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Alternative Fuels and Environmental Impact
NJ Department of Environmental Protection
Bureau of Mobile Sources
Summary
• What are alternative fuels? • Which fuels are available in NJ? • Pros and cons of each fuel • Examples of vehicle types for each fuel • What is not an alternative fuel
What are alternative fuels?
• Conventional fuels – Gasoline and diesel
• Alternative fuels – Natural gas (CNG, LNG) – Propane (LPG) – Electricity – Ethanol – Biofuels (landfill gas, biodiesel blends)
Natural gas
• CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) – Readily available and relatively easy to compress – Can use fast fill (minutes) or slow fill (hours) – Fast fill requires a dedicated station – Slow fill uses a small compressor
• LNG (Liquified Natural Gas) – LNG has a higher energy density, but very
difficult/expensive to compress and requires cryogenic storage
– Few vehicles and facilities offer LNG
Propane
• Most widely used alternative transportation fuel in the world (outside of the US)
• Propane is most commonly compressed to a non-cryogenic liquid
• Widely available • Because of liquid form, virtually always a “fast
fill” operation
Electricity
• Charging for plug-in vehicles comes in several forms: – Level 1: Ordinary 120V AC outlet – Level 2: 240V AC at high current – Level 3: Competing AC and DC standards and not
clearly defined yet • The grid that supplies NJ offers relatively
“clean” electricity and it gets cleaner every year.
Which fuels are available in NJ?
• Readily available – Electricity – Natural gas – Propane
• Limited availability – Biodiesel – Ethanol or E85 – Biofuels like landfill gas
Not all alternative fuels are equal
• Emissions – HC, NOx, PM – Greenhouse gases
• Fuel economy • Sustainability • Energy security • Costs
– Upfront vehicle costs – Fuel costs – Maintenance costs
• Range and refueling
Alternative fuel comparison table Hybrid
Electric Flex Fuel
(Ethanol)1 CNG
(Natural Gas) Propane
(LPG) Electric
Efficiency (MPG equivalent)
Positive Negative Negative Negative Positive
Air Pollution (VOC, CO, NOx,
PM)
Positive Neutral
Positive Positive Positive
Greenhouse Gases
Positive Neutral Negative Positive Positive
Sustainability Positive Neutral2 Negative Negative Positive
Energy Security Positive Neutral2 Positive Positive Positive
1. Assumes the vehicle is operated on mostly ethanol (E85). 2. Depends on how the ethanol is produced; could be positive or negative
Efficiency
• This compares the efficiencies of different technologies in term of converting on-board energy into motive power: – Conventional spark-ignition engine ~20% – Hybrid drive (gasoline-electric) ~30% – Diesel engine ~45% – Electric drive ~90%
• This is NOT a well-to-wheels comparison
Maintenance issues
• Generally, alternative fuels can offer reduced vehicle maintenance – Hybrid and electric vehicles don’t use brake pads
as fast because of regenerative braking – Gaseous fuels (propane and CNG) produce fewer
engine deposits, spark plug fouling and oil contamination
– Electric vehicles don’t use as many engine fluids to check/change
Cost issues
• In most cases, an alternative fuel vehicle will cost more than a conventional fuel vehicle
• Consider total cost of ownership – Reduced fuel cost (often a major factor) – Reduced maintenance – Longer engine life
• Consider the neighborhood impact of a cleaner, quieter vehicle
Types of Electric Vehicles
• Hybrid – Series: engine -> generator -> batteries -> motor -> wheels – Parallel: engine -> wheels engine -> generator -> batteries -> motor -> wheels
• Plug-in hybrid – Same as above except batteries may be also
charged by plugging in • Battery electric
– batteries -> motor -> wheels – Batteries are only charged by plugging in
Examples of Electric Vehicles
• Nissan Leaf • Mitsubishi i-MiEV • Ford Focus Electric • Ford Transit Connect EV • Raser (mostly truck conversions for fleets)
Examples of Electric Vehicles
• Navistar (class 2c-3 truck)
Examples of Electric Vehicles
• Smith Electric Vehicles (box, utility and stake trucks, 42-passenger school bus)
Examples of Electric Vehicles
• Proterra (transit buses)
Examples of Light Electric Vehicles
• Often a good fit for localized law enforcement and neighborhood patrols – Electric bikes (numerous brands and types) – T3 Motion – Segway
Examples of Hybrid Electric Vehicles
• Toyota Prius • Honda Civic • Honda Insight • Chevy Volt • Toyota Camry • Ford Fusion • Hyundai Sonata • Kia Optima • Ford Escape • Toyota Highlander • Raser (mostly truck conversions for fleets) • Some medium and heavy trucks (diesel-electric)
Examples of Propane Vehicles
• Ford Transit Connect (CNG/LPG engine prep package)
• Ford E-Series Vans (CNG/LPG engine prep package)
• Ford F-Series Super Duty Pickups (CNG/LPG engine prep package)
Examples of CNG Vehicles
• Honda Civic • Ford Transit Connect (CNG/LPG engine prep
package) • Ford E-Series Vans (CNG/LPG engine prep
package) • Ford F-Series Super Duty Pickups (CNG/LPG
engine prep package) • VPG MV-1 (specifically designed to accommodate
disabilities, wheelchair accessible)
What is not an alternative fuel (avoiding fuel additives and devices)
• There are no “magic bullets” that improve fuel economy or decrease emissions.
• Beware of magnets, fuel additives, electrolyzers, and devices that claim to break down gasoline and make it easier to burn.
• The only “devices” that work are those that alter driver behavior (e.g., avoid hard acceleration and braking).
