Alternative Fuels for Cars
Alternative Fuels for Cars
Automobiles are considered one of the largest contributors to climate change – only preceded by the effect of fossil fuel power generation plants [1].
This means that the automobile industry is under a lot of pressure to cut down on carbon emissions globally by finding alternative fuels for cars.
Moreover, as we approach peak oil [2], the availability of conventional automobile fuels will reduce drastically causing an exponential rise in fuel prices [2], a fact that is becoming very clear to car owners all over the world.
Natural Gas
Natural Gas for use in automobiles is very popular in America because more than 80% of the natural gas used in U.S.A is produced in the country making it a lot cheaper than conventional petroleum [3].
It is used either as Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) or Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) when running motor vehicles.
Moreover, it promises a reduction in smog of between 60 & 90% [3] and a reduction of carbon emissions of between 30 & 40% [3].
However, certain modifications need to be made on the cars and their tanks in order to use the fuel [4].
Ethanol
Ethanol is a biofuel used to run engines that originally used petrol. There are a few modifications done to the vehicle so that it can run efficiently on Ethanol.
A vehicle with these modifications is classified as an FFV or a Flexible Fuel Vehicle [5].
Brazil is one of the countries that have embraced this technology into their system becoming the second largest producer of ethanol in the world by producing sugarcane based ethanol [6].
Through these developments, Brazil has been able to thrive in the Flex Fuel Vehicle market enabling them to manufacture cars like the Brazilian Fiat 147 [7], the first modern automobile that could run on pure-unblended ethanol followed by Volkswagens, Chevrolets, Toyotas and Nissans just to name a few [6].
Biodiesel
Like ethanol, biodiesel is a renewable alternative fuel for cars. This is because it is made from
Automobiles are considered one of the largest contributors to climate change – only preceded by the effect of fossil fuel power generation plants [1].
This means that the automobile industry is under a lot of pressure to cut down on carbon emissions globally by finding alternative fuels for cars.
Moreover, as we approach peak oil [2], the availability of conventional automobile fuels will reduce drastically causing an exponential rise in fuel prices [2], a fact that is becoming very clear to car owners all over the world.
Natural Gas
Natural Gas for use in automobiles is very popular in America because more than 80% of the natural gas used in U.S.A is produced in the country making it a lot cheaper than conventional petroleum [3].
It is used either as Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) or Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) when running motor vehicles.
Moreover, it promises a reduction in smog of between 60 & 90% [3] and a reduction of carbon emissions of between 30 & 40% [3].
However, certain modifications need to be made on the cars and their tanks in order to use the fuel [4].
Ethanol
Ethanol is a biofuel used to run engines that originally used petrol. There are a few modifications done to the vehicle so that it can run efficiently on Ethanol.
A vehicle with these modifications is classified as an FFV or a Flexible Fuel Vehicle [5].
Brazil is one of the countries that have embraced this technology into their system becoming the second largest producer of ethanol in the world by producing sugarcane based ethanol [6].
Through these developments, Brazil has been able to thrive in the Flex Fuel Vehicle market enabling them to manufacture cars like the Brazilian Fiat 147 [7], the first modern automobile that could run on pure-unblended ethanol followed by Volkswagens, Chevrolets, Toyotas and Nissans just to name a few [6].
Biodiesel
Like ethanol, biodiesel is a renewable alternative fuel for cars. This is because it is made from