Back to OurEnergyLibrary search




Cheaper Fuels for the Light-Duty Fleet: Opportunities and Barriers

Cheaper Fuels for the Light-Duty Fleet: Opportunities and Barriers

Full Title:  Cheaper Fuels for the Light-Duty Fleet: Opportunities and Barriers
Author(s):  Arthur G. Fraas, Winston Harrington, Richard D. Morgenstern
Publisher(s): Resources for the Future
Publication Date: September 1, 2013
Full Text: Download Resource
Description (excerpt):

 

The shale gas revolution in the United States has dropped the price of natural gas (NG) significantly. Combined with new fuel and vehicle technologies, an opportunity exists to expand the use of NG throughout the economy, including in the light-duty fleet of cars and trucks. This expansion could involve the direct combustion of the gas in the form of compressed natural gas or liquid petroleum gas or, alternatively, the use of natural-gas-based liquid fuels such as ethanol or methanol. This paper examines the potential economic, environmental, and national security gains from replacing a portion of the domestic gasoline use in the light-duty fleet with these various NG-based fuels. Also examined are the regulatory barriers to the expanded use of the fuels. We find that these NG-based fuels could yield significant fuel cost savings relative to conventional gasoline in the light-duty fleet, along with gains to national security and, possibly, some environmental benefits.

All statements and/or propositions in discussion prompts are meant exclusively to stimulate discussion and do not represent the views of OurEnergyPolicy.org, its Partners, Topic Directors or Experts, nor of any individual or organization. Comments by and opinions of Expert participants are their own.

Sign up for our Press Release Distribution List

    Your Name (required)

    Your Email (required)

    Please sign me up to receive press releases from OurEnergyPolicy.org.