Alternative Automobile Fuel Source

We often think of automobile fuel as simple gasoline that you can pump from any gas station, but there are alternative fuel sources for automobiles other than gasoline.  Technology and research have found that you can power an automobile with all kinds of different fuel sources as an alternative to gasoline.  And these alternative fuel sources are great for the environment as well.

For example, electric cars have been around for centuries.  It’s true!  In the 1900’s, there were more electric cars on the road than gasoline powered ones.  With gas companies developing new and cheaper ways to produce gasoline, however, the gas powered automobiles soon became the main mode of transportation for people.

Then we had a gas shortage in the 1970’s and that prompted researchers to look for an alternative fuel source to power our automobiles.  Right now, in modern day America, gas prices have risen dramatically to the point where it is almost difficult for people to travel because it costs so much to fill up their cars.

Luckily, technology is such that we not only have alternative fuel sources, but we also have alternative fuel automobiles as well.  These automobiles run on fuels such as propane, hydrogen, ethanol, and even vegetable oil!  They cause little to no harm to the environment because they have very few to no emissions at all so no harmful chemicals are released into the air.

As technology progresses and more ways are found to produce alternative fuels cheaply, we think that the automobile industry itself will wholeheartedly embrace alternative fuel sources and begin producing more and more vehicles to meet customer needs and wants.

Right now, there are some great hybrid vehicles that are available for sale.  These automobiles can run on alternative fuel or use gasoline as their main source of power.  While not completely “green”, they are a step in the right direction when it comes to making our world a cleaner place and helping to save the environment.

Alternative fuel sources for our automobiles are being developed and perfected every day as companies along with the United States Government strive to help our world as well as our pocketbooks.  The development of alternative fuel sources in the automobile industry will continue to be honed to perfection and we could very well be seeing alternative fuels cost less than gasoline.  That would be a welcome relief, don’t you think?

Alternative Fuel Data Center

Recognizing that alternative fuels are taking our world by storm, the United States Department of Energy has set up a website called the Alternative Fuel Data Center.  This website is a huge collection of information on alternative fuels and alternative fuel vehicles.  Basically, the Alternative Fuel Data Center has just about everything you ever wanted to know about alternative fuel.

The alternative fuel data center described those fuels defined by the Energy Policy Act of 1992.  That includes bio-diesel, electricity, ethanol, hydrogen, natural gas, and propane.  The site contains more than 3,000 documents in its database.  It also provides an interactive fuel station mapping system, current listings of available alternative fuel vehicles, and lots of alternative fuels information and related links.
The Alternative Fuel Data Center was developed in 1991 in response to the Alternative Motor Fuels Act of 1988 and the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990. Since that time, the Alternative Fuel Data Center has provided key information in support of the Energy Policy Act of 1992 and the Clean Cities portfolio.
With the growing popularity of alternative fuels taking over the automotive industry, the Federal government knew that there would be millions of people with questions about these new products.  They wanted to be sure that Americans could get easy answers to the questions that they would have which is why they set up the Alternative Fuel Data Center website – to meet those needs.

There is so much information on the Alternative Fuel Data Center website, it would take forever to see and read it all.  But some highlights include the following:

* Toolkits that help coalitions and stakeholders reach their petroleum displacement goals.  These toolkits contain technical information, step-by-step instructions, and more to point the user in the right direction towards the use of alternative fuels.
* Education resources for teachers and students in kindergarten through twelfth grade.  That includes activities, workbooks, even competitions to increase their awareness of alternative fuels and how they can help the environment.
* Links to alternative fuel training site where mechanics can learn how to maintain and repair an alternative fuel vehicle.  This section lists various places that provide the training needed to become a certified alternative fuel vehicle mechanic.

But that’s just a sampling of all the information you can find on the Alternative Fuel Data Center website.  There really is a lot of great information here, so check them out online at www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/.