|
Alternative
Fuels
|
Main Page | Biodiesel
| Electricity
| Ethanol
| Hydrogen
| Methanol
| Natural
Gas | Propane/LPG
|
Methanol
 |
Methanol has been a popular fuel in
other parts of the country, such as for use in this Denver transit bus, but it
is not available in the Puget Sound region. |
Methanol is an alcohol fuel.
Natural gas supplies currently provide the most commonly used and least-expensive means
for extracting methanol, however, the technology exists for obtaining methanol from
sources such as crop residues and solid waste. When used, methanol is typically blended
with gasoline. M85 is made up of 85 percent methanol and 15 percent
gasoline. However, M85 is not commonly used as methanol vehicles are no
longer developed by vehicle manufacturers. There are no
methanol fuel stations in the Puget Sound region.
Overall
emissions from M85 vehicles are lower than from gasoline vehicles, including a 30 to 50
percent reduction in hydrocarbon and nitrogen oxide emissions. Carbon monoxide (CO)
emissions are generally equal to or slightly higher.
Additional
Resources:
Photo Credit: Warren Gretz
|
