Alternative Transportation Fuels: An Environmental and Energy Solution

(Hardback)

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Throughout the 1970s and the 1980s, energy policy has been a hotly debated topic. Governments around the world have struggled to respond to a changing energy market. Yet the policy-making process is often distorted by self-interest groups who are informed by narrow, technical research. The question addressed by this volume: how much longer can we rely on petroleum as a transportation fuel This book, which includes a subset of papers commissioned for "Alternative Transportation Fuels of the 1990s and Beyond", July, 1988, addresses the issues of transportation-fuel policy in regard to energy security, growth and environmental quality. Presenters included executives and administrators from the Department of Energy and the motor vehicle and energy industries; federal, state and local governments; environmental groups as well as researchers in the fields of air quality analysis, motor vehicle technology and energy policy. In addition to an introduction and conclusion by Daniel Sperling, 17 papers are presented in this volume. Examined here are global fuel strategy, ethanol fuels in Brazil, alternative fuels as a solution to the air quality problems, Chevron's views of the future of oil and the role of government in promoting alternative transportation fuels. Methanol, compressed natural gas, and hydrogen-powered and electric vehicles are also discussed. In addition to the analytical papers, the volume also includes a short article representing the viewpoint of an environmentally-minded citizen.

Reviews

It is possible to characterize the North American transportation response to energy matters as profligacy in the use of universally available oil-based fuels before 1974, followed by conservation until about 1980, with efforts to develop or promote the use of alternative fuels ever since then. This discussion deals with the last phase in Canada, particularly as regards propane and compressed natural gas (CNG). Special attention is focused on the evolving use of these gaseous fuels from the perspective of the vehicle owner or operator. It is argued that the issue must be viewed at two levels, the material and the psychological. With regard to the latter, it is asserted here that, at the currently low levels of crude oil prices and consumption taxes, gas prices to Canadians (and probably Americans as well) are so low that most motorists do not even consider alternative fuels, no matter how economical they may be in fact.-Sage
Paula Berinstein's handbook is an excellent resource with a myriad of uses. This guide acts as a quick, ready reference for specialists in physics and alternative energies, but it also doubles as a thorough overview of alternative energies for the novice....This handy guide would be suitable for any science collection, whether in an academic library, public library, or high school media center. It is a very easily employed resource that would serve many reference collections well.-E-Streams
The transportation sector is the largest and fastest growing consumer of petroleum, therefore it bears the burden of a transition away from petroleum fuels. Papers on clean burning alternative transportation fuels policies and strategies are by a wide mix of participants (from an oil executive who argues oil is here to stay to an environmentalist stressing ecological urgency). Topics addressed: specific alternative fuels (AF) and technologies (natural gas, methanol, compressed natural gas, synthetic fuels, hydrogen, electric vehicles) and their economic and environmental impacts; global governmental AF policy issues; and transition to AF. Important questions: Which AF are most attractive How and when could the transition occur What roles will public and private organizations play What are the implications of pursuing other options, including increased fuel efficiency in vehicles-Energy Books Quarterly
"Paula Berinstein's handbook is an excellent resource with a myriad of uses. This guide acts as a quick, ready reference for specialists in physics and alternative energies, but it also doubles as a thorough overview of alternative energies for the novice....This handy guide would be suitable for any science collection, whether in an academic library, public library, or high school media center. It is a very easily employed resource that would serve many reference collections well."-E-Streams
"The transportation sector is the largest and fastest growing consumer of petroleum, therefore it bears the burden of a transition away from petroleum fuels. Papers on clean burning alternative transportation fuels policies and strategies are by a wide mix of participants (from an oil executive who argues oil is here to stay to an environmentalist stressing ecological urgency). Topics addressed: specific alternative fuels (AF) and technologies (natural gas, methanol, compressed natural gas, synthetic fuels, hydrogen, electric vehicles) and their economic and environmental impacts; global governmental AF policy issues; and transition to AF. Important questions: Which AF are most attractive How and when could the transition occur What roles will public and private organizations play What are the implications of pursuing other options, including increased fuel efficiency in vehicles"-Energy Books Quarterly
"It is possible to characterize the North American transportation response to energy matters as profligacy in the use of universally available oil-based fuels before 1974, followed by conservation until about 1980, with efforts to develop or promote the use of alternative fuels ever since then. This discussion deals with the last phase in Canada, particularly as regards propane and compressed natural gas (CNG). Special attention is focused on the evolving use of these gaseous fuels from the perspective of the vehicle owner or operator. It is argued that the issue must be viewed at two levels, the material and the psychological. With regard to the latter, it is asserted here that, at the currently low levels of crude oil prices and consumption taxes, gas prices to Canadians (and probably Americans as well) are so low that most motorists do not even consider alternative fuels, no matter how economical they may be in fact."-Sage

Author Bio

DANIEL SPERLING is Associate Professor of Transportation, Engineering and Environmental Studies at the University of California at Davis. He coordinated the symposium Alternative Transportation Fuels in the 1990s and Beyond on July 17-19, 1988. He is the author of two other books, including New Transportation Fuels: A Strategic Approach to Technological Change (1988) and coauthor of National Transportation Planning. He is Director of the Transportation Research Program of the University of California, Davis, and chair of the Alternative Transportation Fuels Committee of the Transportation Research Board (National Research Council).