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) Air Pollution (VOC, CO, NOx, PM) Positive Negative Negative Negative Positive Positive Neutral Positive Positive Positive Greenhouse Positive Neutral Negative Positive Positive Gases Sustainability Positive Neutral 2 Negative Negative Positive Energy Security Positive Neutral 2 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).
Contact information Bureau of Mobile Sources Rob Schell rob.schell@dep.state.nj.us 609-530-4036