Currently, there are many types of alternative fuel vehicles being researched, but only a handful of them are practical enough to be mass produced. One of them is the electric vehicle. These vehicles are powered by electric motors and batteries that are stored inside the car. These batteries can be recharged when the car is plugged into a standard 120 or 240 volt outlet. There are currently about 4,000 electric vehicles on the road today and most of them are conversions from gas cars. The conversion kits usually range from $4,000 to $8,000. As for the electronic vehicles' comparison to conventional gas vehicles, most are better, and the cost of their maintenance is about the same. The operating cost for electricity is about half the cost for that of gas. There is no combustion, so the only source of pollution is the power plant that creates the electricity. The only major drawback of electric vehicles is the range, which is usually only 60-90 miles per charge, but GM has recently developed a new nickel metal hydride battery that could double this range.
There are also types of alternative fuels that use the more conventional method of combustion. The most popular of these is methanol. Methanol is a form of alcohol that has about half the energy content of gasoline. It is "fuel flexible" which means that it can be used in any ratio with gasoline and mixed in the same tank. The most common ratio is an 85% methanol to 15% gasoline blend that is called M85. This small percentage of gasoline is added to give the methanols' clear flame some color. The only conversion required of a conventional car is a methanol sensor to detect the percentage of methanol in the mixture, this sensor usually only costs around $1,000. Using methanol, a car's horsepower is increased by 7 to 10% and the exhaust emissions are half of that of gas. Since methanol is an alcohol, it is also a renewable resource. The only drawback is the fact that it cost about double that of gas to run a conventional car.
The other type of alcohol that is used in combustion cars is ethanol. Ethanol is a grain alcohol most commonly produced by corn. Like methanol, it too is used in an 85 to 15% mixture known as E85. For all other purposes it is very similar to methanol.
The two other major "alternative" fuels are both fossil fuels. For this reason, they do not fit under the EPA's definition of "alternative." These fuels are propane and natural gas. Propane is a gas in its natural state and liquefies under pressure. Propane is a cleaner fuel and offers a range closest to gasoline. Propane cars emit about 60% less carbon monoxide as conventional gas cars and have less carbon build up, which means they last 2 to 3 times longer. Conversion costs for a normal truck runs in the price range of $1,000 to $2,000. Recharging the vehicle usually releases some unburned hydrocarbons into the air. The only other major drawback to propane is the loss of truck space due to installation of the tank which is the size of a spare tire or larger.
The other fossil fuel is natural gas. It is found in abundance in many areas of the world and has been used for decades in the countries where it is found. Natural gas produces 70% less carbon monoxide and is much safer to burn than gasoline. Maintenance is considerably less and the mileage is roughly the same as gasoline. Conversion cost of a modern car is around $3,000. Other than the vehicle's bulky tank and lower range, natural gas has few drawbacks and is a good alternative to gasoline.
