Automakers and truck manufacturers are selling and leasing an increasing number of vehicles that run on alternative fuels, including E85 (a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline), B20 (a diesel blend containing 20% biodiesel), natural gas, propane, electricity, and even hydrogen.
At the same time, E85 and B20 fuel pumps are springing up throughout the nation, and propane fueling stations are commonplace in some areas, while more limited efforts are underway to install fueling and charging stations for other alternative fuels. For owners of vehicles that can run on alternative fuels, the trick is to locate the fuel stations in your area or along a route you plan to take.
That is, until now. DOE's Alternative Fuels and Advanced Vehicles Data Center has launched an online alternative fuel station locator. Built upon a Google Maps interface, the station locator allows you to select an alternative fuel and find stations in your location or along a route. A highly recommended "advanced search" option lets you winnow down the list to only show public stations or to select a specific payment method. The station locator is sponsored by DOE's Clean Cities initiative and administered by DOE's National Renewable Energy Laboratory.