Trends: Alternative Fuel Stations

Alternative Fuel Vehicles Need Stations
Interest in alternative fuels is growing. Vehicles that run on fuels other than conventional gasoline and diesel decrease emissions and offset the use of petroleum, and thus contribute toward energy diversity and energy security. Ultimately, it's hoped that the use of alternative fuels will also provide an answer to extremely expensive gasoline at the pump by decreasing gasoline demand. And speaking of the pump, that's one of the big challenges of alternative fuels of all types ... there just aren't enough of them available for conveniently fueling alternative fuel vehicles.

How Big is the Challenge?
About 175,000 gasoline stations exist across the U.S., making the job of fueling our cars quite easy. The same can't be said of alternative fuels. Biodiesel drivers have about 650 stations available to them nationwide, while those driving on compressed natural gas (CNG) have access to about 750 and E85 ethanol drivers can access just under 1500. The largest number of alternative fuel outlets is enjoyed by drivers whose vehicles run on propane with about 2,000 fueling outlets total, but the challenge here is that propane vehicles have been largely unavailable in recent years.

What Needs to be Done
The goal should be to match the most popular alternative fuel vehicles with accessible stations. Today, many feel that ethanol should get the most attention. Because automakers received extra credits toward Corporate Average Fuel Economy requirements for every E85 flexible-fuel vehicle sold - regardless of whether they were actually driven on ethanol rather than gasoline - these vehicles were made in huge numbers. Today there are over 6 million E85 flexible-fuel vehicles on American roads. You can imagine how many run on gasoline since only 1500 stations dispense E85 across the country, about one station for every 4,000 flexible-fuel vehicles. What needs to be done is abundantly clear: make more stations available.

Industry Support is Crucial
Industry organizations exist for all major alternative fuels. For biodiesel it's the National Biodiesel Board. Ethanol is supported by numerous organizations including the Renewable Fuels Association and the Governors Ethanol Coalition. Advanced (clean) diesel is promoted by the Diesel Technology Forum. Hydrogen efforts are supported by organizations like the National Hydrogen Association and the California Fuel Cell Partnership. Electric drive vehicles are promoted by the Electric Drive Transportation Association, while natural gas vehicles get support from NGV America. Their job, and the imperative of their members, is to promote the use and commercialization of their alternative fuel of choice. To a one, these organizations are instrumental in working with government, fuel providers, automakers, and private industry to expand the network of alternative fuel stations.

What You Can Do
The more drivers patronize alternative fuel stations, the more investment business interests will direct toward building additional stations. It's all about making good investments and generating reasonable profits. So, if you're driving one of the 6 million flexible-fuel vehicles capable of operating on E85 ethanol , then be sure you drive on this fuel if it's available near you. Companies like GM have conducted extensive PR campaigns and staged events at stations pumping E85 ethanol to publicize the fact that E85 is available in many areas. This automaker even mailed special yellow gas caps to owners of GM E85 FlexFuel vehicles so drivers would be reminded that their vehicles could operate on this alternative fuel each and every time they filled up. Drivers of diesel vehicles should consider filling up with soybean- or vegetable oil-based biodiesel since this can often run in diesel vehicles without modification, especially if areas of the country with moderate temperatures. Auto manufacturers do not universally extend engine or fuel system warranty protection to their diesel models that are run on biodiesel, so be sure to check this before using biodiesel in a late-model diesel vehicle still under warranty.