Fuel Availability & Comparison
Mature availability
• Diesel
• Natural gas
• Biodiesel
You may have been reading about the different alternative fuels, which can be confusing. Here is a handy interactive that compares the main ones. This analysis is conducted on a well-to-wheel basis.
Mature availability
Growing availability
Nascent availability
Semi-Available Fuels
• Renewable diesel
Least Available Fuels
• Green hydrogen
• Green methanol
• Green ammonia
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Mature availability
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Examples Of Use*
When burned, releases greenhouse gases
CONS
Cheap, widely available, performs well and has an easy refueling experiece
It is the most widely used alternative fuel and has been used as fuel in vehicles for decades
PROS
Diesel
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Examples Of Use*
Higher blends are less commonly used directly as a transportation fuel because they require engine modifications, can cause material compatibility issues, and present certain storage difficulties
*Availability is region and blend dependent.
CONS
Diesel engine compatible with zero modifications
PROS
Natural gas
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Examples Of Use*
When burned, releases greenhouse gases
CONS
Cheap, widely available, performs well and has an easy refueling experience
Universally available
PROS
BioDIESEL*
Chemical Composition/Origin
• Biodiesel is manufactured from plants and other organic matter; it is primarily used in diesel blends
Fuel Category
• Low-carbon fuel
GHG Emission Reduction
• ~ 20% reduction compared to diesel when B20 blend is used
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Chemical Composition/Origin
• Fossil fuels
Fuel Category
• Low-carbon fuel
GHG Emission Reduction
• 5% reduction compared to diesel
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Chemical Composition/Origin
• Fossil fuels
Fuel Category
• Baseline fuel
GHG Emission Reduction
• N/A: diesel is considered the baseline fuel for this analysis
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• Hydrogen and natural gas blends
• Renewable natural gas
Growing availability
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Examples Of Use*
Limited by availability of feedstock
CONS
Can be blended with diesel to reduce net CO2 and other pollutant emissions
Can be used in diesel engines without modification and it performs well
PROS
Renewable diesel
Chemical Composition/Origin
• Comes from crops such as soy and rapeseed or from animal fats
Fuel Category
• Low-carbon fuel
GHG Emission Reduction
• 70% reduction compared to diesel
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Nascent availability
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It is toxic to humans
CONS
Examples Of Use*
It burns entirely CO2 free
Being a liquid, it is easier to store and to transport by road, rail or vessel
PROS
Hydrogen and natural gas blends
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Higher blends are less commonly used
directly as a transportation fuel because
they require engine modifications, can
cause material compatibility issues, and
present certain storage difficulties
CONS
Examples Of Use*
Net C02 and other polluting emissions
reduced when blended with diesel
Diesel engine compatible with zero modifications
PROS
Renewable natural gas
Chemical Composition/Origin
• Organic matter used to feed biogas producing bacteria
Fuel Category
• Carbon-neutral fuel: when produced with select feedstocks
• Carbon-negative fuel: based on feedstock used
GHG Emission Reduction
100% reduction in natural gas engines and 97% reduction in power generators compared to diesel
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Chemical Composition/Origin
• Green hydrogen blended into the natural gas pipeline
Fuel Category
Low-carbon fuel
GHG Emission Reduction
Depends on the rate of green hydrogen to natural gas
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Examples Of Use*
Varied availability, covering only 64% of all natural gas vehicles in the U.S.
CONS
Allows engines to effectively reach carbon neutrality
When made from landfills, it can be carbon-negative
PROS
Green hydrogen
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Examples Of Use*
Some NOx emissions occur in internal combustion engines, but they have their corresponding aftertreatment exhaust system
CONS
Does not emit carbon emissions, the only exhaust is water vapor
Well-to-wheel emissions are extremely small
PROS
Green methanol
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Examples Of Use*
Higher costs
CONS
It is a liquid at ambient temperature, making it easier to store and handle
In the right engine, it can match the performance of a diesel fuel
PROS
Green ammonia
Chemical Composition/Origin
• Energy source derived from hydrogen
Fuel Category
• Zero-carbon fuel: when produced by renewable electricity and green hydrogen as the source
• Low-carbon fuel: when produced using fossil fuels with carbon capture and storage
GHG Emission Reduction
• 100% reduction compared to diesel
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Chemical Composition/Origin
• Comes from the combination of green hydrogen and CO2 captured from other resources OR fermentation of oganic matter
Fuel Category
• Carbon-neutral fuel
GHG Emission Reduction
• 100% reduction compared to diesel
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Chemical Composition/Origin
•Hydrogen produced by renewable electricity or electrolysis
Fuel Category
• Zero-carbon fuel
GHG Emission Reduction
• 99% reduction compared to diesel
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Tailpipe emissions include NOx and particulates, which affect air quality
Can be blended with diesel to reduce net CO2 and other polluting emissions
Tailpipe emissions include NOx and particulates, which affect air quality
Regulations on the use of diesel are tightening in countries around the world
It is indistinguishable from natural gas, so it can be used with compressed natural gas
In some other regions, availability is limited and companies might need to confirm with their fuel provider
Lower energy density may require more frequent refueling
Produced in small quantities and not widely available
The supply chain for green ammonia is not yet sufficiently mature for widescale adoption
Lower energy density than diesel fuel, so larger tanks are required
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Example Of Use*
CONS
PROS
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CONS
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More expensive than diesel since there are no government subsidies and incentives
It is indistinguishable from natural gas, so it can be used with CNG