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Alternative Fuels Research
EPA researches and evaluates the feasibility of running vehicles on non-petroleum fuels, such as alcohol fuels. The use of alternative fuels can potentially lower emissions of criteria pollutants and greenhouse gases, and reduce America’s dependence on imported oil.
EPA's research into alternative transportation fuels, such as ethanol and methanol, explores their potential for use as cost-effective, sustainable fuels that achieve both low emissions and high fuel economy. This research consists of engine and vehicle development and testing to develop high-performing, economical alternatives to conventional gasoline and diesel engines.
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Technical Papers and Presentations:
- SAE Paper 2007-01-3993: High Efficiency with Future Alcohol Fuels in a Stoichiometric Medium-Duty Spark Ignition Engine (PDF) at 2007 SAE Powertrain and Fluid Systems Conference and Exhibition (14 pp, 202K)
- SAE Paper 2007-01-4093: Low Engine-Out NOx Emissions with DME Using High Pressure Injection (PDF) at 2007 SAE Powertrain and Fluid Systems Conference and Exhibition (17 pp, 431K)
- Presentation and Commentary: Sustainable Technology Choices for Alternative Fuels (delivered September 28, 2005, at the ISAF XV International Symposium on Alcohol Fuels). This presentation and commentary describe work at EPA to modify a 1.9 liter 4 cylinder diesel engine to port fuel injection and spark ignition for use with various blends of gasoline and alcohol fuels.
- Presentation: Ethanol-Gasoline Blends: Fuel Economy and Emissions Benefits (PDF) (13 pp, 107K) (delivered May 13, 2003, at the SAE Government and Industry Meeting). This presentation describes recent work at EPA with ethanol-gasoline blends, highlighting the potential cost and emissions benefits of E30.
- Presentation: Research in Alcohol-Fueled Engines at EPA NVFEL (PDF) (12 pp, 167K) (delivered February 25, 2003, at the NEVC Annual Meeting). This presentation describes recent work at EPA with pure ethanol and methanol fuels, including the context of EPA NVFEL's work - the results and the challenges. The results show the ability to achieve diesel-like efficiency with low steady-state emissions on the level of Tier 2.
- SAE Paper 2002-01-2743: High Efficiency and Low Emissions from a Port-Injected Engine with Neat Alcohol Fuels (PDF) © 2002 SAE International (7 pp, 68K)
For additional information please visit: Alternative Fuel Conversions page.