Alternative Fuels and Technologies

Alternative Fuels & Technologies*

Alternative fuels, as defined by the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPAct), include ethanol, natural gas, propane, hydrogen, biodiesel*, electricity, methanol, and p-series fuels. These fuels are being used worldwide in a variety of vehicle applications.

Using these alternative fuels in vehicles can generally reduce harmful pollutants and exhaust emissions. In addition, most of these fuels can be domestically produced and derived from renewable sources.

Use these alternative fuels pages to learn more about the fuels, their benefits, and how they can be used in personal and fleet vehicles. You can compare alternative fuels properties, including benefits, environmental impacts, and more.

Alternative Fuel Station Locator

Alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) are any dedicated, flexible-fuel, or dual-fuel vehicle designed to utilize at least one alternative fuel as an energy source. Today, vehicle manufacturers are producing alternative fuel vehicles in a variety of makes and models such as in sedans, pickup trucks, sport utility vehicles, and vans, shuttle buses, medium-duty vehicles (such as delivery trucks), heavy-duty buses, and heavy-duty trucks. Alternative fuels can be used in heavier, commercial-type vehicles such as delivery trucks as well as transit buses and heavy-duty trucks. AFVs can easily be used in consumer or fleet applications, and incentives are available to make them cost effective for both.

Fuel blends are derived by the blending low levels of alternative fuels with conventional fuels and are an important option for reducing petroleum consumption. Clean Cities supports the use of ethanol and biodiesel fuel blends (such as E10, B2, B5, and blends of hydrogen and natural gas).

The Alamo Area Clean Cities Coalition promotes the use of fuel blends by providing educational resources that

Address the benefits of fuel blends;
Assist in determining which blends make sense regionally; a
Educate heavy-duty fleets about the fuel blend benefits.

Click on the links below to learn more about the fuel blends that currently available.

To find out about other advanced technology vehicles, such as hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, go to the Clean Cities Advanced Technology Vehicles site.

Clean Cities works to educate truckers and others in the industry about idle reduction opportunities. This is accomplished by promoting anti-idling practices, such as not idling for more than five minutes, as well as promoting the use of idle-reduction technologies. These technologies include truck stop electrification and auxiliary power units. The US Environmental Protection Agency supports the development of idle-free corridors through the EPA Smartway Transport Partnership (http://www.epa.gov/smartway/). Two major interstates in San Antonio are currently being developed as idle-free corridors – Interstate 10 and Interstate 35.

To learn more about the idle reduction technologies and initiatives through the Clean Cities program, click on the links below.

What is idle reduction?

Idle reduction benefits

Opportunities and Successes

Available Equipment

Laws & Regulations

Research and Development

Information Resources

* - Page content courtesy of the U.S. Department of Energy

Alamo Area Clean Cities Alternative Fuels Survey E85 Station Funding Opportunities Region Newsletter Alternative Fuels & Technologies
	Alternative Fuels & Technologies* Alternative fuels, as defined by the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPAct), include ethanol, natural gas, propane, hydrogen, biodiesel, electricity, methanol, and p-series fuels. These fuels are being used worldwide in a variety of vehicle applications. Using these alternative fuels in vehicles can generally reduce harmful pollutants and exhaust emissions. In addition, most of these fuels can be domestically produced and derived from renewable sources. Use these alternative fuels pages to learn more about the fuels, their benefits, and how they can be used in personal and fleet vehicles. You can compare alternative fuels properties, including benefits, environmental impacts, and more. Alternative Fuel Station Locator* Alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) are any dedicated, flexible-fuel, or dual-fuel vehicle designed to utilize at least one alternative fuel as an energy source. Today, vehicle manufacturers are producing alternative fuel vehicles in a variety of makes and models such as in sedans, pickup trucks, sport utility vehicles, and vans, shuttle buses, medium-duty vehicles (such as delivery trucks), heavy-duty buses, and heavy-duty trucks. Alternative fuels can be used in heavier, commercial-type vehicles such as delivery trucks as well as transit buses and heavy-duty trucks. AFVs can easily be used in consumer or fleet applications, and incentives are available to make them cost effective for both. Fuel blends are derived by the blending low levels of alternative fuels with conventional fuels and are an important option for reducing petroleum consumption. Clean Cities supports the use of ethanol and biodiesel fuel blends (such as E10, B2, B5, and blends of hydrogen and natural gas). The Alamo Area Clean Cities Coalition promotes the use of fuel blends by providing educational resources that Address the benefits of fuel blends; Assist in determining which blends make sense regionally; a Educate heavy-duty fleets about the fuel blend benefits. Click on the links below to learn more about the fuel blends that currently available. To find out about other advanced technology vehicles, such as hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, go to the Clean Cities Advanced Technology Vehicles site. Clean Cities works to educate truckers and others in the industry about idle reduction opportunities. This is accomplished by promoting anti-idling practices, such as not idling for more than five minutes, as well as promoting the use of idle-reduction technologies. These technologies include truck stop electrification and auxiliary power units. The US Environmental Protection Agency supports the development of idle-free corridors through the EPA Smartway Transport Partnership (http://www.epa.gov/smartway/). Two major interstates in San Antonio are currently being developed as idle-free corridors – Interstate 10 and Interstate 35. To learn more about the idle reduction technologies and initiatives through the Clean Cities program, click on the links below. What is idle reduction? Idle reduction benefits Opportunities and Successes Available Equipment Laws & Regulations Research and Development Information Resources * - Page content courtesy of the U.S. Department of Energy