Alternative fuel sources have long been studied as potential green options to gas and petroleum. Some sources are already in use while others are still being researched to improve their efficiency. The most common forms of alternative fuel include corn ethanol, cellulosic ethanol and biodiesel. Electricity, in the form of plug-in hybrids and hydrogen/fuel cells, is also available to power vehicles.
They're Better for the Environment
Alternative fuels don't produce as many emissions as gas or oil, so their use would significantly reduce pollution. According to Consumer Reports, alternative fuels such as ethanol can be produced from waste materials, thus reducing the need for petroleum. According to "U.S. News and World Report," both compressed natural gas and cellulosic ethanol are abundant natural resources that are at a low risk of depletion.
They Require Backup
According to "U.S. News and World Report," most alternative fuel technologies are not developed enough to be reliable. For example, corn ethanol needs to be blended with gasoline to work. The blend can be up to 85 percent ethanol, but gasoline is still needed nonetheless. Electric cars require a backup system or are built as gasoline/electric energy hybrids to ensure that they still run if the electric battery is empty.
They're Cheaper
Many forms of alternative fuel are cheaper to use and more efficient than gas or oil. According to Fox News, homes that use alternative fuel as a heating source spend significantly less money on heating per season. Coal, wood pellets and corn oil all cost significantly less than oil or gas and can be equally effective as a heating system. As of 2010, cooling systems cannot be run on alternative fuels. To cool down your home, you need to resort to alternative energy sources, like solar and wind.
You Need Special Equipment
Vehicles that run on alternative fuels, as of 2010, are not yet common. If you want a biodiesel or electricity-powered car, you'll need to search for a special model. Standard vehicles are likely to run only on gasoline or as hybrids. Hydrogen and methanol-powered cars are not currently available to the public, although prototypes exist. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, to run on ethanol, cars need a special adaptor or need to be "flexible fuel vehicles," which means they run on a combination of gasoline and ethanol.
To use alternative fuel to heat your home, you'll need to buy the right heating system first. Some might require some changes to the structure of your house in order to function correctly. For example, wood stoves need an exhaust system or chimney, which means making a hole in the wall or ceiling. Heaters, burners and stoves for alternative fuel can be found at a number of home supply stores or online at specialty shops.
References
- EPA: Alternative Fuel Conversion
- U.S. News and World Report: The Pros and Cons of 8 Green Fuels
- U.S. Department of Energy: Alternative Fuels and Advanced Vehicles Data Center
- ConsumerReports.org: Pros And Cons: A Reality Check on Alternative Fuels
- Fox News: Alternative Fuel Cheaper, But Still Not Popular
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