Between elevated gasoline prices (which show every indication of staying that way) and the current concern about the environmental impacts of vehicle emissions, you’ve probably been hearing a lot of discussion about the use of “alternative fuels.” It sounds like a good idea, you think…but do you know what alternative fuels are actually in the running? Here’s the shortlist of the alternative fuels to keep an eye on, and a major advantage and disadvantage for each:
Electric
Electricity is a source of power that we already produce, store, and use. To power an electric vehicle (EV), electricity is produced by a power plant or other standard means and is then stored in the battery that will operate the vehicle.
Pro: A vehicle powered solely by electricity produces no emissions.
Con: In current models, batteries need to be recharged frequently.
Biodiesel
Biodiesel is a fuel that is made from vegetable oils and animal fats through a chemical process called esterification. When the oils and fats are mixed with alcohol, their molecules break down into methylesters, which are then used as fuel, and a waste product of glycerin. It can be used in some diesel vehicles with very little, if any, modification to the existing engine.
Pro: Potential fuel sources vary from grain crops to used cooking grease.
Con: Biodiesel thickens and freezes at low temperatures.
Ethanol
Ethanol is a type of alcohol that is created through the fermentation of substances with high starch or sugar contents, such as corn or sugar cane. In this process, yeast bacteria consume the sugars and starches and produce carbon dioxide and ethanol as by-products. The use of chemical catalysts can be used to make the process faster and more productive.
Pro: Ethanol can be produced from renewable agricultural resources.
Con: Contains less energy than the same amount of gasoline.
Hydrogen Fuel Cells
Hydrogen fuels cells harness the electrochemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen. The bonding of hydrogen and oxygen atoms results in two products: energy, which is then stored as power in the cell, and