On paper, the simplest solution to our over-reliance on petroleum based fuels, is to switch the fuel to something that is non-petrol based or cleaner burning. Below are the most widely used options with direct links to the U.S. Department of Energy's Alternative Fuel Data Center.

BIODIESEL: Waste or virgin plant based oil (soy in USA) chemically reacted with methanol & lye to mimic the chemical properties of diesel fuel. Therefore, biodiesel will run in any diesel engine. Available in a variety of blends identified by B__ where the number represents the percentage of biodiesel. B50, for example, equals 50% biodiesel & 50% petrol diesel. Common blends include B2, B5, & B20.

COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS (CNG): A by-product of crude oil extraction natural gas is widely utilized as heating and cooking fuel for both residential and commerical applications. Because natural gas has less energy (BTUs) per gallon equivalent than gasoline or diesel, it is compressed. CNG will run in any modifed internal combustion engine (ICE) and offers very low emissions compared to diesel or gasoline. Ohio possesses an abundant supply of natural gas, though most of it is under Lake Erie. Natural gas, whose primary constituent is methane, is considered a renewable fuel when it is made from organic material that is anaerobically digested by micro-organisms. Examples include landfill gas and digestion of animal dung.

ETHANOL: Sugars harvested from plants such as sugar cane (Brasil) and corn (USA) are distilled to produce 200 proof alcohol. This is what powered the very first Model T! Ethanol is generaly available in two blends where the number following the E_ denotes the percentage of Ethanol. E10 can run in any gasoline vehicle and is primarily used as an oxygenate in summer blends of gasoline to reduce tailpipe emissions by enabling a more complete burn. E85 is a more specialized fuel that will only run in flex fuel vehicles that have a modified fuel line and fuel injectors. Chrysler, Ford, GM, Mazda, and a variety of other auto manufacturers have been producing Flex Fuel Vehicles for over ten years. You may very well be driving an FFV right now!

LIQUIFIED PETROLEUM GAS: Also known as propane. Most often it is produced as a co-product of crude oil refining, though it can also be produced from natural gas.  Because propane is widely used for cooking and heating applications and it available at 3000 distribution points across the USA, it has become a popular fuel choice.  Like CNG, propane features very low emissions

STRAIGHT/WASTE VEGETABLE OIL: unproccesed waste/virgin oil runs in modified diesel engines