Alternative fuels in California?

April 2, 2009 2:19 PM

Legal and bureaucratic obstacles to converting a vehicle to alternative fuel in California? First hand experiences most welcome!

I have a performance vehicle that won't pass California smog inspection. That's my own doing, and I take full responsibility for its current state. It has a turbocharged, fuel injected 2.4L gasoline motor, controlled by an aftermarket, standalone EFI computer. It is a totally unassuming vehicle, but it will go stupid fast if you ask it to. Although I can tune it to pass the tailpipe tests, it won't pass the visual inspection test, 'cause the engine compartment is jammed full of all sorts of go-fast goodness ("goodness" being a relative term, of course).

Right now, the vehicle is registered as a planned non-operative vehicle (PNO), and it's just sitting in my driveway. I spent a small fortune modifying it, it's a lot of fun to drive, and I'd like to drive it again. To that end, I am interested in converting it to run one of the alternative fuels permitted by California, fuels which (as I understand the law) are not subject to any CARB-mandated smog inspections.

Does anyone have any experience with this subject? The DMV web site isn't very friendly on this topic. I'd really like to read a "soup to nuts" overview of the alternative fuel vehicle conversion and registration process, especially from someone who has experienced the process themselves, and of whom I can ask questions as I gather more info on this -- what do I need to do, what can I expect, etc.?

Whichever fuel I go with has to be amenable to turbocharging. I am most interested in running E85, as that seems like the easiest conversion and it's a fuel that responds well to turbocharging. AFAIK, E85 is the fuel the best fuel for turbocharging, but I am not sure if a) it qualifies as an alternative fuel in CA, and b) if I can get it in my area (the Bay Area/San Mateo Peninsula). IN additionto the previous questions, does anyone have more info about E85 availability in CA?

Finally, bio-diesel (or any diesel) is NOT an option. The motor is a regular petrol motor; if I decide to run diesel at some point, I'd rather look at doing a diesel motor swap than a conversion. Same with converting it to an electric vehicle: great project, just not for me or this vehicle.

posted by mosk to travel & transportation (8 comments total)

Depending on the car, there is actually a surprising number of cars produced in the last 10 years or so that can already run on E85. A huge number of Fords produced from the mid-90s until now, for example, are already E85 cars straight off the assembly line, without much, if any, fanfare.
posted by The World Famous at 2:24 PM on April 2

Yeah...but for better or worse, mine ain't one of those ;-) Sorry for being a bit cagey about the project vehicle. I don't want to self-link in this AskMe thread, but info on the project, which has a long history, is on my personal web site, available in my MeFi profile. Sorry in advance for the scintillating 1995-era HTML.
posted by mosk at 3:03 PM on April 2

is the idea of converting it simply to be able to pass smog, and no longer be subject to CARB? if so, there are probably much less expensive options out there, such as finding ways to pass smog without having to remove items to pass visual inspection. mefiMail me if you're interested.
posted by Bohemia Mountain at 3:37 PM on April 2

Short of greasing some palms, I don't think there's any way to do as you suggest, but MeFiMail sent.
posted by mosk at 4:45 PM on April 2

If those options fail is it possible to register it out of state?
posted by 6550 at 5:17 PM on April 2

Looking at the list of mods on that truck, you're going to be looking at registering it out of state.

Whomever told you that there's an exemption for alternative fuels is incorrect. You are exempt from smog if your car is a hybrid or 100% electric, diesel, or built prior to 1975. If it's a big truck (7+ tons), it's exempt if it runs CNG.

Running a standard engine on Ethanol, LPG, or even CNG does not exempt it from smog. Unless you're planning on converting to electricity or diesel, you're SOL.
posted by toxic at 5:37 PM on April 2

Thanks, toxic, It looks like I can corroborate your answer with the DMV website after all. Hmmm...I don't know where I misheard the other info, but it looks like I was wrong, and alternative fuel isn't really going to help me solve my particular problem.

Thanks, everyone!
posted by mosk at 5:47 PM on April 2

Not all counties in California require smog checks.
In some counties like mine, certain zip-codes don't have to get smog checked.
posted by whoda at 6:38 AM on April 3