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Guide to alternative fuels

Last updated: January 2013

As America works to reduce its dependence on foreign oil, cars that don’t require gasoline are multiplying. There are an increasing number of electric and plug-in cars, as well as improved biofuel compatibility across the board. Plus, there is a handful of fuel-cell and natural-gas powered cars rolling out, primarily to fleets and in limited regions. Many alternative-fuel vehicles come with some form of tax incentive to make prices more affordable.

We’ve driven almost every alt-fuel model on the market, and most significant models coming soon, so we can steer you to which ones can work as real-world transportation and which ones are more science fiction.

The hard truth is that none of these alternative fuels are as easy and capable as gasoline, but there are some appealing options, with the right lifestyle and infrastructure.

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Alternative fuels

What consumers want in fuels
Alternative fuel station locator
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Plug-in hybrids

Chevrolet Volt
Chevrolet Volt safety investigation
Fisker Karma
Ford C-Max plug-in
Honda Accord Plug-in Hybrid
Toyota Prius plug-in
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Electricity

Why electric cars?
California plans to boost EV mandates
Should you plug in?
Don't "brick" your EV battery
AAA fast charge trucks
EV drivers hanging in charger wars
What's next for EV batteries?
Batterymaker promises longer life
BMW-i8-concept-pr-f

Electric cars

EV Concepts: BMW i3 & i8
Ford Focus EV
Honda Fit EV
Mitsubishi i
Nissan Leaf
Tesla Model S
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Ethanol

E85 falls short of expectations
E15 gains approval
E15 voids car warranties
Cures for ethanol troubles
How to find ethanol-free fuel
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Natural gas / CNG

The natural gas alternative
Natural gas pickups return
Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra CNG
Honda Civic CNG
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Biodiesel

Grow your own fuel
The biodiesel alternative
Restaurants may serve up biodiesel
Ford SuperDuty approved for biodiesel
Biodiesel safety: Don’t try this at home
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Hydrogen & fuel cells

Fuel cells: The ultimate green machine
Fuel-cell cars of tomorrow
Consumers live with fuel cells
Honda FCX Clarity
Mercedes-Benz B-class
   

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