles may be making a comeback. Diesel engines are more powerful and fuel-efficient than similar-sized gasoline engines (about 30-35% more fuel efficient). Plus, today's diesel vehicles are much improved over diesels of the past.Better PerformanceImproved fuel injection and electronic engine...