Types of Alternative Fuel Vehicles

by Guile Canencia

As the new millennium begins, people have never been so eco-conscious. In recent years, the imminent threat of global warming has compelled us to re-consider how we do and make things. This is most especially true when it comes to our daily means of transport — the car — which unfortunately, ranks among the major contributors of air pollution (and noise pollution) in the world. Thankfully, scientists are continuing to explore new ways to address this. One of these is the use of alternative fuel vehicles (AFV).

An AFV is any vehicle that doesn’t run on petrol or diesel fuel, although a car can be considered an AFV if it doesn’t rely exclusively on petroleum to function (like hybrid cars, which rely on petrol fuel and electricity). What are the different kinds of AFV? Let’s find out.

Hybrids. Hybrids use both gasoline and electricity to run. These vehicles normally feature an internal combustion engine and a battery pack which combine to give the vehicle its propulsion power. Hybrid cars have gained popularity over the years — the most common examples are the Toyota Prius and the Honda Insight.

Battery Electric Vehicles. As its name applies, a BEV depends on the power of its battery pack. BEVs are among the cleanest vehicles because they don’t produce any carbon emission at all. Battery types may include nickel cadmium, lithium-ion, zinc-air or lead-acid batteries.

Biofuel Cars. Bioalcohol (or Ethanol) and Biodiesel are two types of biofuels that can be used on automobiles. There are still biofuel cars available today but most prefer the flexible-fuel vehicle.

Flexible-fuel Vehicles. With FFVs, you can use more than one type of alternative fuel. This is possible through the use of a multifuel engine which allows you to mix certain alternative fuels in the tank and is combusted as one. These cars are mostly found in the US and South America.

“Gas”-Powered Cars. Certain types of AFVs also run using compressed natural gas, biogas, liquid petroleum gas (or autogas), nitrogen gas, propane and hydrogen. Usually, these cars are your standard petroleum-using vehicles whose engines are modified to burn the alternative gaseous fuels.

The Solar Car. Solar cars use solar panels in order to harness the power of the sun. This type of AFV has been around for decades but unfortunately, no practical prototype has been developed yet for the masses. Nevertheless, countless solar car contests and races are being held every year and participated in by schools and universities all over the world.

AFVs may be environment-friendly but it has its disadvantages, too. AFVs are still a bit more expensive than the usual cars in the market and the availability of alternative fuels is still very limited. But still, the future promises more developments, new possibilities. Who knows? The first commercially-successful AFV may just be around the corner.