Although gasoline is still the most commonly used fuel in today’s world, alternatives such as ethanol and biodiesel are slowly becoming more popular. They are environmentally-friendly fuels that, when used in a car engine, can emit lower levels of NOx exhaust emissions. If you have never thought about what kind of fuel your vehicle runs on before, then you may be surprised to learn that only a small percentage of cars now run on gasoline.
This article will discuss the different types of alternative fuels and introduce you to their benefits and drawbacks for those who are considering switching over to one type or another.
Biofuels, such as ethanol and biodiesel, are made from renewable resources like agricultural crops and waste materials. The benefits of biofuels are that they do not contribute to deforestation and pollution of the environment. Biofuels can also be blended with conventional fuels, making the result an all-around biofuel.
With regards to ethanol, it is also known as “grain alcohol” because it is made by fermenting organic materials like corn into a fuel with a low octane rating for use in internal combustion engines. As a result, there are no modifications required in engine performance and allowed under the same EPA test procedures as gasoline. Ethanol is popular because it can be blended with gasoline and converted into a fuel that runs on a vehicle’s internal combustion engine.
The only downside to ethanol is that it is more expensive and depletes faster than traditional fuels. The benefits of biofuels are limited to the fuels produced, while the drawbacks of ethanol include the price, limited availability and dependence on renewably available resources.
The net fuel-energy equivalent of biodiesel is 2 percent lower than standard diesel, though this value varies according to factors such as temperature, quality of the biodiesel, additives used during processing and when measuring WTW (work-temperature water). Biodiesel is made from vegetable oils, animal fat, recycled cooking oil and other waste materials.
The most popular form of biodiesel is B5-99 or 5 percent biodiesel blended with conventional diesel fuel. This blend can be used in any diesel engine without the need for modifications since it is a 50-50 mixture. Biodiesel fuel is also made from waste materials like citrus rinds, landfill leachate (the liquid that leaks from landfills) and pine needles. Pure biodiesel can be used in most diesel vehicles but must be mixed with regular diesel fuel at a ratio of 5 to 1 to avoid damage to the engine.
One of the main disadvantages of biodiesel is that it can only be made from renewable resources. In addition, when it is derived from waste products, this can lead to the release of harmful methane gas into the air. The benefits and disadvantages of biodiesel are mainly dependent on where it is made.
Hybrid vehicles can also be fueled with alternative fuels such as electricity, methanol and natural gas. Although they are not widely used as a primary fuel source in vehicles, they are used to supplement standard fuel sources. Hybrid vehicles use two power sources—one internal combustion engine and one electric motor—and run solely on electricity for short distances instead of using the internal combustion engine for longer distances.
Hybrid vehicles are becoming more popular as the cost of fuel becomes more prohibitive. This type of vehicle uses methanol, a cheaper alternative that can be used in gasoline engines with little modification required. The biggest drawback to methanol is that it does not function well in cold weather and is more dangerous to handle than gasoline. It can also be difficult to find methanol since it is mainly sold at industrial facilities and seldom carried by gas stations.
The benefits of using a hybrid vehicle are that they are environmentally friendly and use far less fuel than standard internal combustion engines. Two drawbacks include the cost (hybrids tend to cost more) and the limited availability of transmission components for electric drives.
Which Fuel Should I Choose?
Since there is no one fuel that is better than the rest, it comes down to personal choice. If you are concerned about the environment and want to help lower NOx emissions from your vehicle, biodiesel could be one of the best options for you. Biodiesel is also cheaper than ethanol, a fact that may make it more attractive to some people. If you want to save money each time you refuel, then methanol may be a good option since it is cheaper than gasoline and can be used in any engine that burns diesel.
Biofuels are surrounded by much controversy because they take a lot of energy to produce. Ethanol is a naturally occurring fuel that can be made readily available, while biodiesel is made from waste materials that consume energy to process. Since neither of these fuels will keep the world running forever, it would be best to look at all the options before making a decision and try to decide which one is the most environmentally-friendly for you.