Alternative fuel vehicles

Scope

Carriers, drivers, and employers can all benefit from alternative fuel vehicles. Government and private fleets are some of the primary users.

Regulatory citations

• None

Key definitions

• Battery electric vehicles (BEVs): A type of electric vehicle (EV) powered by an electric motor that uses only rechargeable battery packs for energy.
• Biodiesel: A renewable fuel from sources such as vegetable oils, animal fats, or recycled cooking grease. The most common biodiesel blend is B20. Blends range from 6% to 20% biodiesel blended with petroleum diesel.
• Compressed natural gas (CNG): A non-renewable fossil fuel extracted through wells in subsurface rock formations.
• Ethanol (ethyl alcohol): Renewable fuel made from corn and other plant materials, also known as biomass, blended with gasoline. The blend depends on the season and geography.
• Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions: Greenhouse gases are gases that trap heat in the atmosphere. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) addresses the reduction of man-made emissions of greenhouse gases through various programs. EPA also inventories greenhouse gas emissions from the largest sources in the U.S.
• Hydrogen - Fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV): Compressed hydrogen is used in a fuel cell to provide energy for an electric motor.
• Propane: Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) or propane autogas used in fleet applications, such as school buses, shuttles, and police vehicles.
• Renewable natural gas (biomethane): Processed biomethane from decomposing organic matter or biomass– such as wastewater, plants, cow manure, or landfill waste.

Summary of requirements

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions requirements from states or the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and available state or federal incentives are major determinants as to which alternative fuel vehicle or BEVs will work for your fleet. Keep in mind, penalties can be assessed for non-compliant vehicles. It would be prudent to start developing a transition plan.

See the current emissions regulations and incentives at this DOE website: https://afdc.energy.gov/laws/

The following emissions impacts offer a high-level explanation of some of the considerations carriers should keep in mind.

• Biodiesel emissions impact: Up to a 60% tailpipe emissions reduction
• Compressed natural gas (CNG) emissions impact:10 percent lower carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions than diesel
• Ethanol (ethyl alcohol) emissions impact: May result in net emissions increase but carbon dioxide (CO2) tailpipe emissions are reduced by 40 percent (versus gasoline and diesel) with corn-based ethanol offset by the CO2 from the crops grown to produce ethanol
• Hydrogen - Fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) emissions impact: Zero tailpipe emissions (overall emissions reduction depends on the process used to generate the compressed hydrogen
• Propane emissions impact: Reduces GHG emissions by nearly 13 percent
• Renewable natural gas (biomethane) emissions impact: Negative carbon intensity1 due to harmful methane removal

Carriers should get answers to the following questions before switching to alternative fuel vehicles:

1. What emissions regulations and incentives apply to the alternative fuel in your operating area(s)?
2. How reliable is the technology, and how soon could it be obsolete?
3. How long will the vehicle last?
4. What is the total cost of ownership (TCO), including residual value?
5. What shop modifications, technician training, and safety precautions are needed to support the respective alternative fuel vehicles?
6. How does the vehicle function in extreme heat or cold temperatures?
7. How volatile is the cost of the alternative fuel?
8. What refueling infrastructure investment is needed, if any?
9. How will fuel efficiency and refueling infrastructure impact routing and service?
10. Will additional weight impact freight-hauling efficiency or safety?