Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

Written primarily for fleet management personnel with purchasing, maintenance, or operations responsibilities, Alternative Fuels: Emissions, Economics, and Performance provides essential information for those who are considering adding alternatively-fueled vehicles to their fleets. Readers will gain a solid understanding of the fundamentals of alternative fuels and the factors that need to be considered when evaluating their use.

No prior knowledge of alternative fuels is necessary. Basic information on the various alternative fuels and objective data on the costs of converting, fueling, and operating alternatively-fueled vehicles is covered in this book. Fuel cost, performance, reliability, and availability are addressed. The book also discusses the 1990 amendments to the Clean Air Act and the 1992 Comprehensive National Energy Policy Act. A summary of Texas' state law, considered to be representative of state legislation on alternative fuels and a glossary of key terms, are also included.

Eight chapters cover: Review of Engine Technology; Characteristics of Alternative Fuels; Conversion of Spark Ignition Engines; Conversion of Compression Ignition Engines; Refueling Facilities; Legislation and Policies; and Cost Considerations.

The book is also an ideal introduction to the topic for legislators, administrators, educators, and anyone interested in learning more about alternate fuels.

Reviews provided by Syndetics

CHOICE Review

Maxwell and Jones have provided a valuable addition to the literature on alternative fuels. The subject is complex because no one fuel or strategy is a clear winner. Economics, supply constraints, safety, storage problems, technical limitations, and legislative missteps all contribute to the dilemma. It is well documented that the world cannot sustain its increasing dependence on petroleum, but what else is there? The authors are practical experimenters who are teaching engineering students how to modify, test, and analyze normal production vehicles. They emphasize the real-world concerns for emissions, safety, costs, and availability of each alternative fuel. The book's style is clear and there are numerous charts, tables, and illustrations. A bibliography follows each chapter and an extensive glossary provides detailed definitions. An antidote for the hype and commercial zeal of proponents of particular fuels. Recommended for anyone concerned with purchasing or regulating fleets. All levels. J. C. Comer; emeritus, Northern Illinois University