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Alternative Fuel Technology Table
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Wednesday, 30 January 2008
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Fuel TYPE
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GAS
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Hybrid
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Natural Gas
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Electric
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Ethanol
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Bio-Diesel
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Fuel Cell
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Non Renewable
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Non Renewable
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Non Renewable
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Non Renewable
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Renewable
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Renewable
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Renewable
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Source
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Petroleum Oil
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Petroleum Oil/Electric motor
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Natural Gas
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Electric motor
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Cellulose Biomass Corn, Starches, Grasses
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Blends of Non-Petroleum Oils and fats
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On-Board Chemical Reaction
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CONS
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Major Pollutant
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Still Uses Gas as main power source
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Limited Availability mainly fleet vehicles
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Limited availability mainly fleet vehicles / Limited distance and cargo space
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Limited Availability
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Concerns with engine durability and low temperatures for pure blends.
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Not Mass Produced
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Rising cost Limited Supply
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Higher repair costs
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Limited travel distance
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Still relies on fossil fuels to create power
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Lower energy content per volume results in limited distance
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More Nitrogen Oxide (Nox) emissions
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Unproven technology
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PROS
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Proven technology
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Currently in use
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One of the cleanest burning fossil fuels
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Energy efficient
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In Use
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Safe to handle, Bio- degradable
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Only energy, water and heat produced
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In Mass production
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Improves fuel efficiency
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60-90% less smog-producing pollutants
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Stronger acceleration
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Race Proven
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Non Toxic
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Could greatly reduce dependence on fossil fuels
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Infrastructure for use already exists
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Supply additional power
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30-40% less greenhouse gas emissions
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Smooth quiet ride
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Lower air pollutants
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Less greenhouse gas emissions
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Domestically produced
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No change needed
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Regenerative braking
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Domestically produced
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Often require less maintenance
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Domestically produced
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Can be used in most diesel engines
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Highly efficient
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Alternative Fuel Technology Info