Alternative Fuels

Specially engineered Flexible Fuel Vehicles (FFVs) can tolerate an E85 mixture of gasoline and ethanol. But will ordinary cars and trucks be able to stand up to the new blend?

By Cherise Threewitt

For a while, many of us imagined the possibilities: streets full of zero-emission electric vehicles (EVs). But the EV concept has suffered from a certain fragility, and some companies have shifted strategies. Let's talk about a few of them.

By William Harris

What if we could derive energy from crops without killing them or generate power using plants and land not needed for food, all through the power of microbes? Meet the newest, greenest "power plant."

Got your eye on a hydrogen-powered vehicle? The energy of the future comes with some baggage, including an uncanny ability to migrate through metals. Here's what you need to know.

By John Perritano

In the future, all of us will own flying cars. Oh, wait -- that's "The Jetsons." Our views of future transportation are a little more realistic, but cars will increasingly use electric power, reducing our dependence on fossil fuels. Right?

By Meghan E. Smith

Flex Fuel? Ethanol? E85? Been wondering what exactly all of this means? Keep reading to learn about new advances in alternative fuels.

By David Goodspeed

With petroleum-loving masses and tax-happy governments finally getting on board with the development of alt fuels, the race is on to find the cleanest, eco-friendliest, and most importantly, cheapest alternative to fossil fuels.

By Eric Rogell

Are you in the market for the greenest vehicle you can drive that isn't a 10-speed bike? Natural gas-powered cars could be both cleaner and cheaper to run than gasoline or diesel powered cars - theoretically at least.

By Marc Carter

Fuel options for the future. Read this article to learn the fuel options for the future,

By Team Planet Green

Fuel cells run on hydrogen, which has a low ignition point. Learn about the safety concerns of fuel cells in this article.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

All fuel cells require hydrogen to work. Learn more about a hydrogen fuel reformer from this article.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

Why aren't fuel cells more common? Learn about whether the cost of fuel cells is a major problem in this article.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

Hydrogen-powered fuel cells are already on the streets in some parts of the world. They're powered by the most abundant element in the universe and produce zero tailpipe emissions. Are fuel cells a good solution?

By Christopher Lampton

Did you know hydrogen-powered fuel cells are hitting the streets in some parts of the world? They're powered by the most abundant element in the universe and produce zero emissions. But are they dangerous?

By Christopher Lampton

You might be surprised by some of the alternative fuels mentioned here. Which of these ideas are pure crank science, and which have a real chance to change the world?

By Ed Grabianowski & Patrick E. George

A hydrogen-on-demand system can provide hydrogen for a fuel cell or for an internal combustion engine. But what about claims indicating you can fuel your car with water? Is there any truth to those statements?

By Jamie Page Deaton

The search for alternative fuel is on. Could a pocket-sized version of a nuclear power plant make your car run 5,000 miles (8,047 kilometers) between fill-ups?

By Jacob Silverman

Hydrogen proponents tout the energy efficiency and relative ease of producing this alternative fuel. Its opponents want us to remember the Hindenburg.

By Josh Clark

Pouring diesel fuel into an unleaded tank isn't the end of the world: your car won't blow up. However, it won't start either. You'll have to do some serious cleaning to get your car running again.

By Marshall Brain

Can we use grass to power our cars? Proponents of cellulosic ethanol made from switchgrass think we can. Others fear we'll stop growing food to grow fuel.

By Josh Clark

There may be "water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink," but what if you could substitute seawater for gasoline? It's a little like alchemy, but could it work?

By Josh Clark

When oil is expensive, contentious and scarce, fuel made from corn or cane starts to look pretty smart -- economically and environmentally. But not everyone sees it that way.

By Julia Layton

Corn distilled into ethanol and mixed with gasoline is used to create E85. Each gallon of E85 consists of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. Learn the pros and cons of this new fuel.

By Chuck Giametta

You probably know it as the stuff that fuels a gas grill or a Zippo lighter, but that's just the beginning. People are modifying cars to run on the stuff. Learn all about liquefied petroleum gas.

By Ed Grabianowski

When gas prices rise, people's thoughts naturally jump to alternative fuel sources. Check out these articles to learn all about the growing technology of alternative fuel.