Before the decision is made to add alternative-fuel vehicles to the Lotus fleet, it must be determined if AFV’s truly are a feasible option. We must first acquire an understanding of Alternative Fuel Vehicles. As discovered in our research, there are currently a wide variety of alternative-fuel vehicles being used today. Alternative Fuel Vehicles can operate on fuels such as gasoline, diesel, electric power, or a combination of both. Alternative fuels are easier to create, access, better for our environment, and are more of a cost efficient way to go.
Currently over a dozen alternative fuels are under development or in production for use in advanced technology vehicles and alternative fuel vehicles. Private sector and Government vehicle fleets are the main users of these vehicles and fuels, but consumers are very interested in using them. Using advanced vehicle and alternative fuels instead of regular vehicles and fuels helps America reduce petroleum and vehicle emissions.
Of the many different options for alternative fuel vehicles, there are three that are the most common in the vehicle market today. Hybrid Electric Vehicle’s (HEV’s) or Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV’S) use the combination of electricity and internal combustion engines that require the use of