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Your Guide To Fuel Types

When it comes to powering our cars, there are a surprising number of fuel or energy types out there. From the common petrol, diesel and electric, to the far less common LPG, Biofuels or even Hydrogen, vehicles around the world are all utilising a range of different fuels to get themselves and their vehicles from A to B. However, each fuel type definitely has its pros and cons and here, we’re taking a look at the fuels available, how they work with your engine and the rest of your vehicle, and why some might not be as popular as others.

Petrol

Petroleum, or Petrol, has been a fuel option since the last 19th century, making it one of the longest-reigning options out there. Petrol engines are some of the most widely sold on the market today, even as the automotive industry moves towards electric cars and a lot of this comes down to price. Petrol vehicles are not only cheaper to manufacture, but they are cheaper to buy and run, with petrol typically being cheaper at the fuel station too. 

Pros

  • Cheaper to buy
  • Cheaper to run
  • Quick to start and warm up
  • Weigh less than diesel engines
  • Quieter and smoother drive

Cons

  • Higher CO2 emissions
  • Less torque than diesel engines
  • Less miles per gallon than other fuel types

Diesel

Diesel fuel was invented in 1892 as an alternative to petroleum and rather than igniting with a spark, it instead ignites under pressure. As a result, diesel engines are known to produce far fewer emissions and be more economical overall due to the fact that more energy is released per litre of diesel compared to petrol. The pressure release that occurs after ignition delivers power more quickly to the engine, however, this can cause a louder and more vibration-heavy drive.

Pros

  • Greater economy overall
  • Less CO2 emissions
  • Good for high-power vehicles, towing and agricultural/construction industries
  • Better miles per gallon

Cons

  • Fumes are more harmful
  • Cars can cost more to buy 
  • Engines are heavier than petrol engines
  • The engine can be noisier than petrol 
  • DPF filters can be costly to maintain and replace but are necessary 

Electric

In recent years, Electric Vehicle technology has come on leaps and bounds and really brought EVs to the table as the future of eco-friendly driving and likely the automotive industry as a whole. Charging points are popping up across the country, quickly solving the issue of range before a charge, and with fast-charge options meaning that the car can be ready to go in as little as half an hour, driving electric is becoming a far more mainstream and accessible solution. 

Pros

  • No Emissions At All 
  • Recharging is accessible and cheap
  • Cutting edge technology
  • Instant Torque

Cons

  • Expensive to buy
  • Repairs can be expensive and harder to find mechanics
  • Technology is changing rapidly and could become out of date quickly

Plug-In Hybrid

Plug-in hybrid vehicles run on both fuel (usually petrol) and electricity, but require you to plug the car into an electric course in order to charge the battery. While this does save money on petrol overall, you will need to account for an increased electricity bill, though this will be less than self-charging hybrids, as the engine doesn’t need to charge the battery while driving. 

Pros

  • Good fuel economy 
  • Reduced emissions
  • Less strain on the engine 
  • Larger battery

Cons

  • More expensive than petrol or diesel
  • Reduced electric range than self-charge hybrid
  • Must be charged manually at home or at a charging station

Self-Charging Hybrids

Self-charging hybrids are an alternative to plug-in that doesn’t require manual charging of the battery. These hybrids do as the name suggests, charging themselves as you drive utilising the power created during braking. Self-charging hybrids are some of the more expensive vehicles on the market due to their more complicated technology, however, the reduced emissions and fuel efficiency certainly make up for the cost.

Pros

  • Greater fuel economy
  • Reduced emissions
  • Ability to turn off fuel/petrol engine and just drive via electric in some models
  • Improved power over standard petrol or diesel engines

Cons

  • Expensive due to the technology
  • The power and performance varies drastically between hybrid models

Hydrogen

If you’ve never heard of Hydrogen-powered engines, you wouldn’t be alone. Hydrogen engines aren’t largely popular or mainstream, however, they are considered a competitor to Electric vehicles due to low-to-zero emissions. Hydrogen-powered vehicles take hydrogen and convert it to electricity, cutting out the need for fossil fuels within the vehicle itself. However, while these vehicles are a significant step towards greener driving, fossil fuels are required to produce hydrogen, which counteracts the emissions saved with the car.

Pros

  • Zero emissions while driving
  • Advanced eco-friendly technology

Cons

  • Hydrogen cars are expensive
  • There is limited places to refuel/replenish the fuel cell
  • Not as widely supported or available compared to EVs

LPG

Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) was initially promoted as an alternative fuel in the 90s and early 00’s. This form of petrol was designed to be a cleaner option, with the government even providing people with a small grant in which to convert their engines to take this fuel. However, the surge in electric cars has made this a far less popular option overall. 

Pros

  • Cleaner than petrol
  • Available in Bi-Fuel vehicles
  • Half the price of petrol
  • Reduced emissions compared to petrol

Cons

  • Better alternatives are available
  • Refuelling stations are limited
  • Limited future for LPG vehicles

Biofuels

Biofuels are a fuel option that, while most of us have likely heard of them in our lifetimes, may not have ever come across them personally. Biofuel is a form of fuel that is produced from natural, renewable organic materials. There are two main types – bioethanol (sugarcane and corn) and biodiesel (vegetable oil and animal fat), and both offer alternatives to standard crude oil. E10, the latest change for petrol cars, is a biofuel that is now not only widely available but the core alternative for cars that are compatible.

Pros

  • Widely available
  • Cleaner than standard petrol
  • Provides a use for organic waste
  • Reduced carbon emissions

Cons

  • You need a car that is compatible with biofuels
  • You may lose fuel efficiency

There are a wide array of fuel types available on the market today, with some more beneficial than others depending on the car that you do, or want to drive. For more information about fuel types, or for engine repair if you’ve used the wrong type, get in touch with a member of our team, today.