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FAQ
If you can't find an answer to your question below, check out these websites:
Fuels: Alternative
| Q: |
I thought using alternative fuels meant lower gas mileage; how do alternative fuels really compare to gasoline and diesel? |
| A: |
The common method to understanding the amount of energy in different fuels is by comparing a unit of fuel with a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline by using a Gasoline Gallon Equivalent table. For example, if you can drive 25 miles on 1 gallon of regular unleaded gasoline, you would need to burn 1.5 gallons of E85 to go the same distance. |
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| Fuel Type |
Unit of Measure |
BTUs per Unit |
Gallon Equivalent |
| Gasoline (regular unleaded) |
Gallon |
114,100 |
1.00 gallon |
| Gasoline (reformulated, 10% MTBE) |
Gallon |
112,000 |
1.02 gallons |
| Diesel (#2) |
Gallon |
129,800 |
0.88 gallons |
| Biodiesel (B100) |
Gallon |
118,300 |
0.96 gallons |
| Biodiesel (B20) |
Gallon |
129,500 |
0.88 gallons |
| Ethanol (E100) |
Gallon |
76,100 |
1.50 gallons |
| Ethanol (E85) |
Gallon |
81,800 |
1.40 gallons |
| Methanol (M100) |
Gallon |
56,800 |
2.01 gallons |
| Methanol (M85) |
Gallon |
65,400 |
1.74 gallons |
| Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) |
Gallon |
75,000 |
1.52 gallons |
| Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) |
Cubic Foot |
900 |
126.67 cu. ft. |
| Liquefied Petroleum Gas (propane) |
Gallon |
84,300 |
1.35 gallons |
| Electricity |
Kilowatt hour |
3,400 |
33.53 kwhrs |
Source: National Association of Fleet Administrators, Inc.
Fuels: Ethanol
| Q: |
Can I use ethanol in my vehicle? |
| A: |
Any internal combustion engine can use E10 or a lower blend and most gasoline vehicles can run on E50 without any vehicle modifications. You may already be using ethanol in your vehicle. Small amounts of ethanol are blended in about one-third of the gas in the U.S. |
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| Q: |
Can I use E85 in my vehicle? |
| A: |
If you drive a flexible fuel vehicle (FFV), you can use E85 (85% ethanol, 15% gasoline), but don't fuel your car with E85 if you're unsure. To see if you own a FFV, check your owner's manual or visit www.E85fuel.com. |
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| Q: |
Will using ethanol void my warranty? |
| A: |
Using ethanol does not void an engine manufacturer's warranty. Warranties only cover the manufacturer's parts and workmanship and do not cover any fuel, whether it's gasoline or ethanol. Use of a particular fuel should not void the warranty. However, if the fuel causes damage to the engine, the damage is not covered by the warranty. To view warranty statements regarding the use of ethanol visit www.ethanolrfa.org/resource/warranty/. |
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| Q: |
How much does ethanol cost? |
| A: |
Ethanol is typically priced lower than gasoline, though prices fluctuate from region to region. To view prices, visit www1.eere.energy.gov/biomass/biofuels_data.html. |
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| Q: |
Is ethanol only made from corn? |
| A: |
The majority of ethanol is derived from corn. The kernels are ground, cooked in a mash to convert the starch to sugar, then fermented and distilled into pure ethyl alcohol. But ethanol is also be made from sugar cane (the main feedstock used in Brazil), sugar beets, rye, and cellulosic materials like crop residues, sawdust, wood chips, other forestry residue, switchgrass and other fast-growing plants. |
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| Q: |
Does using ethanol affect my engine in any way? |
| A: |
Ethanol is a high octane fuel and will give your engine more power. But if too high of a blend is used, ethanol is corrosive to incompatible materials. |
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| Q: |
Where can I get ethanol? |
| A: |
Use the CWCCC Locator or the DOE locator to find stations selling ethanol blends. |
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| Q: |
Does it take more energy to make ethanol than I can get out of it? |
| A: |
Recent studies have found that by looking at the entire lifecycle of ethanol compared to gasoline, it takes less energy to produce a unit of ethanol than it does a unit of gasoline.
According to Northwest Biofuels, corn ethanol fuel yields an energy output: input ratio of 1.6 to 1. This analysis accounts for all non-solar energy used to grow, harvest and process corn, produce ethanol in modern facilities, and also the value of the by-product cattle feed.
To learn more, visit www.transportation.anl.gov/software/GREET/publications.html and scroll to the brochure section. |
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| Q: |
Is ethanol good for the environment? |
| A: |
Yes! Ethanol biodegrades quickly if leaked or spilled and reduces harmful air emissions. |
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| Q: |
Does using ethanol decrease my fuel economy? |
| A: |
There is less energy in ethanol than gasoline. To get the same amount of energy as 1 gallon of gas, you would have to use about 1.5 gallons of ethanol (E100). one gallon of ethanol compared to one gallon of gasoline and you may notice your mpgs lower. |
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| Q: |
Isn't ethanol making the price of corn soar, thereby increasing the cost of food? |
| A: |
Food prices are rising due to increased fuel and energy prices (related to increased petroleum costs). Most corn grown in the U.S. is for livestock feed, not for human consumption. When corn is used for ethanol, the leftover corn "mash" is still used to feed livestock. Crop prices across the board are increasing (not just for corn) and are mainly due to the higher the price for fertilizer, pesticides, diesel, and transporting costs.
Also, recent studies find a "weak correlation" between corn prices and food costs. Only 4% of the change in the food consumer price index is because of the changing price in corn. Instead, rising energy prices impact food prices significantly more than corn because energy costs impact every product on the shelf.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, out of one dollar spent on food:
- 38 cents pays for labor costs
- 24 cents pays for packaging, transportation, energy, advertising, and profits
- Only 19 cents pays for food inputs (like grains)
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| Q: |
Because of ethanol, is there less corn available for us to eat or to feed our livestock? |
| A: |
Only a fraction of field corn is used for human consumption. In 2005, cereal accounted for just over 1% of total corn use. The majority of field corn is used for livestock feed. Ethanol production only removes the starch portion of the corn kernel and the protein, vitamins, mineral and fiber are left intact and sold as high-value livestock feed (dried distillers grains with solubles). |
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| Q: |
What about the food versus fuel debate? Aren't we diverting the corn supply from feeding other nations to fuel our cars? |
| A: |
The food versus fuel debate argues that the corn the U.S. would usually export to other countries is now being used to produce ethanol. But the majority of corn exports are to developed countries as a livestock feed product. Also, demand for corn is higher than normal. But this is driven largely by crop shortage in other countries because of droughts, crop diseases, storms, and growing populations. |
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Fuels: Biodiesel
| Q: |
Will using biodiesel void my warranty? |
| A: |
Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) recommend biodiesel blends ranging from B5 to B100. Although an OEM may only recommend a lower blend of biodiesel, it does not void the vehicle's warranty to use a higher blend of biodiesel. However, if a problem occurs that is the fault of the fuel, it will not be covered by the warranty. If the problem is unrelated to the fuel and is a result of faulty workmanship or parts, it must be covered by the warranty. For more information, visit Biofuels4Business. |
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| Q: |
How much does biodiesel cost? |
| A: |
Biodiesel prices fluctuate like diesel and are different for each blend. To view prices, visit www1.eere.energy.gov/biomass/biofuels_data.html. |
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| Q: |
Does using biodiesel affect my engine in any way? |
| A: |
Biodiesel is a solvent and will clean out your tanks, lines and hoses of the deposits left by petroleum diesel; fuel filters should be changed more frequently when first using biodiesel blends of B50 or above. Biodiesel will add lubricity to protect your engine and has a higher cetane rating than diesel (leading to a more complete combustion of the fuel) making your engine run smoother and quieter. |
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| Q: |
Does using biodiesel decrease my fuel economy? |
| A: |
High level blends of biodiesel may contain a lower energy content than diesel, but is typically only noticed when using B99. For B20, the difference in power, torque, and fuel economy is about 1% to 2%. Blends of B5 or less do not cause noticeable differences in performance. |
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| Q: |
Where can I get biodiesel? |
| A: |
Biodiesel is sold in almost every state and there are numerous stations selling biodiesel in the Northwest. To find a station, use our CWCCC Station Locator or the DOE Locator. |
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| Q: |
Does it take more energy to make biodiesel than I can get out of it? |
| A: |
No. Biodiesel has a positive energy balance, producing 3.2 units of energy for every 1 unit consumed. Diesel has a negative energy balance, only 0.83 units of energy are produced for every 1 unit consumed. |
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| Q: |
Is biodiesel good for the environment? |
| A: |
Biodiesel is a significantly cleaner-burning fuel than #2 diesel. By using biodiesel, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, unburned hydrocarbons, particulate matter, air toxics, and sulfate emissions are all reduced. |
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| Q: |
Can I run B99 in my vehicle like regular #2 diesel? |
| A: |
B99 can be used in most diesel engines with little to no modifications. But when switching to these high blends, fuel filters should at first be changed more often, oil changes should be performed more frequently, consult with B99 suppliers to determine if your vehicle is biodiesel compatible, and switch from these high blends to B50 during cold weather (B99 begins to thicken (cloud) at 35°F. |
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| Q: |
Are there health benefits to using biodiesel? |
| A: |
Biodiesel is not only good for the environment; it is good for the health of our mechanics, construction workers, and others who work around diesel engines. That's because biodiesel decreases harmful air emissions that have proven to be carcinogenic to humans. |
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Fuels: Hydrogen
| Q: |
Why is there such great interest in using hydrogen as an alternative fuel? |
| A: |
Hydrogen is a clean-burning fuel that can be produced domestically, and fuel cell vehicles are highly efficient (2-3 times more efficient than gasoline vehicles). |
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| Q: |
What are the reasons fuel cell vehicles are not yet out on the market for the public to purchase? |
| A: |
Storing enough hydrogen on-board the fuel cell vehicle to enable it to travel at least 300 miles results in a larger, heavier vehicle (reducing fuel economy). Advanced technologies are needed to reduce the required storage space and weight. Also, hydrogen production is still too costly and those costs would be passed to the consumer, making fuel cell vehicles too expensive for the average driver. |
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Fuels: Diesel
| Q: |
What is harmful about diesel exhaust? |
| A: |
Diesel exhaust is a mixture of gases and particles that cause environmental and health problems. Of the more than 40 toxic air contaminants, four "criteria pollutants" emitted are especially threatening: sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter and carbon monoxide. In Oregon, diesel exhaust is the number one contributor to outdoor air toxics and is 30 times greater than the second greatest contributor. |
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| Q: |
How can diesel exhaust be cleaned up? |
| A: |
Reducing emissions can occur in 3 ways: installing pollution control devices (retrofits) to remove some of the emissions from the exhaust, using less fuel through efficiency measures, and using a cleaner burning fuel. To learn more on diesel fuel emissions, read the Oregon Environmental Council publications Drop by Drop and The Dirt on Diesel |
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Technology
| Q: |
What is regenerative braking? |
| A: |
When the brakes in a conventional vehicle are depressed, brake pads use friction to slow down the tires and heat is produced as a result. The heat normally dissipates and the energy in the heat lost to the surrounding air. With regenerative braking in a hybrid vehicle, the electric motor reverses its role from consuming energy into capturing energy. The electric motor acts like a generator and transfers the energy in heat into electricity that is stored in the battery. |
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CWCCC
| Q: |
What types of activities are available to CWCCC members? |
| A: |
Various workshops and training sessions are offered throughout the year, as well as an annual stakeholder meeting. To view previous workshop agendas and presentations, visit the Events page. |
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| Q: |
Where do I mail my completed form and check for membership? |
| A: |
Mail your application and check made payable to Columbia-Willamette Clean Cities:
Columbia-Willamette Clean Cities Coalition, Inc.
4905 SW Scholls Ferry Rd
Portland, OR 97225
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| Q: |
Is CWCCC sponsoring any upcoming events? |
| A: |
Check out our Events page to see our upcoming events and to read about our past events. |
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| Q: |
Are there other organizations like CWCCC? |
| A: |
There are about 90 other Clean Cities coalitions like CWCCC. To learn about these coalitions and the national program, visit Clean Cities |
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Saving Fuel
| Q: |
Since launching nationally in 1993, Clean Cities and its stakeholders have displaced more than 1.6 billion gallons of petroleum. What does displacing 1.6 billion gallons of gas really mean? |
| A: |
1.6 billion gallons of gasoline can fuel roughly 3.2 million cars for one year, which amounts to saving $4.8 billion (using an average $3 per gallon for unleaded gasoline, in 2005 dollars). |
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| Q: |
What can long haul truck drivers do to reduce fuel consumption? |
| A: |
There are many fuel saving options for heavy-duty truck drivers like improving aerodynamics, installing idle reduction technologies, using single wide-base tires, and more! See our Trucking section or visit Cascade Sierra Solutions for further explanations |
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FAQ Categories
Jump to a FAQ category by clicking one below.
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Station Locator
The Columbia-Willamette Clean Cities Station Locator allows you to search for Biodiesel and Ethanol Refueling Stations in Oregon and Washington.
Click here to begin your search for stations. |
Upcoming Events
Click here for the latest events and workshops presented by Columbia-Willamette Clean Cities. |
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