| Topic | Summary |
| Alternate fuel technology |
Vehicles on the road today are cleaner and more efficient than ever. But we cannot continue to rely solely on the traditional fuels. We can expect to see a continued growth in the development and introduction of Alternative Fuel Vehicles. |
| A market overview of alternative fuel vehicles | Today, both road and nonroad vehicles are powered by a variety of alternate fuels such as propane, natural gas, electricity, ethanol, methanol, bio-diesel, synthetics and even hydrogen. But availability, delivery to the end user, and sometimes price remain obstacles to their widespread acceptance. |
| Clean fuel technology and energy independence |
Under EPAct, federal, state and local government fleets, energy providers and others were mandated to purchase ever-increasing numbers of alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) for fuels other than petroleum. |
| Clean vehicles, fuels and clean air |
Emissions standards have tightened with each year’s passing and tend to vary according to state and locality, along with how they are to be measured. |
| Clean indoor vehicles |
Non-road outdoor units are typically gasoline or diesel, propane or battery-electric powered. Most indoor units have internal combustion engines. For air quality and safety reasons, most are powered using propane. |
| The quiet diesel evolution |
There have been many improvements to light-duty diesel engines over the last few years. These improvements have increased their demand in the marketplace as customers look for vehicles with better fuel economy without sacrificing power and vehicle space. |
| Clean diesel technology |
Newer diesel vehicles have the ability to more completely and efficiently burn fuel within the engine. Primary enhancements include: improved fuel delivery systems, improved configuration of combustion chambers, and turbocharging. |
| Battery electric vehicles |
Electric motorcars were introduced in 1834. Electric “motor fuel” pre-dates gasoline and diesel, and offers strong benefits over fossil fuels and the internal combustion engine (ICE). Electric vehicles, however, will not replace the internal combustion engine. |
| Hybrid electric vehicles |
Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) are somewhat similar to today’s conventional automobile except for their two “engines” or sources of power. HEV's use an electric motor to serve as a supplemental power source for peak-load conditions. |
| Hybrid electric vehicle models |
Most people recognize the internal combustion hybrid electric vehicle will be an interim step towards achieving near pollution free transportation and cargo handling. |
| Service hybrid electric vehicles – safely! |
As with any vehicle, hybrids need routine services, such as tire rotation, alignment and brakes, as well as servicing high voltage battery packs, hybrid drive systems and motor electronics which introduces new challenges for technicians. |
| Ethanol and methanol |
Ethanol is often called grain alcohol and is principally made from fermented corn. Methanol is known as wood alcohol and is principally made from natural gas. They’re part of the growing fleet of alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) on the road today. |
| Natural gas |
Natural gas vehicles have filled a “niche” in the marketplace for many years. Until recently most NGVs were converted so the driver could select either natural gas or gasoline. |
| Propane |
Propane as a motorfuel is often used by fleets for powering tractors and tugs, pickups, delivery trucks, police vehicles, shuttle vans, school buses, coaches, and fire/rescue equipment. Propane provides almost the same range as gasoline and much more than that of CNG, ethanol, or methanol. |
| Fuel cell vehicles |
The fuel cell “engine” runs on pure hydrogen, and oxygen. The fuel cell itself emits no pollutants. Simply put, a fuel cell is a chemical reactor that generates electricity. |
| Hydrogen |
With the aid of government funding, public and private labs, universities, and organizations are all working hard to bring increasingly small, less expensive and more reliable fuel cells and vehicles to market. |
| The Race to Hydrogen – Who’s Winning? |
Today’s Hybrid Electric Vehicles are early models for tomorrow’s hydrogen-electric fuel cell vehicles, and clearly lead the race as the most practical near-term answer for reducing and eliminating petroleum use. |
