What is your fuel of choice?

By: Lora Crouch 

I remember the days when there were only two choices of gasoline, Diesel and plain ole Gasoline. These two are still an option, but there are so many other options out there that I decided to look into each one to see if maybe I should trade in my vehicle for something a little better on gas.Here is what I found. There are now 5 different options out there to give your vehicle the get up and go.

• Gas
• Diesel
• Electric
• Flexfuel
• Hybrid

If you are like me you are sitting there thinking, that’s all fine and dandy but what makes one better than the other? I am going to do my best to walk you through each one from the information I found!

• Gas:AKA Petrol: This is the most common, specialized fossil fuel, designed for 4 stroke engines. It allows for quick starting, fast acceleration, easy combustion and quiet operation.
  • Pro’s:
    • Relatively cheap fuel source
    • Readily available everywhere
    • Easy and quick to fill up
    • Cheap to fix
  • Con’s:
    • Using up depleting resource
    • May cost more than electric or flex
    • Harms the environment
• Diesel:This is widely used in transport vehicles such as tractor-trailer trucks, buses, boats and trains. The fossil fuel is also non-renewable like gas. Diesel vehicles tend to last longer than gas and they get 30% better fuel efficiency than the average gas vehicle.
  • Pro’s:
    • Great gas mileage
    • Vehicles last longer
  • Con’s:
    • More expensive to buy
    • Cost of Diesel is higher than anything else.
• Electric: AKA EVs: All electric vehicles run on electricity only. They are propelled by an electric motor powered by rechargeable battery packs.
  • Pro’s:
    • Decreased cost of maintenance
    • Cheap to run.
  • Con’s:
    • Battery can cost $2500 to replace every 10 tears or so.
    • Furthest you can travel between charges is 100 miles
    • Charging takes time.

• Flexfuel: AKA E85: Made from corn, it is a mixture of 85% ethanol and 15% gas.If you are going green this option is worth looking into.
  • Pro’s:
    • Better for the environment.
  • Con’s:
    • More costly to use due to fuel efficiency.

• Hybrid: Runs on battery power as long as it’s charged and then switches to gasoline.
  • Pro’s:
    • Can get up to 50 MPG.
  • Con’s:
    • Cost up front
    • Cost for repairs

I have to say after all of that and weighing out the options best for me, I think I will stick with the good ole Gasoline!Although if I had to switch Hybrid would be my second choice. What about you?