How Alternative Fuels Help The Environment
The use of alternative fuels, such as natural gas, biodiesel, and propane, to power automobiles and other equipment can help the environment by reducing emissions and increasing fuel efficiency. Domestically-produced alternative fuels also do not generate pollution involved in transporting fuel from other countries.
Biodiesel, which can be produced using some types of restaurant waste and other materials, is one of the more well-known alternative fuels for powering automobiles. According to fueleconomy.gov, it is non-toxic, biodegradable, and affects the environment less than regular diesel when burned. It does have slightly lower fuel efficiency than normal diesel, but most diesel passenger vehicles are more fuel efficient than equivalent gasoline models.
Propane is another option among the alternative fuels which can be used in vehicles. The Department of Energy (energy.gov) website indicates that approximately two-hundred thousand vehicles in the U.S. run on propane, it has less impact on the environment than gasoline, and most of it is produced in the United States. However, fueleconomy.gov doesn’t list any propane vehicles made after the year 2004, when two Ford F-150 propane truck models were available.
Another option is natural gas; fueleconomy.gov indicates that vehicles are available which run on natural gas exclusively, while others can run on either natural gas or another fuel. It states that only one new natural gas vehicle is currently available in the United States (the Honda GX CNG), but natural gas generates less pollution than gasoline and most of it is produced domestically, which will also help reduce harm to the environment.
Overall, all three above-mentioned alternative fuels help protect the environment, although their cost and other characteristics vary. Vehicles capable of running on biodiesel are the most commonly available of the three types. Check out www.Gaswatch.info for more information and to monitor feul prices in your area!