Title: Alternative transport fuels: the long-term future

Authors: P. Moriarty, D. Honnery

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Monash University-Caufeld, Campus, 900 Dandeong Rd, Caulfeld East, Victoria 3145, Australia. Department of Mechanical Engineering, PO Box 31, Monash University,, Victoria 3800, Australia

Abstract: This paper examines the extent to which three alternative transport fuels, namely, natural gas-based fuels, biomass alcohols and electricity or hydrogen can significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions and oil use for light vehicles. The year 2020 was chosen as the reference year, because of the long lead times for major penetration of a new fuel. Only minor oil savings were found possible with natural gas and biomass fuels, and emission savings are maximised if there fuels are used for electricity generation rather than transport. At present, neither electric nor hydrogen vehicles offer emission reductions over equivalent petrol vehicles. Only when most electricity is derived from renewable energy will such vehicles give substantial greenhouse gas emission reductions.

Keywords: alternative fuels; biomass fuels; electric vehicles; greenhouse gas emission; hydrogen vehicles; natural gas fuels.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVD.2003.002044

International Journal of Vehicle Design, 2003 Vol.31 No.1, pp.11-21

Published online: 15 Aug 2003 *

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