Triangle Clean Cities, as part of the U.S. DOE Clean Cities Coalition, champions the adoption of alternative fuel sources to lessen our dependence on petroleum in the transportation sector. This shift not only bolsters energy security but also yields economic benefits such as job creation, along with environmental and health advantages for citizens.
Discover more about the alternative fuels we endorse:
- Ethanol: Derived from fermenting organic materials like corn, grains, and forestry waste, ethanol is a naturally oxygenated fuel. It’s commonly blended with gasoline, with options like E10 (a premium high-octane gasoline) and E85 (85% ethanol, 15% gasoline) for light-duty vehicles.
- Natural Gas: Primarily composed of methane, natural gas is sourced underground and extracted through gas wells or alongside crude oil production. It can be stored as compressed natural gas (CNG) or liquid natural gas (LNG), offering cost savings compared to traditional fuels.
- Hydrogen Fuel Cell: Hydrogen, a clean alternative fuel, can be produced from domestic resources. While still in its nascent stage in the transportation sector, efforts are underway to ensure clean, economical, and safe production and distribution for fuel cell vehicles, which are gradually entering consumer markets.
- Electric: Electric vehicles (EVs) utilize electric motors powered by on-board batteries, with energy sources for charging independent of the vehicle. Charging options include solar cells and the utility grid, making EVs a promising sustainable transportation solution.
- Propane: Also known as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), propane is a by-product of natural gas processing and crude oil refining. Non-toxic and virtually odorless, propane becomes a liquid under moderate pressure and is commonly used as an alternative fuel due to its versatility and cleanliness.
- Biodiesel: Produced from organic feed sources like soybeans and cooking oil, biodiesel is a diesel fuel alternative. It can be used in its pure form (B100) or blended with petroleum diesel to enhance cost efficiency and cold weather performance, commonly seen as B20 blends.