This document discusses four potential alternative fuels for future vehicles: bioethanol, biodiesel, propane, and hydrogen. It outlines the production processes, advantages, infrastructure requirements, and disadvantages of each fuel. Biodiesel is produced from waste oils through transesterification and offers benefits like reducing dependence on foreign oil and lowering greenhouse gas emissions. However, large-scale biodiesel production could stress water resources and food security. The document concludes by stating that biodiesel is the best choice because it makes efficient use of waste products.

1. Vehicles of the Future
Simran Gupta
Economics
(Summer 2014- 6 Weeks)

2. Four Alternate Fuels
1. Bioethanol
2. Biodiesel
3. Propane
4. Hydrogen

3. Technology
• Bioethanol
• Produced through agricultural feedstocks
• Made from crops such as sugar cane, potato, corn, ect.
• The cultivation of such starch and sugar crops is necessary.
• Biodiesel
• Made from a diverse mix of feedstocks including oils and animal
fats
• Made through a process called transesterification, which
separates the glycerin from the fatty acids

4. Technology (continued…)
• Propane
• By-product of natural gas processing
• Produced as a result of petroleum refining
• Hydrogen
• Utilizes electrochemical cells/combustion
• Produced through electrolysis and steam-methane reforming
process

5. Advantages
• Bioethanol
• CO2 neutral (doesn’t give off toxic CO2 emissions)
• More complete combustion
• Renewable energy resource
• Reduces greenhouse gases
• Biodiesel
• Reducing US dependence on foreign oil
• Creates jobs
• Benefits US economy
• Reduces greenhouse gas emissions
• Dramatically reduces tailpipe pollutants

6. Advantages (continued…)
• Propane
• Allows for less engine damage
• Allows for faster refill times
• Cheaper than other fuel sources
• Much cleaner form of fuel
• Hydrogen
• Extremely powerful
• No harmful emissions
• Renewable energy source
• Fuel efficient

7. Infrastructure
• Bioethanol
• Tanks
• Above ground
• Underground
• Dispensers
• Filters
• Hanging Hardware
• Hoses
• Nozzles
• Swivels
• Breakaways
• Biodiesel
• Tanks
• Underground
• Above ground
• Transportation

8. Infrastructure (continued…)
• Propane
• Storage
• Carrier
• Pipeline transport
• Compressor station
• Hydrogen
• Hydrogen compressor
• Tanks
• Small
• Large
• Hydrogen vehicle

9. Disadvantages
• Bioethanol
• Increased production would lead to increased food prices
• Production requires large amounts of land which would lead to a
decrease in biodiversity
• Small efficiency percentage
• Has the ability to negatively affect the physical structure of fuel
pumps
• Biodiesel
• Place unsustainable pressure on water resources
• Threatens a nation’s food security
• Increases deforestation
• Emphasizes monoculture

10. Disadvantages (continued…)
• Propane
• Limited availability
• Provides fewer miles of travel overall
• Less readily available
• Hydrogen
• Requires a large amount of energy to produce
• Production can release greenhouse gases
• Has the ability to damage transportation pipes

11. Role of the Government
• Bioethanol
• The government would need to set aside large portions of land
solely for the purpose of cultivating sugar and starches to convert
into bioethanol.
• Biodiesel
• The government would have to collect all waste oils to later be
converted into biodiesel.
• Propane
• The government would have to regulate natural oil processing
and petroleum refining, so propane could be produced as a by-
product.
• Hydrogen
• The government would have to determine a method to reduce
energy consumption during hydrogen production in order for it to
be an efficient fuel source.

12. My Choice
• I would chose biodiesel as an alternate form of fuel for future
cars because it is produced through waste oils. Using waste
products to produce fuel and energy is extremely efficient. If
the oils are to be consumed anyway, it is essential that the
waste products are consumed in an efficient manner, and
biodiesel does exactly that.