Our Position on Picking the Right Fuel

At GRCC we recognize ongoing debates about the pros/cons of different fuels. Such debates are natural when multiple objectives and multiple stakeholders are involved. For example, a fuel that is relatively clean with respect to criteria pollutants may have negative near-term climate change attributes; a fuel that has low greenhouse gas emissions may be unaffordable; or a fuel that is low-cost, may impact water quality in negative ways. 

Our overall goal is to promote fuels that have minimal environmental impact, are affordable, and are domestically-produced; however, we are particularly interested in promoting alternative fuels that demonstrate near-term and long-term climate benefits compared to conventional fuels.

Because our mission is multi-faceted, we focus on educating stakeholders about the pros and cons of different fuels for their given application. Ultimately, those stakeholders must decide which fuel is right for them based on the attributes that they deem most important. We recognize that what is right for one stakeholder (e.g., minimizing costs) may be different from what is right for another stakeholder (e.g., minimizing near-term climate change impacts). Our goal is to provide information to stakeholders – about costs, environmental impacts, energy security, and technical feasibility – using the most recent, unbiased, peer-reviewed information available. We also aim to inform policymakers and legislators so that the public sector can evaluate AFV policy and act in accordance with the “will of the people”.

Visit the Alternative Fuel Data Center to find case studies and success stories about alternative transportation technologies, including alternative fuels, advanced vehicles, and regulated fleets.

Click the buttons below to learn more about each fuel type!