Consider the Alternatives:

Alternative Fueled Vehicles and Alternative Vehicle Fuels

April 1996

Driving a car fueled by something other than gasoline or diesel fuel is no longer the stuff of science 

fiction. In addition to conventional gasoline and diesel fuel, reformulated — cleaner — gasoline and 

alternative fuels now are sold in many parts of the country. Alternative fuels such as methanol, 

ethanol, compressed natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, and electricity produce fewer tail pipe 

pollutants than conventional gasoline and diesel fuel. Using them could improve our air quality. 

In 1992, Congress passed the Energy Policy Act to promote the use of alternative fuels. For example, 

the law requires owners of fleet vehicles to purchase a certain number of alternative fueled vehicles. 

Congress also directed the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to issue labeling requirements for 

alternative fuels and alternative fueled vehicles. Two FTC Rules — the Alternative Fuels and Vehicles 

(AFV) Rule and the Fuel Rating Rule — require fuel dispensers and alternative fueled vehicles to be 

labeled with information to help consumers make knowledgeable decisions when it comes to filling up 

or buying a vehicle. The AFV Rule applies to new and used alternative fueled vehicles that are sold to 

consumers or leased to consumers for a minimum of 120 days. 

This brochure explains the labels you'll see on alternative fueled vehicles and alternative fuel 

dispensers, and suggests several important factors to consider as you investigate the options. 

Alternative Fueled Vehicles 

AFVs are vehicles that operate on alternative fuels, such as methanol, ethanol, compressed natural gas, 

liquefied petroleum gas, electricity, and others designated by the U.S. Department of Energy. Some 

AFVs can run on conventional fuels, such as gasoline, and alternative fuels. They are called dualfueled vehicles. 

The required labels must be placed in plain view on the surface of all new and used AFVs. The labels 

on new AFVs must include the vehicle's cruising range as estimated by the manufacturer and its 

environmental impact, as well as general descriptive information. It's important to know how many 

miles your new AFV will travel on a supply of fuel because, gallon for gallon, some AFVs don't travel 

as far as gasoline-powered vehicles. The label's description of the Environmental Protection Agency's 

(EPA) emission standard for the vehicle tells you to what extent the vehicle produces emissions. If a 

vehicle meets an EPA emissions standard, a box on the label will be marked and a caret (^) will be 

placed above the particular vehicle's certification standard. The label shows the levels of emissions 

standards in a series of boxes that range from a “Tier l” vehicle — one with more emissions — to a 

“ZEV” — a zero emissions vehicle. 
The labels on new and used AFVs also advise consumers to consider the following items before 

buying or leasing an AFV. 

1. Fuel type. Ask what kind of fuel powers the vehicle. 

2. Operating costs. Fuel and maintenance costs for AFVs can vary considerably from gasoline or 

diesel-fueled vehicles. 

3. Performance/convenience. Vehicles powered by different fuels vary in their ability to start 

when they are cold; their acceleration rates; the time it takes to completely refill the vehicle's 

tank; and how they are refueled. 

4. Fuel availability. Find out whether refueling or recharging facilities are available in your area 

for the fuel the vehicle uses. 

5. Energy security/renewability. Consider where and how the fuel powering the vehicle is 

produced so you can anticipate long-term fuel availability at a reasonable price. 

These labels also must include additional sources of information from the federal government: The 

Department of Energy maintains a toll-free National Alternative Fuels Hotline to answer questions 

about alternative fuels, give information about the availability of alternative fuels in a particular area, 

and suggest more sources of information about alternative fuels and alternative fueled vehicles. The 

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's toll-free hotline offers information about safety 

related automobile issues. 

In addition, because all vehicles affect the environment directly (tailpipe emissions) and indirectly 

(how the fuel is produced and brought to market), the labels on used AFVs advise consumers to 

compare the environmental costs of driving an AFV to driving a gasoline-powered vehicle. 

Alternative Fuels 

Among the fuels covered by the Fuel Rating Rule and the Alternative Fuels and Vehicles Rule are 

methanol, ethanol, natural gas, liquefied petroleum gases, hydrogen, coal derived liquid fuels, and 

electricity. For example, methanol is an odorless, clear liquid produced from natural gas, coal, or 

biomass resources, such as crop and forest residues. It usually is sold as a blend of 85 percent 

methanol and 15 percent gasoline. Ethanol, a liquid produced from grain or agricultural waste, usually 

is sold as a blend of 85 percent denatured ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. 

The labels for these fuels are orange to distinguish them from gasoline octane labels, which are 

yellow. They must be placed on the fuel dispenser so that they are fully visible to consumers. 

Gasoline labels tell you the octane rating. Alternative fuel labels describe the fuel and its principal 

component(s). The rating for an alternative fuel — other than electricity — is the commonly used 

name of the fuel and the amount of its principal component, expressed as a minimum percentage. For 

electric vehicle fuel dispensing systems, the fuel rating is a common identifier — such as electricity — 

and the system's kilowatt capacity, voltage, whether the voltage is alternating or direct current, 

amperage, and whether the system is conductive or inductive. 
Consider the Alternatives 

Why consider switching to alternative fueled vehicles or alternative fuels? According to the 

Department of Energy, emissions from the 190 million cars and trucks on U.S. roads — mostly 

hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, and carbon monoxide — account for about 50 percent of all air 

pollution and more than 80 percent of urban air pollution. Driving alternative fueled vehicles could 

reduce the level of vehicle emissions, and choosing domestically produced alternative fuels — instead 

of imported oil — could help reduce the trade deficit, create jobs, and promote economic activity. 

At the same time, you should be aware that some alternative fuels have a lower energy content than 

gasoline. On a gallon for gallon basis, some do not allow consumers to travel as many miles as they 

could in a vehicle powered with gasoline or diesel fuel. In addition, an AFV may cost more than a 

comparable gasoline-powered vehicle. 

The good news is that you can help reduce pollution from vehicle emissions even if you don't choose 

an AFV or alternative fuel. If you live or work in an area where air pollution is a continuing problem, 

you may be able to find reformulated gasoline at local service stations. Reformulated gasoline is 

conventional gasoline with added oxygen. It burns more cleanly than conventional gasoline. It is 

required in areas with the most serious levels of ozone air pollution and is being used by choice in 

others. 

For More Information

The Energy Policy Act of 1992 gave the Department of Energy primary responsibility for telling the 

public about alternative fuels and alternative fueled vehicles and promoting their use. Call DOE's tollfree National Alternative Fuels Hotline, 1-800-423-1DOE, for Taking an Alternative Route, a 

publication that provides more information about alternative fuels and alternative fueled vehicles. The 

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's toll-free hotline is 1-800-424-9393. 

You can file a complaint with the FTC by contacting the Consumer Response Center by phone: 202-

FTC-HELP (382-4357); TDD: 202-326-2502; by mail: Consumer Response Center, Federal Trade 

Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20580; or through the Internet, using the 

online complaint form. Although the Commission cannot resolve individual problems for consumers, 

it can act against a company if it sees a pattern of possible law violations. 

The FTC publishes free brochures on many consumer issues. For a complete list of publications, write 

for Best Sellers, Consumer Response Center, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Ave, 

NW, Washington, D.C. 20580; or call (202) FTC-HELP (382-4357), TDD (202) 326-2502. 
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For Your Information: July 11, 2006

FTC Approves Consent Order Modifications in Matter of 

Associated Octel Company

Commission approval of consent order modifications: Following a public 

comment period, the Commission has approved certain modifications to a supply 

agreement in response to a request for approval filed by The Associated Octel 

Company, Ltd. under a 1999 consent order. More...

For Release: July 10, 2006

Federal Trade Commission/Department of Justice Hearings on 

Single-firm Conduct to Continue on July 18

Session to be Held in Washington, D.C., to Focus on Refusals to Deal

The Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Antitrust 

Division today announced that the third in a series of planned joint public hearings 

designed to examine the antitrust implications of single-firm conduct under the 

antitrust laws will take place on July 18, 2006, in Washington, DC. More...

For Release: June 21, 2006 

The Truth about Cell Phones and the Do Not Call Registry 

Despite Re-Circulating E-mail, It is Still Not Necessary to Register Cell Phone 

Numbers

As the number of phone numbers on the National Do Not Call (DNC) Registry 

surpassed 125 million, the Federal Trade Commission today reiterated that despite 

the claims made in e-mails circulating on the Internet, consumers should not be 

concerned that their cell phone numbers will be released to telemarketers at any 

time in the near future. More...

Last Updated: Tuesday, July 11, 2006 1:05 PM 

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