Within the Alternative Fuelled segment, comes yet a plethora of sub categories - including Electric cars and hybrids. But where to start?
This guide will tell you everything there is to know about the niche Alternative Fuelled Vehicle segment, from the different types of vehicles to what it's like to own one.
A guide to Alternative Fuelled Vehicles
Alternative Fuelled Vehicles, or AFV's as they are more commonly known, applies to any vehicle that uses a system other than pure petrol and diesel to power itself, this also includes vehicles that use petrol or diesel power as well as a supporting source of energy, such as electricity.
With alternative power, a vehicle can often drastically reduce its CO2 emissions and increase its mileage. As well as having economical advantages, lower CO2 and higher mileage also comes with the benefit of a lower (if any) road tax bill and cheaper running costs.
There is also the possibility that an AFV can qualify for the lb5,000 Plug-In government grant, which is available with cars that emit CO2 emissions less than 75g/km - which is highly achievable for an AFV.
What types of AFV are there and how do they work?
Petrol hybrid
- Probably the most popular AFV in the world, commonly just known as 'hybrid'. Petrol hybrid cars were the vehicles that kicked off the surge in AFVs' popularity. Petrol hybrids use a combination of a small petrol engine and electric motors to run, with pure electric power usually being an option for a limited amount of miles.
With vehicles like the Toyota Prius, this powertrain combination results in CO2 emissions of around 89g/km.
Diesel hybrid
- Diesel hybrids work just like petrol hybrids, with the only difference being the fuel type. As diesel is generally more efficient than an equivalent petrol engine CO2 emissions become even more fuel efficient in a diesel-hybrid vehicle.
The Peugeot 3008 and Citroen DS5 are the only two diesel hybrid vehicles currently on sale, as diesel hybrid technology is still in development.
Electric
- More commonly known as EVs, electric cars are powered by 100 per cent pure electric energy, therefore emitting zero CO2 emissions. Cars like the Nissan Leaf have an electric battery on-board which delivers power to on-board motors, subsequently making the car move. As EVs do not feature a conventional gearbox, maximum power is delivered almost instantly.
An EV like the Leaf is easily charged, simply by plugging it in - just like any other electrical appliance. After the battery runs out of energy, it is then recharged.
Plug-in hybrid
- These hybrid vehicles build on the technology of petrol hybrid vehicles and EVs, by offering a complete electric option as well as a conventional petrol option. Like an EV, a Plug-In hybrid can be charged using electricity and then travel for a certain range before needing to be recharged.
However, with a petrol engine on-board, a Plug-In hybrid will not be left stranded as it supplies the vehicle with fuel until it reaches a destination where it can recharge.
Extended Range Electric Vehicle
- Simplified to E-REV, these vehicles have only just been introduced to the car market, with the Vauxhall Ampera and Chevrolet Volt headlining the technology. An E-REV pulls all of the AFV technology together to deliver a vehicle that uses both petrol and electrical energy, like a Plug-In, but with the ability to recharge its own electrical energy.
An E-REV can be charged like an EV just before setting out, but when its EV energy runs out, a small on-board petrol engine kicks in and recharges its electric battery - subsequently powering its electric motors.
With an E-REV powertrain, vehicles benefit from CO2 emissions almost as low as EV's, but also from the range of a conventional petrol engine. Vehicles like the Vauxhall Ampera emit CO2 emissions of just 24g/km, smashing the 75g/km government grant threshold.
Hydrogen - Hydrogen is a very niche market when it comes to AFV as it is very expensive and there are still concerns over infrastructure. Hydrogen vehicles work by using on-board fuel cells, which power the vehicles electric motor and make it move.
However, although the only bi-product of Hydrogen energy is water, it takes masses of energy to produce. Hydrogen is still in the process of being made sustainable.
Alternative Fuelled Vehicles - Q&A
How does the lb5,000 Plug-In government grant work?
As mentioned above, the Plug-In government grant is available on vehicles that emit CO2 emissions of less than 75g/km. If a vehicle emits less than this, then lb5,000 is knocked off its retail price, which means vehicles like the Vauxhall Ampera costing lb34,995 has its price lowered to lb29,995.
What is the threshold for road tax exemption?
In the UK, the current road tax exemption threshold is 100g/km, meaning all vehicles emitting 100g/km or less do not pay road tax. However, vehicles emitting between 100 and 110g/km are exempt from road tax for the first year. This threshold usually favours city cars and superminis like the Kia Picanto and Kia Rio.
Should I be concerned about the range of EV's?
Whether or not to concern yourself with the range of EV's depends on your lifestyle. If you live and work in the city, then a range of around 110 miles will not really affect you.
However, if you are planning on travelling cross country, you may want to plan your route in conjunction with accessible charging points. Thanks to the Polar scheme, there are now more charging points available across the country.
Should I be concerned about EV charging?
Although the average electric car takes around 6-8 hours to charge via a household power socket, there are now quick chargers available for EV's that can charge a vehicle up to 80 per cent battery capacity in just 30 minutes.
The charge time of 6-8 hours for an EV means motorists may need to charge at night, but this comes with its own advantages as using electricity at night is a lot cheaper than charging in the day.
