Alternative fuel vehicle

A vehicle powered by an energy source other than conventional petroleum gasoline or diesel, including electricity, hydrogen, natural gas, or propane.

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Electric vehicle: A vehicle propelled partly or entirely by electric motors drawing power from batteries or another electrical source. Battery-powered models are a major alternative to petroleum-fueled vehicles.
Electric motor: A device that converts electrical energy into mechanical motion. Electric motors propel battery vehicles and fuel-cell vehicles.
Electric vehicle charging: The process and infrastructure for supplying electrical energy to plug-in vehicles. Charging access shapes where battery-electric vehicles can operate conveniently.
Well-to-wheel analysis: An assessment of energy use and emissions across fuel production, distribution, and vehicle operation. It compares alternatives beyond emissions from a vehicle’s tailpipe.
Internal combustion vehicle: A vehicle propelled by an engine that burns fuel internally, usually gasoline or diesel. Conventional petroleum-powered vehicles are the baseline these alternatives depart from.
Hydrogen vehicle: A vehicle that uses hydrogen as an energy carrier, commonly in a fuel cell or modified combustion engine. Hydrogen offers a distinct pathway for powering vehicles without petroleum fuel.
Lithium-ion battery: A rechargeable battery that stores energy through lithium-ion movement between electrodes. It is the dominant onboard energy store in modern battery-electric vehicles.
Hydrogen infrastructure: The production, transport, storage, and dispensing systems that supply hydrogen to users. Fuel-cell vehicles depend on reliable hydrogen production and refueling stations.
Life-cycle assessment: A method for evaluating environmental impacts across a product’s life cycle. Vehicle and fuel manufacturing can change the apparent environmental advantage of a powertrain.
Battery electric vehicle: An electric vehicle propelled solely by electric motors powered by rechargeable batteries. It is one specific type within the broader alternative-fuel vehicle category.