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U.S. Department of Energy Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Fact #633: July 26, 2010
Alternative Fuel Vehicles

The Energy Information Administration publishes estimates of the number of alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) in use. Vehicles running on E85 make up the majority of AFVs, with 450,327 vehicles in 2008. That figure, however, only accounts for the portion of E85 vehicles that are believed to be typically using E85. Through 2007, about 7.1 million vehicles had been sold that are capable of operating on E85, but the majority of those vehicles are using traditional gasoline.

Estimates of Alternative Fuel Vehicles in Use, 1992-2008
Bar graph showing the estimates of alternative fuel vehicles in use from 1992 to 2008. The alternative fuel vehicles include LPG, CNG/LNG, M85/M100, E85/E95, electricity, and hydrogen. For more detailed information, see supporting information below.

Supporting Information

Estimates of Alternative Fuel Vehicles in Use, 1992-2008
Year LPG CNG/LNG M85 /M100 E85/E95 Electricity Hydrogen Total
1995 172,806 50,821 18,705 1,663 2,860 0 246,855
1996 175,585 60,807 20,437 4,897 3,280 0 265,006
1997 175,679 69,384 21,212 9,477 4,453 0 280,205
1998 177,183 79,954 19,848 12,802 5,243 0 295,030
1999 178,610 92,948 19,162 24,618 6,964 0 322,302
2000 181,994 102,840 10,426 87,574 11,830 0 394,664
2001 185,053 114,427 7,827 100,303 17,847 0 425,457
2002 187,680 123,547 5,873 120,951 33,047 0 471,098
2003 190,369 117,046 0 179,090 47,485 9 533,999
2004 182,864 121,249 0 211,800 49,536 43 565,492
2005 173,795 120,447 0 246,363 51,398 119 592,122
2006 164,846 118,929 0 297,099 53,526 159 634,559
2007 158,254 117,172 0 364,384 55,730 223 695,763
2008 151,049 117,074 0 450,327 56,901 313 775,664

Source: Energy Information Administration, Alternatives to Traditional Transportation Fuels, 2008, April 2010, Table VI.

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