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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)

Positive Negative Negative Negative Positive

Air Pollution (VOC, CO, NOx,

PM)

Positive Neutral

Positive Positive Positive

Greenhouse Gases

Positive Neutral Negative Positive Positive

Sustainability Positive Neutral2 Negative Negative Positive

Energy Security Positive Neutral2 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