Alternative fuels for engines are becoming increasingly important as society seeks
to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels and mitigate the environmental impact of
combustion engines. Here are some common alternative fuels for internal
combustion engines:
1. Biofuels:
• Biodiesel: Made from renewable sources like vegetable oil or animal fats. It
can be blended with traditional diesel fuel.
• Ethanol: Typically produced from corn, sugarcane, or other plant materials.
E85 is a common ethanol blend containing up to 85% ethanol.
• Biogas: Produced from the decomposition of organic matter in landfills,
sewage treatment plants, and agricultural waste.
2. Natural Gas:
• Compressed Natural Gas (CNG): Methane gas that is stored at high
pressure and used as a clean-burning fuel for vehicles.
• Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG): Natural gas that is cooled to a very low
temperature and stored as a liquid for use in vehicles and ships.
3. Hydrogen:
• Hydrogen Fuel Cell: Combines hydrogen and oxygen to generate electricity
to power electric vehicles, emitting only water vapor as a byproduct.
4. Electricity:
• Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs): Store electricity in rechargeable batteries
to power electric motors.
• Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs): Combine an internal combustion
engine with an electric motor and can be charged via an electric outlet.
5. Synthetic Fuels:
• Synthetic Gasoline and Diesel: Produced through processes like Fischer-
Tropsch synthesis using renewable energy and carbon dioxide.
6. Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (HVO):
• A renewable diesel fuel made from hydrogenating vegetable oils or animal
fats.
7. Propane (LPG):
• A clean-burning fuel often used in forklifts, buses, and some vehicles.
8. Methanol:
• Can be produced from natural gas or biomass and used as a fuel or fuel
additive.
9. Dimethyl Ether (DME):
• A synthetic fuel that can be used as an alternative to diesel.
10. Ammonia:
• Research is ongoing to use ammonia as a carbon-free fuel for internal
combustion engines.
to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels and mitigate the environmental impact of
combustion engines. Here are some common alternative fuels for internal
combustion engines:
1. Biofuels:
• Biodiesel: Made from renewable sources like vegetable oil or animal fats. It
can be blended with traditional diesel fuel.
• Ethanol: Typically produced from corn, sugarcane, or other plant materials.
E85 is a common ethanol blend containing up to 85% ethanol.
• Biogas: Produced from the decomposition of organic matter in landfills,
sewage treatment plants, and agricultural waste.
2. Natural Gas:
• Compressed Natural Gas (CNG): Methane gas that is stored at high
pressure and used as a clean-burning fuel for vehicles.
• Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG): Natural gas that is cooled to a very low
temperature and stored as a liquid for use in vehicles and ships.
3. Hydrogen:
• Hydrogen Fuel Cell: Combines hydrogen and oxygen to generate electricity
to power electric vehicles, emitting only water vapor as a byproduct.
4. Electricity:
• Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs): Store electricity in rechargeable batteries
to power electric motors.
• Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs): Combine an internal combustion
engine with an electric motor and can be charged via an electric outlet.
5. Synthetic Fuels:
• Synthetic Gasoline and Diesel: Produced through processes like Fischer-
Tropsch synthesis using renewable energy and carbon dioxide.
6. Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (HVO):
• A renewable diesel fuel made from hydrogenating vegetable oils or animal
fats.
7. Propane (LPG):
• A clean-burning fuel often used in forklifts, buses, and some vehicles.
8. Methanol:
• Can be produced from natural gas or biomass and used as a fuel or fuel
additive.
9. Dimethyl Ether (DME):
• A synthetic fuel that can be used as an alternative to diesel.
10. Ammonia:
• Research is ongoing to use ammonia as a carbon-free fuel for internal
combustion engines.
