Alternative Fuels for Cars: What’s Available Now and What’s Next

Today’s main alternatives to gasoline and diesel for cars include electricity (battery charging), hydrogen, biofuels like ethanol, biodiesel and renewable diesel, natural gas (CNG/LNG) and its renewable form (RNG/biomethane), propane autogas (LPG), and emerging synthetic fuels (e‑fuels) and methanol. Each option differs in availability, vehicle compatibility, infrastructure, cost, and emissions, giving drivers and fleets multiple pathways to cut petroleum use and greenhouse gases.

The main alternatives on the road today

While not all options are universally available, these are the principal fuel types currently powering light-duty vehicles around the world, from consumer cars to commercial fleets.

• Electricity (Battery Electric Vehicles, BEVs): Charged from the grid or onsite renewables. Offers zero tailpipe emissions, rapidly expanding charging networks, and high efficiency. Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) use electricity alongside liquid fuel but are not “electricity-only.”
• Hydrogen (Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles, FCEVs): Produce electricity onboard from hydrogen, emitting only water vapor at the tailpipe. Refueling is fast, but station networks remain limited to a few regions.
• Ethanol (E10–E15 and E85): Most gasoline sold globally already contains up to 10% ethanol (E10). Flex-fuel vehicles can use high blends like E85 where available, common in parts of the U.S. and Brazil.
• Biodiesel (B5–B20, B100): A fatty-acid methyl ester (FAME) made from vegetable oils or waste fats, blended with petroleum diesel. Many diesel cars and light trucks accept B5; some accept up to B20 per manufacturer guidance.
• Renewable Diesel (HVO/RD100): A hydrotreated “drop-in” diesel from waste oils or non-food biomass. Chemically similar to petroleum diesel and typically usable up to 100% in compatible diesel vehicles without modifications.
• Compressed/Liquefied Natural Gas (CNG/LNG): Methane-based fuels with lower CO2 than gasoline/diesel on combustion. CNG suits light-duty vehicles; LNG is more common in heavy-duty applications.
• Renewable Natural Gas (RNG/Biomethane): Captured from landfills, agriculture, and wastewater. Can be used wherever CNG is used, with substantial lifecycle emissions reductions.
• Propane Autogas (LPG): Widely used for taxis and fleets in Europe and parts of Asia; generally lower NOx and CO2 than gasoline, with mature refueling infrastructure in some markets.
• Synthetic e‑fuels (power-to-liquid/gas): Made using green hydrogen and captured CO2; compatible with existing engines. Currently limited supply and high cost, with pilot production underway.
• Methanol: Used in select pilot markets (notably parts of China) and motorsports; can be produced from fossil sources, biomass, or captured carbon with green hydrogen. Light-duty availability remains limited.

These fuels span a spectrum from widely adopted (electricity, ethanol blends) to niche or emerging (e‑fuels, methanol), with local policy, infrastructure, and economics largely determining what’s practical in any given area.

Emissions and practicality: how the options stack up

Environmental impact depends on fuel production (“well-to-tank”) plus vehicle use (“tank-to-wheel”). Here’s how the major choices generally compare for light-duty vehicles.

• Electricity: Lowest total emissions when grids are clean or when powered by onsite renewables; efficiency advantages typically outweigh upstream impacts even on fossil-dominant grids.
• Hydrogen: Very low tailpipe emissions. Lifecycle impact depends on hydrogen source—green (from renewables) is far cleaner than gray (from natural gas without carbon capture).
• Biofuels (Ethanol, Biodiesel, Renewable Diesel): Can significantly cut lifecycle emissions versus fossil fuels; benefits vary by feedstock and land-use impacts, with waste-based sources generally best.
• Natural Gas/RNG: Fossil CNG offers moderate CO2 reductions versus gasoline; RNG can deliver deep cuts, especially when sourced from waste methane that would otherwise escape.
• Propane (LPG): Emissions typically lower than gasoline; lifecycle benefits depend on sourcing and blending with renewable content.
• E‑fuels/Methanol: Potentially near-carbon-neutral when made with green hydrogen and captured CO2, but currently energy-intensive and expensive, with limited availability.

For most drivers, electricity provides the largest practical emissions reduction today, while fuels like renewable diesel and RNG offer strong near-term cuts for existing combustion vehicles and fleets.

Where these fuels are available

Access varies widely by country and region, driven by policy, infrastructure investment, and market maturity.

• North America: Rapid EV charger growth; E10 ubiquitous, E85 concentrated in the U.S. Midwest; renewable diesel common for fleets on the U.S. West Coast; CNG/RNG and LPG present for fleets; hydrogen stations mainly in parts of California.
• Europe: Strong EV uptake and expanding fast-charging; LPG popular in countries like Turkey, Poland, and Italy; CNG/RNG networks in several EU states; renewable diesel growing, especially in Northern Europe; hydrogen stations in select corridors.
• Asia-Pacific: EVs surging in China and parts of Southeast Asia; methanol pilots in China; LPG widespread in South Korea; CNG common in India; hydrogen stations concentrated in Japan and South Korea with limited light-duty models.
• Latin America: High ethanol blends in Brazil (including neat hydrous ethanol in flex-fuel vehicles); EV and charging adoption growing unevenly; CNG/LPG present in specific markets.
• Middle East & Africa: EV adoption emerging in select cities; LPG present in some markets; CNG/LNG more common in heavy-duty or public transport contexts.

Local station density, incentives, and vehicle choices will largely determine which alternative fuels are practical for everyday use in your area.

Vehicle compatibility and fueling basics

Before switching fuels, check your vehicle’s certification and the local fueling network to avoid warranty issues and range concerns.

• Electricity: BEVs require home/work/public charging access; DC fast charging is expanding but varies by region. PHEVs can use standard gasoline/diesel plus charging.
• Hydrogen: Only for FCEVs; limited models and station networks. Refueling is quick but availability is the main constraint.
• Ethanol: All gasoline cars generally accept E10; E15 acceptance varies by model year and market; E85 requires a factory-certified flex-fuel vehicle.
• Biodiesel: Many modern diesels allow B5 and some B20; B100 use depends on engine certification, climate, and maintenance practices.
• Renewable Diesel: Typically drop-in compatible with most diesel vehicles up to RD100; confirm with manufacturer guidance.
• CNG/RNG: Requires a CNG-certified vehicle or conversion and access to CNG stations.
• LPG (Autogas): Needs an LPG-certified vehicle or conversion; best supported in countries with established LPG networks.
• E‑fuels/Methanol: Currently niche; compatibility depends on blend levels and specific engine certification.

Manufacturer documentation and local fuel quality standards are your best guides for safe, warranted operation on alternative fuels.

What to consider before choosing

Beyond environmental benefits, practical factors will shape the best alternative fuel choice for your needs.

1. Infrastructure: Are reliable charging or fueling stations available along your routes?
2. Total cost: Consider fuel/electricity price, vehicle purchase or conversion cost, maintenance, and incentives or taxes.
3. Use case: Daily commute vs. long-distance travel, cargo needs, climate, and towing can favor certain fuels.
4. Emissions goals: If deep cuts are the priority, assess well-to-wheel impacts and renewable content.
5. Vehicle options: Availability of models (new or used) and certified compatibility with the chosen fuel.
6. Policy trajectory: Local low-emission zones, renewable fuel standards, and future regulations can affect long-term viability.

Evaluating these points helps align your fuel choice with practical realities while maximizing economic and environmental benefits.

Near-term outlook (through 2030)

Policy momentum and industry investment indicate several likely developments shaping the alternative-fuels landscape.

• Electric mobility: Continued growth in BEV models, faster charging, and vehicle-to-grid capabilities, with battery costs trending downward.
• Low-carbon liquids: Expanded use of renewable diesel and sustainable biofuel blends for existing fleets where electrification is harder.
• RNG scale-up: Greater capture of waste methane for transport, particularly in North America and Europe.
• E‑fuels ramp-up: Pilot projects expanding, with early adoption in niche or legacy-vehicle segments as costs remain high.
• Hydrogen: Incremental station growth and focus on heavy-duty and fleet hubs; light-duty remains limited to select regions.

The market is converging on a mix: electrification for most light-duty use, complemented by renewable liquid and gaseous fuels to decarbonize existing engines and harder-to-electrify segments.

Summary

Drivers today can choose from electricity, hydrogen, biofuels (ethanol, biodiesel, renewable diesel), natural gas and its renewable form (RNG), propane autogas (LPG), and emerging synthetic fuels like e‑fuels and methanol. Availability and practicality vary by region, but the trend is clear: rapid EV growth, broader use of renewable liquid and gaseous fuels for existing vehicles, and gradual emergence of synthetic options. Your best choice depends on local infrastructure, vehicle compatibility, costs, and emissions goals.

What will be the next fuel for cars?

Hydrogen
Hydrogen can also be used to power a fuel cell and produce electricity. This is the solution many consider to be one of the best longer-term energy sources for cars: it produces zero emissions and overcomes the limitations of onboard batteries.

What is an alternative vehicle fuel?

Alternative Fuel Vehicles or AFVs are not powered by conventional diesel or gasoline. These vehicles usually use either natural gas, hydrogen, or electricity. Due to increasing gasoline prices and environmental concerns like climate change and pollution, AFVs have been gaining popularity (see Figure 1).

Can a car run on anything other than gas?

Biodiesel is a type of fuel made from cooking oil and grease. Any car with a diesel engine can run on it — but don’t start wringing the napkins from your last McDonald’s run into your fuel tank. In order to power the car, the oil and grease need to be converted into biodiesel through a chemical process.

What are the alternative fuels for cars?

Alternative fuels for cars include electricity, hydrogen, natural gas, propane, biofuels (like ethanol and biodiesel), and synthetic fuels. These fuels can be used in dedicated systems, mixed with traditional fuels (like in flex-fuel or hybrid vehicles), or in fuel cells. Alternative fuels offer benefits such as reduced reliance on foreign oil, cleaner air, and potential cost savings.
 
Types of Alternative Fuels

• Electricity: Powers electric vehicles (EVs) using batteries. 
• Hydrogen: Used in fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) to produce electricity, emitting only water vapor. 
• Natural Gas: A domestically abundant fuel available in compressed form (CNG). 
• Propane: A readily available gaseous fuel that performs well in cold weather and is non-toxic. 
• Biofuels: Renewable fuels made from organic materials: 
  • Ethanol: Often blended with gasoline and can be used in flex-fuel vehicles. 
  • Biodiesel: A renewable fuel that can be used in diesel engines. 
• Synthetic Fuels: Created by combining hydrogen and captured carbon, potentially offering a carbon-neutral option for internal combustion engines. 

Types of Alternative Fuel Vehicles

• Electric Vehicles (EVs): Powered entirely by electricity from their batteries. 
• Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs): Combine a gasoline engine with an electric motor and battery, offering improved fuel efficiency. 
• Flex-Fuel Vehicles: Designed to run on a mixture of gasoline and alternative fuels like ethanol. 
• Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs): Use hydrogen in a fuel cell to generate electricity. 

Benefits of Alternative Fuels

• Environmental Impact: Contribute to cleaner air by producing fewer emissions. 
• Energy Security: Reduce reliance on foreign energy sources by utilizing domestic resources like biofuels and natural gas. 
• Cost Savings: Can provide savings on fuel costs for consumers. 
• Domestic Production: Biofuels are often produced domestically, supporting local economies.