What Is an Alternative Fuel?
The Energy Policy Act of 1992 defines an alternative fuel as:
- Biodiesel (B100)
- Natural gas and liquid fuels domestically produced from natural gas
- Propane (liquefied petroleum gas)
- Electricity
- Hydrogen
- Blends of 85% or more of methanol, denatured ethanol, and other alcohols with gasoline or other fuels
- Methanol, denatured ethanol, and other alcohols
- Coal-derived, domestically produced liquid fuels
- Fuels (other than alcohol) derived from biological materials
- P-Series fuels
Today, more than a dozen alternative fuels are in production and use or under development. Although government fleets and private fleets are the primary users of these fuels, consumers have an increasing interest in them. Using these fuels in place of conventional fuels is critical to reducing U.S. dependence on foreign oil and emissions that harm air quality.
Alternative Fuels
Some alternative fuels that are commonly used and commercially available for vehicles include:
Tools for Fuels
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Alternative Fueling Station Locator: Find alternative fueling station locations |
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Alternative Fuel Prices: See the quarterly price report |
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TransAtlas: Explore a map of alternative fuel and vehicle data |
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BioFuels Atlas: Explore a map of biofuels and feedstocks |
Emerging Fuels 
Several emerging alternative fuels are under development or already developed and may be available in the United States. Some of these are considered alternative fuels under EPAct:
- Biobutanol
- Biogas
- Hydrogenation-Derived Renewable Diesel (HDRD)
- Methanol
- P-Series
- xTL Fuels (Fischer-Tropsch)