Seven alternative fuels for cars and automobiles

With the growing concern over environmental issues, let’s have a look at alternate fuels for automobiles other than petrol and diesel.

  1. Biofuel: One of the Biofuel is Biodiesel. It is made from the byproduct of vegetable oils, animal fats and recycles restaurant grease products. It offers cleaner burning and is renewable. Another option is Bioethanol which is made from corn and sugarcane. Biofuel is considered as the best medium-term alternative to crude oil.
  2. Electricity: Electric car motor is run by on-board batteries that are powered by electricity. It’s a great alternative and is widely used across developed countries. However, the limitation is that battery efficiency is still limited, and they are also quite expensive.
  3. Hydrogen: This is one of the most appealing alternative fuels because of its wide availability. The Fuel Cell Electric vehicles run on hydrogen are extremely efficient and fills up rapidly. The best part is the emission is only water and warm air.
  4. Natural Gas: Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) are two forms of natural gas that are very popular and widely used. CNG is largely popular in cars whereas LNG typically powers medium to heavy long-distance vehicles. These are still fossil-based fuels.
  5. Air: Compressed air can act as petrol to drive pistons in the engine and move the vehicle. Stored in a 4500psi air tank, air as an energy source is very less dense and produces zero-emission.
  6. Heat: In a petrol or diesel car, two-third of the energy generated is wasted as heat. Use of thermoelectric panels can help in converting this wasted exhaust pipe heat into electricity which can boost energy utilization and also cut fuel consumption by five per cent!
  7. Nitrogen: Liquid nitrogen when stored in a pressurized tank and heated produces a high-pressure gas. This gas can be used to drive the piston in a car’s engine. It is a fossil-based fuel and required electricity to operate and deliver power to a vehicle.
Although our cars are mostly running on petrol or diesel now, we need to adapt and accept alternate fuels that are less harmful to our planet. This will help mankind to breath better, save ourselves from harmful emissions and preserve the overall flora and fauna of planet Earth. So, would you start with an electric car?