Top Reasons to Make the Switch to Alternative Fuels

By

Updated October 22, 2019

electric cord with standing leaves and cars — Yuji Sakai / Getty Images

Whether you like to personalize your lifestyle, stand up for what you believe in, or just have more fun, there are more ways than one to utilize the best of what alternative fuels have to offer.

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A Choice to Fit Everyone

We're all the same, we're all different. And doesn't everyone have his or her own needs, preferences, and opinions? Whether it's biodiesel to power a heavy truck or an electric scooter for quick jaunts around town, there's an alternative fuel and vehicle to meet every different lifestyle.

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Say Thanks to the Farmers

For years they've been filling our breadbaskets and fruit bowls—now they're filling our fuel tanks too. Biofuels that rely on crops grown and processed locally support farmers for all their hard work. Ethanol and biodiesel cooperatives are outgrowths of the good old-fashioned farmer cooperatives that help to put the power back into the hands of the people.

3

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Support the Pollution Solution

Isn't it time to stop feeling guilty every time you turn the key? The array of alternative fuels now available offers an even wider array of clean attributes: They reduce ozone-forming emissions in addition to being lower (sometimes zero!) in carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulfur, and more.

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It's More Fun — and You'll Meet More People

The vehicles that utilize alternative fuels are still new enough to catch people's eye—and whether it's the lack of engine noise or the sweet-smelling exhaust, they'll garner even more attention than a sleek sports car. Plus, you'll have people strike up conversations and give you the thumbs-up—all guaranteed to make your day.

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Support Smart Companies

These are the businesses taking a stand for what they believe in—help them do the right thing by taking small steps in your own life. Put your money where your mouth is and help to change the world.

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Reuse That Waste

Isn't it time we stopped the blatant waste of the earth's abundant resources? And Americans sure know how to generate trash: They produce more than 4.5 pounds of waste per person, per day. That's more than 236 million tons of trash annually. The alternatives (think biopower, biofuels, and bioproducts) bring new and modern relevance to that old saying, "One person's trash is another person's treasure." Let's start turning trash into treasures.

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Give the Planet a Break

Day after day, hour after hour, the earth quietly takes what we dole out and keeps providing the air, water, and food we need for life. Alternative fuels are one small way to help reduce the stress on the planet.

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Save Money

Yes, it really can be less expensive to use alternative fuel. And we're not just talking about the credit card transaction at the pump—many alternative fuels can give an engine a longer service life, which translates into long-term savings.

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Help Create a Sustainable Future

After all, we're really only borrowing this planet from our children—if we make smart decisions we can solve some of the many problems awaiting the next generation via small steps we take now.

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It Just Makes Sense

Think about it: For every gallon of gasoline not burned, that's 20 pounds of heat-trapping carbon dioxide that was not released into the atmosphere—into the same air our children and grandchildren need. What's not to like when it just makes good old common sense?