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Green
Vehicles
Our Alternatively Fueled Vehicles History of Alternatively Fueled Vehicles Alternative Fuel Vehicle Classifications
Green vehicles, environmentally friendly cars, alternatively fueled vehicles, call them whatever you like, just pay attention to them as they are here to stay! Many people call them the wave of the future, however Henry Ford and and Rudolf Diesel would disagree. Alternatively fueled vehicles (AFVs) are not as new as you might think. Over 100 years ago, when Rudolf Diesel created his prototype diesel engine, he ran it on peanut oil and thought that all diesel engines would run on a variety of vegetable oils. When Henry Ford created the first Model T, he expected ethanol, a renewable fuel made from corn, to be the major fuel used. Due to the number of vehicles, the types of fuels we use, and the number of miles we drive, mobile sources (cars, trucks, etc.) are responsible for 45% of the smog produced in this area. To find out more about AFVs, how they have changed over the years, and whether one is right for you, please look at the assortment of links provided below*. Our Alternatively Fueled Vehicles At the Hamilton County Department of Environmental Services, we have several alternative fuel vehicles and plan to add more in the future.
History of Alternative Fueled Vehicles History of Biodiesel from Pacific Biofuel. History of Electric Cars by the Electric Car Owners Club. There are two types of standard that a state may follow, the Federal standards or the stricter California standards. Both Federal and California tailpipe standards limit exhaust emissions of five pollutants: hydrocarbons (HC), nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), particulate matter (PM, for diesel vehicles only), and formaldehyde (HCHO). Hydrocarbons and NOx are the major contributors to urban smog. The Plain English Guide to Tailpipe Standards provides more information about the differences in these standards. Alternative Fueled Vehicle Classifications There are many terms in use for the many levels of emission produced by green vehicles. It can become confusing as they all mean slightly different things and can have different emission standards. In fact, a car does not need to use an alternative fuel to fit some of these classifications. What do all of the terms and acronyms actually mean? Introduction To All Alternative Fuels The Alternative Fuel Data Center is a one-stop shop for all of your alternative fuel and vehicle information needs. Introduction to many different alternative fuels from New Hampshire's Alternative Fuel Vehicle Project. Biodiesel Harvesting Clean Energy for Rural Development: Biodiesel, a report by the Climate Solutions (adobe acrobat required, free download). Electric Electric Drive Transportation Association has all you need to know about electric vehicles including: environmental, sales, and infrastructure information. Natural Gas Introduction to NGVs from the Natural Gas Vehicle Forum. Ethanol Introduction to Ethanol Vehicles from the Alternative Fuels Data Center. Hybrid Electric (HEV) Introduction to HEVs from the Department of Energy. Although HEV's are environmentally friendly and fuel efficient, they are not technically an alternatively fueled vehicle under the Energy Policy Act of 1992. Compare alternative fuel properties. Provided by the Department of Energy. Many motor companies have developed, or are developing, Alternative Fuel Vehicles (AFVs). Here are some links that may be of some assistance to you. Compare AFVs at this site from the Environmental Protection Agency, includes information for 2003 vehicles. Compare AFVs in this database provided by the Department of Energy On-Board Diagnostics in Light-Duty Trucks Information about on-board diagnostics (OBD) for light duty trucks. Also contains copies of light-duty OBD regulations, guidance and technical reports. Electric buses energize Chattanooga The Veggie Van that runs on vegetable oil and smells like french fries! More success stories can be found at the Alternative Fuels Data Center. * The DOES does not endorse, warrant, or guarantee the products, services or information described or offered at external links. The links are provided for the convenience of the user, and DOES is not responsible for the availability or content of these external sites.
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