Alternative fuel vehicles are becoming more prevalent on roadways and that may be a good and a bad thing. These vehicles are often healthier for the global environment, but it comes with a much higher price tag. Some alternative fuel vehicles cost 4x more than their traditional fuel counterparts. Is that a cost that is worth paying? Here is a look at some of the pros and cons of alternative fuel vehicles.
The Pros of Alternative Fuel Vehicles
1. They provide reliable transportation.
Alternative fuels operate in the same way traditional fuels do. This means the fuel can reliably power a vehicle so that someone can arrive at their destination quickly and safely.
2. They reduce pollution.
In high traffic areas, the smog that is produced by vehicle pollution can be very overwhelming. Although alternative fuel vehicles aren’t generally 100% fossil fuel free, they do provide less of an impact on the local atmosphere. The end result is that people can breathe a whole lot easier.
3. Fuel mileage is usually outstanding.
Compared to traditional fuels, alternative fuel vehicles can often drive further on a single tank.
The Cons of Alternative Fuel Vehicles
1. It can be difficult to find the fuel that is needed.
Many gas stations do not offer any alternative fuels for sale. This makes it difficult for a vehicle owner to travel anywhere because they may not have a place to fill up the tank when they’re running low.
2. It may leave an odor trail.
Although the alternative fuel vehicles are generally better for the overall environment, the odors that they leave can sometimes be offensive. The only odor-free options that is available today are true electric vehicles or fuel cell vehicles.
3. It can be sensitive to cold weather.
Some alternative fuels can thicken when the weather turns colder. This makes them more difficult to drive unless there are methods available to keep the equipment warm enough to prevent this from happening.
Alternative fuel vehicles offer hope to humanity that the greenhouse gases which traditional fuels emit can be eventually eliminated. Although the cost is high for many of these vehicles right now, with continuing technological developments, alternative fuels could become the production standard within a generation.
Crystal Lombardo is a contributing editor for Vision Launch. Crystal is a seasoned writer and researcher with over 10 years of experience. She has been an editor of three popular blogs that each have had over 500,000 monthly readers.
