Alternative fuel | Positives | Negatives |
Hydrogen - Fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) | - Quick fueling 300-500 mile range
- Conducive to Class 7 and 8 vehicles
- Warm water vapor exhaust
- Often lighter than similar BEVs
- Federal funds are allocated for hydrogen fueling and battery-electric vehicle charging stations along major freight corridors
- May qualify for up to a $40,000 Commercial Clean Vehicle Credit
| - Limited fueling locations (California and Canada primarily)
- Evolving technology
- Expensive (cost may be in excess of $700,000 per truck without subsidies)
- High-pressure cold storage or chemicals needed to achieve low density
|
Compressed natural gas (CNG) | - Widespread availability
- Relatively low cost
- Similar performance to gasoline or diesel engines
- Can be used in dual-fuel engines
- Can convert gasoline or diesel vehicles to CNG
- No particulate filter issues or cost
| - Need liquified natural gas (LNG) or more storage tanks to increase range
- Limited fueling infrastructure
- Possible facility modifications for fueling and to meet fire, electrical, mechanical, building and other safety codes for natural gas
|
Renewable natural gas (biomethane) | - Relatively low cost
- Widespread availability in CA
- Reliable powertrains
- Growing in use
- Interchangeable with CNG
| - 60% of supply is in California
- Possible facility modifications for fueling and to meet fire, electrical, mechanical, building and other safety codes for natural gas
|
Biodiesel | - Better lubricity and similar performance to petroleum diesel
- Available from the same locations as petroleum diesel and sold in most states
- More thorough combustion
- Cost after subsidies often similar to petroleum diesel
| - Expensive per gallon without government incentives
- Limited feedstock of cooking oil to sustain production
- Oxygen content limits storage time
- Freezes at 34 degrees (soybean feedstock) versus 16 degrees for petroleum diesel
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Propane | - Widely available via several public and private refueling options
- Similar performance to conventional fuels
- Can be used in bi-fuel vehicles (gasoline and propane)
- Greater range than gasoline-only when in a bi-fuel vehicle
- Potentially lower maintenance costs and total cost of ownership
- Conversions from gasoline to propane possible
- Diagnostic and maintenance equipment similar to that used on gasoline engines
- Lower carbon and oil contamination can extend engine life
- Performs better than diesel in cold climates
| - Slightly lower fuel economy than gasoline
- Additional fuel weight needed to extend the range
- Emissions reductions may not meet the most stringent upcoming standards
- High additional cost over gasoline vehicles but on par with diesel vehicles
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Ethanol (ethyl alcohol) | - Widespread availability at existing fueling facilities
- Approved for use in model year 2001 and newer gasoline engines
- Renewable
- Higher octane than gasoline, which provides increased power and performance
- E10 (10 percent ethanol) or less require no gasoline engine modifications
| - Contains less energy per gallon than gasoline, depending on the blend and engine optimization for ethanol
- Distribution is limited to short distances
- Needs significant land to grow crops
- Costly to produce and requires government subsidies Reliant on growing season weather
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