A Variety of Alternative Fuel Cars Drive Hawai‘i’s Clean Energy Future
To transition away from internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles to reach the state's goal of carbon neutrality by 2045, we’ll need to adopt different strategies.
There are a variety of alternative fuel vehicles: Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV), Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV), Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV), and Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV), and all are viable replacements for ICE vehicles. Alternative fuel vehicles produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions and reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. Below are examples of how these alternative fuel technologies work.
HEVs are powered by an electric motor and an internal combustion engine. They require gas to fuel the internal combustion engine, which charges the battery for the electric motor. HEVs do not require electricity to charge the battery.
Graphic: courtesy of Servco Pacific
PHEVs are powered by an electric motor and an internal combustion engine. It requires electricity to charge the battery for the electric motor and gas to fuel the internal combustion engine. Like BEVs, PHEVs can be charged at home with a standard 120V outlet, dedicated 240V outlet, or public charging stations.
BEVs are powered by an electric motor and require electricity to charge the battery. Most BEVs can be charged at home with a standard 120V outlet, dedicated 240V outlet, or public charging stations.
FCEVs are powered by an electric motor and require hydrogen (H2) gas to generate electricity. In a fuel cell vehicle, hydrogen (H2) gas from the fuel tank combines with oxygen (O2) from the air to generate electricity, with only water and heat as byproducts of the process.
Graphic: courtesy of Servco Pacific
What will it take for Hawai‘i to reach its goal of carbon neutrality by 2045? It will take all of us to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and shift to more sustainable options.
For more information, visit servco.com/alternative-fuel.
