alternative fuels - MSN Auto

The world of alternative fuels is often seen as a kind of well-intended, winner-take-all death match. Hydrogen will square off against electricity, while ethanol, biodiesel, compressed natural gas and a horde of other up-and-comers wait in the wings, all hoping to become the one true champion of the post-petroleum economy. The reality is likely to be more complex, both for the energy industry and individual drivers, who may be forced to make smart decisions when buying a particular vehicle and when picking a filling station.

From the multicar family to the commercial trucking fleet, the automotive landscape is about to become a more diverse place, with long-range biodiesel trucks sharing garage space with short-trip electric vehicles. Fuel pumps will have to keep up, with more options and more real estate — both above and below ground — to accommodate a range of different storage tanks and safety measures. There will be casualties of the alternative-energy revolution, but here are some of the most likely survivors, along with each fuel's intended application.

Biodiesel
As diesel gains popularity in the United States, the demand for its biomass-derived cousin is on the rise. Because biodiesel is processed from vegetable and animal fats, it can be used to recycle a wide range of waste material. It's available in a range of blend percentages — B20, for example, is 20 percent biodiesel and 80 percent diesel, while B100 is all biodiesel. In most cases, each blend requires a separate pump, but Ohio-based Full Circle Fuels has built a special dispenser that blends bio and regular diesel on demand.

Best for: Anyone who wants the benefits of diesel — less fuel burned while idling and lower emissions overall — plus a cleaner conscience. Older vehicles, particularly ones with a high degree of engine buildup, can require servicing to handle biodiesel, and even new models might need to be checked before operating above B20. Also, the higher the blend, the more likely it will void your warranty. Cold-weather drivers should tread lightly, since the higher the blend the more likely the fuel will congeal. That can clog the engine as the fuel starts to crystallize, or prevent the car from starting up at all.

Where to fill up: There are biodiesel filling stations throughout the country, with a small but growing number of drivers taking the more radical step of converting their diesel engines to run on straight vegetable oil (SVO) recycled from restaurants. Cold temperatures are the biggest obstacle to biodiesel and SVO distribution and dispensing, requiring truck deliveries in the short term and, if demand continues to rise, special insulated or heated pipelines in the future.

Discuss: Do you think more options is a good or bad thing at your local filling station?

Ethanol
Corn-based ethanol has taken some well-deserved hits, with experts blaming it for an increase in global food prices. But ethanol derived from other sources, such as switchgrass and municipal waste, is poised to make a comeback, as farmers and energy companies attempt a more responsible, sustainable approach to producing this alternative fuel.

Best for: Owners of flex-fuel vehicles who, by nature, are looking for a long-term bargain. There's an environmental opportunity as well, since ethanol production has the potential for less of a carbon impact than petroleum-based products. MSN Auto

alternative fuels

Best for: Battery-powered vehicles are most efficient — and most affordable — as small, short-range cars. Companies such as Zap! are already marketing their all-electric models as ideal second cars for daily errands and short commutes, with zero emissions and practically no fuel cost (less than a dollar to charge). As the technology becomes more robust, electric vehicles are still likely to remain short-range, everyday vehicles, and could become a necessity for urban drivers in cities such as London, where petroleum-powered automobiles are charged a steep congestion tax.
Where to fill up: Recharging stations will appear only if plug-ins become extremely common, and even then, many gas stations or other businesses could supply multiple vehicles with electricity without upgrading their infrastructure. Some equipment may be necessary to determine how much power is being supplied and what it should cost, but the short-term solution is likely to be ad hoc and disorganized. Unless electric vehicles are supplanted by hydrogen fuel cells or some other petroleum-free, zero-emissions technology, the gas stations of the world will gradually adopt some form of recharging.
Other Gases
In a field packed with fringe fuels, compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) are among the least-talked-about alternative fuels. Honda is making a push for natural-gas-powered cars with its Civic GX, and with T. Boone Pickens still making the case for a combination of CNG and wind power to wean the United States off foreign oil, people are starting to pay attention. In theory, the domestic reserves are already in place. Honda is selling refilling stations that use your home's existing gas lines. LPG, which can include propane and butane, is somewhat common in Europe, where many vehicles work on both LPG and petroleum, but it requires an extensive conversion to work with vehicles in the U.S.
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