What Alternative Fuels are on the Road Right Now?

There’s no denying that the world is rapidly running out of oil. So what happens when we’ve bled the planet’s resources dry? Already, scientists are starting to come up with a myriad of alternatives that could see cars, trucks, planes, trains and other vehicles powered by alternative fuels. Here are some of the top contenders that have already hit the road running:

Hydrogen

While it may have a dodgy reputation, hydrogen is actually an extremely safe fuel alternative. It’s used to power both fuel cell vehicles and those with internal combustion engines.

Electricity

The electric car revolution has well and truly arrived, with battery technology now state of the art. Today electric vehicles are capable of holding charges that power wheels for over 70 miles. Hello road trip!

Biodiesel

Manufactured from cooking oil and grease, biodiesel quite literally turns food waste into fuel. If there was ever an excuse to indulge in a Big Mac, this is it! It’s cheap, clean and eco-friendly.

Ethanol

Derived from plant matter, ethanol is becoming an increasingly popular alternative to fossil fuels. It’s often added to gasoline in a bid to cut emissions and meet environmental regulations. The usual blend is 15 percent gasoline and 85 percent ethanol.

Liquefied Natural Gas

Found between layers of underground rock, LNG burns much cleaner than its oil and gasoline counterparts. The USA LNG industry is booming, with new reserves being uncovered on a regular basis.

Liquefied petroleum gas

Commonly referred to as propane, LNG is an up and coming resource that’s kept in liquid form through extreme pressurisation. It’s a dense form of energy which makes it great for powering trucks and cars.

Compressed natural gas

Similar to the fuels used to cook and heat homes, CNG is provided by gas companies selling the resource in high-pressure cylinders. Simply hook up the canister to your gas engine and you’re good to go!

Coal

As a surprise contender, coal is one of the newest fuel alternative to hit the road. While drivers won’t be shovelling coal into their engines, coal fired plants will be used to generate the electricity used to power electric cars.

Want to know more about the up and coming alternatives to fossil fuels? ‘Accurately Quantify Methanol and Ethanol in E85 Biofuel by D5501 with New Rtx®-DHA-150 Column’ looks at the importance of accurately determining ethanol and methanol levels in order to optimise fuel performance.

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