Publications

Alternative Fuel Vehicles: Real-World Perspectives from the Federal Fleet

7/1/1998

Vehicles that run onfuels other than gasoline, or "alternative fuel" vehicles (AFVs), offer great promise for improving air quality and lessening our nation's dependence on imported oil. But if they are to fulfill this promise and replace traditional gasoline vehicles on a large scale, they must meed the needs of the people using them, and consumers must have access to"real-world" information about them. Do they drive as well as gasoline vehicles? Are their refueling stations as convenient as the corner gas station? Can we expect the same reliability that we've come to expect from our gasoline vehicles? How better to answer these questions than to ask the people who are actually running the AFVs? So in 1996, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) national labortory, designed a nationwide study to capture the opinions of federal fleet managers and drivers onthe performance, reliability, driveability, and acceptability of AFVs. NREL put together this short brochure to serve as a "quick look" summaryof the surveys and their results.

Authors: Whalen, P

Plant/Crop-Based Renewable Resources 2020: A Vision to Enhance U.S. Economic Security Through Renewable Plant/Crop-Based Resource Use

1/1/1998

Vision written by the U.S. agricultural, forestry, and chemical communities based on a workshop in December, 1996. The vision outlines what plant/crop-based resources are, and how investment and utilization of these resources could be developed by the year 2020.

Authors: U.S. DOE Biomass Program

Replacement Fuel and Alternative Fuel Vehicle Tehnical and Policy Analysis Pursuant to Section 506 of the Energy Policy Act of 1992

7/1/1997

This report is the first of two technical and policy analyses required by EPAct section 506.

Alternative Motor Fuels Act of 1988

11/21/1995

Fuel Economy Test Procedures Alternative-Fueled Automobile CAFE Incentives and Fuel Economy Labeling Requirements - Environmental Protection Agency - 40 CFR Part 600

10/1/1995

This final rule amends the fuel economy regulations to include alternative-fueled automobiles. The Alternative Motor Fuels Act (AMFA) of 1988 includes 1993 model year and later alternative-fueled automobiles (passenger automobiles and light trucks) in the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) program on a favorable basis to encourage the manufacture of these vehicles. The AMFA provides these CAFE "credits" for automobiles designed to be fueled with methanol, ethanol, other alcohols, natural gas, or dual-fueled automobiles designed to operate on one or more of these alternative fuels and gasoline or diesel fuel. Under the AMFA, these credits are only available for automobiles that meet certain requirements regarding: alternative fuel content (e.g., for alcohol fuels, a minimum of 85 percent by volume alcohol), energy efficiency, and driving range. Neither the AMFA nor the final rule will affect automobiles that do not meet these requirements; such vehicles would not receive the favorable CAFE treatment. Alternative-fueled automobile labeling requirements are also specified in the AMFA. This final rule codifies the requirements of the AMFA in 40 CFR part 600. Recently, AMFA was amended by the Energy Policy Act of 1992, to extend the CAFE credit to automobiles designed to operate on additional types of alternative fuels. However, this final rule does not include these additional alternative fuel types, as they were not included in the CAFE program at the time the NPRM was published and the final rule was developed.

Notes: Text of final rule to be published in the Federal Register

Labeling Requirements for Alternative Fuels and Alternative Fueled Vehicles; Final Rule. Federal Trade Commission - 16 CFR Part 309.

5/19/1995

This excerpt from the Federal Register provides regulations pertaining to labeling requirements for alternative fuels and alternative fueled vehicles.

Clean Fuels Paving the Way for America's Future: A Source for Information on Clean Burning Alternative Transportation Fuels

4/1/1995

With so many alternative fuels being promoted by various groups, it is important for legislators, the public and all interested parties to understand the different fuels that are available, how they are made, how they are used and their impact on the environment. This brochure is intended to help legislators at all levels to make informed decisions and for the media, with a responsibility of informing the public, to be educated on these issues. The fuels covered in this brochure include: ethanol, ethyl tertiary butyl ether, methanol, methyl tertiary butyl ether, biodiesel, gasoline additives and combustion modifiers, electric vehicles, natural gas and propane. It also summarizes regional and state clean fuel policies and regulations.

The Relationship between Gasoline Composition and Vehicle Hydrocarbon Emissions: A Review of Current Studies and Future Research Needs

10/1/1994

This online report compares the relationship between gasoline composition and vehicle hydrocarbon emissions. It reviews current studies and identifies future research needs.

Notes: Copies of this document can be downloaded from the Environmental Health Perspectives (EHP) Web site at: http://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/members/1994/Suppl-4/schuetzle-full.html

Public Law 102-486 - October 24, 1992: Energy Policy Act of 1992

10/24/1992

This act is intended to provide for improved energy efficiency. It includes provisions for the following: energy efficiency; alternative fuels - general; alternative fuels - non-federal programs; availability and use of replacement fuels, alternative fuels, and alternative fueled private vehicles; electric motor vehicles; electricity; high-level radioactive waste; United States enrichment corporation; remedial action and uranium revitalization; uranium enrichment health, safety, and environment; renewable energy; coal; strategic petroleum reserve; octane display and disclosure; global climate change; additional federal power act provisions; oil pipeline regulatory reform; general provisions - reduction of oil vulnerability; energy and environment; energy and economic growth; policy and administrative provisions; non-federal power act hydropower provisions; coal, oil, and gas; Indian energy resources; insular areas energy security; nuclear plant licensing; and additional nuclear energy provisions.