15th August 2024
As the 2035 ban on new petrol and diesel-powered vehicles inches closer in the UK, alternative fuels have increased in popularity. With many sustainable fuel options available, you might wonder which alternative you should choose. Some questions you may ask when selecting an alternative fuel type include:
• How easy it is to find a fuel station?
• How much does it cost to fill your vehicle with sustainable fuel?
• Can I convert my vehicle to run on an alternative to petrol or diesel?
Our article looks at the types of sustainable fuels you can use to fill your van or car.
Hydrogen is a sustainable fuel source that’s already used in vehicles. Most hydrogen-powered cars typically consist of a fuel cell, a hydrogen tank and an electric motor. Hydrogen-powered vehicles do not emit any harmful exhaust emissions, only water vapour, from the tailpipe. Filling your car with hydrogen can take five to ten minutes, instantly giving you a range of 300 to 400 miles.
Biodiesel is an alternative sustainable fuel source for powering your diesel vehicle. This fuel source can come from various fuel sources, including:
• Animal fat
• Vegetable oil
• Microalgae
• Restaurant grease
Nearly every diesel van, car or lorry can run on biodiesel, making it an environmentally friendly substitute to fossil fuel-based diesel, however, you should ensure that it is safe to fill your car’s fuel tank with biodiesel before proceeding.
Electricity is fast becoming the biggest alternative to petrol-powered vehicles. Many EVs use a rechargeable lithium-ion battery connected to an electric motor (or motors). The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders has found nearly 1.2 million fully electric cars are on the UK’s road network as of July 2024. You can recharge your EV from home or a public charging point via a charging cable supplied with the vehicle.
Ethanol is a bio-fuel additive added to petrol to lower carbon emissions. Typically, ethanol-based fuel is made from a blend of 90% petroleum and 10% ethanol or 5% ethanol and 95% petroleum to produce E10 or E5 fuel. All vehicles manufactured after 2010 can run on E10 fuel and this type of fuel is available in most petrol stations. However, if your vehicle is pre-2010, you should not use fuels containing ethanol as it can cause long-term damage to the fuel pump, fuel line and carburettor.
Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (or HVO) is another alternative to diesel. Almost all diesel cars can run on this fuel as they don’t require any modifications to use HVO. HVO is made from renewable materials like animal fat and vegetable oil, thus emitting fewer carbon emissions than conventional fossil fuels.
Have you noticed an increase in your vehicle’s fuel consumption? Our top tips article will help improve your car’s fuel economy. Book your annual MOT or service at your local Merityre branch across South East England today.