A Comparative Analysis of Alternative Energy Sources Used in Automobiles

Abstract

Due to the rapid decline of oil reserves and the environmental regulations that lower the limit values of exhaust emissions released into the atmosphere the car makers and the scientific communities have been accelerating their studies on the use of alternative energy sources in automobiles. To determine which alternative energy source is suitable for automobiles in terms of the existing conditions is a very important issue. It is necessary to know the characteristics of these energy types and evaluate their advantages and disadvantages to make this determination. In this study, a comparative analysis is performed for fuels such as LPG, CNG, hydrogen, biodiesel, ethanol and methanol, which could be used as an alternative to gasoline and diesel, and electric, hybrid and fuel cell vehicles. According to the comparison, LPG and CNG seem to be best alternative fuels for economical reasons, while electric and fuel cell vehicles stand out as their emission advantages.