Alternative Fuels (Alt-Fuel) | Fleet Management

Non-traditional vehicle fuel that’s not petroleum-based or diesel fuel. Examples include electric, CNG, propane, hydrogen, or E-85 (ethanol). Also known as “alt-fuel.”

Alternative fuels refer to non-traditional energy sources used to power vehicles, replacing or supplementing gasoline and diesel. These fuels are often chosen for their environmental benefits, cost savings, or compliance with sustainability regulations. Common types include electricity, compressed natural gas (CNG), propane, hydrogen, and ethanol-based blends like E-85.

Electric (EV)

Electric vehicles (EVs) are powered entirely or partially by electricity stored in rechargeable batteries. They produce zero tailpipe emissions and are increasingly adopted for light-duty and urban fleet operations. Variants include:

• BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle): Fully electric with no internal combustion engine.
• PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle): Combines electric and gasoline power with plug-in charging capability.

CNG (Compressed Natural Gas)

CNG is a fossil fuel substitute for gasoline or diesel, made by compressing natural gas to less than 1% of its volume at standard atmospheric pressure. It’s used in specially modified vehicles and is praised for lower emissions and often lower fuel costs.

Propane (LPG – Liquefied Petroleum Gas)

Propane is a clean-burning, domestically produced alternative fuel that powers internal combustion engines. It’s stored as a liquid under pressure and is commonly used in fleets requiring consistent fuel availability and performance in colder climates.

Hydrogen

Hydrogen fuel powers fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) by converting hydrogen gas into electricity. It produces only water vapor as a byproduct, making it one of the cleanest alt-fuel options—though infrastructure for refueling is still limited.

E-85 (Ethanol)

E-85 is a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline, used in flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs). Ethanol is typically made from corn or other plant materials, making E-85 a renewable fuel source with lower carbon emissions than pure gasoline.