A
Advanced technology vehicle (ATV): a vehicle that incorporates
systems other than the conventional internal combustion engine to
boost fuel economy
Alternative fuel: fuels other than gasoline, including blends
with 85% or more of ethanol (E85). Those that are locally available
include E85, compressed natural gas (CNG), biodiesel, and propane.
Alternative fuel vehicle: a vehicle designed to run
on one or more alternative fuels
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA): a law created
in 2009 to create new jobs and save existing ones, spur economic
activity and invest in long-term growth, and foster unprecedented
levels of accountability and transparency in government spending.
$27.2 billion was allocated to energy efficiency and renewable energy
research and investment.
B
B20: a type of biodiesel that contains 20% ethanol and 80%
diesel.
Bi-fuel: a vehicle with two separate fuel systems designed
to run on either an alternative fuel or conventional fuel using
only one fuel at a time.
Biodiesel: a biobased fuel typically derived from a wide
range of vegetable oils (such as soybean) or animal fats. Blended
with diesel in levels ranging from one (B1) to 100 percent (B100).
Biofuel: any solid, liquid, or gaseous fuel obtained from
biomass
Biomass: a renewable energy source that can be used as fuel
derived from biological material, such as plant materials and animal
waste
Biorefinery: a building and equipment used to produce transportation
fuels and high-value chemicals from plant matter (including corn,
wheat, barley, switchgrass, crop residues, or waste wood).
C
Cellulosic ethanol (bioethanol): a biofuel derived from
plant material such as switchgrass, wood chips, prairie grasses,
corn stover, and agricultural residue (e.g. everything but the kernel
in corn crops)
Clean Air Act (CAA): a law originally signed in 1963, and
then amended in 1990, created to set emissions standards. It includes
pollutants such as lead, ozone, CO, SO2, NOx, amd PM as well as
air toxics.
Compressed natural gas (CNG): a domestically produced, clean-burning
version of natural gas that’s stored onboard in fuel tanks at
high pressure, usually 2000 – 3600 psi.
E
E10: a blended petrol fuel containing 10% ethanol
E85: a blended petrol fuel containing 85% ethanol
Eco-driving: a relaxed driving style marked by smooth acceleration
and braking, speed limit adherence, proper tire inflation and reducing
idling time. Regular use of these and related practices may result
in a 10% - 20% improvement in fuel economy, which also translates
to lower tailpipe emissions.
Electric vehicle: a vehicle powered just by electricity,
usually through batteries.
Energy crops: crops grown specifically for their value as
a fuel (for example: corn, sugarcane, poplar trees, and switchgrass).
Energy efficiency: using less energy to provide the same
level of energy service
Energy Policy Act (EPAct): policy passed by congress in
1992 that addresses energy efficiency, energy conservation and management,
natural gas imports and exports, alternative fuels and requiring
specific fleets purchase of alternative fuel vehicles, electric
motor vehicles, radioactive waste, coal power and clean coal, renewable
energy, and other issues.
Ethanol: a renewable fuel usually derived from various plant
materials, such as corn. Gasoline sold in southeastern Wisconsin,
and in many other areas around the United States, contains a low-level
blend of ethanol (E10, a 10% blend) to oxygenate the fuel and reduce
harmful emissions. Also used is a higher blend (E85) in vehicles
designed for its use.
F
Feedstock: any material which is converted to another form
or product. It is the raw material required for an industrial purpose.
Flex-fuel vehicle: vehicles able to run on gasoline, E85
or some blend in between.
Fuel cell: cell that produces electricity by oxidation of
fuel (hydrogen and oxygen or zinc and air)
Fuel cell vehicle (FCV): powered by hydrogen, FCVs can be
fueled with pure hydrogen gas stored onboard the vehicle or derived
from a secondary fuel that carries hydrogen (such as natural gas).
G
Gas Gallon Equivalent (GGE): the amount of alternative fuel
it takes to equal the energy content of one liquid gallon of gasoline
H
Heavy duty vehicles: trucks and buses that have a gross
vehicle weight rating of 8,500 pounds or more
Hybrid electric vehicle: a vehicle that typically combines
the internal combustion engine of a conventional vehicle with the
battery and electric motor of an electric vehicle.
Hydrogen (H2): the lightest gas and most common element
in the universe existing most commonly with oxygen an water molecules
on earth
L
Light duty vehicles: automobiles and trucks having a gross
vehicle weight rating of less than 8,500 pounds
Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG or propane): a popular alternative
fuel choice consisting predominantley of propane gas that contained
some butane gas and is compressed to a liquid state
Liquid natural gas (LNG): natural gas that has been converted
temporarily to liquid form for ease of storage or transport
N
National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS): created
with the Clean Air Act, regulates pollutants considered harmful
to public health and the environment including carbon monoxide,
lead, nitrogen dioxide, particulate matter, ozone, and sulfur dioxide.
Natural gas: a fossil fuel in the gaseous state consisting
primarily of methane that can be used in both compressed and liquid
forms for powering vehicles
Non-attainment area: a geographic area that is considered
to have air quality below NAAQS standards for a given pollutant
by the Environmental Protection Agency
P
Particulate matter: a type of air pollution that includes
dust, soot, and tiny bits of solid materials that are released and
move around in the air
Personal vehicles: vehicles that are under 6,000 pounds
Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle: a hybrid-electric vehicle
that extends the range whereby it may run on electric power alone,
usually by plugging into a standard 110-volt (or higher voltage)
electric outlet.
P-Series: a fuel blend of natural gas liquids, ethanol,
and methyltetrahydrofuran. The formula is made up of approximately
35% waste products of other industrial processes, can be adjusted
for cold weather, and is used in FFVs.
S
Smog: hazy, polluted air caused by the combination of ultraviolet
rays from the sun and vehicle and industrial emissions in the atmosphere
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