May is Clean Air Month! -- May 2002
Cleaner Fuels
There’s Even More You Should Know About Cleaner Vehicles
What are Cleaner Fuels?
The most familiar transportation fuels in this country are gasoline and diesel fuel, but many other energy sources are capable of powering motor vehicles. These include electricity, natural gas, fuel cells, ethanol, methanol and propane.
Each one has advantages and disadvantages, but all of them have the potential to produce less air pollution than gasoline or diesel fuel. This is true even compared to a newer, cleaner car with the latest emission control technology.
Why Switch to Cleaner Fuels?
Cars operating on today's gasolines emit complex mixtures of compounds that lead to the formation of ground-level ozone, and many of these compounds are also toxic. A lot has been done to reduce automobile pollution, from development of innovative emission control technologies like catalytic converters, to the establishment of inspection and maintenance programs. But each year there are more cars on the road, traveling more miles, and the pollution control measures taken so far have not been sufficient to solve the ozone problem in many cities.
Diesel-powered vehicles are small in numbers compared to the total vehicles in California, but diesel engines account for 40 percent of the total nitrogen oxide emissions and about 60 percent of the total particulate matter from mobile sources. Diesel is also a major contributor to ozone air pollution in California, but diesel-powered vehicles have not been subject to the same stringent emission controls and testing requirements as gasoline-powered cars.
Ozone, better known as smog, is the most widespread air pollution problem. It is formed when sunlight hits hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides, chemicals emitted from vehicle tailpipes. Ozone is particularly dangerous for children, senior citizens and people with chronic lung disease. It also hurts the lungs of healthy people who exercise outdoors.
Cleaner fuels have a number of inherent properties that make them cleaner than conventional gasoline or diesel. In general, these fuels emit less hydrocarbons, and the hydrocarbons they do emit are less reactive (slower to form ozone) and less toxic. Emissions generated from electric, natural gas, fuel cell or alcohol-powered vehicles can be as much as 90 to 100 percent lower in toxics and ozone-forming hydrocarbons than emissions from vehicles fueled with conventional gasoline or diesel.
Use of cleaner fuels could also help slow atmospheric buildup of carbon dioxide, a "greenhouse gas" that could contribute to global warming. Combustion of any carbon-based fuel produces carbon dioxide. But the overall impact of a given fuel on global warming depends on how the fuel is made. In general, fuels produced from biomass (crops, trees, etc.) and from natural gas result in less carbon dioxide accumulation than fuels made from petroleum or coal.
What Cleaner Fuels Are Available Today?
Electricity
There are several electric vehicles on the market that can meet the demands of today’s everyday drivers. They look and feel like regular cars, but produce virtually no air pollution and offer one of the best options for reducing motor vehicle emissions in polluted cities. Power plants that produce electricity do pollute, but even when power plant emissions are included, electric vehicles are 90 percent cleaner than the cleanest conventional vehicle. Also, efficient emission controls can be installed and maintained more easily on individual power plants than on millions of vehicles. The driving range of today's electric cars averages 80 to 120 miles. Current batteries take about six hours to recharge, however recharging stations are currently available throughout California. Recent developments in electric vehicle technology and increased consumer demands for electric cars show much promise for the future.
Fuel Cells
The next generation of alternative fuels includes fuel cells. Car companies are in the process of developing vehicles powered by hydrogen fuel cells, which convert hydrogen and oxygen into electricity. Fuel cells produce no pollutants. Unlike electric cars, fuel cell-powered cars can go 280 miles without refueling and have a top speed of 90 mph. However, they are not quite ready for mass production.
Natural Gas (Methane)
Natural gas is abundant and is widely used for home heating and industrial processes. It is easily transported through pipelines and costs about the same or slightly less than gasoline. Compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquid natural gas (LNG) vehicles emit low levels of toxics and ozone-forming hydrocarbons. But CNG fuel must be stored under pressure in heavy tanks, and the cost of accommodating these tanks must be considered. Natural gas is being successfully used in transit and school bus fleets, as well as in cars and trucks, and is an excellent alternative to conventional diesel technology.
Ethanol
Ethanol ("grain alcohol") is the primary automotive fuel in Brazil, and ethanol/gasoline blends (known as "gasohol") have been used in the United States for many years. Pure ethanol fuel offers excellent performance, plus low hydrocarbon and toxic emissions. It can be produced domestically from corn or other crops, as well as from cellulosic materials such as wood or paper wastes, potentially minimizing the accumulation of greenhouse gases (since these "renewable" feedstocks draw carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere as they grow). With current technology and price structures, ethanol is more expensive than gasoline. New technologies offer the hope of significantly reduced costs.
Methanol
Methanol ("wood alcohol"), like ethanol, is a high-performance liquid fuel that emits low levels of toxic and ozone-forming compounds. It can be produced at prices comparable to gasoline from natural gas and can also be produced from coal and wood. All major auto manufacturers have produced cars that run on "M85," a blend of 85 percent methanol and 15 percent gasoline. Cars that burn pure methanol (M100) offer much greater air quality and efficiency advantages. Many auto manufacturers have developed advanced M100 prototypes. Methanol has long been the fuel of choice for race cars because of its superior performance and fire safety characteristics.
Propane
Propane, or liquefied petroleum gas, is a by-product of petroleum refining and natural gas production. It burns cleaner than gasoline but is limited in supply. Propane-fueled vehicles are already common in many parts of the world.
Reformulated and Oxygenated Gasoline
The petroleum industry is beginning to market gasoline formulations that emit less hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and toxics than conventional gasoline. These new gasolines can be introduced without major modification to existing vehicles or the fuel distribution system. However, there are issues related to what is added to the gasoline to make it burn cleaner. In California, MTBE was added to gasoline, but MTBE and other gasoline components are causing groundwater pollution problems. As a result, MTBE will be phased out of gasoline in California by December 2002.
Are Cleaner Fuels Feasible?
Cleaner-fueled vehicles are in use today. To achieve widespread use, technologies must be refined so vehicles can achieve optimum performance and emissions characteristics. To improve air quality and lung health, consumers must accept the new vehicles and fuels, and government and industry must cooperate to ensure their availability. It will take a concerted effort by all sectors of society, but a switch to cleaner fuels may be the most viable way for many areas to attain cleaner and healthier air.
Receive a Discount on Cleaner-Fueled Vehicles
Through a partnership with EV Rental Cars, American Lung Association of California volunteers, donors and staff can receive discounts on the purchase or rental of cleaner-fueled vehicles. EV Rental Cars, the nation’s first environmental rental car company, has outlets in major airports throughout California and in a few other states. Just mention the American Lung Association, and EV Rental Cars will make a donation to the organization. For more information, visit www.californialung.org or call EV Rental cars at 1.877.EV.RENTAL.
For More Information:
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Five Local
Governments Commit to Purchase Cleaner Vehicles
-- American Lung Association of California Pushes for More
-- Statewide Campaign Raises Awareness about Diesel Exhaust, Particulate Matter
and Cleaner Alternatives during Clean Air Month
(News Release -- May 15, 2002)
Print Ads: There’s Even More You Should Know About Diesel
View or Download Ads
There’s Even More You Should Know About Clearing the Air
(Clean Air Tips)
California Air District Resource Directory
2002
There’s Even More You Should Know About Diesel
Frequently Asked Questions About Diesel Fuel
Particulate Matter Air Pollution - There’s Even More You Should Know About Particulate Matter
Public Health and Diesel
Fact Sheet
Renewable Energy - There’s Even More You Should Know About Renewable Energy
There’s Even More You Should Know About Smart Growth, Urban Sprawl, Air Quality and Health
Fact Sheet
Clean Air Month 2002 Proclamation
Sample Proclamation for California Cities & Counties
Milestones in Air Pollution History
American Lung Association Timeline
Cleaner Fuels -- There’s Even More You Should Know About Cleaner Vehicles
Environmental Justice
Fact Sheet
Position Statement: Reducing Public Exposure To Diesel Emissions From Heavy Duty Vehicles
Green Diesel: Fact or Fiction? Reducing Toxic Soot from Trucks and Buses
(Backgrounder from Natural Resources Defense Council and Coalition for Clean Air)
From Breathe Easy Magazine, Spring/Summer 2002:
Cover Story: Smog and Your Lungs
Public Policy Update: Association Works to Reduce Diesel Exhaust
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