Alternative Fuels

Most car engines run on gasoline or diesel, which come from oil - a fossil fuel. Some cars can have their engines converted to run off compressed natural gas, which is also a fossil fuel but does not produce so much pollution.

As technology improves, scientists are developing engines that will run on new, cleaner types of fuel, such as ethanol (an alcohol made from plants). Scientists are also working on cars that run on electricity. Because they don't burn fossil fuels, electric cars don’t release carbon dioxide or any other pollutants into the air. However, they are still quite expensive and are not as powerful or able to travel as far as gasoline powered cars.

In many countries, you can now buy cars that have both an electric motor and a small gasoline powered engine. These are called 'hybrid' cars and use a lot less gasoline and produce less emissions than regular cars.

Until all cars run on pollution-free fuel, the easiest way to cut down on air pollution is to reduce the amount of time we spend in the car.