Valley of the Sun Clean Cities Coalition: Alternative-Fuel-Vehicles

What are Alternative Fuels?

Alternative fuels are substantially non-petroleum and yield energy security and environmental benefits. The USDOE currently recognizes the following as alternative fuels

Methanol and denatured ethanol as alcohol fuels (alcohol mixtures that contain no less than 70% of the alcohol fuel)
Natural gas (compressed or liquefied)
Liquefied petroleum gas or propane
Hydrogen
Coal-derived liquid fuels
Fuels derived from biological materials
Electricity (including solar energy)
Biodiesel

The principal alternative fuels used by VSCCC stakeholders are natural gas, biodiesel, propane, and electricity.

Where can you purchase an alternatively-fueled vehicle?

Alternative fuel vehicles (AFV) are either converted or purchased originally equipped to run on an alternative fuel. Many major automobile manufacturers "factory build" light and medium-duty AFVs and heavy duty engine manufacturers build alternative fuel engines. Conventionally fueled vehicles can also be converted to run on an alternative fuel by installing an EPA-certified after-market conversion system. Please note: it is illegal to tamper with a vehicle's fuel system without authorization by the US Environmental Protection Agency.

Why are alternative fuels and AFVs relevant today?

Today, more than half the oil used for transportation in the United States is imported- a large amount from unstable regions of the World. Our dependence on imported oil increases the US trade deficit and threatens American jobs and national security. By diversifying our transportation fuel portfolio we strengthen the US and AZ's ability to minimize the impact of energy disruptions- whether human induced or acts of nature.

Honda's Civic GX- Factory-built in Ohio

Alternative fuel vehicles burn inherently cleaner-burning fuels. Currently, our region of Arizona is in serious non-attainment for three EPA regulated pollutants: carbon monoxide, PM-10, and ozone. The region has taken measures to reduce criteria pollutant emissions through alternative fuels, enhanced vehicle emission testing, oxygenated/low-volatility winter fuels, residential wood burning controls, a county-wide trip reduction ordinance, and various other transportation and congestion reduction strategies. These fuels play an important role in the Valley of the Sun's strategy for meeting National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) and achieving the high quality of life the Valley's residents expect.

Available Vehicles and Engines

Light-Duty Vehicles, Heavy-duty Engines, Conversions, Other Links

OEM LIGHT-DUTY MANUFACTURERS

BMW Clean Energy
Daimler-Chrysler Corporation
Ford Motor Company
General Motors Corporation (www.gmaltfuel.com)
Honda
Mitsubishi Motors Corporation
Nissan Motors
Solectria
Toyota Motor Company