Transportation
What are Alternative Fuel and Advanced Technology Vehicles?
Alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) can run on power sources other than gasoline or diesel. Most AFV models run on natural gas, propane (Liquefied Petroleum Gas), electricity, and ethanol or E85 (a mixture of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline). Advanced Technology Vehicles cannot be officially classified as AFVs, but they use technology other than a straight internal combustion engine. Some examples of ATVs are hybrid electric vehicles, low speed vehicles and electric bicycles. The U.S. spends about $2 billion a week on oil imports, mostly for transportation fuel, which compromised our environment (vehicles emissions are the leading sources of US air pollution, which jeopardizes our health). AFVs and ATVs can help reduce our dependence on imported oil and improve our air quality.
Oregon offers both a business and a residential tax credit for the purchase of an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) alternative fuel vehicle (AFV) or for the cost of converting a vehicle to operate on an alternative fuel. A tax credit is also available for installing a public or personal refueling station. Please visit www.eere.energy.gov/cleancities/vbg/progs/laws2.cgi for more information.
The following site contains a complete list of available alternatives, along with price comparisons, fuel efficiency ratings, power ratings, and more: www.eere.energy.gov/cleancities/vbg/consumers. Or visit facultystaff.vwc.edu/~gnoe/avd.htm for more information.
What are some examples of alternative fuels?
BIODIESEL
COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS (CNG)
LIQUIFIED PETROLEUM GAS (LPG)
ELECTRIC-HYBRID OR DUAL FUEL BIO
HYDROGEN
BIODIESEL: Barley, soy and other crops, along with waste grease from the food service or processing industry, can be distilled into an oil suitable to fuel diesel engine vehicles. These fuels can be used in vehicles with little or no modification to their diesel engines. In addition to being a domestic renewable resource, biodiesel is clean and safe. It provides substantial reductions in carbon dioxide, monoxide and toxic gas emissions. With minor fuel injector adjustment, nitrogen oxide emissions are reduced. Biodiesel is biodegradable and nontoxic, making it an excellent fuel for marine applications as well. Biodiesel has a high flash point and does not produce explosive air/fuel vapors. Biodiesel also provides for good diesel engine performance and is convenient to store and dispense. Biodiesel comes in B-20 (20 percent biodiesel, 80 percent petroleum diesel) or B-100 (100 percent biodiesel) forms. Either form of biodiesel meets or exceeds lubricity (fuel based engine lubrication) needs of a diesel engine, which can make it a great additive for the new low or ultra-low sulfur petroleum diesel. B-20 and B-100 have cold weather performance similar to straight petroleum diesel and B-20 stays uniformly mixed during storage. B-20 may be stored in tanks previously used for petroleum diesel. To provide fuel integrity, suppliers recommend that B-100 fuel be stored in existing tanks than have been steam cleaned or new tanks dedicated to that fuel.
COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS (CNG): CNG-powered vehicles use natural gas, the same fuel that is used by stoves, water heaters and clothes dryers, stored in cylinders at pressures of 2,000 to 3,500 pounds per square inch. Compressed natural gas is used in light-duty passenger vehicles and pickup trucks, medium-duty delivery trucks, and in transit and school buses. Converting a vehicle to use Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) costs about $3,000 and proves to be cost-effective over the vehicle's life considering fuel cost savings alone. The manufacturer for warranty maintenance may allow conversion with certified parts.
LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS (LPG): Although LPG, commonly known as propane, is a petroleum-based fuel, it has some of the clean burning characteristics of other alternative fuels. Conversion of vehicles cost approximately $3,000, and it is believed that LPG conversion violates vehicle warranty. The additional conversion cost and similar price per gallon do not make propane the best choice for cost effectiveness since there is 25 percent less energy content in a gallon of propane compared to unleaded gasoline.
ELECTRIC: The commercial production of electric vehicles started in 1992, with new technology changes each year. Improvements continue and have not yet stabilized causing high initial incremental costs. Typical electric vehicles for fleet commuting applications cost between $7,000 and $15,000 more than an equivalent gas fueled vehicle. Recharging infrastructure is not a significant barrier, and vehicle miles per charge are improving. A new class of lower cost, ultra-light-weight electric vehicles dedicated to local commute, campus or single site applications have shown outstanding cost-effectiveness. The higher first cost of electric vehicles designed to be used as a replacement for a conventional vehicle applications have shown to be less cost effective.
HYBRID OR DUAL FUEL: Hybrids are not typically referred to as a separate alternative fuel but the technology is found in many new alternative fuel vehicles. This vehicle engine/motor drive system uses electricity or other alternative fuels while still using conventional fuels in an internal combustion engine. The conventional fuel engine is used for drive power and to charge a small battery pack to power the vehicles primary or supplemental electric motor. These vehicles are typically lightweight, aerodynamic vehicles that recover wasted energy from braking. They typically qualify as Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicles. Several Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) have either released or announced limited releases of production vehicles starting in 1999 and 2000.HYDROGEN: Its ability to create fuel from a variety of resources and its clean-burning properties makes Hydrogen a desirable alternative fuel. Pure hydrogen and hydrogen mixed with natural gas (hythane) have been used effectively to power automobiles with internal combustion engines. Hydrogen (H2) is the lightest and simplest gas, making it a very clean energy source, and its real potential rests in its future role as fuel for fuel cell vehicles. Storage of this gaseous fuel for transportation use poses challenges that are currently being researched. The two methods of manufacturing hydrogen fuel currently results in costs of $3 to $4 dollars a gallon and use electricity or natural gas, which typically results in air emissions. A safe hydrogen fuel distribution system needs to be developed to make the quantities necessary for transportation readily available. Several vehicle manufacturers have developed research vehicles which they expect to be available through fleet leases in 2005 and to retail consumers by 2007.
What alternative fuels are available in Oregon?
Suppliers of biodiesel fuels are rapidly developing an Oregon customer base of public and commercial fleets. Fleets with their own fuel storage and dispensing capabilities can take advantage of this clean fuel now. Oregon's Business Energy Tax Credit can help offset 35% the cost of installing or modifying storage and dispensing for this fuel.
More information on the history or policy affecting bio-diesel can be found at www.biodiesel.org. The availability, user experience and the state of any research on biodiesel can be found at www.biofuels.doe.gov Biodiesel is available at Red Carpet Express
Compressed Natural Gas fueling sites in Oregon, owned by natural gas utilities, will soon be available for use by Oregon fleet vehicles. Currently, the only cost-effective investment in CNG use is for vehicles with convenient access to fast-fill fueling stations. Most CNG fueling sites are located on the Interstate 5 corridor.
Liquefied Petroleum Gas is the most widely used alternative fuel in Oregon at this time. There are more than 250 refueling sites throughout the state and can be found in the yellow pages under Liquefied Petroleum Gas (on the web) or Gas-Propane (in the phonebook).
Are there tax incentives for Oregon residents to purchase fuel efficient vehicles?
Qualifying hybrid electric vehicles can earn a tax credit of $1,500 for Oregon residents and business owners. As compared to conventional vehicles, full hybrid vehicles have the potential to greatly reduce fuel consumption and exhaust emissions.A qualifying hybrid is defined as having all of the following criteria:1. Hybrid drive train (gas/electric)2. Regenerative braking 3. Energy storage device (battery) AND 4. Capability to save substantial energy (as determined by the Department of Energy). The models of qualifying hybrid vehicles include:Honda Civic™ Hybrid Honda Insight™ Hybrid Toyota Prius™ Ford Escape™ Hybrid Honda Accord™ Hybrid. Please visit the Oregon State Department of Energy site to find more information about tax incentives: http://www.energy.state.or.us/trans/hybridcr.htm.
Does Bend have a public transportation system?
No. To learn more about the City's Transportation System Plan, visit http://www.ci.bend.or.us/depts/community_development/planning_division/transportation_system_plan.html or www.ci.bend.or.us/depts/community_development/planning_division/docs/Index___Acknowledgements.pdf
To publicly participate in city council meetings regarding plans for city transport plans, visit www.ci.bend.or.us/city_hall/meeting_minutes/index.html
For information on alternative commuting options, visit www.commuteoptions.org
I’m interested in riding my bike to and from work; where can I find a map of the city’s bike land to help make my commute safer?
For information on planned and existing bike lanes in Bend, visit http://www.ci.bend.or.us/depts/public_works/city_map_room.html
last updated in March of 2004.
