Alternative Fuels

 

KeysWhat is natural gas?

Natural gas is a clean-burning fuel, made up of mostly methane, commonly found in Canada. Removed from the ground, the gas is processed, compressed and moved by pipeline.

Canada is one of the largest producers of natural gas in the world. Natural gas deposits are found in Alberta and British Columbia. Annually, the country produces more than 6 trillion cubic feet of natural gas.

While it can be used to fuel a vehicle, natural gas is mostly used to heat your home.


Who can use it?

Most natural gas vehicles in Canada have been converted to use the fuel. For about $6,000, most gasoline-powered vehicles can be converted to incorporate natural gas storage cylinders underneath vehicles or in the trunk. The gas is carried to the engine through stainless steel lines. There is usually a switch in the vehicle allowing the driver to choose between gasoline and natural gas.

A few manufacturers offer vehicles that run on natural gas like the Honda Civic CGX, Ford Crown Victoria, CNG Cavalier and Silverado pickup truck .

Pros
  • burns cleaner than gasoline or diesel - considered to be one of the most environmentally friendly fuels; produces up to 60% fewer greenhouse gas emissions
  • as safe as gasoline - takes double the temperature to ignite (about 1,400°C)
  • natural gas-powered vehicles take the same amount of warm-up time, use block heaters and have similar performance
  • less reliance on foreign supply as Canada is one of the world's largest producers of natural gas; can be 40% cheaper than gasoline because there is no federal, provincial or municipal tax, unlike gasoline
Cons
  • natural gas vehicles have less cargo space - cylinders used to store natural gas are often placed in the trunk
  • modifying a vehicle to use natural gas is costly; can be recovered in a couple of years based on fuel savings
  • driving range is limited – about half as much as a gasoline-powered vehicle; a full-sized car or minivan has a range of just 160-200 km when two storage containers are used
  • a non-renewable fossil fuel, like gasoline

Availability in Canada

Currently, there are about 20,000 natural gas vehicles in Canada. More than 4,500 natural gas vehicles were registered in Alberta in 2005. However, there are no new natural gas vehicles for sale in the province. Find out how you can have your vehicle converted in Alberta.

Natural gas is cheaper than gas, but finding the stations to refuel your natural gas vehicle can be a bit challenging. Find a filling station near you.


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Green fuel

What is ethanol?

Ethanol is a liquid alcohol made of oxygen, hydrogen and carbon. In Canada, ethanol is primarily corn and wheat based. The type of ethanol used in vehicles has been distilled and dehydrated to create a high-octane, water-free alcohol.


Who can use it?

Most gasoline-powered vehicles can run on a gasoline-ethanol blend of 10% ethanol (E-10). However, there are vehicles specifically designed to run on 85% ethanol (E-85), requiring only 15% gasoline. There are many E-85 vehicles sold in Canada, however there are few fueling stations.

Pros
  • combined with gasoline, ethanol blend has environmental benefits compared to gas alone
  • burns cleaner and more completely than gasoline or diesel
  • ethanol from corn produces 3 to 4% fewer greenhouse gas emissions than gasoline
  • production contributes to economic growth and job creation in rural areas; farmers across Canada have formed cooperatives to grow corn and wheat crops specifically for the production of ethanol
Cons
  • not for use in all engines - consult owner’s manual/manufacturer before using an ethanol-blended gasoline; some small engines (chainsaws and outboard motors) should be checked before fuelling with an ethanol blend
  • use of E-10 increases fuel consumption by an average of 2% compared to pure gasoline.

Availability in Canada

E-10 is available across Canada and can be used in any vehicle manufactured after 1980. Find a refueling station near you.

E-85 is not commercially available in Canada yet. Vehicles that run on E-85 can be found in the United States, especially in California. About half of the vehicles in Brazil run on ethanol or some mix of gasoline and ethanol.


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Keys

What is propane?

Propane is a versatile, clean-burning gas. When used in a vehicle, it’s pressurized and stored as a liquid – often referred to as liquefied petroleum gas. It’s commonly used to heat homes or for cooking – like your barbecue.

In Canada, propane is a co-product of natural gas production. More than 85% comes from Western Canada. It’s distributed throughout the country by pipeline, rail and trucks. It’s the most commonly used alternative fuel in Canada.


Who can use it?

Most propane-powered vehicles in Canada have been converted to use the alternative fuel. Some manufacturers in North American produce propane vehicles, but they are not commonly found.

It costs about $4,000 to convert a vehicle to run on propane. Vehicles can be converted to run on propane alone, or both propane and gasoline. Alberta has one of the largest auto propane markets in Canada.

Pros
  • burns cleaner than gasoline or diesel; produces fewer greenhouse gas emissions and has fewer toxic properties
  • all of the propane used in Canada is produced here, creating no reliance on foreign supplies; readily available in most Canadian cities
  • can cause fewer maintenance worries - propane use results in less carbon build-up in your vehicle’s engine
  • costs less than gasoline – about 25 to 30%
Cons
  • greenhouse gases emitted from a converted vehicle varies; converted vehicles emit more harmful gases compared to factory built propane vehicles
  • tanks must be filled only 80% because propane expands and contracts with changing temperatures
  • gloves must be worn when filling propane tanks - liquid propane can cause frostbite
  • converted vehicles have less cargo space - tanks used to store the propane are placed in the trunk
  • typically have an operating range of 400 km with an 80-litre tank
  • parking restrictions - most cities have bylaws prohibiting parking propane vehicles in underground facilities or within enclosed and partially enclosed structures

Availability in Canada

Propane is mostly used to fuel fleet vehicles, not personal vehicles. There are more than 50,000 propane-powered vehicles in Canada.

There are 3,000 retail fuel outlets across Canada, with a higher concentration in British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario. Find a retail outlet in Alberta or in other locations across Canada.


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Biodiesel

What is biodiesel?

Biodiesel is a non-toxic, biodegradable fuel made from vegetable oils, soybeans, waste cooking oil and animal fats. It is a byproduct of a chemical reaction called transesterification.


Who can use it?

Biodiesel is often combined with conventional diesel for use in any diesel engine. Most blends include 5 to 20% biodiesel. Engines powered by biodiesel have shown similar performance when compared to conventional diesel engines.

Check your owner’s manual before using biodiesel.

Pros
  • produces fewer greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional diesel
  • can be produced from local, renewable agricultural sources: slaughterhouse waste, recycled cooking oil, non-food grade oil or agricultural surplus (which would otherwise be destined for the landfill)
  • much less flammable than petroleum diesel (burns at 50°C; pure biodiesel ignites at 150°C)
Cons
  • biodiesel can gel in cold weather; rate at which it freezes varies - solutions include fuel additives and engine block or fuel filter heaters
  • high concentrations of biodiesel can cause the exhaust of your vehicle to smell like fried food

Availability in Canada

Biodiesel isn’t widely available commercially in Canada yet. Toronto Hydro fleet vehicles are using biodiesel concentrations of 5 to 20%. Many cities have tested biodiesel in their transit fleets.


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What are fuel cells and hydrogen?

Fuel cells combine oxygen from the air with hydrogen to produce electricity. When combined, the byproduct is heat and H2O – water. This is done without burning fuel.

Fuel cells are similar to batteries. However, while batteries store electrical energy, fuel cells generate electricity constantly. Fuel cells are currently being used on NASA spacecraft.

Pros
  • byproducts of pure hydrogen are water and heat - prevents additional greenhouse gas emissions from entering the atmosphere
  • can be extracted from a number of sources - feedstock, water, fossil fuels, methanol, natural gas and gasoline
  • fuel cells are quiet and efficient
  • early prototypes show hydrogen fuel cell vehicles have no moving parts, taking away dependence on oil
  • vehicles have no transmission, providing a smooth ride
Cons
  • technology is new - vehicles are still in the early stages; production estimated to be 3-7 years away
  • many hurdles to overcome before fuel cells become widely available
  • early estimates indicate fuel cell vehicles will be quite expensive
  • no infrastructure available to support refueling
  • projected costs of extracting hydrogen are high

Availability in Canada

Fuel cells technology is not commercially available in Canada.


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