Fuel Blends

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Fuel Blends - Hydrogen/Natural Gas

Hydrogen/natural gas blends (HCNG) provide the opportunity of immediate vehicle emissions benefits and petroleum displacement, while paving the way toward a potential future of  hydrogen-based transportation. This future may involve the use of hydrogen in internal combustion engines and/or the use of fuel cell vehicles powered by hydrogen.

On-going research is being done to determine the benefits and economics of hydrogen as a vehicle fuel. Early experience has shown that hydrogen used in an internal combustion engine, either as 100% hydrogen or blended with natural gas, has the potential to offer emissions, maintenance and power benefits relative to vehicles powered by compressed natural gas. However, the economics of hydrogen-powered vehicles are still 'not well defined' according to those involved in current research and development. In addition, several hydrogen infrastructure issues require greater understanding and development, including hydrogen production and storage.

Research is also being done on the use of hydrogen to power fuel cells in vehicles. While several manufacturers have produced demonstration vehicles, there are currently no commercially viable fuel cell vehicles available. 

The U.S. Department of Energy is supporting light- and heavy-duty HCNG projects. 

• DOE's Advanced Vehicle Testing Activity (AVTA) includes the teaming of industry partners to demonstrate the viability of HCNG through projects such as the hydrogen and compressed natural gas (CNG) generation and fueling facility in Phoenix, Arizona. For more information, visit AVTA's Hydrogen Blended Fueled Vehicles project.
• DOE's Natural Gas Vehicle Technology Forum is supporting a project to develop heavy-duty HCNG engines and transit buses. The HCNG engines demonstrated lower emissions than similar engines fueled with CNG alone with no significant change in fuel efficiency.
• DOE's  FreedomCAR and Vehicle Technologies Program is focused on the development of emission- and petroleum-free cars and light trucks. FreedomCAR focuses on the high-risk research needed to develop the necessary technologies, such as fuel cells and advanced hybrid propulsion systems.
• DOE's Hydrogen, Fuel Cells and Infrastructure Technologies Program is working with partners to accelerate the development and successful market introduction of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies.
  

The U.S. Department of Energy's Clean Cities Program provides additional information about hydrogen/natural gas blends, including details on current research and demonstration programs and links to additional resources.