Alternative Fuels

Alternative Fuels as defined by the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPAct), include ethanol, natural gas, propane, hydrogen, biodiesel, electricity, methanol, and p-series fuels.  Alternative fuels reduce the number of harmful pollutants and exhaust emissions.  Most are also domestically produced and created using renewable resources. 

Ethanol

Ethanol is alcohol based created through fermenting and distilling starch crops that have been converted into simple sugars.  It can also be created from trees and grasses to make bioethanol.  Ethanol can be blended with gasoline to create the readily available E85, a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline.  Vehicles that run on E85 are called flexible fuel vehicles and are offered by several manufacturers.  To see if you car qualifies as a flexible fuel vehicle click here.

Biodiesel

Biodiesel can be used in any light- or heavy- duty diesel engine.  Biodiesel is made from natural and renewable resources such as new and used vegetable oils and animal fats.  Biodiesel is beneficial because it burns cleaner and also does not require fossil energy to move.  It does not require high pressure equipment for fueling and ca run in regular diesel engine, so no special vehicles need to be purchased for its us

These two fuels are the most readily available for the everyday user.  To find gas stations that provide these alternative fuels and to find out more information visit the following websites:

Alternative Fuel Data Center
South Shore Clean Cities