In Broward County, our population is growing steadily each year. We have more cars on the road than ever before, and therefore more air pollution sources. Emissions from the cars and trucks on our roads - mostly hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, and carbon monoxide - account for about 50 percent of all air pollution.

Today's cars emit mixtures of compounds that lead to the formation of ground-level ozone, which is produced by a chemical reaction between sunlight and air pollutants. When conditions are just right, such as when the temperature is hot enough and the sun is strong, ground-level ozone is formed, also known as smog.

Alternative fuels such as Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), methanol, ethanol, liquified petroleum gas and biodiesel produce fewer tail pipe emissions than conventional gasoline and diesel fuel, while improving the air we breathe.

Why Switch to Alternative Fuels

Alternative fuels have a number of inherent properties that make them cleaner than conventional gasoline. In general, these fuels emit fewer hydrocarbons, so they are producing less smog. Emissions from electricity, natural gas, or alcohol-powered vehicles can be as much as 90 percent lower in ozone-forming hydrocarbons than emissions from vehicles fueled with conventional gasoline.

The use of alternative fuels could also help slow atmospheric buildup of carbon dioxide, a "greenhouse gas" that contributes to the potential for global warming. These cleaner fuels also have benefits that reach beyond their air quality advantages. New fuels in the marketplace give consumers new choices and could decrease our dependence on imported oil.

Some alternative fuels are not available for the general public, but private and public fleets are currently using them.

Pollution From An "Average" Passenger Car And Light Truck

Pounds of pollution per year, including both tailpipe and fuel-cycle emissions, assuming 12,500 miles per year for a passenger car and 14,000 miles per year for a light truck

Average Gasoline-Fueled Car

Average Gasoline-Fueled Light Truck

Carbon Dioxide (CO2) 16,800 lbs. ​Carbon Monoxide (CO) 894 lbs. ​Hydrocarbons (HC) 114 lbs. Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) 59 lbs.

CNG-Fueled Vehicles

Commercially available medium and heavy duty natural gas engines have demonstrated the following reductions relative to commercial diesel engines:

• over 90% reductions of carbon monoxid​e and particulate matter
• more than 50%reduction in nitrogen oxides

Biodiesel-Fueled Trucks

• Reductions in carbon monoxide emissions of 10% (B20) and 50% (B100).
• Reductions in particulate emissions of 15% (B20) and 70% (B100).
• Reductions in total hydrocarbon emissions of 10% (B20) and 40% (B100).
  
  For more information on biodiesel, visit " All About Biodiesel."

* Approximate reductions. Hydrocarbons not available.

Ethanol Fueled Vehicle

Sources

American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy

Natural Gas Vehicle Coalition and U.S. Dept. of Energy​