HOME

Alcohol Fuels...

 

activitybook
Alternative Fuels
Activity Book

 

Who we are

Who
we are
   

Meetings

Meetings
& Events
   

Fuels and air quality

"Clean"
   Fuels

 


  • ... are clean-burning, providing reduced emissions from cars, trucks, and buses.
  • ... could be produced locally from crops grown in Hawaii. See the report, Siting Evaluation for Biomass-Ethanol Production in Hawaii.
  • ... could also be produced from waste products such as waste paper or grass and tree trimmings.
  • Local production of fuels from Hawaii-grown crops supports agricultural jobs.
  • Supporting local business keeps dollars in-state and contributes to a healthy state economy. See Hawaii's Tax Incentive for Investment in Ethanol Production Facilities.
  • Production of fuels in-state provides energy self-sufficiency.
Click for larger image Methanol Flexible-Fueled Vehicle
One of the University of Hawaii's flexible-fuel vehicles.
Flexible-fuel vehicles can run on alcohol fuels or gasoline.
The sugarcane in the background is one possible source for alcohol fuel.



race_flags

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION

"Flexible fuel" alcohol vehicles have an on-board fuel sensor which senses the % alcohol present in the fuel mixture and automatically adjusts the engine. Vehicles can operate on any combination from 85% alcohol/15% gasoline to 100% gasoline.


vehicle

VEHICLE AVAILABILITY

  • Flexible fuel alcohol vehicles are available in selected models from major auto manufacturers (Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, Mazda, etc.) and are covered by standard automakers' warranties. Examples: Chrysler Town&Country, Dodge Caravan, Plymouth Voyager, Ford Ranger, Ford Taurus, Chevrolet S-10, Chevrolet Tahoe, Mazda B3000 pickup.
  • For a listing of this model year's vehicles, go to: www.afdc.doe.gov/afvehicles.html.
  • Heavy-duty vehicles are also available. Several hundred alcohol-fueled buses and trucks have been used by transit agencies and trucking companies for reduced emissions.



cost

COST

  • Although alcohol fuel is not yet locally produced, if alcohol fuel was produced locally, it would be priced to be competitive with gasoline at the pump.
  • If alcohol fuel was shipped in from out-of-state in small quantities, it would be more expensive than gasoline or diesel fuel due to lack of economies of scale.
  • The "flexible fuel" option is usually no extra charge; some automakers have even offered rebates for fleet purchase of vehicles with the flexible fuel option.
  • Alternative fuels are eligible for a lower Hawaii State highway (fuel) tax rate.


fueling

 

 

FUELING

  • Alcohols are liquid fuels and use standard gasoline-style equipment; same as refueling with gasoline.
  • An alcohol fueling station operated on Oahu for several years; however, the demonstration has been completed and the fueling station is no longer available.
  • It is possible to refuel flexible-fuel vehicles with gasoline if necessary.
  • Several companies have considered ethanol production from sugarcane bagasse, fast-growing grass crops, and/or organic waste (grass clippings, waste paper, yard and wood waste).

 

 

FUEL AVAILABILITY

  • Not currently available in Hawaii.

 

smog

EMISSIONS

  • Alcohol fuels are clean-burning, with reduced emissions of particulates and toxics.

earth_lightbulb

AND...

  • Alcohol fuel (methanol) has been used as a racing fuel at the Indianapolis 500 Motor Speedway (for reasons of safety and performance) for the past 20 years.

DISCLAIMER:    Please note that we do not necessarily verify, endorse or agree with statements or opinions presented on the listed sites. Links are provided to sites that appeared to provide information, present additional perspectives, or lead to further discussion on this or related topics.

 

OTHER LINKS


More:

 

 

 

 


HOME

This page is: ccfsaf.html
This page was last updated on: 05/17/2001. fueltaxes propane biodiesel alcohol HOME