Alternative
Fuel Vehicles Benefits
Thousands
of vehicles powered by alternatives to conventional gasoline and
diesel are on America's roads, with more joining them every day.
These alternative fuels include: compressed natural gas (CNG), liquified
natural gas (LNG), liquid propane gas (LPG), methanol (M85), ethanol
(E85), electricity, hydrogen, hythane, coal-derived liquid fuels,
and fuels derived from biological materials (BioDiesel). Why
are fleet managers introducing alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs)
into their fleet? There are benefits for both the public and
fleet operators.
Energy
Independence. Concern about our country's dependence
on petroleum from unstable areas of the world has hastened development
of new domestic sources of power for vehicles and new vehicle technologies.
Transportation is a big energy user -- about one-quarter of all
American energy consumption. Today, about half of our oil is imported.
Alternative
fuels, on the other hand, are principally domestic products. Their
use creates jobs in AFV equipment manufacturing and distribution
as well as conversion and servicing sectors. As we reduce
our dependence on imports, we can keep in the US the billions of
dollars we export annually to oil-rich counties. There will
also be less risk of a jolt to the domestic economy should petroleum
supply be interrupted by political forces.
Air
Quality Improvements. Ground-level ozone pollution
remains a serious problem in many areas. Even areas not exceeding
the standards came close. Many AFVs emit fewer ozone-forming
and toxic air pollutants.
Economic
Benefits. The specific economic benefits of AFVs
will depend on the fleet, the type of vehicle contemplated and other
site-specific factors. While the capital cost of purchasing or converting
vehicles to alternative fuels remains higher than for gasoline or
diesel vehicles, the cost of fuel and maintenance may be lower.
State Alternative Fuel Incentive Grants, manufacturer incentives
and federal tax deductions can help buy down the initial increased
cost.
Regulatory
Requirements. The National Energy Policy Act requires
federal government, state government and alternative fuel supplier
fleets to include AFVs in their purchases of new light-duty vehicles.
The US Department of Energy (DOE) decided not to mandate
AFV purchases for local government and private fleets. The
DOE plans to examine options to the private and local rule to include
exchanging alternative fuel use for a credit toward an AFV purchase
and credits for purchasing medium and heavy-duty AFV's.
Being
"Green". The good-will benefits should
not be underestimated. Alternative fuel vehicles are a publicly
visible sign of an organization's commitment to environmental stewardship.
Downsides.
The most obvious downside is that vehicles usually cannot be refueled
at the corner service station. The fueling infrastructure
for many alternative fuels is only now being developed.
That's
why using AFVs in fleets rather than individually owned vehicles
is being encouraged at this time. Fleet vehicles are good
candidates because they return to a specific location to fuel or
have routine routes on which the fuel is available. Vehicles
that can use either gasoline/diesel or an alternative fuel (bi-fuel
vehicles) are a good transitional step. Soon, fleet use should
bring enough demand for alternative fuels to make them as readily
available as gasoline -- or as close as your home natural gas or
electricity supply. By joining the drive to alternative fuels
now, you'll be accelerating that process.
Are alternative
fuels realistic for your fleet right now? That's obviously
a question you will ultimately have to answer for yourself.
However, alternative fuel vehicles and their fuels are available
now.
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Biodiesel
What
might our BioDiesel plant look like? Click here to see some
examples.
Biodiesel
is a nontoxic, biodegradable replacement for petroleum diesel. Biodiesel
is made from vegetable oil, recycled cooking oil and tallow. Chemically
biodiesel is described as a mono alkyl ester. Through a process
called esterification, oils and fats are reacted with methanol or
ethanol and a catalyst such as sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide
to produce fatty acids along with the co-products: glycerin, glycerin
bottoms, soluble potash and soaps. Biodiesel belongs to a family
of fatty acids called methyl esters or ethyl esters which are defined
by the medium length, C16-18 fatty acid linked chains. These linked
chains help differentiate biodiesel from regular petroleum diesel.
Although
biodiesel contains a similar number of BTUs as petroleum diesel
(118,000 vs. 130,500 BTUs per equivalent translating to similar
engine performance in torque and horsepower), the chains are oxygenated
and have a higher flash point. This makes biodiesel a much cleaner
burning fuel while being safer to handle and store than petroleum
diesel. In tests conducted at the Colorado Institute for Fuels and
High Altitude Engine Research, a 20% blend was found to reduce particulate
discharge by 14%, total hydrocarbons by 13%, and carbon monoxide
by more than 7%.
Biodiesel
(including a B20 blend) is now recognized by both the Environmental
Protection Agency and Department of Energy as an alternative fuel,
and it qualifies for mandated programs under the Clean Air Act Amendments
(CAAA 90) and the Environmental Protection Act of 1992 (EPACT).
In addition, biodiesel is:
Non-toxic
(its toxicity is less than 10% of that for ordinary table salt)
Biodegradable
(degrades in about the same time as sugar)
Essentially
free of sulfur and carcinogenic benzene derived from renewable,
recycled resources, which don't add significantly to the green house
gas accumulation associated with petroleum derived fuels.
Direct
benefits associated with the use of biodiesel in a 20% blend with
petroleum diesel as opposed to using "straight" petroleum
diesel include:
Increasing
the fuel's cetane and lubricity for improved engine life
Reducing
substantially the emissions profile (including CO, CO2, SO2, particulate
matter (PM) and volatile organic compounds (VOC), and
Helping
to clean injectors, fuel pumps and fuel lines.
These benefits
occur while requiring virtually no engine modifications or costly
infrastructural additions. In fact, with the addition of a catalytic
converter, nitrous oxides (NOX) can be reduced as well, allowing
B20 fleets the flexibility to meet various air quality compliance
criteria.
Ultimately,
biodiesel provides the diesel fleet operators and vehicle/equipment
owners (including both on and off-road use, stationary generation,
and marine environments) the opportunity to comply seamlessly with
federal Clean Air and EPACT mandates without the burden of many
of the high costs in capitalization associated with other alternative
fuels. A number of independent studies have been conducted comparing
the various alternative fuels. Included in this list were studies
conducted by the US Department of Agriculture and the US Department
of Energy's National Renewable Energy Lab. In these, the life cycle
costs and the projected cost per mile traveled were compared and
biodiesel was substantially the most cost competitive of the alternative
fuels. (information from biodiesel Industries, http://pipeline.to/biodiesel/)
The University
of Idaho has been researching biodiesel for many years. A small
scale production, testing, and research facility located in Moscow,
Idaho, supplied biodiesel to Yellowstone National Park for use in
park vehicles. The park has since moved to a commercial supplier.
Dr. Charles Peterson, professor of Biological and Agricultural Engineering
at the University of Idaho, has conducted several tours of the facility
to demonstrate the simple process through which oilseeds are converted
to biodiesel.
Biodiesel would be refined using waste cooking oil or locally
grown canola or yellow mustard. The local availability of biodiesel
would have many benefits from a conservation standpoint, including
the protection of water resources, reduced exhaust emissions in
the vehicles which use biodiesel, and recycling of carbon through
the increased production of local oilseed crops. This local facility
would also create many economic benefits, including the creation
of local jobs and increased prices for farm commodities. In addition,
the increase production and use of biofuels such as biodiesel and
ethanol would help to decrease the dependence of the United States
on foreign oil.
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Fuel
Cells
How does
an Avista fuel cell work?
A hydrogen
fuel cell generates electricity through an electrochemical reaction
using hydrogen and oxygen. In simplified terms it works like this:
Hydrogen is sent into one side of a proton exchange membrane. The
hydrogen proton travels through the membrane, while the electron
enters an electrical circuit, creating a DC electrical current.
On the other side of the membrane, the proton and electron are recombined
and mixed with oxygen from room air, forming pure water.
Because
there is no combustion in the process, there are no other emissions,
making fuel cells an extremely clean and renewable source of electricity.
By combining
the generating power of multiple PEM cartridges, our fuel cells
can be built to meet specific loads from 50 watts to 10 kilowatts.
Please
visit Avista
Labs for more information.
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Electric
Vehicles
Fuel Description: Onboard rechargeable batteries
power an electric motor.
Domestic
Content of Fuel: Over 95%, based on current mix of input
energy (coal, natural gas, nuclear, hydropower, renewables) for electric-power
generation.
Fueling:
A cord and plug (conductive) or cord and paddle (inductive) system
connects to a 120-volt, 240-volt, or higher-voltage electrical source.
The connecting device may be located aboard the vehicle or in a fixed,
off-vehicle location.
Time needed for charging depends on voltage of the electrical source;
temperature; and size, type, and remaining state-of-charge of the
batteries.
Fuel
Availability: Most homes, government facilities, fleet garages,
and businesses have adequate electrical capacity for charging. Special
hookups or upgrades may be required.
Public charging facilities are being developed in many areas, especially
in Southern California and Arizona.
Vehicle
Experience: More than 4,000 electric vehicles are operating
throughout the United States (with the largest number in California
and the western United States). Many are conversions of gasoline-powered
vehicles.
The major auto manufacturers are producing EVs in a range of styles
and sizes. EVs are also available as bicycles, scooters, and buses.
Operational
Performance: The range for auto manufacturers' electric vehicles
spans from 50 to 130 miles. Variables include the vehicle's weight,
engineering and design features, and type of battery.
Weather extremes and use of accessories (such as heating and air conditioning)
can affect the range.
Electric drivetrains are more energy-efficient than internal combustion
engines.
Well-designed EVs can travel at the same speeds as conventional vehicles,
and provide the same safety and performance capabilities.
Maintenance
and Reliability: Different types of batteries (such as lead-acid,
nickel-metal hydride, and lithium-ion) are available depending on
the manufacturer and the vehicle.
Service requirements are expected to be somewhat less. No tune-ups,
oil changes, timing belts, water pumps, radiators, fuel injectors,
or tailpipes are required.
Safety:
Auto suppliers will assist fleets with technical training. Some community
colleges offer training for EV mechanics.
EVs produced by the manufacturers must meet all the same vehicle safety
standards as conventional vehicles.
Costs:
Battery pack replacement costs will depend on the type of batteries
and whether the vehicle is purchased or leased. Battery replacement
is included in the price of leased vehicles.
Initial commercial production vehicles are priced in the $15,000 to
$40,000 range. Tax incentives could significantly lower costs.
Many manufacturers are only offering EVs on a lease basis, with lease
prices at $349/month or more.
Electricity costs less per mile than gasoline; local utility rates
may vary.
Installation of equipment at charging locations may involve additional
expense.
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Vehicles
The
Tango
Doubling
freeways. Quadrupling parking.
0-60 mph in 4 seconds.
An ultra-narrow,
freeway-capable, stable, safe vehicle that fits anywhere a motorcycle
fits.
The Tango
will revolutionize commuter transportation in the 21st century. It
was designed to be so much fun and so convenient that if you are going
anywhere by yourself or with a friend, there should be no hesitation
in deciding which car to take.
U.S. Patent
No. 6,328,121
International patents pending.
The Tango--unique
in many ways--has the solution for some of the major problems we have
with automobiles today. Traffic has overcome the current freeway system.
There are too many 4-passenger cars using an entire lane to transport
a single person. There is also too much pollution from gasoline vehicles.
Solution:
Reduce traffic and pollution with the Tango, a car that fits its use!
This tandem two-seater can get you safely and comfortably to work
and back without wasted space or fuel. 
The
Tango--being 6" narrower than many motorcycles--takes less than
half the space of the average car on the freeway, thereby doubling
the capacity of existing freeway lanes. The Tango can fit in a future
6 foot lane easier than a truck fits in a standard 12 foot lane. To
fight pollution it is available as an electric zero-emission vehicle.
Parking too
is a major problem for most commuters. Finding space to park in congested
cities is difficult and time-consuming.
Add in the cost of parking garages and lots or the extra hassle of
moving your car and plugging the meter every hour or two, and people
will jump to an alternative when it presents itself.
That alternative
is the Tango. Size does matter. As many as four Tangos can fit in
one parallel parking space. Many parking locations also have spaces
that only motorcycles and Tangos can fit in.
Some other
long-standing concerns on the show-room floor are safety, performance,
and handling.
Because safety
is such a concern for small cars in particular, we have designed the
Tango around a roll cage that meets or exceeds both SCCA and NHRA
regulations. These are racing organizations that specify cage design
to protect the occupants of cars crashing at over 200 mph. In addition,
the extremely high strength-to-surface area ratio of a steel roll
cage allows superb visibility from within the Tango. Rollover too
is a great danger for many vehicles. The Tango, being so narrow, would
look to the layman's eye to be unstable. But in fact, the Tango has
stability that exceeds that of most sport cars.
As far as
performance goes, the Tango is no slouch. Since electric cars--especially
small ones--are generally thought to be slow and weak performers we
set out to blow some minds by designing the Tango to accelerate through
the standing 1/4 mile in 12 seconds at over 120 mph and travel from
0 to 60 mph in under 4 seconds.
And as for
handling, who would think a car this narrow could compete? All the
people we beat at the autocross!
Getting back
to the more typical drive to work, consumers may be interested in
the vehicle's range. Although the Tango can be built with a fuel cell
or internal combustion engine, conventional lead-acid batteries work
well for most commuters. Its 80-mile range is nearly 4 times the distance
the average commuter travels per day. With high-tech batteries, range
could exceed 150 miles per charge.
To minimize
any day-time inconvenience, the Tango's on-board charger is designed
to charge to 80% in under 10 minutes if 400 amp AC service is available
at a nearby charging station. This gives approximately 50 additional
miles of range per quick-charge. Typically one would just plug in
each night to a dryer outlet and get a complete charge in less than
3 hours and be ready for work the next morning.
Target
Markets:
California--meet
California's zero emission mandate with exciting and convenient cars
that sell themselves without having to be subsidized.
Planet Earth--any place with roads. It doesn't even need to be congested
because . . .
The
Tango is the FUN choice!
~
Visit their website here
~
More
Vehicle Links
Chrysler
Ford
GM
Honda
Nissan
Toyota
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CNG
What
is Natural Gas?
Natural gas
is a mixture of hydrocarbons—mainly methane (CH4)—and
is produced either from gas wells or in conjunction with crude oil
production. Natural gas is consumed in the residential, commercial,
industrial, and utility markets.
The interest
for natural gas as an alternative fuel stems mainly from its clean
burning qualities, its domestic resource base, and its commercial
availability to end-users. Because of the gaseous nature of this fuel,
it must be stored onboard a vehicle in either a compressed gaseous
state (CNG) or in a liquefied state (LNG).
Chemical
Properties: The main constituent of natural gas is methane, which
is a relatively unreactive hydrocarbon. Natural gas as delivered through
the pipeline system also contains hydrocarbons such as ethane and
propane; and other gases such as nitrogen, helium, carbon dioxide,
hydrogen sulfide, and water vapor.
How
is Natural Gas Made?
Most natural
gas consumed in the United States is domestically produced. Gas streams
produced from reservoirs contain natural gas liquids and other materials.
Processing is required to separate the gas from petroleum liquids
and to remove contaminants. First, the gas is separated from free
liquids such as crude oil, hydrocarbon condensate, water, and entrained
solids. The separated gas is further processed to meet specified requirements.
For example, natural gas for transmission companies must generally
meet certain pipeline quality specifications with respect to water
content, hydrocarbon dewpoint, heating value, and hydrogen-sulfide
content. A dehydration plant controls water content; a gas processing
plant removes certain hydrocarbon components to hydrocarbon dewpoint
specifications; and a gas sweetening plant removes hydrogen sulfide
and other sulfur compounds (when present).
Natural
Gas Market
Natural gas
is distributed throughout the United States in extensive pipeline
systems that extend from the well-head to the end user. Every Continental
State has access to natural gas through pipelines. The pipeline system
consists of long-distance transmission systems, followed by local
distribution systems. Some underground storage is also used to help
supply seasonal peak needs.
According
to the California Energy Commission, costs for a "slow fill"
system or "quick fill" system to handle public or private
fleets can range from as little as $250,000 to as much as $3 million
for a bus fleet. A compressor station typically costs $2,000 to $4,000
per vehicle served. Refueling can be done easily by trained drivers.
Costs for a compressor for use with a single vehicle in private homes
averages about $3,500. Individual home compressors use a slow-fill
system for overnight refueling. The small compressor would usually
be located in a home's garage area and would be connected directly
to the natural gas supply in the house.
To learn
more about natural gas vehicles and to see which natural gas vehicles
are available for sale or lease, go to the AFDC
Natural Gas Vehicle Page.
Benefits
Natural gas
has many benefits, which relate to economics, emissions, greenhouse
gases, safety, job creation, and domestic abundance.
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