Technology
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Clean Cities Website provides more information about exciting new technologies that can contribute to a reduction in petroleum fuels consumption. For additional resources, please visit the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).
Bio Fuels
Biodiesel: Biodiesel is renewable alternative fuel produced from a wide range of vegetable oils and animal fats. Pure biodiesel or biodiesel blended with petroleum diesel can be used to fuel diesel vehicles, providing energy security and emissions and safety benefits.
Ethanol: This Ethanol subsite represents a joint effort of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Biomass and Vehicle Technologies Programs and covers the entire production cycle of ethanol, from the field to the fuel tank. For information on other biofuels, go to the Fuels section of the Department of Energy’s Web site.
EV (Electric Vehicles)
Electricity can be used to power electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles directly from the power grid. Vehicles that run on electricity produce no tailpipe emissions. The only emissions that can be attributed to electricity are those generated in the production process at the power plant. Electricity is easily accessible for the short-range driving.
Hydrogen
Hydrogen has the potential to revolutionize transportation and, possibly, our entire energy system. The simplest and most abundant element in the universe, hydrogen can be produced from fossil fuels and biomass and even by electrolyzing water. Producing hydrogen with renewable energy and using it in fuel cell vehicles holds the promise of virtually pollution-free transportation and independence from imported petroleum.
Natural Gas
Natural Gas is a domestically produced alternative fuel and is readily available to end users through the utility infrastructure. It can produce significantly fewer harmful emissions than gasoline or diesel when used in natural gas vehicles.
Propane
Propane, also known as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), is used by many fleets. It has a high energy density, giving propane vehicles good driving range, and propane fueling infrastructure is widespread.
Methanol
Also known as wood alcohol, methanol can be used as an alternative fuel. The use of methanol has dramatically declined since the early 1990s, and auto makers are no longer manufacturing vehicles that run on it.
Blends
Blending amounts of alternative fuel with conventional fuel is an important option for reducing petroleum consumption. Examples of low-level fuel blends include E10 (10% ethanol/90% gasoline), B5 (5% biodiesel.95% diesel), and B2 (2% biodiesel/98% diesel). Blends can also consist of two types of alternative fuels, such as hydrogen and compressed natural gas (HCNG), which can be a combination of 20% hydrogen/80% CNG. B20 (20% biodiesel/80% diesel) and E85 (85% ethanol/15% gasoline) are not considered low level blends.
Hybrids
Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) combine the benefits of high fuel economy and low emissions with the power, range, and convenience of conventional diesel and gasoline fueling. HEV technologies also have potential to be combined with alternative fuels and fuel cells to provide additional benefits. Future offerings might also include plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.
“Clean Fuels for a Greater Baton Rouge”
The Greater Baton Rouge Clean Cities Coalition is a designated affiliate of the Department of Energy program in conjunction with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. We appreciate support provided by the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources and all of our generous stakeholders. Membership to GBRCCC is available to the public at large. Subscribe to our newsletter today.