Alternative Fuels

Alternative Fuel Vehicles (AFVs)

TxDOT is committed to utilize Texas' natural resources and help reduce our nation's dependency on foreign oil supplies by maintaining a large alternative fuel vehicle fleet. The 1992 Environmental Protection Act defines alternative fuels as the following:

  •  Methanol, ethanol, and other alcohols
  •  Blends of 85% or more of alcohol with gasoline (Ethanol, E85)
  •  Natural gas and liquid fuels domestically produced from natural gas (CNG)
  •  Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG, propane)
  •  Coal-derived liquid fuels
  •  Hydrogen
  •  Electricity
  •  Biodiesel
  •  Fuels (other than alcohol) derived from biological materials
     

While many of the major vehicle manufacturers have discontinued their models of liquefied natural gas or propane vehicles, they have continued to expand their line of flex fuel (operating on either gasoline or a gasoline-ethanol mixture referred to as E85) and hybrid vehicles. Consequently, while our propane fleet is diminishing, the number of flex fuel and hybrid vehicles continues to grow. In the last two years, the department has increased the number of both flex fuel vehicles and hybrid vehicles by 50 percent.

Decrease Dependence on Foreign Oil

In fiscal year 2008, our fleet of approximately 3,000 alternative fuel vehicles helped reduce gasoline consumption by 1.1 million gallons. Of those 3,000 vehicles, over 1,400 run on propane and just over 130 are hybrid. We also have almost 1,200 flex fuel vehicles which run on either gasoline or ethanol. Some of the department's diesel-powered vehicles can utilize biodiesel.

We are studying the viability of bringing an ethanol-blended fuel (E85) to the Texas market. E85 is a mixture of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. Best of all, it is made in the USA.

We are also using solar-powered traffic-control devices, such as flashing arrow boards and message boards, rather than gasoline or diesel-powered devices to further reduce the use of foreign oil.

Comply with Environmental Laws

Clean Diesel - We implemented the use of cleaner-burning diesel in accordance with a required state environmental plan two years ahead of schedule.

Hydrogen Fuel Cell - The Texas Legislature authorized us to study the possibility of using hydrogen-fueled vehicles in our fleet. We developed a plan which included analyzing the costs involved, identified funding options and determined the overall benefits of using hydrogen-fueled vehicles.