Alternative Fuels

We cannot achieve California’s aggressive climate policy goals without implementing a suite of alternative fuels in the transportation sector. Clean vehicle technology, increased fuel economy, and a reduction in Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) serve as vital components of any strategy to reduce the consumption of fossil fuels and emissions of greenhouse gases, but equally important will be the implementation of low carbon, renewable fuels to complement a portfolio approach of new strategies. Due to the massive scale and urgency of the challenge, it is essential to incorporate current commercially available near term solutions in addition to consistently focusing on longer-term goals.

With this strategy in mind, EIN continues to push the envelope for potential Zero Emission Vehicle platforms powered by Hydrogen (link to H2 resources/factsheet section) and Electricity (link to EV resources section): the only available fuels with the potential to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels to zero. However, until the Infrastructure (link to our infrastructure subsection) and vehicle technology (link again) has made it possible for these progressive fuels to capture a larger share of the market, it is critical to explore other alternative fuels such as advanced biofuels (Link) and clean renewable diesel (Link), as well as hybrid technologies to use these fuels more efficiently.

The following is a selection of some key areas of focus for EIN’s alternative fuels program:

Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) (link to ARB LCFS page)

EIN provided regular input in the development of the LCFS and continues to engage on key remaining areas of the implementation, including Market Design, Ultra-low carbon fuels, Regulatory Barriers, and Sustainability.

AB 118 Implementation: Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program (link to CEC AB 118 Page)

EIN serves as an AB 118 Advisory Committee member and monitors the AB118 funding process, including the Requests For Proposal’s that are released, awards that are made, and modifications to the funding.

SB 1505: Environmental Performance Standards for Hydrogen Fuel (Link to ARB SB 1505 page)

EIN is working with CARB staff, industry and environmental stakeholders to develop the regulation, which requires a minimum 33.3% of Hydrogen used in the transportation sector be produced from renewable sources.

We cannot achieve California’s aggressive climate policy goals without implementing a suite of alternative fuels in the transportation sector. Clean vehicle technology, increased fuel economy, and a reduction in Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) serve as crucial first steps to reducing consumption of fossil fuels and emissions of greenhouse gases, but truly significant reduction in petroleum use relies on the the implementation and adoption of low carbon, renewable fuels. Due to the massive scale and urgency of the challenge, it is essential to incorporate current commercially available near term solutions in addition to consistently focusing on longer-term goals.

With this strategy in mind, EIN continues to push the envelope for potential Zero Emission Vehicle platforms powered by Hydrogen and Electricity: the only available fuels with the potential to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels to zero. However, until the development of infrastructure and vehicle technology make it possible for these progressive fuels to capture a larger share of the market, it is critical to explore other alternative fuels such as advanced biofuels and clean renewable diesel, as well as hybrid technologies to use these fuels more efficiently.

The below graph shows the relative carbon intensities of currently available fuel sources when accounting for typical drivetrain efficiencies. In other words, when comparing the use of these fuels, the larger bars represent greater greenhouse gas emissions.

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The following is a selection of some key areas of focus for EIN’s alternative fuels program:

Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS)

EIN provided regular input in the development of the LCFS and continues to engage on key remaining areas of the implementation as a LCFS Advisory Committee Member. These areas of focus include: Market Design, Ultra-low carbon fuels, Regulatory Barriers, and Sustainability.

AB 118 Implementation: Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program

SB 1505: Environmental Performance Standards for Hydrogen Fuel

EIN is working with CARB staff, industry and environmental stakeholders to develop the regulation, which by law requires a minimum 33.3% of Hydrogen used in the transportation sector be produced from renewable sources.

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*Based on the CA-GREET Model (Grams of Carbon Dioxide Emissions per Mega-Joule)

**Adjusted by an Energy Efficiency Ratio of 3.0 to account for power train efficiency improvements over gasoline engines

***Adjusted by an Energy Efficiency Ratio of 2.3 to account for power train efficiency improvements over gasoline engines

****Land use emissions accounted for in the value