Alternative Fuels

We are in an age when we are increasingly looking for 'greener' ways to live our lives and the issue of fuel in as key part of this. More precisely the increasing need to find 'alternative fuels' to those mentioned above.

fuel oil

There is going to be an energy shortage in the future unless we take steps to rectify this now and there are some fuel alternatives which could offer a 'greener' option and help us to protect the environment and thus, the planet.

Liquefied petroleum gas is suitable for use in small vehicles which may have a high mileage and be used predominantly as a town or city 'runaround'. Natural gas is also an option but is best kept for use in vehicles that fill up from a depot base. Biodiesel is able to be used in a number of diesel engines now without the need for modification. A higher blend of biodiesel is able to be used with a limited amount of modification to the engine but could affect the vehicle warranty. The use of pure plant oils is not widely available in this country yet, but is similar to biodiesel. The difference here is that a heater does need to be added to the fuel line in the vehicle before the fuel can be used. Bioethanol can be used as a blend or as a direct substitute for petrol. It is produced by the fermentation of starch, sugar and cellulose plants.

Hydrogen is a very progressive alternative fuel choice and is currently used in prototype vehicles only and not available for widespread use. Vehicles that run on hydrogen will be virtually pollution free and so it is certainly a fuel of the future.