Alternative Transportation Fuels

Report Highlights

• The total U.S. market for alternative transportation fuels was almost 3.8 billion gasoline gallon equivalents (GGE) in 2005 and 4.5 billion GGE in 2006. By the end of 2011, this market will reach more than 8.5 billion GGE, a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.9%.
• Ethanol holds the highest share of the market with 3.4 billion GGE in 2006, a share of 74.8%. It will hold this majority share through the forecast period, though it will drop significantly in 2011, to 57.9%.
• Electric vehicles have the highest growth rate through the forecast period, growing at a CAGR of more than 100% to reach 450 million GGE by 2011.

INTRODUCTION

This report examines various alternative transportation fuels (ATFs) and their ability to reduce America's reliance on petroleum (particularly imported petroleum) and to reduce pollution and greenhouse gases (GHG).

Furthermore, the report will determine those fuels that are economically viable, and will provide indications as to which are the most promising, primarily in the short-term (through 2011), but without ignoring longer term issues. This is essential in view of public and private investment, particularly as legislation and government intervention is required to promote fuel use.

SCOPE OF STUDY

This report contains:

• The United States market for alternative transportation fuels, broken down by type; these include ethanol, biodiesel, LPG (propane), natural gas, electricity and electric vehicles, hybrid cars, and hydrogen
• Market data and trends, including a five-year forecast period and compound annual growth rates through 2011
• Analyses of important technological developments and trends
• A detailed review of important and upcoming patents
• Profiles for all the top players in the industry.

INFORMATION SOURCES

Data and projections in this report are based on the following sources:

• federal and state government publications and data centers
• industry and trade association data centers, as well as interviews
• media reports and publications
• academic reports and interviews with leading researchers
• individual company Web sites

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Irwin Rapoport is a 42-year-old freelance writer based in Montreal, Canada. He writes about construction and architecture, as well as on various aspects of science. He has a degree in political science and his interests include nature and the protection of the environment. Having written about architectural design and the use of 'green' technology to reduce energy consumption, the study of alternative transportation fuels and conservation as a means of reducing pollution and green house gases was a natural attraction.

John Symon is a freelance writer based in Montreal. His academic credentials include a Bachelor's in the environmental sciences, a Master's in the health sciences, and an MBA. Mr. Symon has written extensively on a variety of subjects, including the medical, environmental, and business fields. Mr Symon is a member of the Professional Writers' Association of Canada (PWAC) and he also writes in French.