Alternative Fuel Vehicles

Next time you go shopping for a new car, truck or SUV, you may find that you’re considering fuel efficiency in a whole new way. Below are three of the most common fuel-efficient options you’ll face as you shop. And don't forget to get pre-approved for a Columbia E-Go Green Auto Loan because we offer preferential rates to members who finance qualifying fuel efficient vehicles.

Hybrid
Hybrid cars combine two power systems – most commonly, an electric motor charged by a gasoline engine. You may spend about $2,000 to $3,000 more than similar gasoline-powered vehicles for these popular cars, according to CNNMoney. On the other hand, you’ll reduce fuel cost thanks to efficiency increases of 25 to 40 percent. And because you use less fuel per mile, you’ll also reduce CO2 and other harmful emissions.

Diesel
Modern diesel cars tend to offer better fuel efficiency than gasoline engines by about 20 to 40 percent, according to the Energy Information Administration. Plus, you can choose to use biodiesel, made from vegetable oil, waste grease, animal fats and other organic materials. The initial cost for a new diesel vehicle is usually more than the price of a comparable gasoline vehicle, but your total cost for fuel is less.

Flex-fuel
Flex-fuel vehicles can run on either regular gasoline or E85, which is 85 percent ethanol. E85 is considered a renewable fuel since it’s commonly made from corn. Researchers are learning more about how ethanol impacts the environment and food prices. Ethanol refineries are now exploring ways to make ethanol from other organic materials, such as wheat straw, switchgrass and algae, to minimize the dependency on corn for ethanol. Choosing a flex-fuel vehicle won’t add to your bill at the dealership, says the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. As for the cost of the fuel itself, prices fluctuate but sometimes land below those for regular gasoline.

Alternative fuels available locally
Columbia Credit Union is proud to be a charter member of Northwest Biofuels Association (NWBA), which is helping make alternative fuels and alternative fuel stations more accessible to drivers in our area.