If it's a diesel, it's an alt fuel vehicle by default. Biodiesel blends can be used in any diesel engine; however, it's important to use the blends in accordance with the manufacturers specs. With more and more clean diesels coming on line, keep your eyes peeled for those ULSD pumps too. With fueling stations in all 50 states, it's getting easier and easier for diesels to go cleaner and greener.
Biodiesel is a non-toxic and biodegradable fuel that is made from vegetable oils, waste cooking oil, animal fats or tall oil (a by-product from pulp and paper processing). Biodiesel is produced from these feedstocks through a process called transesterification, by reacting the oil with an alcohol (usually methanol, although ethanol can also be used) and a catalyst (such as sodium hydroxide). The resulting chemical reaction produces glycerine and an ester called biodiesel. The majority of biodiesel is produced by this method.
Compared with conventional diesel, biodiesel combusts better with a higher cetane rating and produces fewer life cycle greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) which contribute to climate change.
Biodiesel blends, a mixture of petroleum diesel and biodiesel, can be used in any diesel engine. As biodiesel can be blended with diesel in any concentration, the blend level depends on economics, availability, the desired emissions level, material compatibility and combustion characteristics.
An increasing number of Original Equipment Manufacturers are endorsing the use of lower biodiesel blends, e.g, 5% in their engines. Some manufacturers now extend warranty coverage for new diesel powered vehicles to use lower blends of biodiesel, provided the fuel meets applicable standards. Some manufacturers also provide vehicles pre-filled with biodiesel blends.
In colder climates, biodiesel tends to lose viscosity, particularly at higher blend levels. To counter this effect, changes to the feedstock source or additives may be needed to address the cold flow properties of this fuel. Research and testing is underway to reduce biodiesel production costs and address cold weather problems.
Biodiesel is considerably less flammable than petroleum diesel, which burns at 50 C (120 F). Pure biodiesel (B-100) does not ignite until 150 C (300 F). The flashpoint (the temperature at which it will ignite when exposed to a spark or flame) of a biodiesel blend falls somewhere between these temperatures, depending on the mixture.
Because biodiesel is a mild solvent it is important to wipe up spills and dispose of rags safely. Biodiesel may deface some paints if left on painted surfaces for a long time.
Hybrids are vehicles of mixed composition basically, an electric motor and an internal combustion engine. Commonly powered by a gasoline engine that generates its own electricity and stores it in an onboard battery, hybrids are a popular choice for awesome fuel economy and squeaky clean emissions.
Pure electrics offer zero emissions and plug directly into a standard AC outlet--while their range is limited, there are a selection of good choices available.
If it's a flexible fuel vehicle (FFV) it can subsist on a diet of E85, gasoline or any percentage of the two. E85 is 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline, and burns cleaner than gasoline, contributing fewer greenhouse gas emissions.One of the cleanest burning fuels, natural gas is a common retrofit and fleet alternative fuel.
Although there are over 5 million vehicles worldwide powered by natural and compressed gas, in the United States there's currently only one production vehicle available that comes ready to fuel up at any CNG station--but that's not the only way to power up with CNG.
Also known as liquefied propane gas (LPG), propane powers over 10 million vehicles worldwide, with 270,000 of them on the roadways of America. Find out if it's the fuel of choice for your set of wheels.
There are basically two ways to use hydrogen to power a vehicle burning it in an engine or using it as an energy carrier for a fuel cell. While hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are in various states of development, there are a few that have actually hit the roads.
There is a growing trend toward pushing people to use new alternative fuels to power their vehicles. Alternative fuel burns cleaner, is better for the environment, and, in many cases, can be cheaper than gasoline. But not just any car will run on alternative fuels. The engine must be constructed in a different way to adapt to the new substance that it will be running on.
Almost all major car companies have jumped right on to the alternative fuel bandwagon by manufacturing a variety of vehicles designed especially to run on alternative fuel. They are called, of course, alternative fuel vehicles or AFVs for short. Some vehicles are strictly designed and built to run on nothing but alternative fuel while others can run on either gasoline or alternative fuel making them a hybrid car. As of 2006, here is a list of some of the alternative fuel or GREEN vehicles manufactured by some of the major car companies: Honda Insight Honda Accord Hybrid Dodge Ram Pickup 1500 Series Dodge Stratus Sedan Dodge Durango SUV Dodge Caravan Minivan Ford Taurus Ford F-150 Pickup Ford Escape SUV GM Impala Chevrolet Silverado 4 x 2 Chevrolet Tahoe SUV Chevy Yukon SUV Nissan Titan Pickup Toyota Highlander SUV Toyota Prius
And these are truly just a few of the alternative fuel vehicles that are on the market. There are more and more being designed and manufactured every day. Big car companies know that the wave of the future is going to be towards environmental friendliness when it comes to a personals vehicle. That is why their manufacturing of so many alternative fuel or hybrid vehicles is a huge part of their business plans these days.
Now, you should know that even though it is a good idea to buy an alternative fuel vehicle these days, you will have to pay more money to do so. Alternative fuel vehicles run anywhere from 3,000 to 10,000 USD more than a regular gasoline car. That is why many states offer great incentives for those people who own alternative fuel vehicles.
For example, California, Florida, and Texas have allowed alternative fuel vehicles exemptions when it comes to commuting. These places have commuting or high occupancy lanes that allow cars with a certain number of people in them to use them. If you have an AFV, you can be in this lane even if you are by yourself.
The Federal Government also offers a tax break to those people who have purchased an alternative fuel vehicle in the year 2006. For some, that is an amazing tax advantage and well worth the investment in buying an alternative fuel vehicle.
Both Alisha Dhamani & Hilal Abdelwali are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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