In 2025, we are witnessing significant changes in automotive fuels. Old-school fuels still rule, but other choices are coming up fast.Fuel for Combustion Engine Vehicles

When you think about what goes into most cars, you probably picture gasoline (petrol) and diesel. Gasoline engines use a spark to ignite the fuel, and diesel uses compression. Gasoline is a lighter fraction of crude oil composed of carbon and hydrogen atoms. Many people still choose gasoline cars because they're not too expensive and easy to fix. Gas engines are quick, simple to drive, not super noisy, and start without issues. But… gasoline cars drink fuel like crazy, and their exhaust isn't great for the air. Plus, driving in the city with all the stop-and-go traffic isn't doing them any favors. All that stopping can cause the engine oil to get sludgy, so you need good oil.
Diesel engines, invented in 1892, run on diesel fuel. Diesel also comes from crude oil, but additives may be included to make it better or more eco-friendly. Diesel engines usually last longer than gasoline ones. They don't have an ignition system, so there's less that can break. Diesel is also less likely to explode, ignites at a higher temperature, and provides a lot of power at low speeds. The bad stuff? Diesel engines can pump out nasty fumes because of how they ignite the fuel. They're also louder, and the fuel lines can freeze up when it's cold.

Because of the cost and how these fuels affect the environment, people are looking for other choices.

Electric Vehicles

The first of these options is electric cars that use electricity as the primary fuel or a combination of electricity and liquid fuels. The unique characteristics of such cars are instant torque and quietness during the drive. Such cars are eco-friendly because they do not emit anything, they are compact, and have "cheaper" fuel. However, traveling long distances in these vehicles still requires planning due to charging needs.

Gaseous Fuels – Natural Gas

Under gaseous fuels, we have natural gas, also known as methane (CH₄). To understand the terms better, we have to explain some abbreviations used in the automotive fuels universe. We have the designations LPG, LNG, and CNG. LPG is not the same as natural gas; it is a product of oil refining, while CNG and LNG are both forms of natural gas—with CNG used in passenger vehicles and LNG in lorries. Natural gas is less harmful to the environment and cheaper than standard fuels (diesel and gasoline). It sounds promising, but in reality, CNG is not common, and the majority of automobile companies are phasing out their CNG models because they are not selling.

Biofuels

When we mention the word "biofuels," we immediately imagine a sustainable or renewable source of energy. That simply means that the carbon dioxide released upon burning biofuels is already being absorbed by the organic matter used to produce them.They are available from various biological and agricultural sources, such as cereals, sugar crops , starches, cellulosic materials, oilseed crops, and organic waste materials.Biofuels are divided into four types: Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO), biomethane, bioethanol, and FAME biodiesel. HVO is a diesel replacement since it is chemically similar, while biomethane is a gaseous fuel and a diesel replacement and, in some markets, a gasoline replacement. Bioethanol is an alcohol fuel, mostly used as a gasoline replacement in vehicles. FAME biodiesel is produced from vegetable oils and animal fats and is used in diesel engines.
Biofuels are a promising future investment, but production and compatibility issues limit their widespread adoption. You have to choose your fuel based on your needs and the vehicle you operate, but keep an eye on the market because it continues to shift—mostly due to environmental reasons.