As concerns over global warming and climate change increase, the demand for alternative fuel sources also continues to grow. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, as of 2010 there are a dozen alternative fuels that are available or in production. Alternative fuels are designed to reduce dependence on the world's oil supply while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions and other air pollutants. These alternative fuels are derived from a number of different sources.
Ethanol
Ethanol is a domestically produced alternative fuel that is derived primarily from corn and other feedstock although it can also be made from cellulosic biomass, such as trees and grass. There are several types of ethanol-based fuels available and the most common is E-85. According to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, E-85 is 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline and it can only be used in flex-fuel vehicles. When used as an alternative vehicle fuel, ethanol reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 19 to 52 percent.
Hydrogen
Hydrogen is the most abundant natural element on earth. When used as an alternative fuel, hydrogen can be produced domestically, typically by extracting it from natural gas. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that 95 percent of the hydrogen produced in the U.S. comes from the steam reforming of methane. Hydrogen can be used to power an internal combustion engine or a fuel cell vehicle. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are among the cleanest, producing no greenhouse gas emissions or pollutants.
Natural Gas
Natural gas is a mixture of hydrocarbons, including methane, ethane and propane. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the majority of natural gas is extracted domestically from gas and oil wells. Natural gas may also be derived from landfill gas or it can be synthetically manufactured. As an alternative fuel, natural gas produces 30 to 40 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions and 60 to 90 percent less air pollution, according to the DOE.
Propane
Propane is essentially liquefied petroleum gas. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources estimates that 85 percent of propane used in the U.S. is produced domestically as a byproduct of natural gas and crude oil processing. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, propane is the third most commonly used vehicle fuel after gasoline and diesel. Propane produces fewer toxic air pollutants and is more fuel-efficient than conventional gasoline.
Biodiesel
Biodiesel is a domestically-produced alternative fuel that is typically derived from animal fats or vegetable oils, such as soybean oil. According to the National Biodiesel Board, biodiesel can be combined with petroleum-based diesel and operated in a conventional diesel engine with little to no modification required. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that biodiesel produces up to 75 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions compared to petroleum-based diesel.
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