Alternative Fuel Glossary

Glossary of Terms

AFV (Alternative Fuel Vehicle): A vehicle powered by a fuel other than gasoline, such as biodiesel, ethanol, or hydrogen.

AT-PZEV (Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emissions Vehicles): This is a rating that signifies a vehicle has the lowest level of emissions among hybrids that still contain an internal-combustion engine.

Auto Stop: In some vehicles, this indicates the speed at which a car will switch from a conventional engine to hybrid power when braking.

BAS (Belt Alternator Starter): In a hybrid, the BAS is a modified starter that will replenish the hybrid battery and alternate the vehicle between hybrid and engine power.

BEV (Electric Vehicle): An electric vehicle powered by energy from a battery or multiple batteries.

Biodiesel: An alternative fuel that is derived from algae, expended oil and other sources, biodiesel could become an excellent energy source when produced on a wider scale. Biodiesel burns 78% cleaner than gasoline and can run in conventional diesel engines.

CNG (Compressed Natural Gas): Natural gas, mostly methane, can be compressed and liquefied to serve as a viable vehicle fuel and is already partly in use in and other regions. Fuel costs for natural gas could become far cheaper than gasoline in the near future.

E10: A blended gasoline that contains 10% ethanol, E10 is currently available at approximately one-third of gas stations in the and runs safely in all gas-powered automobiles E85: A blended gasoline that contains 85% ethanol, E85 is currently available in approximately 700 gas stations in the and runs only in designated “flex-fuel” vehicles.

ECU (Engine Control Unit): This system optimizes engine performance and output based on sensor readouts throughout the vehicle.

Ethanol: An alternative to petroleum as an energy source, ethanol is derived mostly from corn but can also be created from soy, wheat and many other substances. Ethanol is a fuel that contains more oxygen than gasoline, burning more completely and having fewer emissions than conventional gas.

EV (Electric Vehicle): An EV can also be considered a hybrid vehicle if it is currently running only on electric power (called EV mode).

FAS (Forced Auto Stop): Similar to Auto Stop, an FAS signifies a hybrid switching from conventional engine power to a hybrid source while the vehicle is in motion.

FCV (Fuel Cell Vehicle): Any vehicle that combines a fuel cell with an existing conventional engine or operates only on fuel cell power.

FFV (Flexible Fuel Vehicle): Any vehicle that can run on a multitude of fuels, this designation typically refers to vehicles built to run on E85 and gasoline.

Fuel Cell: A fuel cell converts chemical energy to electricity in order to power a vehicle.

Full Hybrid: A designation of hybrid that contains the following parameters – it must contain an electric motor which is used exclusively in city traffic, operates above 60 volts, and uses regenerative braking.

ICE (Internal-Combustion Engine): A “conventional” engine that uses pistons inside a cylinder to take in, expand, and combust a fuel to generate power.

LEV (Low Emissions Vehicle): An LEV has fewer emissions than the average conventional-engine vehicle. In 2004, the state of
California passed a law requiring all vehicles in the state conform to LEV standards, and all measurements regarding averages refer to 2003 levels (see ULEV and SULEV).

Mild Hybrid: A designation of hybrid that contains an electric motor but does not meet all parameters of a Full Hybrid.

PEM (Proton Exchange Membrane): A PEM is a type of fuel cell that requires a low degree of temperature and pressure to function.

Pulse & Glide: A technique used in hybrid vehicles to accelerate to a high speed and then coasting to a lower cruise-control speed in hybrid power.

PZEV (Partial Zero Emissions Vehicles): Next to AT-PZEVs, this is the second-highest rating a hybrid that contains an internal-combustion engine can achieve in emissions levels.
Recal: A hybrid battery’s recalibration, a recal occurs intermittently to ensure the battery’s capacity readout is accurate.

Regenerative Braking: A hybrid battery absorbs or recaptures heat energy given off when the vehicle is braking.

SULEV (Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle): A SULEV has 90% less emissions than an average conventional-engine vehicle.

ULEV (Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle): A ULEV has 50% less emissions than an average conventional-engine vehicle.

ZEV (Zero Emissions Vehicle): A ZEV runs completely on an energy source that does not emit pollutant gases. Hydrogen and electric battery powered vehicles are considered ZEVs and a vehicle must run at least 98% cleaner than an average conventional-engine to qualify.

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