Alternative Fuel Vehicles

What is an alternative fuel vehicle?Simply put, it’s a vehicle that runs on a fuel made from something other than oil (petroleum). Examples of alternate fuels are natural gas, biodiesel, hydrogen, ethanol, or electricity. Most of the fuel we use for transportation – diesel fuel and gasoline - is made from oil.

Why are alternative fuel vehicles important?Vehicles running on fuels other than straight gasoline or diesel produce fewer emissions and lessen our dependency on foreign sources of oil. Fewer emissions means cleaner air.

What we are doing to make a difference?
In order to support the development and use of alternate fuel vehicles, the Baltimore Metropolitan Council is a part of the Maryland Clean Cities Coalition. This volunteer coalition with members such as the Maryland Energy Administration and the Maryland Department of the Environment, works to promote alternative fuels and vehicles, fuel economy, hybrid vehicles, and idle reduction.

Past Clean Cities Coalition activities have included major educational programs about alternative fuel vehicles, as well as support for systems that encourage the use of these vehicles.

In 2005, BMC, using a grant from the Maryland Energy Administration, arranged a demonstration tour of several hybrid-electric buses to local transit operators.

For more information:
Russ Ulrich, rulrich@baltometro.org or 410-732-9575.


Photo source: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/



Links to other web sites:

Maryland Department of the Environment

Maryland Clean Cities Coalition

Maryland Energy Administration

U.S. Department of Energy – Clean Cities

Last Updated on Thursday, 18 December 2008 06:14